Issues Related to Volume

Volume control for HTD Lync and MC system range from mute (0) to a maximum of 60. Having 60 discreet volume levels provides a fine level of detail for controlling volume.

For most listeners, everyday listening will typically have volume set in the 15-30 range. Loud parties, or outdoor spaces, may require a higher volume setting, but you should almost never need the system to get above 50.

If you are having to set zones to these higher volume numbers just to obtain everyday listening levels, then chances are good your system is not optimally set up. It is important to understand that your audio sources will output a volume signal level, but only the amplifier creates volume. All other "volume controls" are simply attenuating (reducing) this level.

To troubleshoot, start with the source . . .

The Lync 6 and Lync 12 include a really useful tool to help you identify if a source (music player, TV, etc.) is not outputting a signal, or outputting one that is weak. On the front panel, you will see a section labeled "Source Signal Strength". Any active source will display a green LED light that flickers with intensity based on the signal strength of that source.

In the video below, Source 3 and Source 12 are clearly providing a strong signal. Source 8 is also playing but at a lower level. Every other connected source is not currently active. If you were listening to Source 3 in any zone and were to then switch to Source 8, the volume in the zone would drop slightly because the signal strength coming from Source 8 is lower.

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Different audio sources provide different output levels, but in some cases you can adjust these levels before they are sent into the Lync controller. In other cases, the only way to balance your source levels is to add a Line Level Gain Booster.

• Traditional audio sources such as a CD or DVD player provide a strong, fixed level audio output signal that is not likely to require any adjustment.
• Some music streamers include a fixed audio output level while others only provide a variable output. When you set up your streamer for the first time (using their app), fixed volume is preferred. If unavailable, set the variable output volume level to maximum and then independently control volume within each zone using the HTD Home Audio app or a LyncTouch keypad.
• If you are connecting a smart phone or tablet as your source, you are likely using what is really a "headphone level" output. This signal level is typically lower than a traditional source when its volume level is at maximum. That said, a smart phone can still be a great source, just don't reduce the signal further by lowering the volume on the phone or tablet itself; instead, keep it at maximum and control the volume within each zone using the HTD Home Audio app or a LyncTouch keypad.

Next, consider the app for the streaming service such as Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, etc. With whole-house audio, streaming service apps are primarily used to select the artist, song, or playlist you'd like to hear. If the app offers a fixed volume setting, use it. If not, set and keep the volume level at maximum.

Finally, check the level knobs on the front of your 12-channel amplifier(s). In most cases, these should also be turned all the way clockwise in order to get the most out of your amplifier's power. Adjust these level knobs counter-clockwise only when you want to limit or cap the volume for a particular zone (e.g. kids rooms or outdoor areas). Intercom levels are fixed so that you can hear the person speaking into a zone regardless of the volume number currently set for the zone. But note that reducing the level knobs on a 12-channel amplifier will of course impact the intercom level.

If most of your sources are performing as expected, but by comparison one has low volume, then you may simply be using a source with a low level output. We offer line gain-boosters that fix this. Read more.

If you are only experiencing a low volume issue in one zone and the level knobs on the front of the 12-channel amplifier for the speakers in that zone are turned all the way up, you may have a problem with your speaker wiring. When speakers are wired "out of phase" with one another, their sound waves can cancel each other out. This effect is most obvious with lower frequencies where sound waves are larger. The result is audio that sounds thin or weak.

A convenient way to check for this is to disconnect just one speaker at the amplifier. If you have two speakers in a zone and the sound improves when one or the other is disconnected, then they are wired out of phase. An easy fix is to swap the positive and negative conductors for JUST ONE OF THE SPEAKERS. This is most easily done at the amplifier and will correct for any mis-wiring that may have occurred at either the amplifier or at one of the speaker terminals.

The speakers sound tinny (lacking bass frequencies) or muddy (lacking high frequencies).

Check that your speakers are not wired out of phase (see above). Speakers wired out of phase cancel out each other the most in the low frequencies.

Check the position of the tweeter and woofer switches. All HTD in-wall and in-ceiling speakers include a +3dB, 0, -3dB switch for the tweeter (to adjust treble). HD and HDX speakers also include a similar switch for the woofer (bass frequencies). Make sure these switches are not stuck between positions and are in the position you prefer. If you are not getting any sound from the woofer or tweeter, you may need to quickly move this switch back and forth several times to ensure something, such as drywall dust, is not preventing a clean contact inside the switch. If this switch will not move at all, please contact HTD.

Make sure the right type of insulation is placed behind the speaker. All in-wall and in-ceiling speakers will benefit from having batt insulation placed loosely directly behind the speaker. A couple of square feet is usually enough, but more does not hurt as long as it is not packed in. Batt helps prevent unwanted sound transfer from the back of the speaker and acts to dampen the woofer, improving bass inside the room. Do not allow loose, blown-in insulation to contact the back of the speaker as it can work its way into the speaker basket and impede the woofer, causing distortion and eventually damaging the speaker. If you have blown-in insulation in your attic, just add a section of batt directly behind each speaker during installation. If your batt insulation includes one side with paper, that side should face away from the speaker so that only the soft batt comes in contact with the back of the speaker.

Do not install an in-wall or in-ceiling speaker into a tight space. For most speakers, a minimum of approximately 2/3 of a cubic foot of air should exist behind the speaker. Anything smaller can limit bass performance.

Check the binding posts. Level THREE Speakers include two pairs of binding posts on each speaker to allow for a bi-amp or bi-wire connection. If you are instead connecting your speakers in a more traditional way using a single speaker cable (one positive conductor, one negative conductor), make sure the top binding posts and bottom binding posts on the speaker are connected to each other with gold-plated jumpers (included with each speaker). For more information see page 4 of the owner's manual.