Fixing the sony HD3 volume problem

[Lex101]

Someone on avforums has found a way to fix the low volume on the hd3. The instructions can be found here: http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=184051

I've tried it on my hd3 and got a significant volume increase (well worth it imho).
Disclaimer. I take no responsibility for any consequences caused by this. Using service menu is inherently dangerous, difficulties during the process could cause the device to stop functioning and irreparably damage the product. If you do damage the product in this way, your supplier will charge for repair. (As said in the avforums thread)

 

[doomlordis]

A+ medal deserved mate, this is a godsend and works on hd1 also!

 

[Sphinx89]

Is it a significant increase?

because i dont want my HD3 mucking up already

 

[titaniumx3]

do you think sony have a similiar service menu for their atrac/mp3 cd-players ? I also have low volume on my d-ne10 (brought from UK).

 

[aeriyn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sphinx89 Is it a significant increase?

The EU-regulated HD3 has an output of 2mW per channel while the unregulated version has 5mW per channel.

This is a 15% increase in volume. Since hearing is logarithmic, it takes ten times the power to make a signal sound twice as loud. One and a half times the power = 15% increase in volume.

 

[Sphinx89]

ah i tried it, but turned it off
im not gonna sacrifice battery life for volume, as it is fine for me as it is

the clock looks interesting though, although i didnt go into it

 

[aeriyn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sphinx89 ah i tried it, but turned it off im not gonna sacrifice battery life for volume, as it is fine for me as it is the clock looks interesting though, although i didnt go into it

You won't lose any noticeable amount of battery life by increasing the output by 3mW on each channel. o.O;;;

 

[Duncan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeriyn You won't lose any noticeable amount of battery life by increasing the output by 3mW on each channel. o.O;;;

Agreed.

I wouldn't be amazingly surprised to find that the battery life would be quoted as the same on both EU crippled and 'standard' units.

 

[dura]

Brilliant, works perfect!

I don't think it's gonna cost more batterypower if you don't actually use higher volumes.
This is just gonna give you more headroom in case you need it, and now you can use less efficient phones (which of course logically does cost more batterypower anyway).

Edit: BTW, I've got a NW-HD1, works exactly the same.
Backlight gets switched off and can be switched on again in the regular menu.

 

[Lex101]

I changed my back to the original volume as I have the hissing problem, and increasing the output seems to make the hissing louder as well. Normally I can only hear the hissing when it is dead quiet and at the start of a song, but with the volume increase its more noticable. Atm i don't really have a problem with the default volume so it's not a problem

 

[dura]

I see. Well, a fellow-Lex is always right.

I just had a long listen, it seems the player sound a little bit better, slightly more vivid.
More headroom, so louder peaks?

 

[Zuerst]

Is the volume problem only an issue for the EU model or do they applied to the North American or Japanese market?

 

[Hasselhoffia]

Just applies to the EU models. It's an EU regulation that they've imposed to protect (kiddie) consumers against possible hearing loss. Means devices sold in the EU must comply with EN 50332-1 (European Standards on maximum sound output) which is:

- That mobile equipment should be limited to 100dB(A) sound pressure using the accompanying headphones sold.
- Constraints the output power of the device, hence covering any combination of equipment and headphones.

 

[didikossa]

I was just reading about this on another site. Some guy is now selling the fix on ebay, apparently, and people are not too pleased...