MacBook Air 13" - headphone volume too low!

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MacBook Air 13" - headphone volume too low!

I am a new Macbook Air that is just about 3 months old.

I had never used the headphone jack much when I first had it - but I didn't remember anything wrong with it.

Now - I have been trying to listen to music and watch videos and such using the headphone, and I find that the volume is just too low even if I turn it up to maximum.

I have tried several suggestions I found on the forums

1. Change the Format of Headphone source to 96000.0Hz under Audio MIDI setup (in System Preferences)

2. Crank up the Preamp under Equalizer in iTunes

3. Of course, I have checked that the Output volume has been set to maximum.

Having done all the above, I think I got a little improvement on the volume - but it still is way too low compared to the other laptops I have!

And yes - I have tested with a few headphones and confirmed that the headphone is not faulty.

MacBook Air

Posted on Jan 12, 2012 10:42 AM

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Answer 1

Terence Teoh Author

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Jan 15, 2012 5:17 PM in response to Terence Teoh

And... Beside resetting PRAM, repairing disk and its permission, plug and unplug the head jack, tried with different earphones, check the Audio Midi Setup; I also deleted all audio plist files in /Library and ~/Library folders (incase those preference files are corrupted). Those efforts fail to solve the problem.

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Answer 2

Terence Teoh Author

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Feb 1, 2012 8:12 AM in response to Terence Teoh

still no help from anyone?

I tried to bring it to an Apple authorized repair center in Kuala Lumpur a couple of weeks ago. They said I need to leave the machine there for about 5 days. I didn't do it because I wasn't prepared to let them have access to my hard disk.

But - 5 days just to solve a silly headphone jack problem... ARRRGH!

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Answer 3

Macaby

Level 3

923 points

Feb 1, 2012 6:08 PM in response to Terence Teoh

My hearing is not the greatest to start with. I've found ALL lightweight laptops to be lacking in sound volume, either with laptop speakers or the headset jack. I bought one of these (see link below) and find it very helpful in boosting sound output.

http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E5-Fiio-headphone-Amplifier/dp/B002OG5GT8

This unit with powers through a USB cable or an internal battery that can be recharged. Well worth the price in my opinion, especially trying to listen to the volume while inflight. I never leave home without it. I think I have the E5, but there are other models as well.

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Answer 4

Terence Teoh Author

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Feb 2, 2012 7:20 AM in response to Macaby

Thanks Macaby for the suggestion. I'll be interested to have one of those - however I think I should still get this broken audio jack fixed first... I wish there is a solution I can manage myself rather than to send my laptop to the repair center and do without it for a week..

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Answer 5

Macaby

Level 3

923 points

Feb 2, 2012 9:19 AM in response to Terence Teoh

I didn't realize you think the headset volume is NOT working right. If so, you should certainly let an Apple store check it out. I doubt you will have to send it anywhere, but there probably will be at least one overnight involved.

As I stated in my reply above, I think ALL lightweight laptops do not put out much volume, either with the headset jack or the built-in speakers. Another solution would be to use a "powered" headset. I'm using a non powered headset (Beats by dr.dre). Seems to work fine for me although a little or more than a little pricy.

I can't find Audio MIDI in setup (in System Preferences). Maybe this option only applies to the 13". Mine is the 11".

I did Crank up the Preamp under Equalizer in iTunes and it definitely gave me a little more volume.

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