[X14Halo]

i have a concern... i just got a new soundcard for my laptop (audigy 2 zs notebook) and when I turn the volume up all the way, its not as loud as it used to be...this is with my default iPod headphones. My Grado sr225's will be here in 2 days. I am worried that they will not be loud enough. Is there anything I can do to increase the sound volume capacity for my laptop and headphones???

 

[ChickenScrtchBoy]

An Audigy will definatly not do justice to the SR-225's never mind a laptop version.

You would need a DAC and an amp if you want to drive them from your laptop.

 

[kyrie]

Or rather, stop listening to your music so loud. Do you want to become deaf by the time you're 40?

 

[X14Halo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChickenScrtchBoy An Audigy will definatly not do justice to the SR-225's never mind a laptop version. You would need a DAC and an amp if you want to drive them from your laptop.

whats a DAC, and could someone recommend a non-expensive but good amp. Thanks

 

[ChickenScrtchBoy]

DAC=digital-analog converter ie, plug into usb, and have audio out...

Amps...

Govibe

or a mint, if you want to DIY.

 

[X14Halo]

could u give me a link to a good DAC and amp please theres so many haha i dont know what to choose. Thanks.

edit: and by the way, I dont wanna spend alot of money, and I dont care about sound improvement at all. I just need something to make the pottential sound volume louder, thats all.

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChickenScrtchBoy An Audigy will definatly not do justice to the SR-225's never mind a laptop version. You would need a DAC and an amp if you want to drive them from your laptop.

Blah, as if! And you're speaking from experience, I'm sure? *RIGHT*

You can drive the SR225s to the appropriate VOLUME level from practically any source (ear bleeding volumes included).

Unfortunately, a laptop sound card probably won't deliver the dynamic SOUND QUALITY that the SR225s are fully capable of from a better source.

A good way to supplement your SR225s from a laptop is to employ a USB soundcard/amp combination like an m-audio transit/echo indigo/headroom bithead...that might cost you anywhere from $100 to $200.

I've tried my SR225s from my friend's echo indigo and they sound fantastic out of it.

 

[X14Halo]

what im saying is that when I turn the volume up all the way on my laptop, it isnt really all that loud through my headphones. Will an amp solve this issue? Remember, I dont care about any improvement in sound quality, I just need more volume.

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

Quote:

Originally Posted by X14Halo what im saying is that when I turn the volume up all the way on my laptop, it isnt really all that loud through my headphones. Will an amp solve this issue? Remember, I dont care about any improvement in sound quality, I just need more volume.

Yes, an amp should solve this problem.

I really don't understand why your laptop would have problems driving your SR225s to an appropriate volume, however.

What exactly are you plugging into your laptop right now in order to test the sound?

 

[X14Halo]

i wont have my sr225's for another 2 days. I just got my audigy 2 zs notebook soundcard (the one that plugs into PCMCIA slot) and I have my default iPod headphones hooked to that. With my default soundcard, I could get the volume pretty loud...now with this new soundcard, the maximum volume isnt very loud. Suggestions?

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

Quote:

Originally Posted by X14Halo i wont have my sr225's for another 2 days. I just got my audigy 2 zs notebook soundcard (the one that plugs into PCMCIA slot) and I have my default iPod headphones hooked to that. With my default soundcard, I could get the volume pretty loud...now with this new soundcard, the maximum volume isnt very loud. Suggestions?

I would consider consulting the computer-as-source forum.

 

[mikeliao]

Did you check your volume controls and drivers? I haven't tried the audigy card but some cards have their own volume controls on top of the Windows generic volume control.

Is the card working? When the audigy card is plugged in, is there still audio in the headphone out on the laptop? If so, the card may not be functioning or drivers incorrectly installed.

The audigy 2 zs, does it have a line out only(doubtful)? If so then you'll need an amp.

 

[Budley007]

You shouldn't need an amp for SR225s for volumn sake. It'll do some good on the quality side and certainly will make it louder, but I don't understand why you'd need one just for that. The SR225 are very easy to drive. Just give them a try for awhile and if you still feel you need an amp then make your decision then.

 

[ChickenScrtchBoy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyfrenchman27 Blah, as if! And you're speaking from experience, I'm sure? *RIGHT*

Not the 225's in particular, but I own an Audigy and it does not do justice to anything... except maybe EAX, but that's not sound quality.

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyfrenchman27 You can drive the SR225s to the appropriate VOLUME level from practically any source (ear bleeding volumes included).

Indeed.


Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyfrenchman27 Unfortunately, a laptop sound card probably won't deliver the dynamic SOUND QUALITY that the SR225s are fully capable of from a better source.

Exactly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyfrenchman27 A good way to supplement your SR225s from a laptop is to employ a USB soundcard/amp combination like an m-audio transit/echo indigo/headroom bithead...that might cost you anywhere from $100 to $200. I've tried my SR225s from my friend's echo indigo and they sound fantastic out of it.

Glad to hear it.

 

[X14Halo]

problem solved on the volume thing. I didnt see this thing called wave volume...its seperate from the master volume. haha i knew there was something i wasnt seeing.