iPhone 5 headphone volume too low

I found the solution!!!!!
Here it is:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5041524?start=0&tstart=0

Basically you have to go to Settings>General>Restrictions>Enable Restrictions scroll to Volume Limit: check "Allow Changes" go back to Settings>Music>Volume Limit and Check off! Try it!!

I meant other than switching headphone as well.

due to a problem with my iphone 4, i recently aquired a newish 4S. the headphone volume is very low, much lower than my previous 4.

i now have to have my headphones (various types) at full or nearly full volume. something there was no need for with my old 4.

i also use my phone with a portable speaker. with the 4 it was loud when plugged into the speaker and slightly quieter when using bluetooth. the 4S is loud as before when connected by bluetooth, but virtually useless when wired via the headphone socket.

i was really only going to keep the 4S until the new iphone 5S(?) is released, but it will need to have decent volume, or i will have to look for an alternative make. a pity as all my other kit is apple.

Hi Ardentsong,

Thanks for looking but that info was from a parent wanting to limit the audio level on his son's iPhone.
This is not helpful and will also make that father about as popular as a fart in a lift especially as the iPhone 5 is already too quiet.

Hi malcolmfromforel,

Your post is extremely helpful because I agree that since you have actually gone through the jailbreak process, your info is as close to the truth as we are going to get on here so THANK YOU. I now feel satisfied that the info I had previously obtained is incorrect, that the difference between the European version and the others is in practice, a poorly conceived software adjustment.

It is such a sadness that Apple is refusing to care about the audio experience we are all having with their current flagship phone.

I also take your point that if we are going to get any kind of a result that we are going to have to mobilise every user experiencing the problem to contact Apple directly and then posting on here (as a matter of record) that they have complained/given feedback so that it will be "out there" for all the world (and the media) to see that Apple is being unresponsive on this issue. In the past Apple has been brilliant with regard to its customers, this would be a very bad time for Apple to take their eye off the ball as they risk people who care about their music refusing to buy the iPhone 5S as it will also be an unsatisfactory music player.

It is still my feeling that the sound is better under ios7 so maybe you will all see an improvement shortly

OK I've done it. Below is what I have fed back to Apple. Please feel free to follow my lead . . .

Dear Apple Tech Staff,

I wrote to you this problem way back in January and haven't heard back from you.

I know you must be busy but that is insulting. The problem that I reported was that headphones (Bose AE2i) that were fine with the iPhone 4 are now too quiet to enjoy on the iPhone 5 (your flagship phone). I bought the phone outright and had no idea that you had hobbled its audio section in this way. As soon as I was aware I contacted you and got NO RESPONSE.

Living in the UK I understand that my phone has the software kludge to limit its sound to satisfy the EU regulations. I have recently found out people have jailbroken their phones and reset their plist settings to the LL (North America) and have got their volume back.

Here's what I'm asking you for: Can you please send me the instructions to reset the audio section on my phone so that I can enjoy my headphones again. I will be happy to sign a disclaimer making me responsible for my own hearing and that Apple is NOT responsible for the volume that I choose to listen to my music at. I'm a grown adult and fully aware of my actions. I'm also someone who has been happily enchanted with Apple products down the years. Crucially I also use them as professional tools and I am stunned that Apple is being so neglectful of its customers' experience. The question that begs answering: Is Apple going to hobble the audio in the iPhone 5S too?

Hi Enzuigiri,

What headphones are you listening on? If you are listening on low impedance headphones like the ear pods, the problem is negligable. Unfortunately they fall out of my ear so are not a solution. If you use higher impedance headphones (usually £150 plus) this is where the problem becomes evident.

Well done pm2012!

The right thing to do about this issue is not discussing of this forum, but giving feedback through the appropriate channel!

I however have little hope that Apple will give you any procedure to change the stupid EU volume outputlimit on your iPhone 5, and I have even less hope that this issue will addressed with the iPhone 5S.

Too bad class actions do not exist in Europe. I'm sure that if the Americans had had the same treatment as the Europeans regarding output volume limitation, they would already have made a big class action and would have won it! At the end of the day, it only takes Apple to issue a software update to solve this problem...

To everyone else reading here, please give your feedback through the appropriate channel. Numbers will make a difference!

http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

@pm2012

I don't understand how this happened but Apple sent a reply to your post over to me.

Here it is:

Next!

Sorry... couldn't help myself 😁

One more thing...

I recently bought a product called Sprng. It's a little clip you attach to the Apple Earpod and they will never fall out of your ear again.

It's been impossible to use the Earpod when I go for a run. They will not stay put in my ears. I have used the Sprng accessory twice now and not one single incident. They stay put now.

They cost only 10 dollars and I can recommend them. They really solve this problem.

I spoke with my collegue at work and she did not have any problems like this so I suppose some ear shapes are better suited for the Earpod design.

Hi malcolmfromforel,

I agree with you that Americans would have started a class action by now.

So, just in case I didn't make it clear in my posting I have put my complaint in to Apple and I urge everyone with a european iPhone to to do the same:

To everyone else reading here, please give your feedback through the appropriate channel. Numbers will make a difference!

http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

Then, I believe it would be a good idea to post on here a copy of what you sent Apple (as I have done).

That way Apple ignoring its customers on this issue will be online and available for all to see, including
the media.I really wouldn't want it to come down to this but we need to build up a body of evidence to show that this is a matter of concern. Especially if the same is about to happen with low sound output on the iPhone 5S. Numbers make a difference.

Hi Dudikowski,

Thanks for your tip re: Spring as it may provide a solution to using the earpods but it might not, no two ears are the same. If Spring really is that good, then Apple should buy the company and add them to the earpod's manufacture since part of the reason for the redesign was supposed to stop them falling out all the time. I already use Sennheiser sports headphones when out and about as their over the ear clip always stay on. When they wear out I may try the Spring.

That said whilst the earpods sound better than the previous earphones that came with earlier iPhones they are not in the same class of experience that you can get with good circumaural headphones. That's why recording studios use this type of headphone to get a more immersive experience. That's also why people spend £150-£1,000 on these Hi-fi headphones. This is why so many people are really upset that the iPhone 5 has got such a low sound output.

As I said my colleague at work never had any problems with the Earpods and she is jogging 3 days per week. I had trouble believing her since my Earpods will fall out after 10 meters of jogging. So Apple may have tried the design this way but with too few ear shapes.

I have looked at many solutions but I don't want to go out for my runs looking like I am getting ready for a trip to the moon. So anything that is more than just the ear plug is not of interest to me. The Sprng is very discrete and I can now use the remote control again and change songs as I run. So I'm very happy with this 10$ accessory.

Here is the EU article about this.

EUROPA - Consumer Affairs - Consumer product safety - Product specific issues

Key points

• Based on a sound limit of 85 dB considered safe under normal conditions of use.
• The user can choose to override the limit so that the sound level can be increased up to maximum 100 dB.
• If the user overrides the limit, warnings about the risks must be repeated every 20 hours of listening time.

...

I don't think Apple implemented the 20 hours warning. I have turned off the EU limit but never heard such a warning.