We all want to get the most out of our speakers, and one of the most common ways people try to enhance their audio experience is by making their speakers louder. The obvious way to increase a speaker’s volume is to crank up the dial. But what do you do if you’ve already turned it up to 11 and still like to add more volume?
The truth is, you cannot technically increase the actual power output of a speaker, but you can make the speaker sound louder to your ears. This would require a delicate balance of acoustics, technology, and speaker placement.
This guide delves into various methods to amplify your speaker’s sound output without compromising audio quality. Using little more than a basic understanding of the principles of sound wave propagation or utilizing a few simple modern technological solutions, we will explore practical and creative ways to make your speaker louder.
Tip 1: Find the Perfect Spot for Powerful Sound
Where and how you place a Bluetooth speaker in a room or space is important in sound propagation and, ultimately, in how loud it sounds. Sound waves expand in all directions and will be either absorbed or reflected as they hit surfaces.
Generally, corners of a room can act as amplifiers when the sound waves reflect off the two adjoining walls. This is a quick way to increase the volume and depth of the audio. Also, lift your speakers off the ground to about ear level. In this way, sound travels directly to the listener without interference, providing a clearer and louder perceived output.
Do not place a speaker on soft surfaces like carpets or cushions, as they tend to absorb sound, reducing the loudness. Always stand them on solid surfaces that reflect sound waves. Experiment with different placements in the room to find the sweet spot where the speaker sounds the loudest and clearest.
The acoustics of a room is another contributing factor to how loud a speaker sounds. Irregular shapes and soft furnishings absorb sound, while more symmetric designs and hard surfaces reflect sound. This combination of sound wave reflection and the amplification effect of certain surfaces creates a perceived increase in loudness.
Tip 2: Fine-Tune Your Equalizer for Bigger, Better Audio
Equalizers (EQ) are an obvious and readily available way of making your Bluetooth speaker sound louder. It allows you to adjust the balance of the different frequency ranges a speaker delivers and, in doing so, enables you to tune the sound quality and loudness of a speaker to your needs.
Most modern Bluetooth speakers come with apps primarily designed to function as an EQ and connect multiple speakers where that option is available. Third-party apps that offer more advanced equalization options are also available for Android and iOS devices.
To increase loudness, focus on adjusting the low (bass) and high (treble) frequencies.
Dialing up the bass will produce a sound with more depth and power. Don’t overdo it. You need to find a balance. Too much bass can make your speakers sound “muddy” by blurring the mid and high frequencies. Treble adjustments can enhance the sharpness and clarity of your speaker. Humans perceive clear, sharp sounds as “louder” than muffled sounds.
Tip 3: Double (or Triple!) the Sound by Pairing Multiple Speakers
Most stereo systems came with two speakers or more. Even more than with portable Bluetooth speakers, these systems are intended to deliver loud, clear sound. Adding speakers to a music array enhances the richness and depth of the sound.
If your Bluetooth speakers support it, as most modern speakers do, consider pairing your Bluetooth speaker with one or more others to gain these same benefits.
First, check if your speakers support pairing functionality. Do not assume speakers of the same brand will always be able to pair with speakers of the same brand. Unfortunately, manufacturers sometimes change their pairing functionality, making some of their speakers unpairable with others. (See our article on how to pair JBL speakers, for example) After you’ve confirmed that your speaker has a pairing function, follow the manufacturers’ instructions on how to get it done.
When using two or more speakers in a room, consider their placement. They should be spaced evenly across the space to deliver a balanced sound field.
Pairing speakers is very effective in outdoor events or as party speakers in large rooms where a single speaker may not be able to deliver the punch you need to carry the sound sufficiently.
Tip 4: DIY Hacks to Boost Your Speaker’s Volume
In most cases, the modern technical solutions available to you should be sufficient to boost the volume of your speaker. However, some DIY solutions can help you move the needle a bit when you run out of high-tech options.
One such option is to place a bowl or cup over your speaker. It will serve as a makeshift amplifier as the surface of the bowl concentrates and reflects the sound waves. This will work best with small portable Bluetooth speakers and is surprisingly effective outdoors.
Another option that we’ve already discussed above is to place the speakers near a wall or in a corner to use the hard reflective surfaces of the wall to amplify the sound. And, of course, combining this with the bowl or cup method mentioned above will give you a double whammy!
Tip 5: Keep Your Speaker in Top Shape for Lasting Loudness
Proper speaker maintenance is critical to ensuring your speaker continues to deliver optimally, especially when it comes to loudness. Well-maintained speakers will continue to deliver the same “out-of-the-box” sound quality they had on day one, while poorly maintained speakers can quickly start bleeding off volume. Here are a few areas to focus on when maintaining your Bluetooth speakers:
- Regular Cleaning – Dust and grime can block and glogg up the grille of your speaker, preventing sound waves from getting through and causing a drop in loudness and a muffled sound. Gently wipe the exterior of your speaker with a dry cloth, and use a soft brush to dislodge any debris from the grille.
- Keep The Firmware updated – Most modern Bluetooth speakers run on firmware that the manufacturer updates from time to time. These updates are almost always targeted at improving the performance or compatibility of the speakers. Use the accompanying app and update your firmware to get the maximum volume from your speaker.
- Take Care of The Batteries – If your speaker is battery-powered, as most portable Bluetooth speakers are, then the quality of the sound and loudness can be affected by the battery’s health. Charge your battery regularly and avoid running it down completely.
- Store It Safely – Store your speaker in a cool, dry place when you’re not using it. Moisture and extreme temperatures can affect the components of your speaker, leading to a drop in overall performance.
- Use Within Its Limits – Speakers are designed to be used within a specific performance parameter. Yes, this article is all about getting the maximum volume court of your speaker, but even the loudest speaker in the world can not be used at its maximum levels all the time. Loud volumes strain some components and can lead to a degradation in performance over time. Using the speaker within a reasonable volume range preserves its condition and ensures a consistent output level.
Conclusion
It is important to have a basic understanding of loudness to understand how these tips might contribute to making your speaker louder. None of the tips above will increase the speaker’s volume in decibels. It enhances the listening experience by making the sound appear louder and fuller. The interaction of sound waves with the environment and our perception of these sounds are impacted by these steps, and because of the psychoacoustic effects, our perception of loudness changes. Simply put, a speaker in a corner might produce a sound that seems clearer or more full-bodied, which our brain interprets as being louder, but that’s good enough for us!