Adjusting the volume for your system and computer

When you are listening to any audio source on your computer, there are usually three separate volume settings to consider: one from your computer, one from the application and the volume control on your Bose® system. For best sound performance, we recommend presetting your computer and application to 2/3 of the maximum volume or higher (see below). Then, use the volume control on your Bose system as the master control and adjust the volume accordingly.

The way in which you adjust the volume depends on the type of computer you are using, and on your operating system.

Follow the instructions below to adjust your computer operating system volume:

Mac OS® X operating system

To adjust the volume of a computer using the Mac OS X operating system, follow these steps:

  1. From the dock, select "System Preferences"

    Mac System Preferences icon

  2. Click on the "Sound" icon

    Mac System Preferences: Sound icon

  3. Click on the "Output" tab and make sure it is set to line out

  4. Adjust the volume so that it is set to 2/3 of the maximum volume or higher

    Sound Output window

    Nothing should be muted and the balance control must be centered for best performance.

Windows® 8 operating system

To adjust the volume of a computer using the Windows 8 operating system, follow these steps:

  1. On the keyboard, press the Windows key  plus C or swipe in from the right on a touchscreen to show the charm bar

  2. In the charm bar, select "Settings"

    Windows 8 Charm Bar "Settings" button

  3. In the Settings screen, select the volume icon

    Windows 8 Settings screen volume icon

  4. Use the volume slider to adjust the volume

    Windows 8 volume slider

Windows 7 or Windows Vista operating systems

To adjust the volume of a computer using the Windows 7 or Windows Vista operating systems, follow these steps:

  1. Click the Start button on the lower-left corner of the computer screen

    Windows 7/Vista Start button

  2. Click on the Control Panel button

    Windows 7/Vista Control Panel button

  3. In the Control Panel, click "Hardware and Sound"

    Control Panel - Hardware and Sound

  4. Beneath the "Sound" icon, click "Adjust system volume" to open the volume mixer

    Control Panel - Hardware and Sound - Sound - Adjust system volume

  5. Adjust the volume so that it is set to 2/3 of the maximum volume or higher

    Volume Mixer - Speakers

Windows® XP operating system

To adjust the volume of a computer using the Windows XP operating system, follow these steps:

  1. Click the start button on the lower-left corner of the screen

    Windows XP Start button

  2. Click on the Control Panel button

    Windows XP Control Panel button

  3. Select the "Sounds and Audio Devices" icon

    Control Panel - Sounds and Audio Devices icon

  4. Click the "Audio" tab and then click the "Volume" button in the "Sound playback" section highlighted here in red

    Sound and Audio Devices Properties - Volume button

  5. Adjust all volumes to 2/3 of the maximum volume or higher

    Master Volume window

    Nothing should be muted, and the balance control must be centered for best performance.

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