Low volume on audio books, Sansa Clip+

PG4003 · 10-12-2013, 09:28 PM

I have a Sansa Clip+ that I use solely for audio books. I also have a small portable speaker I use with it, carry it around the house with me, in the car, etc. The volume on audios from Audible.com is fine, but occasionally I get an audio from my library, through Overdrive, where the volume is so low I can barely hear it. I have it set on "High" under Settings, and I have the language set to English and to North America (these are all things I've learned after Googling). The audiobook I'm currently listening to is like this, I can barely hear it. I have 2 of the little portable speakers but even when I hook up both of them I can still barely hear it. Is there like an amplifier or something I can get for this? Thanks!

mr ploppy · 10-13-2013, 08:20 AM

Is it a powered speaker? Non-powered ones won't be very loud. You could try mp3gain, but I don't know if it will work with DRM restrictions.

silverraven · 10-13-2013, 08:48 AM

Ya know, it's so funny that you mention this today. Just yesterday afternoon I was listening to a book from Overdrive and noticed the volume was very very low. But, only on one track, next track it was back to normal. Weird!
I don't really have any advice, about the only thing I can think of is using powered speakers instead of the ones powered by the Sansa. They should be louder. I have a set sold as computer speakers that I picked up at Walmart for around $10. And in the car I use a FM transmitter to listen to the Sansa over my car speakers. It helps get the volume up loud enough to overcome the ambient sound in the car.
Sorry I wasn't more help. But, at least you know you aren't crazy and it's not just you. Sometimes I feel like the issues I run into only happen to me!!
S

Freeshadow · 10-13-2013, 12:25 PM

Don't they build a "hearing protection" volume limiter into their firmware? I know of people having switched to the rockbox firmware for this reason mainly. (although there are plenty of other improvements too)

silverraven · 10-13-2013, 03:51 PM

Yeah, but if you go to Rockbox don't you lose your ability to use DRMed books? Which most library books are, at least the WMA ones that I have seen. I don't think the mp3 ones have a DRM though.
Please correct me if I'm wrong, I haven't tried Rockbox yet on my Clip+ I only used it on my Fuse, and that was for strictly music, no books.
S

Freeshadow · 10-13-2013, 04:36 PM

Oh ok I've overlooked that - not using DRMd media at all

silverraven · 10-13-2013, 05:18 PM

Don't get me wrong, Rockbox is great for non-DRM stuff, but when you have to play with a DRM you have to play by the rules and stick with original firmware.
I think maybe powered speakers for house and an FM transmitter is probably going to be all that can be done to up the volume.
S

pidgeon92 · 10-13-2013, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverraven

but when you have to play with a DRM you have to play by the rules and stick with original firmware.

Or you convert it to a non-DRMd file. I use Ambling Pro on my iPhone to listen to audiobooks, and it cannot read DRMd files, so I liberate all of my audiobooks prior to loading them onto my iPhone.

cromag · 10-13-2013, 10:57 PM

To the best of my knowledge the American version of the Clip's software does not include any volume-limiting features for hearing protection -- the European software does. (Although I can speak with more experience in the world of Creative MP3 players.)

There are plenty of amplified speakers out there. I use a set I bought at 5 Below, a discount chain, for $5. It uses 4 AAA batteries.

You might also look for a portable stereo that has an Auxiliary Input jack. Get a patch cable to connect the Clip's headphone jack to the stereo's Aux In jack and you're set. I have a Sony CFDS05 that has an Aux In jack and has more power (and better sound) than the amplified speakers.

tashk · 10-13-2013, 11:47 PM

Did you try changing your region to "Rest of the World"? I haven't used the original firmware in years but if I recall correctly that used to fix the problem. Here's a description on how to change the region: http://www.avforums.com/forums/13305695-post10.html

silverraven · 10-14-2013, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pidgeon92

Or you convert it to a non-DRMd file. I use Ambling Pro on my iPhone to listen to audiobooks, and it cannot read DRMd files, so I liberate all of my audiobooks prior to loading them onto my iPhone.

But these are library books, loaned not owned. I thought it was taboo here to mention liberating loaned books? Even if you delete them at the end of the loan period.
S

PG4003 · 10-14-2013, 08:41 AM

Thanks everybody for your help. I've come to the conclusion that some audio files I get from Overdrive just have low volume and there's nothing that can be done about it, except use better speakers. I downloaded another audio book last night and the volume is fine on that one. I did change the region to "Rest of the World" and that doesn't help. There is software that lets you play around with audio files and increase the volume, but unfortunately it won't work on audio books with DRM, whether they be MP3 or WMA. I'm using a cheap little portable speaker, I think I'm going to have to invest in something better, just to deal with these low volume audios. I do have a cheap set of plug-in speakers in my sewing room and I can turn the volume way up on those, but my problem is when I want to be portable and listen while in the car....or in the shower! With the shower running I can't even hear the low volume ones.

But then I ask myself....do you really NEED to listen to your book while in the shower? No, I don't need to, but I really enjoy it.

elemenoP · 10-14-2013, 09:16 AM

There is a setting on the Clip Zip that prevents you from turning it too loud. Make sure you have that setting turned off. It seems to affect some mp3s more than others. My daughter's player had this accidentally turned on, and for a long time I thought the speaker was just a piece of crap. But it was the loudness protection on the player.

eP

PG4003 · 10-14-2013, 09:29 AM

I've checked all the settings, there is a Normal/High setting on the volume and I have it on High. I've selected the proper region. I think some audio files from Overdrive are just like this. I have a friend who uses a Sansa also, and she gets a lot of audios from Overdrive and she runs into the same problem. Some of them are so low she says she can barely hear them even with earphones.

SeaBookGuy · 10-14-2013, 11:20 PM

I've had to really crank up the Clip volume for some books as well.

10-12-2013, 09:28 PM	#1
PG4003 Addict Posts: 381 Karma: 987250 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Kentucky Device: Kindle PW I & II, Kindle Voyage, Fire HD 7", Fire HD 8.9"	Low volume on audio books, Sansa Clip+ I have a Sansa Clip+ that I use solely for audio books. I also have a small portable speaker I use with it, carry it around the house with me, in the car, etc. The volume on audios from Audible.com is fine, but occasionally I get an audio from my library, through Overdrive, where the volume is so low I can barely hear it. I have it set on "High" under Settings, and I have the language set to English and to North America (these are all things I've learned after Googling). The audiobook I'm currently listening to is like this, I can barely hear it. I have 2 of the little portable speakers but even when I hook up both of them I can still barely hear it. Is there like an amplifier or something I can get for this? Thanks!

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10-13-2013, 08:20 AM	#2
mr ploppy Feral Underclass Posts: 3,622 Karma: 26821535 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Yorkshire, tha noz Device: 2nd hand paperback	Is it a powered speaker? Non-powered ones won't be very loud. You could try mp3gain, but I don't know if it will work with DRM restrictions.

10-13-2013, 08:48 AM	#3
silverraven Guru Posts: 970 Karma: 3438612 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle 4NTB x 4	Ya know, it's so funny that you mention this today. Just yesterday afternoon I was listening to a book from Overdrive and noticed the volume was very very low. But, only on one track, next track it was back to normal. Weird! I don't really have any advice, about the only thing I can think of is using powered speakers instead of the ones powered by the Sansa. They should be louder. I have a set sold as computer speakers that I picked up at Walmart for around $10. And in the car I use a FM transmitter to listen to the Sansa over my car speakers. It helps get the volume up loud enough to overcome the ambient sound in the car. Sorry I wasn't more help. But, at least you know you aren't crazy and it's not just you. Sometimes I feel like the issues I run into only happen to me!! S

10-13-2013, 12:25 PM	#4
Freeshadow temp. out of service Posts: 2,815 Karma: 24285242 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Duisburg (DE) Device: PB 623	Don't they build a "hearing protection" volume limiter into their firmware? I know of people having switched to the rockbox firmware for this reason mainly. (although there are plenty of other improvements too)

10-13-2013, 03:51 PM	#5
silverraven Guru Posts: 970 Karma: 3438612 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle 4NTB x 4	Yeah, but if you go to Rockbox don't you lose your ability to use DRMed books? Which most library books are, at least the WMA ones that I have seen. I don't think the mp3 ones have a DRM though. Please correct me if I'm wrong, I haven't tried Rockbox yet on my Clip+ I only used it on my Fuse, and that was for strictly music, no books. S

10-13-2013, 04:36 PM	#6
Freeshadow temp. out of service Posts: 2,815 Karma: 24285242 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Duisburg (DE) Device: PB 623	Oh ok I've overlooked that - not using DRMd media at all

10-13-2013, 05:18 PM	#7
silverraven Guru Posts: 970 Karma: 3438612 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle 4NTB x 4	Don't get me wrong, Rockbox is great for non-DRM stuff, but when you have to play with a DRM you have to play by the rules and stick with original firmware. I think maybe powered speakers for house and an FM transmitter is probably going to be all that can be done to up the volume. S

10-13-2013, 10:57 PM	#9
cromag Surfin the alpha waves ~~ Posts: 26,026 Karma: 459735575 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Jersey Device: Jetbook Lite & Mini, Nook STR, Kobo, Hanvon N516, Kindle 2, Androids	To the best of my knowledge the American version of the Clip's software does not include any volume-limiting features for hearing protection -- the European software does. (Although I can speak with more experience in the world of Creative MP3 players.) There are plenty of amplified speakers out there. I use a set I bought at 5 Below, a discount chain, for $5. It uses 4 AAA batteries. You might also look for a portable stereo that has an Auxiliary Input jack. Get a patch cable to connect the Clip's headphone jack to the stereo's Aux In jack and you're set. I have a Sony CFDS05 that has an Aux In jack and has more power (and better sound) than the amplified speakers.

10-13-2013, 11:47 PM	#10
tashk Hello, I'd like to know w Posts: 22 Karma: 69062 Join Date: Mar 2012 Device: Kindle 4 NT, Paperwhite 2013	Did you try changing your region to "Rest of the World"? I haven't used the original firmware in years but if I recall correctly that used to fix the problem. Here's a description on how to change the region: http://www.avforums.com/forums/13305695-post10.html

10-14-2013, 08:41 AM	#12
PG4003 Addict Posts: 381 Karma: 987250 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Kentucky Device: Kindle PW I & II, Kindle Voyage, Fire HD 7", Fire HD 8.9"	Thanks everybody for your help. I've come to the conclusion that some audio files I get from Overdrive just have low volume and there's nothing that can be done about it, except use better speakers. I downloaded another audio book last night and the volume is fine on that one. I did change the region to "Rest of the World" and that doesn't help. There is software that lets you play around with audio files and increase the volume, but unfortunately it won't work on audio books with DRM, whether they be MP3 or WMA. I'm using a cheap little portable speaker, I think I'm going to have to invest in something better, just to deal with these low volume audios. I do have a cheap set of plug-in speakers in my sewing room and I can turn the volume way up on those, but my problem is when I want to be portable and listen while in the car....or in the shower! With the shower running I can't even hear the low volume ones. But then I ask myself....do you really NEED to listen to your book while in the shower? No, I don't need to, but I really enjoy it.

10-14-2013, 09:16 AM	#13
elemenoP Wizard Posts: 1,717 Karma: 3790058 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Sony 650	There is a setting on the Clip Zip that prevents you from turning it too loud. Make sure you have that setting turned off. It seems to affect some mp3s more than others. My daughter's player had this accidentally turned on, and for a long time I thought the speaker was just a piece of crap. But it was the loudness protection on the player. eP

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10-14-2013, 09:29 AM	#14
PG4003 Addict Posts: 381 Karma: 987250 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Kentucky Device: Kindle PW I & II, Kindle Voyage, Fire HD 7", Fire HD 8.9"	I've checked all the settings, there is a Normal/High setting on the volume and I have it on High. I've selected the proper region. I think some audio files from Overdrive are just like this. I have a friend who uses a Sansa also, and she gets a lot of audios from Overdrive and she runs into the same problem. Some of them are so low she says she can barely hear them even with earphones.

10-14-2013, 11:20 PM	#15
SeaBookGuy Can one read too much? Posts: 2,029 Karma: 2487799 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Naples, FL Device: Kindle PW 3, Sony 350 and 650	I've had to really crank up the Clip volume for some books as well.