+BudMan MVC Posted October 21, 2022 MVC Share Posted October 21, 2022 So I picked up some budget speakers, my old ones must be like 15 years or so old at least.. Found a deal on amazon for some Sanyun SW208, they are working fine via 3.5mm connection. But here is the question, with usb connection they have a dac, but seems this is not exposed to windows to be able to control volume. The only way to control volume it seems is via knob on the side of them. You can mute sound via windows, but if you adjust the volume doesn't actually change the volume. Not the end of the world or anything, just use them with 3.5mm vs usb. But was curious if there is anyway around this? I would think this is a limitation in the speakers that they don't expose controlling volume via the dac to windows? Not a big sound guy, the old speakers worked. But since was cleaning off desk to make room for new 32" monitor, was like wow these are old.. The very limited testing I have done so far, they do sound better than the old ones. But not being able to control sound volume from the keyboard is a no go, so had to switch over to the 3.5 vs usb. Not really sure if loosing out on anything.. But more curious if anyway to get them to work via usb and volume control at the keyboard media keys. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1422609-control-volume-of-usb-speakers-in-windows/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindovermaster Global Moderator Posted October 21, 2022 Global Moderator Share Posted October 21, 2022 Yeah, Windows (or any OS for that matter) does not control the sound, BUt it does control the height of sound. Example: If you have Windows to set it at 100%, your device can play up to 100% If you set Windows to 50%, your speakers cranked up to the highest, will ever play 50% of it's capability. The ONLY way Windows can control it if there's a constant setting. Like those old speakers via 95' that had no volume dial. That help you or am I way off? lol Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1422609-control-volume-of-usb-speakers-in-windows/#findComment-598770754 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BudMan MVC Posted October 21, 2022 Author MVC Share Posted October 21, 2022 No not really.. So volume is up on the speakers.. When I set windows to 100% it plays at max of the speakers per their volume knob. As I lower the volume in windows the volume goes down. This is with the 3.5mm connection With the usb.. Doesn't matter what I set the volume to in windows it plays the volume that is set on the speakers, only when I go completely to zero or mute does the sound stop.. It makes sense actually if its a DAC in the speakers - its a digital signal so it plays at the volume set on the speaker. But windows can not remotely control this setting. So the speakers play at the volume they are set too. With the 3.5mm connection its a analog signal and I can adjust the level going to the speakers, and then the speakers amplify that per their volume setting on the speakers. The stupid speakers should provide a way for windows to remotely control the volume, I really think this is a limitation of the speakers. Unless there was some work around to install a driver for the dac in the speakers? Just seems odd that speakers wouldn't provide a way for the source into the dac to control the volume? But not sure what I expected for like $50 pair of speakers that also have bluetooth, etc. They sure sound much better then the Dell A215 speakers, which have to be old as the hills, looking online I see some posts mentioning them back in 2006.. So they could be older than that even.. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1422609-control-volume-of-usb-speakers-in-windows/#findComment-598770769 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindovermaster Global Moderator Posted October 21, 2022 Global Moderator Share Posted October 21, 2022 Oh, OK.. Never played with that, soo.. next person? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1422609-control-volume-of-usb-speakers-in-windows/#findComment-598770775 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MS Bob 11 Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 (edited) For my USB DAC with SPDIF Toslink, I install equalizer APO and Peace GUI for it: https://sourceforge.net/projects/peace-equalizer-apo-extension/. It's better to lower the preamp anyway on Windows for USB audio to prevent clipping/distortion which occurs at 0 dB. Peace has a minimize to tray feature for the preamp control which sort of acts like a "volume control" with hotkeys too (requested by me, added by the developer) 😁. goretsky, aphanic, Yonah and 1 other 4 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1422609-control-volume-of-usb-speakers-in-windows/#findComment-598770832 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BudMan MVC Posted October 22, 2022 Author MVC Share Posted October 22, 2022 So seems voicemeeter can do the same thing, it can control the volume and can be hooked in the keyboard keypress - but loose the OSD of the volume setting and changing.. There seem to be lots of great audio stuff out there that can do all kinds of great stuff.. But for my needs they are just overkill.. These speakers sound WAY BETTER than the old ones, just using the 3.5mm jack. And I can control volume and get my visual feedback how I was use to, etc. Just a shame that would even need some 3rd party anything for such a basic thing. Guess I will just continue to use the 3.5mm connection. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1422609-control-volume-of-usb-speakers-in-windows/#findComment-598770922 Share on other sites More sharing options...
theefool Posted October 22, 2022 Share Posted October 22, 2022 Windows built in volume control works just fine for me with usb audio, but I'm using a Topping D90LE. https://www.tpdz.net/productinfo/835893.html +BudMan 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1422609-control-volume-of-usb-speakers-in-windows/#findComment-598770944 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BudMan MVC Posted October 22, 2022 Author MVC Share Posted October 22, 2022 Yeah see - that is what I was wondering. Its possible - if the dac is correctly exposed to windows. Which it just clearly doesn't seem to be in these speakers. edit: when you connect them via usb, they just show up as usb 2.0 device, not as actual dac.. In the big picture I am happy with them, especially for the price.. They are normal 69, had some 5% coupon.. Ordered them - then looked a bit later and there was some deal sale or something with $14 off. So cancelled and reordered.. For 55$ I am pretty happy with them.. They sure blow away the old ###### ones I had been living with heheh.. I doubt they are actually the 60W they say.. But man are they louder than old ones.. I only have to have volume in windows like 14-16 vs 80 before.. I just wanted something that wouldn't break the bank, they are not my home system setup - they are just little computer speakers - but they were cheaper than the Edifier ones was looking at, or even the monoprice ones - and they said they had a dac, had usb and bluetooth connections. And I have learned more about dacs and a few different sound software packages for windows, etc.. Thanks all that have responded. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1422609-control-volume-of-usb-speakers-in-windows/#findComment-598770973 Share on other sites More sharing options...
theefool Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 I typically adjust from the head-amp/dac. But, I adjusted from my daskeyboard audio and that adjusted my headphone sound. So, yes, usb audio can be adjusted, pending on the equipment, I guess. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1422609-control-volume-of-usb-speakers-in-windows/#findComment-598771016 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MS Bob 11 Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 The thing is I need equalizerAPO anyway for balanced audio when using different devices - e.g. for wireless earbuds, it boosts bass automatically with a particular preset, for speakers, it can switch automatically to a different more flat preset, just a little more mid-range frequencies, so using it as "volume control" is just a bonus. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1422609-control-volume-of-usb-speakers-in-windows/#findComment-598771017 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BudMan MVC Posted October 23, 2022 Author MVC Share Posted October 23, 2022 yeah that voicemeeter software I was looking at does that sort of thing too. Yeah I could see if changing sources or outputs or needing to mix sources like mic and sound etc.. Where that sort of stuff could come in handy.. But I don't do any of that.. I just want to hear what is playing.. Mostly The Dead while I am working Or when browsing about the net. MS Bob 11 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1422609-control-volume-of-usb-speakers-in-windows/#findComment-598771059 Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooky560 Veteran Posted October 28, 2022 Veteran Share Posted October 28, 2022 This depends on the driver the dac uses, some of them ignore the windows volume settings completley (indeed the one for my headphones does) this makes some degree of sense if it has it's own volume control or software that's used to configure the same. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1422609-control-volume-of-usb-speakers-in-windows/#findComment-598772525 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BudMan MVC Posted October 29, 2022 Author MVC Share Posted October 29, 2022 I agree - but computer speakers.. How often are they easy to reach? I mean I have them behind my monitor. Using the volume knob that is on the side of the speaker would not be a viable solution in my use case. Overall its not a big deal - I am happy with them, just a bit disappointed couldn't use the usb to connect to them. I am not enough of a audiophile to worry about it that much - if I was I wouldn't being using 50$ speakers in the first place - hehe. All I know is they blow away my 15 some year old A215 dell speakers.. I couldn't see dropping the cost of some these high end speakers for sound on my pc.. Now on the other hand had no problem dropping $600 on 2 18TB drives because I need more storage for my plex server Just not looking forward to the look the budget committee (wife) is going to give me when they show up and she asks how much those cost hehehe.. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1422609-control-volume-of-usb-speakers-in-windows/#findComment-598772638 Share on other sites More sharing options...
goretsky Supervisor Posted October 31, 2022 Supervisor Share Posted October 31, 2022 Hello, Have you considered adding something like 2-4 button USB keyboard to your current system, and mapping the keys on it to commands like volume up, volume down, mute, play and so forth? Regards, Aryeh Goretsky Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1422609-control-volume-of-usb-speakers-in-windows/#findComment-598772932 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BudMan MVC Posted October 31, 2022 Author MVC Share Posted October 31, 2022 huh? My keyboard has media controls. the problem is when the speakers using usb for the connection the volume level doesn't work.. You can change and you see it change in the osd but the volume doesn't actually change - only when its off then its off, but there is no different between sound level be it at 1 or 100. When using 3.5mm output, than as you go from 1 to 100 the volume level actually changes to the max volume of the speakers setting. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1422609-control-volume-of-usb-speakers-in-windows/#findComment-598772968 Share on other sites More sharing options...
goretsky Supervisor Posted November 1, 2022 Supervisor Share Posted November 1, 2022 Hello, Oh, I just noticed you mentioned that in your first post. Regards, Aryeh Goretsky Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1422609-control-volume-of-usb-speakers-in-windows/#findComment-598773279 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BudMan MVC Posted November 1, 2022 Author MVC Share Posted November 1, 2022 No biggy - thanks for chiming in.. Your thoughts on any subject are always welcome. goretsky 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1422609-control-volume-of-usb-speakers-in-windows/#findComment-598773302 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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