If you find yourself craving for more volume when playing music, it probably means it’s time to upgrade your sound system.
But before you do that, let’s take a look at how you can make your speakers even louder without investing hundreds of dollars in new gear.
Whether you need a more energizing sound for a party, or you moved your speakers to a larger room and feel they’re underperforming, the tips below will help you make the most of your sound system.
Why you should trust me
I’m a music producer and performer, and over the years, there have been countless situations when PA systems, speakers, or amplifiers weren’t as loud as I wanted them to.
At that time, I did exactly what you are doing right now: I went online and found out a few tricks to improve the perceived loudness of the gear I had at my disposal.
This article is the result of my research and tests, so I’m pretty sure one or more of my tips will help you upgrade the power of your speakers.
Contents
Use these links below to navigate to the desired section of the article.
What defines a speaker’s loudness?
Before discussing the techniques to increase your speakers’ volume, let’s highlight why speakers are as loud as they are.
Although I’ll be brief, you’ll need to be familiar with these specs if you want to ensure your components are working seamlessly and that your sound system is as loud as it can be.
First, the loudness of a speaker is defined by the maximum amount of power (wattage) it can handle. The level is measured in watts (W) and essentially describes how loud the speaker can go without distorting the sound.
Next is sensitivity, which defines how efficiently a speaker converts power into sound, with a higher sensitivity translating into a louder sound at a given power (watt) level.
This helps you understand how well the speaker will work with different amplifiers or in different rooms. Sensitivity is measured in decibels (dB).
Finally, a speaker’s impedance is how much power the speaker needs to get from the amplifier.
A low impedance means higher volume but also requires a more powerful amplifier. Impedance is measured in ohms (Ω).
Tips to make your speakers louder
Tip 1: Work on the audio source
Let’s start off with the easiest fix: check the volume levels across your audio system to ensure the volume is as loud as it can be without causing distortion.
If you’re listening to music through a computer, make sure the volume levels of the audio player and the general one are as high as possible.
If you’re streaming music through your smartphone, check the volume levels of the streaming platform’s audio player.
If you’re using a hi-fi system, try to make the most of your pre-amplifier to boost the audio signal before it reaches your main amplifier.
Tip 2: Room placement
Room placement plays a huge role in how loud the volume of music is perceived, and finding the perfect spot to enhance loudness is relatively simple.
Placing speakers near room corners is a great starting point. Walls and corners are natural amplifiers, and when reflected sound waves combine with direct ones, they increase sound pressure levels (SPL), especially on the lower side of the spectrum.
You can also try to place your speakers at ear level and equidistant from walls, to make sure the journey between speakers and your ears is undisturbed.
Sound wave absorption and diffusion can greatly affect your perception of loudness, so try to find the best spot for your speakers based on your listening area and your room’s configuration.
Tip 3: Room calibration and EQ
Most speakers come with built-in equalizers (EQ) that allow you to adjust the balance of different frequency ranges.
This means you can customize the sound quality and volume to best match your listening environment and taste.
To make your speaker sound louder, start with adjusting the low and high frequencies, which are the most responsible for the audio’s perceived volume.
Increasing the bass will add depth and power to the sound, but make sure not to overdo it, as it can get muddy easily.
Tip 4: Sound treatment
Sound treatment (not to be confused with soundproofing) helps create a more balanced and controlled sound, which can enhance the perception of loudness without increasing actual sound levels.
By reducing acoustic reflections and keeping the reverberation in check, you can create a space where the sound feels immersive and powerful, even without cranking up the volume at 11.
When done seriously, acoustic treatment can be quite complex, and you’ll probably need some help from audio experts to get the sound just right.
You’ll need acoustic panels, diffusers, and bass traps, to create a perfect balance of frequencies.
To save time and avoid overthinking, you can get complete sound treatment packages online and choose one based on your requirements and room size.
Tip 5 (if all else fails): Upgrade the amplifier or add a sub
If nothing works, and you don’t want to change your speakers, you can either upgrade your amplifier or add a good subwoofer to your audio system to make the sound more energizing.
It goes without saying that you should go for an amplifier with a higher power rating than your current one.
As for the sub, although designed to specifically reproduce low-frequency sounds, adding one will make the overall audio experience more powerful and galvanizing.
It’ll work in conjunction with your speakers, so you won’t need to replace any of your existing gear to make it work.
Frequently asked questions
Since the initial publication of this article in 2020 here at Higher Hz, we’ve received a plethora of questions on the topic.
To address the most common ones, I’ve compiled the answers to the frequently asked questions below.
Does higher wattage always mean a louder sound?
Not necessarily. Higher wattage only means more power, but sensitivity and room acoustics define how efficiently the speaker converts that power.
Is a 100-watt amp going to sound twice as loud as a 50-watt one?
No, a 100-watt amp will only sound slightly louder than a 50-watt amp. That’s because it takes about a tenfold increase in power to double the perceived loudness.
Can I use a software equalizer to make my speaker louder?
Yes, you can use software EQ to boost mid and upper bass frequencies. This will make your speaker seem louder to your ears.
How loud can I safely play speakers without damage?
If you hear distortion, then you’re definitely playing music too loud, and you might be damaging your speakers.
As for your ears, prolonged exposure to high volume can result in permanent hearing damage, so if the music feels too loud, consider lowering the volume before it’s too late.
How to make a Bluetooth speaker louder?
The steps outlined in this article also work for Bluetooth speakers.
- Check that the volume on both the audio source and the speaker are at high levels.
- Place the speaker near walls or corners to enhance loudness.
- Finally, use a software EQ to boost specific frequencies.
Do larger speakers always produce louder sound?
Larger speakers usually have larger cones, and the capability to move more air, which makes them louder. They also handle lower frequencies better, which translates into a more immersive sound.
Does the quality of an audio file affect speaker volume?
Low-quality files might have compressed dynamics and clarity, which can result in a quieter sound reproduction.
What should the volume ratio be for the computer/OS and speakers?
For loud music, I’d suggest you set the computer volume to around 70-80%, and then use the speaker’s volume control to adjust to the output.
In this way you’ll get a strong signal sent to the speakers, which you can further amplify with the speaker’s volume control.
Final thoughts
I can’t conclude this article without a word of warning.
Remember that listening to music at extremely loud volumes and for prolonged periods of time can result in tinnitus, hyperacusis, and hearing loss.
All these hearing problems have one thing in common: there’s no cure for them, so once you have it, you have it.
Working in the music industry means having higher chances of getting some sort of hearing damage, so do take care of your hearing health, take regular breaks, and try to enjoy music at less-than-extreme volumes.
