Computer speaker with volume - what to set with?

[Dracoro]

Computer + external speakers (with volume control)

So, 3 options, which is best?
1. Computer with max vol set and control with speakers
2. Speakers set to max vol and control with computer
3. Speakers as half volume and control with computer and if need louder once hit max then use speaker volume

???

[paulrockliffe]

Set it so the computer control increments are the right size. If you have the amp on full then each button press on the PC will change the volume too much, if the volume is on low then you'll have to press the button too much.

Unless you control the volume off the amp control, then set the computer volume so you're roughly in the middle on the amp dial for normal use.

[Digger]

I specifically have a keyboard with volume controls setting the Win10 volume level.

I tend to keep the speakers volume control between half & 2/3.

Application volume level i keep 3/4 to full

As above makes it so easy to use the keyboard controls to control the master (Win10) level.

[Dracoro]

It's on my Mac, and the speakers are monitors (that I use for recording music as a hobby, not a pro!), so I was more thinking in terms of sound quality but not sure there's any real difference.

I have gone for setting speaker volume at half. with the computer also at half, it's a good hearing volume. So, I can make louder/quieter using computer only, with the option to "boost" on the odd occasion by turning the speaker volume up. Even at half volume on speaker, turning computer up is more than loud enough!

[xeny]

Dracoro said:

Computer + external speakers (with volume control)


???

Depends on your priorities and where it is most convenient to do volume control.

The consensus appears to be to leave the volume high for all the digital stages, and adjust the last analogue volume control in order to maximise signal to noise ratio.

More discussion/explanation here https://superuser.com/questions/492281/from-a-qual...

Are you enough of an audiophile to notice though?

[Dracoro]

Thanks. I will have a play with a few reference tracks..

[Digger]

I neglected to mention that I have an iFi Zen DAC in the mix sitting between the Presonus monitors & the PC. This allows me to easily switch between my headphones & the monitors whilst retaining half-decent sound quality for either.

If you are running quality monitors consider a DAC rather than relying on onboard sound.