You are not logged in.

#1 2018-04-13 08:06:05

excalibur
Member
Registered: 2018-04-13
Posts: 7

Bluetooth Headset volume too low (only in arch)

I connected a pair of AirPods to everything I could. Android, OSX, Linux Mint, Arch LInux. It sounds great on all of them, but when connected under Arch, I can get get less than half the volume even if I max all volumes I can find. It's strange that Mint gets the volume right. I switched to Linux Mint for a while for this exact reason. But I prefer Arch. It's smoother and faster. Pacman is another easy to use tool.
However, I searched for all and any solutions to bluetooth volume, but none worked.
Volume on wired headphones and laptop's speakers is loud and clear. Problem only exists in bluetooth device that relies on source to set volume. If the device has own volume buttons, then I can pump up the volume all the way.

From Gnome Sound Settings I tried going over 100%, but the sound is distorted.

I tried alsamixer and pavucontrol. All volumes are maxed, but I only get Intel card and PulseAudio. should I also have a bluetooth volume?
PulseAudio - https://snag.gy/9tp63J.jpg
IntelCard - https://snag.gy/RPZJaL.jpg

I also found PulseAudio wiki which mentioned the volume cap of 65536. Since sound is clear, I believe this volume limit is the source of my problem. But even if I try to increase the volume as mentioned there, I cannot get past the upper limit of 65536.

$ amixer set Master 12345+
Simple mixer control 'Master',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pswitch pswitch-joined
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Playback 0 - 65536
  Mono:
  Front Left: Playback 65536 [100%] [on]
  Front Right: Playback 65536 [100%] [on]

https://www.freedesktop.org/wiki/Softwa … A/Decibel/ describes the same problem, but I could not get any information using this tool.

I believe there should be a way to set a config per bluetooth device and set the lower and upper limits.
Alternative, maybe setting the volume to dB instead of absolute value might help, but disabling flat-volumes in /etc/pulse/daemon.conf did nothing.

The only comparison I was able to make against LinuxMint is that Mint sets dB instead of absolute value. (I have a live USB so I can boot any time in Mint)

Any suggestion is welcome.

Mod Edit - Replaced oversized images with links.
CoC - Pasting pictures and code

Last edited by Slithery (2018-04-13 14:14:10)

Offline

#2 2018-04-13 08:46:30

V1del
Forum Moderator
Registered: 2012-10-16
Posts: 21,427

Re: Bluetooth Headset volume too low (only in arch)

Bluetooth over pulseaudio completely bypasses ALSA, any information on a ALSA backend will not apply. Iregardless of that amixer is the wrong tool for setting volumes on hardware handled by pulseaudio as well, always use pulse utilities (pulse is what provides the over 100% support, the amixer pulseaudio is a light "fake volume" so that ALSA applications don't trip up, it will have not much relevance if you really want to know what's going on.

Play something back you feel is silent and then post, preferably from both Linux Mint and Arch

pacmd list-cards
pacmd list-sinks
pacmd list-sink-inputs

Also a worthwile potential difference to check, verify which versions of bluez are at play here, there's a chance Mint still use the old Bluez4 in which case differences might stem from there.

Last edited by V1del (2018-04-13 09:05:00)

Offline

#3 2018-04-13 11:54:04

excalibur
Member
Registered: 2018-04-13
Posts: 7

Re: Bluetooth Headset volume too low (only in arch)

Arch:

pacmd list-cards

[excalibur@excalibur-pc ~]$ pacmd list-cards
2 card(s) available.
    index: 0
	name: <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_1f.3>
	driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
	owner module: 6
	properties:
		alsa.card = "0"
		alsa.card_name = "HDA Intel PCH"
		alsa.long_card_name = "HDA Intel PCH at 0xef228000 irq 130"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_hda_intel"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:1f.3"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1f.3/sound/card0"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.vendor.id = "8086"
		device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
		device.product.id = "9d71"
		device.product.name = "Sunrise Point-LP HD Audio"
		device.form_factor = "internal"
		device.string = "0"
		device.description = "Built-in Audio"
		module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
	profiles:
		input:analog-stereo: Analog Stereo Input (priority 60, available: unknown)
		output:analog-stereo: Analog Stereo Output (priority 6000, available: unknown)
		output:analog-stereo+input:analog-stereo: Analog Stereo Duplex (priority 6060, available: unknown)
		output:hdmi-stereo: Digital Stereo (HDMI) Output (priority 5400, available: no)
		output:hdmi-stereo+input:analog-stereo: Digital Stereo (HDMI) Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 5460, available: unknown)
		output:hdmi-surround: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI) Output (priority 300, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI) Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 360, available: unknown)
		output:hdmi-surround71: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI) Output (priority 300, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround71+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI) Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 360, available: unknown)
		output:hdmi-stereo-extra1: Digital Stereo (HDMI 2) Output (priority 5200, available: no)
		output:hdmi-stereo-extra1+input:analog-stereo: Digital Stereo (HDMI 2) Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 5260, available: unknown)
		output:hdmi-surround-extra1: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI 2) Output (priority 100, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround-extra1+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI 2) Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 160, available: unknown)
		output:hdmi-surround71-extra1: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI 2) Output (priority 100, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround71-extra1+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI 2) Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 160, available: unknown)
		output:hdmi-stereo-extra2: Digital Stereo (HDMI 3) Output (priority 5200, available: no)
		output:hdmi-stereo-extra2+input:analog-stereo: Digital Stereo (HDMI 3) Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 5260, available: unknown)
		output:hdmi-surround-extra2: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI 3) Output (priority 100, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround-extra2+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI 3) Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 160, available: unknown)
		output:hdmi-surround71-extra2: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI 3) Output (priority 100, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround71-extra2+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI 3) Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 160, available: unknown)
		output:hdmi-stereo-extra3: Digital Stereo (HDMI 4) Output (priority 5200, available: no)
		output:hdmi-stereo-extra3+input:analog-stereo: Digital Stereo (HDMI 4) Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 5260, available: unknown)
		output:hdmi-surround-extra3: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI 4) Output (priority 100, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround-extra3+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI 4) Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 160, available: unknown)
		output:hdmi-surround71-extra3: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI 4) Output (priority 100, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround71-extra3+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI 4) Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 160, available: unknown)
		output:hdmi-stereo-extra4: Digital Stereo (HDMI 5) Output (priority 5200, available: no)
		output:hdmi-stereo-extra4+input:analog-stereo: Digital Stereo (HDMI 5) Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 5260, available: unknown)
		output:hdmi-surround-extra4: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI 5) Output (priority 100, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround-extra4+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI 5) Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 160, available: unknown)
		output:hdmi-surround71-extra4: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI 5) Output (priority 100, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround71-extra4+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI 5) Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 160, available: unknown)
		off: Off (priority 0, available: unknown)
	active profile: <output:analog-stereo+input:analog-stereo>
	sinks:
		alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3.analog-stereo/#0: Built-in Audio Analog Stereo
	sources:
		alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3.analog-stereo.monitor/#0: Monitor of Built-in Audio Analog Stereo
		alsa_input.pci-0000_00_1f.3.analog-stereo/#1: Built-in Audio Analog Stereo
	ports:
		analog-input-mic: Microphone (priority 8700, latency offset 0 usec, available: unknown)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "audio-input-microphone"
		analog-output-speaker: Speakers (priority 10000, latency offset 0 usec, available: unknown)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "audio-speakers"
		analog-output-headphones: Headphones (priority 9000, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "audio-headphones"
		hdmi-output-0: HDMI / DisplayPort (priority 5900, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "video-display"
		hdmi-output-1: HDMI / DisplayPort 2 (priority 5800, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "video-display"
		hdmi-output-2: HDMI / DisplayPort 3 (priority 5700, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "video-display"
		hdmi-output-3: HDMI / DisplayPort 4 (priority 5600, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "video-display"
		hdmi-output-4: HDMI / DisplayPort 5 (priority 5500, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "video-display"
    index: 4
	name: <bluez_card.D4_61_9D_B8_52_08>
	driver: <module-bluez5-device.c>
	owner module: 28
	properties:
		device.description = "My AirPods"
		device.string = "D4:61:9D:B8:52:08"
		device.api = "bluez"
		device.class = "sound"
		device.bus = "bluetooth"
		device.form_factor = "headphone"
		bluez.path = "/org/bluez/hci0/dev_D4_61_9D_B8_52_08"
		bluez.class = "0x240418"
		bluez.alias = "My AirPods"
		device.icon_name = "audio-headphones-bluetooth"
	profiles:
		a2dp_sink: High Fidelity Playback (A2DP Sink) (priority 10, available: yes)
		headset_head_unit: Headset Head Unit (HSP/HFP) (priority 20, available: no)
		off: Off (priority 0, available: yes)
	active profile: <a2dp_sink>
	sinks:
		bluez_sink.D4_61_9D_B8_52_08.a2dp_sink/#3: My AirPods
	sources:
		bluez_sink.D4_61_9D_B8_52_08.a2dp_sink.monitor/#4: Monitor of My AirPods
	ports:
		headphone-output: Headphone (priority 0, latency offset 0 usec, available: yes)
			properties:
				
		headphone-input: Bluetooth Input (priority 0, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
			properties:
				
[excalibur@excalibur-pc ~]$ 

pacmd list-sinks

[excalibur@excalibur-pc ~]$ pacmd list-sinks
2 sink(s) available.
    index: 0
	name: <alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3.analog-stereo>
	driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
	flags: HARDWARE HW_MUTE_CTRL HW_VOLUME_CTRL DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY FLAT_VOLUME DYNAMIC_LATENCY
	state: SUSPENDED
	suspend cause: IDLE 
	priority: 9039
	volume: front-left: 18586 /  28% / -32,84 dB,   front-right: 18586 /  28% / -32,84 dB
	        balance 0,00
	base volume: 65536 / 100% / 0,00 dB
	volume steps: 65537
	muted: no
	current latency: 0,00 ms
	max request: 0 KiB
	max rewind: 0 KiB
	monitor source: 0
	sample spec: s16le 2ch 48000Hz
	channel map: front-left,front-right
	             Stereo
	used by: 0
	linked by: 0
	configured latency: 0,00 ms; range is 0,50 .. 2000,00 ms
	card: 0 <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_1f.3>
	module: 6
	properties:
		alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
		device.api = "alsa"
		device.class = "sound"
		alsa.class = "generic"
		alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
		alsa.name = "ALC295 Analog"
		alsa.id = "ALC295 Analog"
		alsa.subdevice = "0"
		alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
		alsa.device = "0"
		alsa.card = "0"
		alsa.card_name = "HDA Intel PCH"
		alsa.long_card_name = "HDA Intel PCH at 0xef228000 irq 130"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_hda_intel"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:1f.3"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1f.3/sound/card0"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.vendor.id = "8086"
		device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
		device.product.id = "9d71"
		device.product.name = "Sunrise Point-LP HD Audio"
		device.form_factor = "internal"
		device.string = "front:0"
		device.buffering.buffer_size = "384000"
		device.buffering.fragment_size = "192000"
		device.access_mode = "mmap+timer"
		device.profile.name = "analog-stereo"
		device.profile.description = "Analog Stereo"
		device.description = "Built-in Audio Analog Stereo"
		alsa.mixer_name = "Realtek ALC295"
		alsa.components = "HDA:10ec0295,10431740,00100002 HDA:8086280b,80860101,00100000"
		module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
	ports:
		analog-output-speaker: Speakers (priority 10000, latency offset 0 usec, available: unknown)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "audio-speakers"
		analog-output-headphones: Headphones (priority 9000, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "audio-headphones"
	active port: <analog-output-speaker>
  * index: 3
	name: <bluez_sink.D4_61_9D_B8_52_08.a2dp_sink>
	driver: <module-bluez5-device.c>
	flags: HARDWARE DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY FLAT_VOLUME 
	state: RUNNING
	suspend cause: 
	priority: 9950
	volume: front-left: 65574 / 100% / 0,02 dB,   front-right: 65574 / 100% / 0,02 dB
	        balance 0,00
	base volume: 65536 / 100% / 0,00 dB
	volume steps: 65537
	muted: no
	current latency: 69,69 ms
	max request: 4 KiB
	max rewind: 0 KiB
	monitor source: 4
	sample spec: s16le 2ch 44100Hz
	channel map: front-left,front-right
	             Stereo
	used by: 1
	linked by: 1
	fixed latency: 48,22 ms
	card: 4 <bluez_card.D4_61_9D_B8_52_08>
	module: 28
	properties:
		bluetooth.protocol = "a2dp_sink"
		device.description = "My AirPods"
		device.string = "D4:61:9D:B8:52:08"
		device.api = "bluez"
		device.class = "sound"
		device.bus = "bluetooth"
		device.form_factor = "headphone"
		bluez.path = "/org/bluez/hci0/dev_D4_61_9D_B8_52_08"
		bluez.class = "0x240418"
		bluez.alias = "My AirPods"
		device.icon_name = "audio-headphones-bluetooth"
	ports:
		headphone-output: Headphone (priority 0, latency offset 0 usec, available: yes)
			properties:
				
	active port: <headphone-output>
[excalibur@excalibur-pc ~]$ 

pacmd list-sink-inputs

[excalibur@excalibur-pc ~]$ pacmd list-sink-inputs
1 sink input(s) available.
    index: 97
	driver: <protocol-native.c>
	flags: START_CORKED 
	state: RUNNING
	sink: 3 <bluez_sink.D4_61_9D_B8_52_08.a2dp_sink>
	volume: front-left: 65536 / 100% / 0,00 dB,   front-right: 65536 / 100% / 0,00 dB
	        balance 0,00
	muted: no
	current latency: 46,44 ms
	requested latency: 48,22 ms
	sample spec: float32le 2ch 44100Hz
	channel map: front-left,front-right
	             Stereo
	resample method: copy
	module: 11
	client: 36 <Chromium>
	properties:
		application.icon_name = "chromium-browser"
		media.name = "Playback"
		application.name = "Chromium"
		native-protocol.peer = "UNIX socket client"
		native-protocol.version = "32"
		application.process.id = "1302"
		application.process.user = "excalibur"
		application.process.host = "excalibur-pc"
		application.process.binary = "chromium"
		application.language = "en_US.UTF-8"
		window.x11.display = ":1"
		application.process.machine_id = "e97f2930201340b58265838c7573e2a1"
		application.process.session_id = "c2"
		module-stream-restore.id = "sink-input-by-application-name:Chromium"
[excalibur@excalibur-pc ~]$

Offline

#4 2018-04-13 12:10:49

excalibur
Member
Registered: 2018-04-13
Posts: 7

Re: Bluetooth Headset volume too low (only in arch)

Mint:

pacmd list-cards

mint@mint ~ $ pacmd list-cards
2 card(s) available.
    index: 0
        name: <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_1f.3>
        driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
        owner module: 6
        properties:
                alsa.card = "0"
                alsa.card_name = "HDA Intel PCH"
                alsa.long_card_name = "HDA Intel PCH at 0xef228000 irq 130"
                alsa.driver_name = "snd_hda_intel"
                device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:1f.3"
                sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1f.3/sound/card0"
                device.bus = "pci"
                device.vendor.id = "8086"
                device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
                device.product.id = "9d71"
                device.form_factor = "internal"
                device.string = "0"
                device.description = "Built-in Audio"
                module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
                device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
        profiles:
                input:analog-stereo: Analog Stereo Input (priority 60, available: unknown)
                output:analog-stereo: Analog Stereo Output (priority 6000, available: unknown)
                output:analog-stereo+input:analog-stereo: Analog Stereo Duplex (priority 6060, available: unknown)
                output:hdmi-stereo: Digital Stereo (HDMI) Output (priority 5400, available: unknown)
                output:hdmi-stereo+input:analog-stereo: Digital Stereo (HDMI) Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 5460, available: unknown)                                                                                          
                output:hdmi-surround: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI) Output (priority 300, available: unknown)         
                output:hdmi-surround+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI) Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 360, available: unknown)                                                                                   
                output:hdmi-surround71: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI) Output (priority 300, available: unknown)       
                output:hdmi-surround71+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI) Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 360, available: unknown)                                                                                 
                output:hdmi-stereo-extra1: Digital Stereo (HDMI 2) Output (priority 5200, available: unknown)       
                output:hdmi-stereo-extra1+input:analog-stereo: Digital Stereo (HDMI 2) Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 5260, available: unknown)                                                                                 
                output:hdmi-surround-extra1: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI 2) Output (priority 100, available: unknown)
                output:hdmi-surround-extra1+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI 2) Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 160, available: unknown)                                                                          
                output:hdmi-surround71-extra1: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI 2) Output (priority 100, available: unknown)                                                                                                                  
                output:hdmi-surround71-extra1+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI 2) Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 160, available: unknown)                                                                        
                output:hdmi-stereo-extra2: Digital Stereo (HDMI 3) Output (priority 5200, available: unknown)       
                output:hdmi-stereo-extra2+input:analog-stereo: Digital Stereo (HDMI 3) Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 5260, available: unknown)                                                                                 
                output:hdmi-surround-extra2: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI 3) Output (priority 100, available: unknown)
                output:hdmi-surround-extra2+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI 3) Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 160, available: unknown)                                                                          
                output:hdmi-surround71-extra2: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI 3) Output (priority 100, available: unknown)                                                                                                                  
                output:hdmi-surround71-extra2+input:analog-stereo: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI 3) Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 160, available: unknown)                                                                        
                off: Off (priority 0, available: unknown)                                                           
        active profile: <output:analog-stereo+input:analog-stereo>                                                  
        sinks:                                                                                                      
                alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3.analog-stereo/#0: Built-in Audio Analog Stereo                         
        sources:                                                                                                    
                alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3.analog-stereo.monitor/#0: Monitor of Built-in Audio Analog Stereo      
                alsa_input.pci-0000_00_1f.3.analog-stereo/#1: Built-in Audio Analog Stereo                          
        ports:                                                                                                      
                analog-input-mic: Microphone (priority 8700, latency offset 0 usec, available: unknown)
                        properties:
                                device.icon_name = "audio-input-microphone"
                analog-output-speaker: Speakers (priority 10000, latency offset 0 usec, available: unknown)
                        properties:
                                device.icon_name = "audio-speakers"
                analog-output-headphones: Headphones (priority 9000, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
                        properties:
                                device.icon_name = "audio-headphones"
                hdmi-output-0: HDMI / DisplayPort (priority 5900, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
                        properties:
                                device.icon_name = "video-display"
                hdmi-output-1: HDMI / DisplayPort 2 (priority 5800, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
                        properties:
                                device.icon_name = "video-display"
                hdmi-output-2: HDMI / DisplayPort 3 (priority 5700, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
                        properties:
                                device.icon_name = "video-display"
    index: 1
        name: <bluez_card.D4_61_9D_B8_52_08>
        driver: <module-bluez5-device.c>
        owner module: 25
        properties:
                device.description = "My AirPods"
                device.string = "D4:61:9D:B8:52:08"
                device.api = "bluez"
                device.class = "sound"
                device.bus = "bluetooth"
                device.form_factor = "headphone"
                bluez.path = "/org/bluez/hci0/dev_D4_61_9D_B8_52_08"
                bluez.class = "0x240418"
                bluez.alias = "My AirPods"
                device.icon_name = "audio-headphones-bluetooth"
        profiles:
                a2dp_sink: High Fidelity Playback (A2DP Sink) (priority 10, available: yes)
                headset_head_unit: Headset Head Unit (HSP/HFP) (priority 20, available: no)
                off: Off (priority 0, available: yes)
        active profile: <a2dp_sink>
        sinks:
                bluez_sink.D4_61_9D_B8_52_08/#1: My AirPods
        sources:
                bluez_sink.D4_61_9D_B8_52_08.monitor/#2: Monitor of My AirPods
        ports:
                headphone-output: Headphone (priority 0, latency offset 0 usec, available: yes)
                        properties:

                headphone-input: Bluetooth Input (priority 0, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
                        properties:

mint@mint ~ $

pacmd list-sinks

mint@mint ~ $ pacmd list-sinks
2 sink(s) available.
    index: 0
        name: <alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3.analog-stereo>
        driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
        flags: HARDWARE HW_MUTE_CTRL HW_VOLUME_CTRL DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY DYNAMIC_LATENCY
        state: SUSPENDED
        suspend cause: IDLE 
        priority: 9959
        volume: front-left: 17996 /  27% / -33.68 dB,   front-right: 17996 /  27% / -33.68 dB
                balance 0.00
        base volume: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
        volume steps: 65537
        muted: no
        current latency: 0.00 ms
        max request: 0 KiB
        max rewind: 0 KiB
        monitor source: 0
        sample spec: s16le 2ch 48000Hz
        channel map: front-left,front-right
                     Stereo
        used by: 0
        linked by: 0
        configured latency: 0.00 ms; range is 0.50 .. 341.33 ms
        card: 0 <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_1f.3>
        module: 6
        properties:
                alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
                device.api = "alsa"
                device.class = "sound"
                alsa.class = "generic"
                alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
                alsa.name = "ALC295 Analog"
                alsa.id = "ALC295 Analog"
                alsa.subdevice = "0"
                alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
                alsa.device = "0"
                alsa.card = "0"
                alsa.card_name = "HDA Intel PCH"
                alsa.long_card_name = "HDA Intel PCH at 0xef228000 irq 130"
                alsa.driver_name = "snd_hda_intel"
                device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:1f.3"
                sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1f.3/sound/card0"
                device.bus = "pci"
                device.vendor.id = "8086"
                device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
                device.product.id = "9d71"
                device.form_factor = "internal"
                device.string = "front:0"
                device.buffering.buffer_size = "65536"
                device.buffering.fragment_size = "32768"
                device.access_mode = "mmap+timer"
                device.profile.name = "analog-stereo"
                device.profile.description = "Analog Stereo"
                device.description = "Built-in Audio Analog Stereo"
                alsa.mixer_name = "Realtek ALC295"
                alsa.components = "HDA:10ec0295,10431740,00100002 HDA:8086280b,80860101,00100000"
                module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
                device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
        ports:
                analog-output-speaker: Speakers (priority 10000, latency offset 0 usec, available: unknown)
                        properties:
                                device.icon_name = "audio-speakers"
                analog-output-headphones: Headphones (priority 9000, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
                        properties:
                                device.icon_name = "audio-headphones"
        active port: <analog-output-speaker>
  * index: 1
        name: <bluez_sink.D4_61_9D_B8_52_08>
        driver: <module-bluez5-device.c>
        flags: HARDWARE DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY 
        state: RUNNING
        suspend cause: 
        priority: 9430
        volume: front-left: 16404 /  25% / -36.09 dB,   front-right: 16404 /  25% / -36.09 dB
                balance 0.00
        base volume: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
        volume steps: 65537
        muted: no
        current latency: 37.79 ms
        max request: 5 KiB
        max rewind: 0 KiB
        monitor source: 2
        sample spec: s16le 2ch 44100Hz
        channel map: front-left,front-right
                     Stereo
        used by: 1
        linked by: 1
        fixed latency: 54.02 ms
        card: 1 <bluez_card.D4_61_9D_B8_52_08>
        module: 25
        properties:
                bluetooth.protocol = "a2dp_sink"
                device.description = "My AirPods"
                device.string = "D4:61:9D:B8:52:08"
                device.api = "bluez"
                device.class = "sound"
                device.bus = "bluetooth"
                device.form_factor = "headphone"
                bluez.path = "/org/bluez/hci0/dev_D4_61_9D_B8_52_08"
                bluez.class = "0x240418"
                bluez.alias = "My AirPods"
                device.icon_name = "audio-headphones-bluetooth"
        ports:
                headphone-output: Headphone (priority 0, latency offset 0 usec, available: yes)
                        properties:

        active port: <headphone-output>
mint@mint ~ $

pacmd list-sink-inputs

mint@mint ~ $ pacmd list-sink-inputs
1 sink input(s) available.
    index: 18
        driver: <protocol-native.c>
        flags: START_CORKED 
        state: RUNNING
        sink: 1 <bluez_sink.D4_61_9D_B8_52_08>
        volume: front-left: 54404 /  83% / -4.85 dB,   front-right: 54404 /  83% / -4.85 dB
                balance 0.00
        muted: no
        current latency: 98.23 ms
        requested latency: 48.22 ms
        sample spec: float32le 2ch 48000Hz
        channel map: front-left,front-right
                     Stereo
        resample method: speex-float-1
        module: 10
        client: 9 <Firefox>
        properties:
                media.name = "AudioStream"
                application.name = "Firefox"
                native-protocol.peer = "UNIX socket client"
                native-protocol.version = "30"
                application.process.id = "2574"
                application.process.user = "mint"
                application.process.host = "mint"
                application.process.binary = "firefox"
                application.language = "en_US.UTF-8"
                window.x11.display = ":0"
                application.process.machine_id = "472b0889742f415085eca68425cbc8bc"
                application.process.session_id = "1"
                application.icon_name = "firefox"
                module-stream-restore.id = "sink-input-by-application-name:Firefox"
mint@mint ~ $

Offline

#5 2018-04-13 13:12:01

excalibur
Member
Registered: 2018-04-13
Posts: 7

Re: Bluetooth Headset volume too low (only in arch)

So far I see module-bluez5-device.c driver is used in both cases. I only spotted 2 differences: FLAT_VOLUMES in Arch, which I disabled already, and resample method: speex-float-1(Mint) vs copy(Arch). Although I set speex-float-1 in /etc/pulse/daemon.conf, it did not change. I doubt it will change anything, but it's worth a try.
Thanks for that fast reply. I didn't expect an anwer so soon smile

Offline

#6 2018-04-13 14:14:34

V1del
Forum Moderator
Registered: 2012-10-16
Posts: 21,427

Re: Bluetooth Headset volume too low (only in arch)

You usually want your stream to be <copy> as that will not need a further resample pass.

Maybe the issue really lies in the FLAT_VOLUME mismatch. However aside from that, at least the base_volume values are the same. So i'm somewhat disinclined to think that as the cause

Something I'm also thinking of, maybe there's a "hidden" hardware control. Refer to e.g. the following discussion on how you can send VolumeUp signals directly to the bluetooth device.

Then there's always the possibility of downstream patches on mint/ubuntu/debian but I haven't looked all too closely into that yet.

Last edited by V1del (2018-04-13 14:48:25)

Offline

#7 2018-04-13 15:02:00

excalibur
Member
Registered: 2018-04-13
Posts: 7

Re: Bluetooth Headset volume too low (only in arch)

Actually, I did remove the FLAT_VOLUME. It does not show up any more.

Now I am trying D-Feet, but with no success so far. I tried calling VolumeUp and it returns what appears to be a volume, but even if that value increases, volume is still low and I cannot hear anything different.
I even called it from bash so it can run 100 times per call.

method return time=1523631308.421733 sender=:1.7 -> destination=:1.2878 serial=1938 reply_serial=2
method return time=1523631308.425363 sender=:1.7 -> destination=:1.2879 serial=1939 reply_serial=2
method return time=1523631308.429183 sender=:1.7 -> destination=:1.2880 serial=1940 reply_serial=2

But D-Feet displays some functions and some properties so I'm still trying.

Offline

#8 2018-09-18 14:56:30

syniick
Member
Registered: 2018-09-18
Posts: 3

Re: Bluetooth Headset volume too low (only in arch)

Did you ever make any progress on this?

Offline

#9 2018-10-17 11:15:45

excalibur
Member
Registered: 2018-04-13
Posts: 7

Re: Bluetooth Headset volume too low (only in arch)

No. If you have no hardware rockers, you're out of luck.

At some point I managed to set the volume to max from OSX or Android and then pair on fresh linux install. The initial volume was important. However, this trick only worked once( and kept good volume for a long time until I reinstalled). I even got bad volume on Android once, but I got it fixed by changing AVRCP in dev options.
Now, I have this problem again and after several tries to remove device and reconnect it I actually lowered the volume even more... If I only found a way to completely remove any history of this device on arch linux ... maybe then it would pair on max volume.

Offline

#10 2018-10-17 14:28:50

excalibur
Member
Registered: 2018-04-13
Posts: 7

Re: Bluetooth Headset volume too low (only in arch)

While trying to manually adjust lower and upper hardware dB limits, I found this bug report that mentions dB limits: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+sour … comments/3 . If anyone can point me how these might be set, this would be ideal.

Offline

#11 2018-10-17 15:35:07

V1del
Forum Moderator
Registered: 2012-10-16
Posts: 21,427

Re: Bluetooth Headset volume too low (only in arch)

These limits as pointed out in that report are only relevant for physical ALSA devices, they aren't created nor have a bearing for bluetooth ones. I don't know if there's some bluez/pulse specific spot where they would be be listed, however pulseaudio itself doesn't have a limit, just for fun you could also go hard and do

pacmd set-sink-volume bluez_sink.D4_61_9D_B8_52_08.a2dp_sink 200%

and see if that is an improvement.

Last edited by V1del (2018-10-17 15:59:50)

Offline

#12 2018-11-05 09:35:08

thelucster
Member
Registered: 2009-02-25
Posts: 23

Re: Bluetooth Headset volume too low (only in arch)

I have a couple of Bluetooth audio devices, and have what sounds like it could be the same issue: MDR-1000X headphones and Anker Soundcore speaker.

Both of these devices have volume buttons on the device, and when connected to Android or MacOS they control the system volume level. Setting the volume to 100% on the host or the device has the same affect.

However on my Arch installation they just control the volume of the device itself; in pavucontrol I can have the volume of the device set to 100%, yet the device's internal volume can be set to 0%, so I don't hear anything. The only way to increase it is by pressing the volume up button on the device, I can't charge it from my PC.

I suspect there is something missing from the BlueZ config rather than Pulse Audio.

Last edited by thelucster (2018-11-05 09:36:16)

Offline

#13 2019-03-06 20:22:57

zeezerzots
Member
Registered: 2016-02-21
Posts: 2

Re: Bluetooth Headset volume too low (only in arch)

Sorry for the slight necropost, but I had this problem for a while and just found a solution here.

Edit /lib/systemd/system/bluetooth.service and change the line:

ExecStart=/usr/lib/bluetooth/bluetoothd

to:

ExecStart=/usr/lib/bluetooth/bluetoothd --plugin=a2dp

then run:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl restart bluetooth.service

Now my AirPods are functioning properly and have more than adequate volume!
Hope this works for you.

Offline

#14 2019-03-09 18:59:03

SeanBorg
Member
Registered: 2019-03-09
Posts: 1

Re: Bluetooth Headset volume too low (only in arch)

Worked for me.
Thank you so much!! I have had this thread in my RSS feed for ages hoping someone would eventually post the solution.

Last edited by SeanBorg (2019-03-09 19:00:07)

Offline

#15 2019-03-09 19:01:47

2ManyDogs
Forum Moderator
Registered: 2012-01-15
Posts: 4,645

Re: Bluetooth Headset volume too low (only in arch)

SeanBorg, welcome to the forum. Please take a few minutes to read the Code of Conduct; pay particular attention to the section on empty posts.

Closing.


How to post. A sincere effort to use modest and proper language and grammar is a sign of respect toward the community.

Offline

Board footer

Powered by FluxBB