I went to the Control Panel and maxed out the volume level on my desk top speakers but they are still not very loud. Is there some other way to increase the volume?
VLC Player has a volume control that goes to beyond 100% for increased volume, I believe.
Also, try:
1) Turn volume control to max in your system tray near the clock.
2) Turn volume control on media player to max.
3) Turn volume control on speakers to max.
I run my audio out to my Philips Magavox stereo (240W/120W per side). This gives it plenty of volume.
There's actually two volume levels to control this as seen in the screenshot below. What I do is max out Wave/MP3, and then adjust the overall main volume using Play Control:
Edit:
Also make sure there's no Mute boxes ticked for things you use.
OS version?
Perhaps a computer hardware problem,
either a design limitation or a component/connection defect.
Alternative solutions may exist
In a Browser topic on another forum there was a complaint about low volume,
and the suggestion was that a Communication program such as Skype might cause it.
Proposed solution :-
On your Windows Sound Options, you will find the "Communications" tab and you select "Do Nothing."
I am inclined to believe one of the following is occurring:
1) Multiple line out/speaker out/headphone outs are available, & speakers are in the wrong out. Some outs have a lower output for a reason.
2) Multiple devices connected (some computers have front & rear jacks), hence one of the other devices is lowering volume to the speakers.
3) Speakers are not connected properly, therefore they are not making a good ground. Be sure the connection is firmly seated.
4) Speakers are cheap (5W?/10W?), therefore output is very limited.
5) You are using non amplified speakers in a non-amplified PC out. HP has some non amplified polk audio speakers that sound pretty good while paired to their pre-amped PC. But when you connect to a PC without a pre-amp out, the speakers have nothing to drive them so to speak, & sound very low volume.
* Ensure you are using the correct output on your PC, & that the speakers are making a firm connection. If they are not amplified, get some that are.