Louder Music on Computer Speakers

redrabbit29

redrabbit29

redrabbit29

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I would like louder music on my headphones. They are limited despite software changes, headphone changes, etc...

Only thing left is an amp.

My budget is low, about £50 or less, and probably eBay bur certainly second hand. What sort of thing would work to increase headphone volume?

Thanks
 
OhEsEcks said:
FiiO headphone amp or something.
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This!! Got myself a FiiO last year for £8.

I use a combination though. With in-ear headphones, I use the FiiO, a cheap external sound card (because onboard Realtek is pants) plus DFX audio enhancer (software / sound driver for approx. £20). With headphones with cones, I use a subwoofer variety similar to the Skullcandy Skullcrusher for £15, again with DFX.
 
Pawnless Endgame said:
This!! Got myself a FiiO last year for £8.

I use a combination though. With in-ear headphones, I use the FiiO, a cheap external sound card (because onboard Realtek is pants) plus DFX audio enhancer (software / sound driver for approx. £20). With headphones with cones, I use a subwoofer variety similar to the Skullcandy Skullcrusher for £15, again with DFX.
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I am technically minded, but never heard of a FiiO...

what is it, why does it do?
 
FiiO is a brand, they make what you are asking for. Headphone amps. Desktop or portable versions. They are usually recommended because they are good quality at a decent price.

FiiO
 
redrabbit29 said:
I am technically minded, but never heard of a FiiO...

what is it, why does it do?
Click to expand...

FiiO make headphone amps and DACs. They're cheap too (under £50 for some models) but by no means crap. Certain models in your price range review highly.

Unless you're going for audiophile quality, you really don't need much more than a FiiO for amplifying signals.
 
redrabbit29 said:
I am technically minded, but never heard of a FiiO...

what is it, why does it do?
Click to expand...

Well the other poster already said its a headphone amp... basically it amplifies the sound going to your headphones... there isn't really much more to explain than that.

Though the title mentions computer speakers but your post talks about headphones - do you want louder music through your speakers or through your headphones?
 
Here's my FiiO with the cheapo sound card. They were £8 and £10 respectively. The headphones go into the FiiO's jack. DFX, pictured as well, was about £20 but paid in dollars.

FiiO_zps4ca3e35c.jpg


DFX_zpsfcd011dc.png
 
I would personally just go to a second hand shop similar to CEX that just sells speakers, amps, musical instruments etc. and look for an amp similar to the Cambridge Audio A1 but that has a headphone port.

Failing that get a sound card that has a built in headphone amp. I have a Xonar essence (probably a bit over your budget) but just an idea
 
Pawnless Endgame said:
Here's my FiiO with the cheapo sound card. They were £8 and £10 respectively. The headphones go into the FiiO's jack. DFX, pictured as well, was about £20 but paid in dollars.

FiiO_zps4ca3e35c.jpg
Click to expand...

Does that sound card sound genuinely better than Realtek? I was under the impression it was just an onboard type chip in a box?
 
Monkeynut said:
Does that sound card sound genuinely better than Realtek? I was under the impression it was just an onboard type chip in a box?
Click to expand...

The sound difference is negligible really, but it does amplify in its own right (stacks with the FiiO), and I mainly bought it because of the line-in jack as I record my own music. I have an all-in-one PC, so going external is useful so that I don't have to go inside the AIO.
 
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