C2 Volume too low (non EU location)

ccw71 · 10-15-2011, 02:57

Hi, I'd like others opinion. I'm surprised and disappointed that I need the volume between 33 - 40 to get any kind of engaging sound from my new C2. No, I'm not deaf, I was a sound engineer for several years and still have very keen hearing. I'm using 16ohm Meelectronics sp51 IEM's (I tried others too with the same result).

I've read a few posts now of other Cowon users (not just C2) complaining of low volume on easily driven 16ohm IEMs. Whilst others say their Cowon player is very loud and never have to go above 15 on the volume. Some resolve the issue by removing the EU volume limitation, other cannot, like mine (set to Asia). If I turn it up full to 40 it is certainly nowhere near uncomfortable. I'm seriously considering getting a headphone amp, which seems crazy with 27mW output into 16 ohm IEMs!

AshenTech · 10-16-2011, 04:12

try upgrading the firmware with my method, then pick america as your location, see if that helps, I have had a few non-cowon players that forced me to "trick" them into removing the volume limit, not sure why it happens but I have seen it.

The c2 is lower volume then the d2 was per vol setting, but its still plenty loud no matter what iem's or cans i use.

i have tested

jvc marshies
meelec m6
senn cx55
sound magic pl30
sound magic pl50
monster turbines
jvc ha-rx900's
and some cheap sony psudo cans (the 150's)

also have used others, but dont really got models, and honestly, only the rx900's and the turbines need more then say 25 to hit "uncomfortable" levels.

you can also try playing with the custom EQ settings, I have found that the EQ can boost volume/output levels drastically with both the d2 and c2.

Rodster · 10-16-2011, 11:10

I notice the volume is lower playing FLAC files vs MP3's. Do you have a link to your trick?

AshenTech · 10-16-2011, 18:28

just check the firmware upgrade thread(sticky at top of the c2 section) for what I do when updating the c2( have updated 3 for friends and my own, no bricks yet )

make sure never to choose a eu/uk regon country as they have bullshit output restrictions.

as to lower volume on some flac files, my best quality files are lower volume, this is because they are anti-loudness wars masters, its amazing how much detail is lost with modern mastering to make music louder.....

http://turnmeup.org/

i would rather have to turn the volume up then loose the detail.

the other trick is to just read the manual and turn the EQ bands up, that can drive the volume WAY up from my exp.

jang · 10-22-2011, 08:52

Download version 1.10 of the firmware (for C2 player), remove the PARAM-file
in the system root of the player, restart and choose 'non-European union'.
Then you can achieve very loud volume settings. No need to buy a headphone amp!

porcupene · 10-22-2011, 11:31

Re: sound level

At first I thought the same thing. I'd set the volume to 35 to get the desired sound level I had gotten used to from my veteran Sony NW-HD5. However, depending on the kind of music and the level of ambient sound (I don't like IEMs I prefer earbuds) I found that going as low as 25 is more than enough. At least that's what I found with the earbuds I'm using (Sennheiser MX471 but I also tested some Sony MDRED12LPS and the ones that come with the Sansa Clip+, the ones that came with the C2 are a bad joke compared to all of the above)

(1.11 firmware US setting)

ccw71 · 10-23-2011, 01:58

Hi, thanks for the replies. I updated the firmware to 1.11 as soon as I got the player and set it to a non EU location, so that's not the problem. I'm becoming used to it though and at 32-35 it is loud enough. I just expected to NEVER have to max it out having read about the c2s powerful internal amp. I can live with it though.

10-15-2011, 02:57	#1
ccw71 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 3	C2 Volume too low (non EU location) Hi, I'd like others opinion. I'm surprised and disappointed that I need the volume between 33 - 40 to get any kind of engaging sound from my new C2. No, I'm not deaf, I was a sound engineer for several years and still have very keen hearing. I'm using 16ohm Meelectronics sp51 IEM's (I tried others too with the same result). I've read a few posts now of other Cowon users (not just C2) complaining of low volume on easily driven 16ohm IEMs. Whilst others say their Cowon player is very loud and never have to go above 15 on the volume. Some resolve the issue by removing the EU volume limitation, other cannot, like mine (set to Asia). If I turn it up full to 40 it is certainly nowhere near uncomfortable. I'm seriously considering getting a headphone amp, which seems crazy with 27mW output into 16 ohm IEMs!

10-22-2011, 08:52	#5
jang jang Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Deventer/THE NETHERLANDS Posts: 2	Download version 1.10 of the firmware (for C2 player), remove the PARAM-file in the system root of the player, restart and choose 'non-European union'. Then you can achieve very loud volume settings. No need to buy a headphone amp! Last edited by jang; 10-23-2011 at 04:26.. Reason: spelling eror

10-22-2011, 11:31	#6
porcupene Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 50	Re: sound level At first I thought the same thing. I'd set the volume to 35 to get the desired sound level I had gotten used to from my veteran Sony NW-HD5. However, depending on the kind of music and the level of ambient sound (I don't like IEMs I prefer earbuds) I found that going as low as 25 is more than enough. At least that's what I found with the earbuds I'm using (Sennheiser MX471 but I also tested some Sony MDRED12LPS and the ones that come with the Sansa Clip+, the ones that came with the C2 are a bad joke compared to all of the above) (1.11 firmware US setting) Last edited by porcupene; 10-22-2011 at 13:36..

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10-16-2011, 04:12	#2
AshenTech Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 313	try upgrading the firmware with my method, then pick america as your location, see if that helps, I have had a few non-cowon players that forced me to "trick" them into removing the volume limit, not sure why it happens but I have seen it. The c2 is lower volume then the d2 was per vol setting, but its still plenty loud no matter what iem's or cans i use. i have tested jvc marshies meelec m6 senn cx55 sound magic pl30 sound magic pl50 monster turbines jvc ha-rx900's and some cheap sony psudo cans (the 150's) also have used others, but dont really got models, and honestly, only the rx900's and the turbines need more then say 25 to hit "uncomfortable" levels. you can also try playing with the custom EQ settings, I have found that the EQ can boost volume/output levels drastically with both the d2 and c2.

10-16-2011, 11:10	#3
Rodster Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 247	I notice the volume is lower playing FLAC files vs MP3's. Do you have a link to your trick?

10-16-2011, 18:28	#4
AshenTech Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 313	just check the firmware upgrade thread(sticky at top of the c2 section) for what I do when updating the c2( have updated 3 for friends and my own, no bricks yet ) make sure never to choose a eu/uk regon country as they have bullshit output restrictions. as to lower volume on some flac files, my best quality files are lower volume, this is because they are anti-loudness wars masters, its amazing how much detail is lost with modern mastering to make music louder..... http://turnmeup.org/ i would rather have to turn the volume up then loose the detail. the other trick is to just read the manual and turn the EQ bands up, that can drive the volume WAY up from my exp.

10-23-2011, 01:58	#7
ccw71 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 3	Hi, thanks for the replies. I updated the firmware to 1.11 as soon as I got the player and set it to a non EU location, so that's not the problem. I'm becoming used to it though and at 32-35 it is loud enough. I just expected to NEVER have to max it out having read about the c2s powerful internal amp. I can live with it though.