How can I get my iPod volume even lower?

[DrJon]

So I just got my first iPod, a 5th generation ideo 30 gig. Nice. And Westone UM2 ear bids. Also nice. But when I'm listening in a quiet place (like my office) the lowest volume setting is still a bit too loud. It seems to be because the UM2's are so close to the inner ear. If I have the UM2's farther out of the ear, it's less volume. But the sound then also becomes tinny and I lose the sound isolation that I like so much.

Are there any convenient ways to lower the volume down a bit? Thanks.

 

[Jahn]

certainly, get a resistor in the signal chain. for instance, etymotics makes a P-to-S converter adapter which is basically a 60 ohm resistor adapter you can snap between your cans and your player. there are cheaper alternatives, but this is the one i used to use for good effect.

 

[milkpowder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jahn certainly, get a resistor in the signal chain. for instance, etymotics makes a P-to-S converter adapter which is basically a 60 ohm resistor adapter you can snap between your cans and your player. there are cheaper alternatives, but this is the one i used to use for good effect.

Good suggestion. Might I also suggest the Shure in-line attenuator, although, I find that the sound quality slightly deteriorates. UE also make an inline resistor in the form of an adapter.

 

[Jeff E]

You could also use volume "normalizer" software to process all your iTune music files to a standard, lower volume. I use iVolume on the Mac and have all my music files set to 85%. Other benefits: minimal loudness disparity between songs, much less distortion if you EQ.

 

[Wmcmanus]

Turn it off, maybe? Nah, just kidding. There are some nice suggestions above, and I'm actually happy you asked this question because it's the same thing I've been thinking about for my Nano. I use the Nano as a Bible only (i.e., there is no music on it) and the guy's voice is a bit boomy at times, even at low volumes.

 

[Digitalbath3737]

For PC users I recommend mp3gain. It lowers the volume of the mp3s (I believe it also works with AAC). Easy to use as well.

 

[grawk]

My suggestion: use line out, and a good amp. The volume knob on a good amp will work better at low volumes than the ipod's.

 

[stewtheking]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grawk My suggestion: use line out, and a good amp. The volume knob on a good amp will work better at low volumes than the ipod's.

Yup, the usual head-fi solution to throw money at the problem!

But seriously, this is probably the best bet, a good amp will allow you to go to quieter volumes whilst retaining sound quality and seal.

 

[sidewinder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stewtheking Yup, the usual head-fi solution to throw money at the problem! But seriously, this is probably the best bet, a good amp will allow you to go to quieter volumes whilst retaining sound quality and seal.

I disagree. Adding an amp in the audiochain does make the volume even louder. I use my D465 or AZ6831 as source, while connecting my amp through the line out. But still, even barely touching the volume knob makes the amount of dB rise like a rocket! In the case with IEM's that is, therefore I don't use my amp and difference is minimal or non-excistent anyhow.

I would go for something like a 75 Ohm adapter (like the ER4 converter).

 

[IpaqMan]

Wow, those UM2s must be super sensitive. My most sensitive buds are Shure E3Cs and the lowest setting on my Ipod Video and Nano are almost too quiet for bedtime.

Anyway, there are three "easy" ways of lowering the volume.

The "cheapest" way is to use Itunes 7 to decrease the volume adjustment. With Itunes 7, you can select multiple tracks (even all tracks) at one time to make the volume change. This does not make any changes to the MP3 files as Replaygain would.

Another cheap way is to use Rockbox on your Ipod Video. You can lower the volume way past inaudible. On my Iriver H120, at the lowest volume I can hear, there are more steps lower. BTW, Rockbox on Ipods is a work in progress. The Iriver versions are great.

The last way is to use the Shure inline volume attenuator (volume control) or the Radio Shack inline volume control. The Shure attenuator is bulkier but has a shorter cord.

 

[DrJon]

Thanks for all the tips, fellas. I'm looking into each one now.


Quote:

Originally Posted by IpaqMan The "cheapest" way is to use Itunes 7 to decrease the volume adjustment. With Itunes 7, you can select multiple tracks (even all tracks) at one time to make the volume change.

So how does this work? I looked around iTunes and didn't find anything about it. I reduced the volume slider and copied some songs to the iPod but that didn't help (as expected). Thanks.

 

[IpaqMan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrJon So how does this work? I looked around iTunes and didn't find anything about it. I reduced the volume slider and copied some songs to the iPod but that didn't help (as expected). Thanks.

I enter Itunes 7, select a track directly on my Ipod, right click, select Get Info. Then I select the Option tab and set the volume slider far to the left.

When I listen to the track, it is almost inaudible.

I haven't tried modifying my library and then syncing the track.

 

[DrJon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by IpaqMan I enter Itunes 7, select a track directly on my Ipod, right click, select Get Info. Then I select the Option tab and set the volume slider far to the left. When I listen to the track, it is almost inaudible. I haven't tried modifying my library and then syncing the track.

Thanks. Sounded like just what I want. But I tried that without much luck. If I turn the Option Volume down to -100%, I can’t hear the track at all. If I have it at -98%, I have to turn the iPod volume up to about 25% before I can hear anything. But then it’s just as loud as it was before- it jumps from no sound to what was previously the lowest volume setting. But the iPod volume selector is just at a higher setting when going from nothing to too loud.

 

[IpaqMan]

Thanks for the information about the volume lowering issue.

Then ReplayGain can be used instead which can adjust the volume permanently in your mp3 files without actually decoding/recoding the mp3s.

But the easiest way is to use a signal attenuator. The Radio Shack volume control can be found at your local RS and it is returnable if you don't like it.

 

[DrJon]

Thanks. Maybe I could just buy something like this:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search
And cut one of the outputs off. Looks to do what I want and-best of all- it's small.

Edit: I should mention that I use a Mac and iTunes to get all my music on the iPod. So some of the software options mention might not work (on a non-PC).