New USB speakers don't respond to Output volume settings.

[tuqqer]

I have some old USB speakers as well as well as a USB headset that both respond to my Mac M1 (OS 13.13.1) output volume up/down settings, including my keyboard buttons associated with up/down volume; as they should.

I just purchased a new set of desktop USB speakers, and they are not responding to my Sound Output settings, whether I use the slider in the menubar, the slider in the System Settings, or my keyboard keys for both up/down volume. Oddly, the mute key and settings work fine.

Been awhile since I purchased new speakers. Is there a setting I'm missing?

[btfc]

Check out Audio MIDI Setup:

https://support.apple.com/guide/audio-mi...5/mac/13.0

[Gareth]

This is the typical behavior of audio devices that the OS sees as "digital" outputs. For instance, when my monitor is connected via displayport, HDMI, or thunderbolt (which all carry digital audio signals), the speaker level has to be adjusted on the monitor itself. A nice convenience of getting a Studio Display is that I can again use the keyboard buttons.

Perhaps your other USB devices are seen as analog devices for whatever reason (i.e. how they handle the audio conversion).

[tuqqer]

I've gone through this exact page, and in the Audio Midi app, the volume slider shows that it's responding to up and down inputs from my keyboard and others, but the sound (from whatever, Music, YouTube, etc) doesn't change. The only way to alter the volume is actually physically adjusting the knob on the speakers. So weird.

btfc wrote:
Check out Audio MIDI Setup:

https://support.apple.com/guide/audio-mi...5/mac/13.0

[kj]

Kind of like Gareth is saying, I bet the digital info is being sent straight to the speakers, and the speakers basically have an audio interface built in. So the volume has to be set on the speakers. Or now that I think about it, perhaps they don't use Core Audio? Do you have to install a driver for the speakers? Is there one available? Idk, just thinking out loud.

Edit: there do seem to be audio devices that are not, or are not fully, core audio compliant. That could be the prob.

[tuqqer]

I think this is the issue. Screw it, I'm returning it and going with Apple's Homepod system. Don't have time for this. Thanks all! Apple for the win.

[clay]

there may be a driver that your speaker manufacturer offers to enable integration with the built-in volume keys. Have you checked to see if something is available?

[Robert M]

Tuqqer,

Make sure you've chosen the correct output in the Output pane of Sound preferences. It could be set to the incorrect device. Since you tried this already, maybe the sound pref is skewed and needs replacement.

Robert

[Buzz]

I’m at my infusion clinic now, so I don’t have access to my M1, but I ended up using an inexpensive USB DAC adapter plugged into the small USB hub we have connected to the dock. It’s an easy-peasy $12 solution, that works great. I’ll update with links when I get home later today.
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[RAMd®d]

I ended up using an inexpensive USB DAC adapter plugged into the small USB hub we have connected to the dock. It’s an easy-peasy $12 solution, that works great.


Does this limit volume control to that on the speaker(S)?

That's what happens with my Audioengine D1 DAC connected to my 2012 mini.

The DAC then has a volume control that handles all the audio out the system would normally handle.

VLC's volume is independent of the DAC and it's controlled via the keyboard and/or trackpad.

So no keyboard control when audio is piped through the DAC, but in tuqq's case, he has no audio whatsoever.