Introduction
If you want to make your headphones louder, then getting the best from your shiny, new headphones isn’t as obvious as it might seem. It’s not always as simple as spending a few hundred pounds, opening the box, putting them on and enjoying your music or gaming experience the way you had imagined.
For example, if you connect your headset to a phone or tablet as your audio source, quite often the amplifiers in these devices are not powerful enough to drive good-quality headphones and in some cases, iOS and Android phones can even restrict the output levels — even though your headphones and your ears may be capable of higher audio levels without additional risk to your hardware or your health. It’s always important to note, though, that listening to music at high volumes through headphones can potentially damage your hearing. Always try to keep the volume at a safe level, and take breaks to prevent ear fatigue.
What is an amplifier?
The definition of the word ‘amplify’ means to enlarge or increase, and in audio terms we apply that to the volume, or how ‘loud’ the music is. Any kind of device where it’s possible to increase or decrease the volume, like your radio, TV, smartphone or computer has some kind of amplifier built in — but they are not all the same. Some can distort the audio quality and some simply don’t provide as much amplification as you would like.
That’s part of the reason why iFi audio exists — amplifiers are part of our product range — really good and really compact mobile amplifiers like GO link that you can either take with you on your travels, or stylish and powerful desktop devices like uno that you can connect into your home music, computer or TV setup.
Here’s the problem with quiet headphones…
Listening to audio on Bluetooth ear buds
Explanation: To save costs, phones and tablets often contain low-powered amplifiers. Also, the amplifiers built into wireless in-ear headphones are small and low-powered.
This severely limits how loud you can get the volume from your headphones.
Listening to audio on Bluetooth over-ear headphones
Explanation: To reduce costs, laptops and computers often contain low-powered amplifiers.
Also, the amplifiers built into over-ear headphones are small and low-powered.
This severely limits how loud you can get the volume from your headphones.
How to make your headphones louder
- Turn up the volume — it sounds obvious, but have you checked the volume and any safety settings on your phone, tablet, or computer?
- Use a cable — if your headphones have an option to connect them to your audio device with a headphone cable, this may allow you to increase the volume because they’ll be connected directly to the amplifier inside your music device which could be more powerful than the amplifier inside your headphones.
- Use a portable DAC/Amp — We make some of the best quality and best-rated mobile DAC/Amps on the planet, like GO link starting from just £59, and you can connect one between your music device and headphones using a cable to not only increase your headphones’ volume but improve the sound quality, too!
- Use a Bluetooth DAC/Amp — iFi makes portable and desktop Bluetooth DAC/Amps starting from just £199, so you can either:
- Mobile — connect your headphones to GO Blu with a cable and then stream audio to GO Blu from your phone. The DAC and amplifier in GO Blu boosts the volume AND the audio quality!
- Desktop — connect your headphones to ZEN Blue with a cable, then stream audio to ZEN Blue from your phone or other device, making the output louder and much better quality!
- Use a studio DAC/Amp — As one of the world’s leading audio-tech companies, we also make studio-level equipment like Pro iDSD Signature — the Rolls-Royce of the DAC/Amp world. This is the ultimate solution for people who are extremely serious about audio, either as a hobby or a profession.
Make your headphones louder — FAQS
There could be several reasons for this, including a low-quality audio source, low volume settings on your device, or limitations of the headphones themselves.
You can try several methods, such as adjusting your device’s volume and settings, using a headphone amplifier, or choosing high-quality audio files.
Listening to music at high volumes through headphones can potentially damage your hearing. Always try to keep the volume at a safe level, and take breaks to prevent ear fatigue.
A headphone amplifier boosts the audio signal before it reaches your headphones, potentially leading to a louder and clearer sound.
Depending on the quality of your audio file and the capability of your headphones, increasing the volume could potentially lead to distortion or loss of sound quality.
Yes, there are various apps and software available that can enhance the volume and overall sound quality. However, the effectiveness may vary based on the type of device and headphones you are using.
Not all headphones are built the same. Higher-end headphones often have better sound reproduction and can handle higher volumes without distortion compared to cheaper models.
Excessively high volumes may lead to damage in the drivers of the headphones over time, especially if they’re not designed to handle such levels.
Yes, different types of audio have different dynamics. For example, classical music has a high dynamic range, while pop music is typically compressed to sound loud. This can affect the perceived loudness and the actual volume you can achieve without distortion.
Yes, the quality of your audio source can affect the loudness and clarity of your headphones. High-quality, lossless audio files will generally provide a better listening experience than streaming, especially at higher volumes.
Remember, it’s crucial to protect your hearing and avoid listening to excessively loud music over prolonged periods.
