iPod Nano volume

I presume that you have purchased a UK model and therefore have a Nano that has the maximum volume limited, thanks to the EU volume limit regulation. I have experienced the same restriction on a previous gen UK Nano and classic. My US sourced Nano did not have the volume restriction and was noticeably louder.



My UK iPhone and Touch (2nd gen) do not have the restriction possibly because they do not fall under the same classification as the Nano?



I believe that there is software available to remove the EU volume restriction on older iPods (sorry, don't know the specifics), but as far as I'm aware there is nothing available that works with the newer models, this may have changed though so maybe try looking into that.



Perhaps you could buy a small portable amp, not ideal I know, esp when working out - however the FiiO E5 amp is only slightly larger than the 2nd gen Shuffle, comes with a clip and is available for under £20. It may provide just enough of a boost in volume.

It is also useful to know that the reason for this is to protect your long term hearing.
I know it is not the answer but you might appreciate it in a few years time.

Check you don't have the volume limiter turned on in the iPod settings.

The volume limiter is on by default and set about half-way in the USA.

I don't get the UK restriction - it would only make sense if headphones all had the same sensitivity. Most of the ones I use need a 3/4 setting to be comfortably audible, whereas some buds are as loud at 1/2 max. A lot of movies are very dynamic as well and would be very hard to hear at less than 3/4. <shrug> glad the US didn't implement that.

One solution would be to get better headphones... ones that enclose your ear.

I've been wondering why my iNano was quiet since I got back to Japan where I am resident. I bought it in the UK this summer and had no idea about the volume restriction. Will Apple exchange it in Tokyo for the unrestricted version? It is so annoying - I can hear conversations going on all round me at the gym!
Probably not the forum here but if the EU are going to make restrictions like this then they could at least insist that retailers and makers like Apple mark the product "volume restricted" like they insist on labelling everything else in that sad nanny state culture. I know I'll be telling all my buddies in England to order their iPods thro me here in Asia to get around this joke legislation. When I sign the guarantee I dunno why it doesn't have a clause indemnifying Apple and other mp3 producers against hearing loss........

It is to prevent your hearing loss. But that has probably fallen on deaf ears!

You make a very good point - you are old enough and wise enough.
Unfortunately many other people are not old enough or wise enough to know that they are damaging their hearing. These devices are owned by kids who will play the music as loud as the iPod will go. Do you really want lots of people with damaged hearing in the future.

You are also putting yourself at risk. To play music loud enough to drown out the noise of the gym you will be exceeding the safe limit. It may not sound that loud, but over prolonged use it is damaging your hearing.

Have you checked that the volume limit is not set?
There is a setting that you can change that limits the volume even more.
iPods in Europe have had the volume limit for many years, the new nano is no different to all the ones before.

To play music loud enough to drown out the noise
of the gym you will be exceeding the safe limit.

Safe limits are defined by duration of exposure, however. I don't know how dedicated to working out this guy is, but the one-hour limit is 99dB (vs 90 for the 8 hour). 30min is 102dB.

Do you really want lots of people with damaged
hearing in the future.

Of course not, but it's an issue of individual responsibility so the only ethical way I see to address it is warnings or awareness campaigns. Should we limit everyone's driving to 30mph? It would save countless lives. 30mph is arguably too low, as is the EU "volume" (voltage, really) limit.

AFAIK, though, Apple has no option here as it's a legal requirement.

If it is a 30MPH zone then a 30 limit to the speed of the cars makes sense to me.

I know it is personal responsibility but young people have little or none and they are the one's who's ears are most at risk.

I have European iPods and I find them plenty loud enough, even on 3/4 volume, at max they are still way too loud for me.

I just bought one expecting to use it on the underground to work, but London's tube is so loud I doubt I'll be able to focus on the sound from my gorgeous new toy. What a shame, there must be an override method out there somewhere - and when I hit my favourite tracks I want to get into them by turning the volume up temporarily.