“Some users have reported that the volume scale is much louder after applying the Mac OS X 10.4.9 update. In other words, the same volume setting represents a much higher actual volume,” MacFixIt reports.
“This might be considered an enhancement, but some users are reporting that even the lowest volume setting is too loud for some purposes after the update,” MacFixIt reports.
If you are experiencing a similar issue, and also tell us below.
Full article, which also covers other Mac OS X 10.4.9 issues, here.
MacDailyNews Note: We have experienced the volume issue on a MacBook Pro 17″ 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo.
Whaaaaa you say sonnnnyyy?
on my new imac 20″ the lowest volume setting is too loud right now.
Noticed…didn’t make the connection.
I noticed the same on my 3 month old 20″ iMac Core 2 Duo. Thought perhaps the kiddies had done something but now I know the reason. 🙁
This has actually allowed me to hear the sound on my Macbook, which was always known for low volume.
I didn’t even notice it till now since I always have my headphones on. The volume scale with headphone didn’t change on my MBP, but the minimum volume through the speaker does seem louder than before.
In terms of the speakers my volume is fine, however with headphones I find that even on the lowest setting they’re too loud. Since I generally only use them when I don’t want to disturb people (at night) I don’t need them anywhere near as loud since there’s next to no background noise. It does seem worse now but to be fair I thought it was loud before.
“This might be considered an enhancement, but some users are reporting that even the lowest volume setting is too loud for some purposes after the update,” MacFixIt reports
i wonder what they do on the net…
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Hey, now mine goes to 11!…
Slow news day, huh?
This is probably an attempt to fix the pathetically low volume levels on the MacBooks. My MacBook volume is so low at times I *have to* use headphones if I want to hear it.
Yup, I also noticed that 1 bar is pretty “loud.” Not really a big deal, but is somewhat noticeable.
MW: sound – My sound is too loud.
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Didn’t notice a change, but I’m running an old PM G4. Maybe this is an Intel thing? I already have the preamp turned down because the powered speaker output seems adequate for smoking my Apple Pro Speakers. I got ’em used on Ebay for $25, but still I don’t want to ruin them.
So, is this a mute point?
The volume has been increased so that teens who listen to rap (crap) can hear just a little when they use a Mac. This is after their hearing has been damaged.
Anyone know how to turn down TV commercials automatically?
I haven’t noticed a change on my iMac G5.
Whaaaaa. Get some decent speakers with a volume pot.
Then kwitcherbichin’.
I am glad they increased the volume. Initially, in my Macbook Pro, I couldn’t hear anything unless the volume is half-way through. This is much better now.
I can hear when the first square of the volume lights up.
On my MBP I noticed that I can hear the sound through built-in speakers when set to the first notch. This most certainly occured after the update and I noticed immediately.
Headphones (analog) sound the same as the used to. Haven’t tried optical.
Hmm, the volume level on my 17″ iMac Core Duo is the same now as it was before the update, so this obviously doesn’t effect all models.
Apple just proved that 11 is louder than 10…
This works great on the airplane with my Mac Book
pro. I can hear easily over the engines now!
count me as one of the affected. even one bar is too loud to play warcraft in the morning without alerting the wife!
I guess this is going to play hell with the porn!
I thought something was wrong with my iBook G4 because, using OS 10.4.8 the volume had decreased significantly. Podcasts that I used to share with friends were unable to be heard two feet away, using the highest volume setting. I was about to take my iBook to the Apple store for repair.
Now under 10.4.9 The podcasts can be heard across the room. So what is a problem for some people is a solution for others. It appears that Apple has corrected a problem, not caused one.
On my iBook G4, with the system volume all the way up and the application volume all the way up, I still had to crank a pair of stereo speakers to the max to get the sound up to a reasonable level (not even loud) in a large room.
Not ready to spend a lot on a more adequate amplification system, I found a cheap little gadget from Radio Shack that runs on two AA batteries, boosts the volume from a mini jack substantially and splits the sound out to three jacks. That might not be an acceptable solution for more discerning ears, but for my purposes it has been adequate to the task.
digg suXX!!! digg suXX!!! digg suXX!!! digg suXX!!! digg suXX!!! digg suXX!!! digg suXX!!! digg suXX!!! digg suXX!!! digg suXX!!! digg suXX!!! digg suXX!!! digg suXX!!! digg suXX!!! digg suXX!!!
ooooo, volume….
Me Pismo is fine…
Yup, noticed it on 17″ Intel iMac, Dual G5 tower, Dual G4 tower.
Oh yes. In fact, my MacBook Pro version 2 is much hotter too. Something changed in the power management or something.
Anyway to go back to the prior version?
I use external speakers with a volume control so it works fine on my 20″ iMac.
LaserKun
Get some lab results?
iBook G3 white dual usb bought in late 2004; the volume is maybe 20% higher and I’m glad.
Yes, this has affected me on a “generation 1″ 17” MacBook Pro Core Duo. Can’t surf or play World of Warcraft late at night without waking the wife, even with only 1 bar of volume. Gotta put on headphones now.
Perhaps all the of the iPod customers playing their music too loudly can’t hear their Macs any more?…
Yes, I definitely just noticed this on my MacBook Pro 15″ after moving to 10.4.9. The problem before, however, was of RANGE, not total volume. We needed the high end to be higher, but the low end was perfect and provided a lot of control. Now, the low end settings basically don’t exist. Since I use the low settings more often then I do the high end, this is mildly annoying.
Come on, Apple, get this right!
Apple should increase the range scale of the Sound Pref Pane’s volume slider and add more steps into the volume up/down buttons. It mystifies me why they have not done this.
@ David:
Do an archive install, then install the 10.4.8 update (most likely combo needed, in case you don’t have 10.4.7 install DVD’s)
and all others except 10.4.9. That does the trick.
I have noticed this same problem, but never originally traced it to Apple’s 10.4.9 update. But I have to admit, I do see it as an enhancement. I enjoy the louder music and things for myself, I always thought it was sort of quiet for a computer speaker even on the loudest setting when playing iTunes music.
hey, a bit off topic.
Has anybody else noticed that 10.4.9 prevents MS Office from printing, and even starting up on macs?
I’ve got 6 macs in our family. MS Office opens and prints on the lampstand imac and the g4 sawtooth, it opens but doesn’t print on the macbook, ibook, and the powerbook, it doesn’t even open on the intel core 2 duo imac.
I’ve run all of the usual fixes…. just can’t get it to work.
What? HUH?
Say that again?
CAN’T HEAR YOU!
!@#!@*&^%$ volume control…
i have also noticed the sound increase. didnt really think much of it. i kinda like the louder muisc though….
Jim — didn’t have any problem opening Word on my MacBook (Core 2 Duo) after the upgrade, and just now opened it on the Core Duo iMac 20in with no problem. Could be some sort of corrupted preference file?
The volume is definitely louder. I used to keep my volume at 6 below full at all times. Not I keep it at 4 above zero. I like the change, since the sound is noticeably clearer at louder volumes, definitely less distortion.
@Apple-Mat
Thanks. Brilliant. Uh, I should have considered that. Thanks for the reminder!
does anyone know if the speaker volume update applies to core duo 1.83 ghz macbook? I updated it already and to no avail, my volume did not increase at all. Could I report this to my local apple center if ever? I’m not sure if they’d take it into account though.
I’m using a 20″ iMac Intel Core Duo, and I too have noticed a great increase in the system volume. The same volume that used to be equal to about 9 bars (which is what I typically used) is now closer to only 2 or 3!
Did they mention this in the patch notes or are they just trying to blast our ears out by surprise?
its too loud…any way to reduce?
Way too loud here, on a 2.33 MacBook Pro. Even on one bar, I have to turn the iTunes volume slider almost below halfway to able to listen to music at work.
Of course, I now have the option to play my music much louder, but why would I ever want to do that through the built-in speakers?
Hi.
I have the same problem in my 20″ iMac core duo.
There’s no more control over the volume minimum levels, so the maximums are louder but you can’t even acces the minimum, as other people here said.
You can go on by adjusting the volume manually on each application (itunes, vlc, quicktime,etc…) but the big problem arrives with FRONTROW, as it was said here.
There’s no option to modify the frontrow volume level (only with the remote), so with only one bar, sometimes it’s wayyy too loud, and you can’t do anything.
I’ think it’s a huge mistake from apple (inc, not computer anymore…and we see the results, bad upgrades, leopard not till october etc…).
I would appreciate alot if anybody could tell me how to set the “master volume” for Frontrow, as we can do it in other applications such as iTunes.
Thanks in advance.
I hate the volume boost. I like really soft music in the office that only i can hear. now i can’t listen at all cause it’s too loud. The jump from no volume to audible is rediculous.
The problem seems to be confined to Intel iMacs. The lowest volume is too loud. Here’s a workaround I found. Turn your volume down all the way. Then mute and un-mute your speakers. The lowest volume should be set properly.
I have the same problem on my macbook pro w/ 10.6.4 . The sound is too loud, even at 1-2 notches. I’m now forced to use the half-notch (shift+option+volume down)…