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Reverse-engineering my speakers' API to get reasonable volume control

jamesbvaughan.com

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Re: Reverse-engineering my speakers' API to get reasonable volume control

#81

Post by squarefoot »

christina97 wrote: post #76

For those considering buying speakers: (1) do it, (2) get passive ones and a separate amp. Honestly it’s such a mature market that buying these active speakers just creates e-waste. Keep the e-waste to the amp. You can get really solid speakers for $300 and a cheap amp with BT for $50-100, replacing them basically independently depending on your needs.

Quality active speakers very rarely break, but one should buy them from studio gear (e)shops instead of the nearest mall. I totally agree on other gimmicks that would add single points of failure and should be kept out.

Re: Reverse-engineering my speakers' API to get reasonable volume control

#82

Post by XlA5vEKsMISoIln »

jamesbvaughan wrote: post #57
TheNewAndy wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Volume controls also shouldn't just be a flat wideband gain - they should respect how we actually perceive sound so the timbre doesn't change as the level changes (when you turn the volume down, you are typically left with just the stuff in the vocal frequency range, and lose all the bass etc). Doing this stuff well is pretty hard (e.g. designing filters that can do that kind of volume adjustment is hard because you…

> Volume controls also shouldn't just be a flat wideband gain - they should respect how we actually perceive sound so the timbre doesn't change as the level changes (when you turn the volume down, you are typically left with just the stuff in the vocal frequency range, and lose all the bass etc). The amp I'm upgrading from was interesting in this regard. In addition to the main volume knob, it had a loudness knob. Th…

Amazing. This is probably the correct way do make amp controls. I'd say the volume should be a multi turn trim potentiometer in the back of the device so you don't have to brief your guests on correct operation.

Re: Reverse-engineering my speakers' API to get reasonable volume control

#83

Post by alfanick »

Mo3 wrote: post #77
christina97 wrote: post #76

For those considering buying speakers: (1) do it, (2) get passive ones and a separate amp. Honestly it’s such a mature market that buying these active speakers just creates e-waste. Keep the e-waste to the amp. You can get really solid speakers for $300 and a cheap amp with BT for $50-100, replacing them basically independently depending on your needs.

Which speakers would you recommend in that price range?

I would recommend some older B&W (Bowers & Wilkins) from 6xx or DM6xx series. You can find them cheap on eBay etc, I use those since 15 years and cannot complain.

Re: Reverse-engineering my speakers' API to get reasonable volume control

#84

Post by stereo »

iamacyborg wrote: post #67
jamesbvaughan wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The only competitor that I've given a fair shot is Apple Music. I'm not thrilled with either. Between those two, Spotify wins solely for Spotify Connect. I much prefer the way it works to AirPlay. I haven't really tried YouTube Music, but I'll give it a go. I've been meaning to try out Tidal too but haven't yet.

If you’ve a computer to run it on, I highly recommend trying Roon out as a superior alternative to Spotify connect.

What do you prefer about Roon?

Re: Reverse-engineering my speakers' API to get reasonable volume control

#85

Post by stereo »

Mo3 wrote: post #77
christina97 wrote: post #76

For those considering buying speakers: (1) do it, (2) get passive ones and a separate amp. Honestly it’s such a mature market that buying these active speakers just creates e-waste. Keep the e-waste to the amp. You can get really solid speakers for $300 and a cheap amp with BT for $50-100, replacing them basically independently depending on your needs.

Which speakers would you recommend in that price range?

The most expensive boxes you can afford from Canton. Or buy second hand - they will sound like new.

But speakers are something very subjective, and while I’m still delighted with the Canton I got for a discount, your ear might prefer something different. This is something where comparing in a physical store with a passionate salesperson can be worth it.

Re: Reverse-engineering my speakers' API to get reasonable volume control

#86

Post by netsharc »

albert_e wrote: post #49
laurencei wrote: post #32

Hey OP - if your thinking about a smart knob with haptic feedback etc - check this open source project out that you can build yourself - its amazing: https://github.com/scottbez1/smartknob Video demo here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip641WmY4pA&t=1s

Wow! I had dreamed of physical "analog" controls as a standard feature on keyboards and input devices for various applications -- would be great productivity booster for power users. I wish this catches on and gets mass adoption.

Logitech has such a keyboard: https://www.logitech.com/en-us/products/keyboards/craft.920-...

Re: Reverse-engineering my speakers' API to get reasonable volume control

#87

Post by criddell »

laurencei wrote: post #73
IshKebab wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"you can build yourself" Technically yes, but that is a serious project.

Yeah - I actually asked on the Discord if anyone was selling them pre-made - I would buy some if available. I dont have time/tools etc to do this.

If it’s $200 in parts then a premade item would be at least $400 and probably $500. There probably isn’t much of a market at those prices.

The bill of materials needs to come way down to sell it for much less than that. Buying the parts in hobbyist-level bulk (100 pcs) probably would only shave $100 from the final price.

Re: Reverse-engineering my speakers' API to get reasonable volume control

#88

Post by iamacyborg »

stereo wrote: post #84
iamacyborg wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you’ve a computer to run it on, I highly recommend trying Roon out as a superior alternative to Spotify connect.

What do you prefer about Roon?

They’re not increasing my subscription to give me stuff I never asked for.

On an actual technical side, I can stream to multiple devices concurrently, the interface is cleaner and it supports a local music library.

Re: Reverse-engineering my speakers' API to get reasonable volume control

#90

Post by kefabean »

In a similar vein, I was delighted to discover that my rather elderly Audiolab M-DAC (used as a pre-amp) exposes its master volume control over USB digital input when plugged into a RPi.

Although I don't use USB for audio (rather buggy) the control interface works perfectly.

I duly created a websockets API that allows me to remotely control the volume over wifi via a phsyical rotary controller. Allows me to conceal all the hifi equipment in a cupboard upstairs but remotely control it from a knob downstairs in the kitchen.

Like the OP I also implemented volume limits to prevent accidental damage to the speakers (primarily from twiddles by little fingers)....works a treat!

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