Default gain of iMac Speakers

Teej2988 · Dec 21st, 2010, 12:32 PM

Hi all,
so my main issue here is that my iMac seems to have a fairly loud minimum audio gain. Is there a way to change the gain of the speakers? So that the default low volume will be much less than the current?

Thanks for any help.

my mac is one of the new iMacs currently available (2010) ... if it matters

WestWeb · Dec 21st, 2010, 01:00 PM

There is an easy way to change most of your Macs default sound settings.

Open up: Applications/Utilities/Audio MIDI setup
and you'll want to look under the "built-in output" section.

Teej2988 · Dec 21st, 2010, 01:07 PM

thank WestWeb, but the controls there are basically the volume up down keyboard key controls. They dont allow an overall limit of audio output.

WestWeb · Dec 21st, 2010, 01:56 PM

Aw geez that's what I get for posting before coffee time; I totally misinterpreted your question, my bad.

I'm curious what is playing too loud. If it's iTunes, web browser video, Garageband, etc, (ie anything with a graphic interface), you could just use the volume slider specific to the interface you are using, and turn down the volume that way.

If that doesn't do it, then try holding the shift and option keys while lowering the system volume further. You will be able to lower it to 1/4 of 1 standard volume bar, giving you more control over the lower range.

If you really think that is still too loud, you might have to just get some external speakers, and use those to lower the volume output even further.

Teej2988 · Dec 21st, 2010, 02:14 PM

no worries,
the main thing i find is basically everything that i wish to play at a low volume just isn't low enough. perhaps my hearing is too good. the one thing i did notice is that quicklook plays at a rather loud volume but i feel like this thread was a waste because i should have just done my own little tinkering and just dealt with it because its not that big of an issue and your right most programs that allow audio output have a secondary volume control.

So thank you for your time WestWeb and happy holidays to you!