Headphone output WAY too loud.

[Kezza_Duggit]

Hello,

Im using a 

HP Envy 15-j024sa

The sound coming through my headphones is extremely loud, abnormally loud. I believe that the power output coming  through the headphone jack is what should be going through the onboard speakers and vice versa, did someone get their wires crossed? =/

[TwoPointOh]

Hi Kezza_Duggit. Good headphones will typically be louder than notebook speakers. My best suggestion is to adjust the volume, and make sure the loudness enhancement is disabled. Take a look at these instructions for Windows 7 (pretty much the same in Windows 😎 to find "Disable all enhancements" here:  How To Disable Audio Enhancements in Windows 7

I hope this helps.

[Audiozero]

I have had this exact same issue since purchasing my HP Envy.

When anything (expensive headphones, cheap headphones, good speakers, amplified speakers, cheap speakers) is plugged into my audio output/headphone jack, the source is always EXTREMELY loud - loud enough to require turning the volume for the media player (any), the windows volume control, and the speakers WAY down to get to a tolerable level.

When using the headphone jack, my Windows volume control must be permanently set at around 3-4%, with all media sources turned down to 10-15% in order for the final volume to be tolerable and/or not blow my speakers, even when those speakers are set to around 15-25%. If the final device has no volume control of its own (most headphones), the media source volume must be reduced further to around 5-8%.

There is definitely something wrong going on here.

When switching back to laptop speakers (beats), setting the media output at 100% and Windows volume at 50% gives a comfortable volume. Obviously this makes it a very painful (sometimes literally) process to switch between default speakers and headphones. Using these volume settings with standard headphones would destroy my ears if I were to wear them.

I have no tab for "Audio Enhancements" in my control panel as per the instructions in the solution provided, I am assuming I have none.

No other laptop I have used or owned (Windows 8.1/7/Vista/XP, an array of makes and models) has had an audio problem like this, usually setting windows volume to ~50%, with all media sources set to 100% gives a reasonable volume for both the built-in speakers and the headphone jack. The issue does not lie in the media players, media or speakers/headphones. I have not installed any extra audio software or drivers to affect audio output, it had this issue since I opened the box.

Any possible solution, or idea of what hardware issues may be occurring would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

-Thomas

[Docguy]

Have this exact problem with my HP laptop with beats audio.

To hear well with the internal speakers, I have to turn the volume up to 100%. To be able to use headphones, I have to turn down the volume to about 5%. This is a real problem, and a reason I'd never buy another HP computer if I can't figure out how to solve it.

[jarjarbuggle]

My volume is also too loud on the headphones.  I tried following the windows 7 solution, but I couldn't find anything about audio enhancements (windows 8.1).  Should I start a new thread?

For me, the only confortable level on the headhpones is 2.  Everything else is too loud for my tastes, and I agree with the concern that it is unbalanced with the speakers.  I don't like that since I risk hurting my ears if I transition from listening with the speakers to headphones, and I forget turning the volume down.

[Docguy]

Yeah. that solution isn't working for the rest of us. Should we post a new thread? How do we get help with this? It is rediculous.

[jarjarbuggle]

bump.  I still think this deserves more attention.

I am considering starting a new thread, because maybe this is specific to beats audio.  Beats audio is able to detect when headphones are plugged in, AND beats audio is able to programatically adjust the volume at such time.  It's just that in its current configuration, it maintains the volume at this too high-level.

[Docguy]

If you do post a new thread, please let us know here as well. I'll post in your new thread to hopefully get some attention from HP.

[Kezza_Duggit]

---

@jarjarbuggle wrote:

bump.  I still think this deserves more attention.

I am considering starting a new thread, because maybe this is specific to beats audio.  Beats audio is able to detect when headphones are plugged in, AND beats audio is able to programatically adjust the volume at such time.  It's just that in its current configuration, it maintains the volume at this too high-level.

---

If you post a new thread you will receive the same copy/paste reply i got then nothing else.

HP have terrible customer service and i will avoid hp products in the future because of that.

[jarjarbuggle]

Hey all,

I had enourmous trouble with tech support, as others have experienced.  I didn't get anywhere.

But, I'm happy to report that the issue is fixed!  I have upgraded to windows 10, so I'm guessing one of the many updates, a fix was introduced.

Specifically for me, the fix is that audio is automatically adjusted when headphones are plugged in.  It is still weird that I only have the audio at 4 for headphones, but the auto volume adjust basically takes care of the issue for me.