A1 volume lower using A2 ZS drivers?

Deam · Jun 11, 2004, 08:31 PM

I was just curious to know if those who are using the A2 ZS drivers on an A1 notice that the volume at a given setting is lower than what it was using the A1 drivers?

I just assumed this was a dynamic range thing, but wanted to know if others have noticed anything similar.

**dj_stick** · Jun 12, 2004, 02:04 AM

it will be to do with how the gain on the card is functioning… it is probably better at the lower volume, and controlling volume from the speakers, as at higher gain (above 0.0 for line level equipment like soundcards) you can get clipping and distortion on the signal

Deam · Jun 12, 2004, 04:59 AM

Hmm...
Well, I have all volume settings the same.
The volume level in winamp.
The main volume level is set to 50%.
The wave out volume is set to 50%.
My speaker volume knob is at 50%.

It is just quieter. The quality is better though. I just want to know if this is common.

MythicaL · Jun 12, 2004, 06:55 AM

Seemed fine when I used it... I installed the official ones again later because I kept having damn EAX problems.

**dj_stick** · Jun 12, 2004, 08:33 AM

Deam, keep the master volumes on the card at 100%, this will ensure full 16 bit dynamic range (other wise you are using <16bit when you are usign a lower dynamic range due to the lower "volume")

Deam · Jun 12, 2004, 09:28 PM

You mean, the source volume, or "master control volume"? I can't really keep the master at 100%, because I use keyboard volume control, which control the volume.

**dj_stick** · Jun 13, 2004, 03:21 AM

you still lose auidio quality when you lower the volume, it is best to use the amplifer.speaker controls for volume

Deam · Jun 13, 2004, 06:58 AM

So you are suggesting that for every single volume control, including the main master control, I set it too 100%?

My only problem is my 5.1 system is makeshift. It is a 4.1 and 2.1 system combined....so it is a real pain in the arse to change volume using the hardware volume controls, as I would have to do two sets of controls.

**dj_stick** · Jun 13, 2004, 07:17 AM

i guess if you cannot tell the difference… then keep it the way it is, just have everything bar the master at 100%

Bellator · Jun 13, 2004, 07:01 PM

Does that volume advice apply to soundcards in general? I keep all my soundcard/windows volumes set at max and then just use my speaker volume control to adjust volume... so that's the right thing to do?

Why does lowering soundcard volume lower the sound quality?

**dj_stick** · Jun 13, 2004, 11:53 PM

intro to digital audio
resolution
if you have a 16 bit wave file, that means that the dynamic range (from lowest volume to highest volume) is 16 bit
if you reduce to output from the soundcard, you do no get the maxinmum volume, therefore it is no longer 16 bit, ie if you have the master volume at 50% it is closer to 8 bit.
I hope that helped you

Bellator · Jun 14, 2004, 12:16 AM

yup thanks, good thing to know

Deam · Jun 20, 2004, 04:16 AM

Thought I woudl revive this to get the input of any new A2 driver using A1 owners.

Jun 11, 2004, 08:31 PM	#1
Deam DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 51 Rep Power: 0	A1 volume lower using A2 ZS drivers? I was just curious to know if those who are using the A2 ZS drivers on an A1 notice that the volume at a given setting is lower than what it was using the A1 drivers? I just assumed this was a dynamic range thing, but wanted to know if others have noticed anything similar.

Jun 12, 2004, 06:55 AM	#4
MythicaL I like computers. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In front of a monitor Posts: 3,399 Rep Power: 87 System Specs	Seemed fine when I used it... I installed the official ones again later because I kept having damn EAX problems. __________________ Always knew I didn't belong in this world. I wasn't made for this. But I'll never forget those who betrayed me, and those who never failed my trust.

Jun 12, 2004, 04:59 AM	Thread Starter #3
Deam DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 51 Rep Power: 0	Hmm... Well, I have all volume settings the same. The volume level in winamp. The main volume level is set to 50%. The wave out volume is set to 50%. My speaker volume knob is at 50%. It is just quieter. The quality is better though. I just want to know if this is common.

Jun 12, 2004, 09:28 PM	Thread Starter #6
Deam DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 51 Rep Power: 0	You mean, the source volume, or "master control volume"? I can't really keep the master at 100%, because I use keyboard volume control, which control the volume.

Jun 13, 2004, 06:58 AM	Thread Starter #8
Deam DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 51 Rep Power: 0	So you are suggesting that for every single volume control, including the main master control, I set it too 100%? My only problem is my 5.1 system is makeshift. It is a 4.1 and 2.1 system combined....so it is a real pain in the arse to change volume using the hardware volume controls, as I would have to do two sets of controls.

Jun 13, 2004, 07:01 PM	#10
Bellator DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 166 Rep Power: 0	Does that volume advice apply to soundcards in general? I keep all my soundcard/windows volumes set at max and then just use my speaker volume control to adjust volume... so that's the right thing to do? Why does lowering soundcard volume lower the sound quality?

Jun 14, 2004, 12:16 AM	#12
Bellator DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 166 Rep Power: 0	yup thanks, good thing to know

Jun 20, 2004, 04:16 AM	Thread Starter #13
Deam DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 51 Rep Power: 0	Thought I woudl revive this to get the input of any new A2 driver using A1 owners.