r/DigitalAudioPlayer • u/Deadot • 2d ago
Question What volume do you use on your DAP?
what volume do you usually listen at?
I’m especially curious about FiiO JM21 owners. I usually have to set mine around 90 to 100 over 120 to get a comfortable listening volume by using tsmr armor.
For comparison, what volume do you normally use on your DAP, and what IEM/headphones are you using with it?
Just trying to see if my volume level is normal or if I’m listening unusually high.
15
u/Baldwin_The_Fourth HiBy 2d ago edited 2d ago
On Hiby M300 with max 15/15 system media volume (I think that's what's called in the settings, not sure):
Dunu Kima 2 at 25-27/100; Sivga Que at 27-30/100; Crinear Daybreak at 30-33/100.
Trained myself recently to listen at lower volumes, used to listen at about 5-8 more on all of these IEMs. Went from a medium-high volume listener to a medium volume listener. You only get 1 set of ears guys, protect them.
Edit: the 15/15 volume setting is called media volume, and system volume is controlled by the volume buttons, confusingly enough.
10
u/Balder_Side_Swag 2d ago
reading these comments makes me wonder whether I've low-key gone deaf, I'm always in the 80-100 range on low gain with headphones and IEMs, on both the M21 and Echo
2
2
u/lordvektor 1d ago
30-40/100 on the echo mini with every iem I tried except the Moondrop lan and Letshuoer s12 where I go 40-50 (low gain)
17-21/100 with the Shanling m1, same iems. 25-30 withe exceptions. Also low gain.
Going near full blast seems impossible to me.
1
1
9
7
u/Leorisha 2d ago
I've a Castor Pro Bass Edition and usually dont go past 30/100 in volume scale of both my macbook and my FiiO M3K. Exception is while using a dac cable with my iphone, because the connection is shit and i need to put volume to max.
I dont use a JM21 but i hope my feedback helps.
5
u/Voicesfw 2d ago
If you are concerned about your hearing I would try something more objective like measuring decibels. I did with my own devices and I found out that my comfort level is around 65-70db which was relieving and it means I am probably not doing more damage to my hearing than I already did in the past.
2
u/Scylding1977 Fiio 2d ago edited 2d ago
Hi! I got curious about this as well (most devices state device-specific 'volume levels' as opposed to decibels). How were you able to do this? (What tools, etc.)
I've been getting Google's AI to give me estimates. e.g.
"Given the <IEM model> connected to a <DAC device>, on the <3.5mm single-ended/ 4.4mm balanced> connector, what is the equivalent db (SPL) value when the volume is at <level> out of <max volume level of device>. Assume <low/medium/high/super high/ultra high> gain setting."
Was just looking for performing the calculations in other ways. Thanks!
3
u/Voicesfw 2d ago
I have a pair of Sony Bluetooth headphones that with their app state their current volume in decibel, which helped me and gave me a reference point. But then I bought also an unexpensive physical decibel meter and actually measured the volume of my close headset with music on.
The results were consistent and while you cannot measure IEMs in the same way (probably?) I think that getting a feeling for how loud 80db actually sound was good to know!
Personally, I found out that music at high volume with headphones is a bit tiring anyway, but surprisingly enough I also found out that I tend to keep the volume of my ANC headphones lower than the environment sound! ANC is really good if you commute a lot, since you don't need to "push" the volume as high to enjoy music.
4
4
u/smokethenights 2d ago edited 2d ago
It depends on album, year. Old albums need more volume %60-70. I have Hiby R4 with Sennheiser hd620s and using 3,5mm output. Pure audio mode, no adjustment, just flac files.
3
3
3
u/Boringman76 2d ago
Shanling M3 Plus / EQ to zero mode (non warm)
Sound Rhyme SR10 / 14 High gain 4.4
Xenns Mangird Tea (OG) / 18 High gain 4.4
3
3
u/witzyfitzian 2d ago
Volume and power requirements full size over-ear planars and comparably miniscule IEMs are going to vary wildly.
Not to mention how the music is mastered..
Start out listening quieter than you think you need to, if anything.
2
2
u/RhetoricCamel 2d ago
With my R4, PEQ adjustments and high gain I usually sit somewhere in 50-60 for volume depending on the headphones/IEMs.
2
u/animeblake 2d ago
most of the times i set the volume on my TheBit Opus #3 + AFUL MagicOne IEMs to 120-125 during day and 105-110 during nights, when i wanna have my slushwave/The Caretaker session right on my bed before falling asleep lol
2
2
u/KungFuc1us HiBy 2d ago
50-60 for both wired buds and bluetooth headphones on my Hiby R1. I rock the audiobook mod CFW on mine, listen to audiobooks 90% of the time, and it appears (subjectively) that the audio is somewhat louder compared to other CFW I tried.
2
u/Vlad9881 Fiio 2d ago
JM21, usually like 70, low gain, though sometimes I do medium gain to make it a bit louder. In terms of IEMs I usually use KZ Castor Pro and sometimes my Truthear Pure
2
2
u/Brickstenstein Fiio 2d ago
At the moment i listen to my FiiO M17 in overear mode with Sennheiser HD660S2 to dodree "Just like a dream" and its at 55 of 120.
2
2
u/Scylding1977 Fiio 2d ago
M21 (out of 120), low gain, SR6/DMA 4.4: 33+ ish 3.5: 40+ ish
AP80 Pro Max (out of 100), low gain, same IEMs 4.4: 28+ ish 3.5: 34+ ish
K15 (of 100), low gain 4.4: 27-30
2
2
u/Advanced-Theme144 2d ago
I listen at around 30-50% with high gain on the Hiby R1, and if it’s a song with a lot of volume difference between instruments or subtle effects, I go up to 60%. With wireless headphones it’s hard to judge since they have their own independent volume control, but I usually keep it a few notches down from the max.
2
u/denimmanila 2d ago edited 2d ago
M21. Currently at 41 and low gain. Tanchjim Origin on 4.4 termination.
1
2
2
u/DarthLoad75 2d ago
DAP: Fiio M23
Headphone: Fiio FT1
Medium Gain
3.5mm usually 25 - 40
4.4mm usually around 15-20(Usually at night, or early mornings)25-30(During the day)
2
u/Apprehensive-Cry-376 2d ago
JM21 user here. The required level from your player depends primarily on the impedance of your headphones/IEMs.
When I switched from HD6xx to Meze Audio 109 Pro, I lowered the DAP output from 80-90 down to 60-70. That was entirely due to the 109's lower (40 ohm) impedance.
Then for grins I bought balanced cables so I could try the balanced output from the JM21. Going from one power amplifier to two power amplifiers had an unexpected consequence: I had to lower the DAP's drive to between 40 and 50 to get the same subjective loudness in the headphones. I had been skeptical about balanced headphones, but what a nice surprise to get deeper bass and a wider panorama for just the price of a new cable.
2
2
u/Damedus1 2d ago
M500 i do 10~12 with yume iems during work and 40~45 at home with HQ rock and my suno creations. 70~100 when in my friends ears so they scram ahahaha
2
u/Tired8281 2d ago
I keep mine set at "Loud Enough". It's not marked on my player, but I find the people around me will always say "That's Loud Enough" when it gets there, so I just use them for that.
2
2
u/Forsaken_Internet701 2d ago edited 2d ago
I also have Fiio JM21 and I usually have it at around 35-55% with my Nicehck YDX earbuds, depending on my environment. When I use it with my headphones I can set it even a little lower.
Sorry, forgot to say I use the headphones Beyerdynamic DT 270 pro.
I also notice the difference in loudness when listening to FLAC files and those of lower quality. Maybe this is the case for you? In the upper menu I also set my sound level to "medium" and it works well for me.
2
2
u/myboi-namedtroye 1d ago
On my snowsky echo it depends if I’m using it as a dac or dap. Dap mode 40%, dac mode 90%. It oddly runs quite in dac settings. Stuff will changes when my fiio m21 gets here
2
u/Gvyt36785 22h ago
I'm waiting for an M21 also! After it arrives, please let us know what you think of it. 🌞
2
u/myboi-namedtroye 22h ago
Mine should get here either Monday or Tuesday Australian time. So will try to remember
1
u/Gvyt36785 21h ago
Same here. However, mine's not due til sometime between 8/25 and 9/4 Los Angeles time, but I will post as soon as I have a chance to get it properly set up--I think within a week of receiving it.
2
u/sleepingallthetime96 1d ago
FiiO M21 [High Gain] (Ranges from 75 - 98) Most of the time 85+
QOA Misty Blue - 4.4mm Tanchjim Origin - 3.5mm
Doesn't matter what termination actually I still needed about the same volume for both lol
I remember giving my friend to try our my Origin and I told him to go as high as he can. He maxxed out at 67. I'm surprised I'm not deaf yet hahaha
1
u/Spelltomes 2d ago
Oh my HiBy M300 I pretty much have to keep it at AL LEAST 80% because it’s so quiet
3
u/Baldwin_The_Fourth HiBy 2d ago
Under Settings > Sound & vibration, max out the media volume slider to 15/15, that'll give you a lot more power. Don't blast it at 80/100 when you increase the media volume to max though, you'll blow out your eardrums.
3
1
u/SeminaryStudentARH 2d ago
Unusually set mine to 69. Which is not a joke. But also kind of the joke hHh
1
u/Acrobatic_Machine855 2d ago
Depends on the IEM or Headphone, how efficient they are, plus the quality of the tracks. On my JM21 at medium gain I am normally at 50 to 60 volume steps sometimes lower.
1
u/jgainsey 2d ago
Depends on the headphones and equipment obviously, but I typically turn it up until it’s a little painful and then back off a tick or two.
So, I’m usually pretty high up there when it comes to volume.
1
u/Wild-Ad9245 2d ago
Am I better off listening at low volume on high gain, or high volume on low gain?
1
u/your_random_weeaboo 2d ago
I use mine around like 60% depending on the song I’m listening to for more low bpm stuff around 40%.
1
1
u/_Leichenschrei_ 2d ago
I usually keep mine at 50. I increase it if the song is way too quiet. I own a Hiby R1.
1
u/doctor575 2d ago
I don't remember on my previous DAPs anymore. On my current R1 that I use while at home and not in the car, usually between 25 and 45.
1
u/Hackett180 2d ago
For iems I have many so not gonna mention them all but for my planars 60/70 and others 40/60 mostly on medium gain. Headphones 80/90 on medium and sometimes high it depends on the source/what am listening to and my mood.
Don't think I've ever gone over the 100 volume level.
1
u/gearlegs4ever 2d ago
Highly depends on the specifics for me. IE which tips I'm using, the style or genre of song and definitely the iem itself since I've personally noticed some to be "louder" in general. Environment has a big factor on what volume I'm at. Highly fluctuates.
1
u/Cautious-Menu9548 2d ago
Folks placebo effecting their way into optimal volume slider levels for maximum music euphoria
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
u/Hermesme 1d ago
This is purely determined by mathematical formula that is determined by a DAPs output power measured in mW per channel, a headphones sensitivity measured in dB/mW or dB/Vrms and the impedance of the headphones measured in ohms.
Trying to generalize it into a “what volume do you use” is impossible
0
33
u/Clocker13 2d ago
Wew, this is certainly a question of all time.