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Main => Raspberry Pi & Dev Board => Topic started by: hypergaming on October 18, 2016, 10:15:04 pm

Title: Raspberry pi Volume too low
Post by: hypergaming on October 18, 2016, 10:15:04 pm
Hi everyone,

does anyone know why when I wire  (2)   2 Watt 8 ohm speakers to a 3.5 mm audio male jack and connect it directly to the raspberry pi's input jack, the sound is very low, I can still hear it but very low.

when I use a mini amp, the volume is louder, but it creates some type of frequency issue on the monitor when the amp is on, so I decided not to use it and go the other way mentioned above. less space used too.

I guess what I'm asking is, is there a way to make the volume higher ( not from emulation station ) but any other way,  when connecting the 2 Watt 8 ohm speakers to the 3.5 mm audio male jack to the raspberry pi? or am I forced to use an amp?


Thanks for your help!

Title: Re: Raspberry pi Volume too low
Post by: ed12 on October 18, 2016, 10:52:08 pm
to my understanding
pi dose not have a on board audio amp
so the audio jack is "line" out
so yes u need a external amp
now to my I understanding I am referring to my pi which has line out only

what model pi are u using 1/2/3 ?

ed
Title: Re: Raspberry pi Volume too low
Post by: hypergaming on October 18, 2016, 11:24:38 pm
is a raspberry pi 3, but it also happens with the raspberry pi 2 I have. as I mentioned, I do hear audio, is just that is very low, so the issue is not, getting any audio, just how loud it is.

thanks.
Title: Re: Raspberry pi Volume too low
Post by: ed12 on October 18, 2016, 11:28:39 pm
ya as I stated
pi's do not have a audio amp (drive speakers) only line level out
so in short u need to hook it to a amp.
about that simple

ed
Title: Re: Raspberry pi Volume too low
Post by: hypergaming on October 19, 2016, 12:26:33 am
I see. is just that with the amp I'm using, the sounds is great, but it affects the monitor, creates a " static image ", something like wavy lines. it does not  cover the whole game but its annoying.

thanks for replying.
Title: Re: Raspberry pi Volume too low
Post by: nitrogen_widget on October 19, 2016, 02:24:18 pm
I see. is just that with the amp I'm using, the sounds is great, but it affects the monitor, creates a " static image ", something like wavy lines. it does not  cover the whole game but its annoying.

thanks for replying.
CRT?
Stop using cheap un-shielded speakers.
I know exactly what you are talking about.
Have a pair that is powered by USB and cost maybe $6.
Hum like crazy.
but kids don't seem to notice.
But i'm using an LCD screen on that PC so there is no pic distortion.
Title: Re: Raspberry pi Volume too low
Post by: hypergaming on October 19, 2016, 08:35:29 pm
I'm also using an LCD monitor ( 17" Dell ), the speaker Im using are a pair I got on ebay for $8, but I think your right and well give that a try and get a usb pair of speakers.

I Was using these because the fit perfect in the cabinet I'm using, thanks :)
Title: Re: Raspberry pi Volume too low
Post by: nitrogen_widget on October 20, 2016, 11:46:59 am
I'm also using an LCD monitor ( 17" Dell ), the speaker Im using are a pair I got on ebay for $8, but I think your right and well give that a try and get a usb pair of speakers.

I Was using these because the fit perfect in the cabinet I'm using, thanks :)

something like this from walmart would be better than the cheap ebay stuff.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Logitech-Powered-Computer-Speakers-S120/12321679 (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Logitech-Powered-Computer-Speakers-S120/12321679)

Title: Re: Raspberry pi Volume too low
Post by: hypergaming on October 20, 2016, 10:29:57 pm
these looks nice but a little big for the Bartop  i have, I would have to get the speakers out of the housing.there are lots of option in amazon.
Title: Re: Raspberry pi Volume too low
Post by: Blanka on December 31, 2016, 09:27:22 am
Please note that the minijack in the Pi is useless. It is a very ---smurfy--- 100khz 1-bit DAC that gets worse at lower volumes, at 44100Hz it basically allows 4 volume levels (2-bit!). To give you an idea, for CD quality you need 700kHz at least. And usually you have independent volume control, the Pi does not offer it. So all the hiss and hum is because of this. Don't start searching for ground loops!

So either use HDMI audio, or buy a 5$ USB audio interface. These are true 44/48kHz 16/24 bit DAC's, and infinitely better than the built in crap.
Title: Re: Raspberry pi Volume too low
Post by: mahuti on January 07, 2017, 11:29:44 am
The mininack is useful for testing or headphones. But that's about it.