Announcements
The Spotify Stars Program: Celebrating Values Week!

Help Wizard

Step 1

NEXT STEP

Spotify Connect Sets Volume to Max

Solved!

Spotify Connect Sets Volume to Max

I use Spotify on my iPad Mini to control Beoplay A9 using Connect. Sometimes when I close the Spotify app and reopen it while the songs are playing, it sets the Connect volume to max automatically after detecting the device. I have been scared the hell out of me by this more than a handful of times. Now I am worried that my A9 is going to break soon because of this.

 

Really appreciate if someone at Spotify could look into this. The app should NOT change the volume when it reconnects to device, or at the very least set the default to MINIMUM.

 

Thanks in advance.

Reply
119 Replies

I think the problem is a issue of Onkyo and not Spotify. We had the same problem with Yamaha receivers but after the update, wiitch came from Yamaha and not Spotify the receiver workshop perfectly. In this case Onkyo had to do a systemupdate of there amplifiers / receivers.

It's obvious the update comes from Yamaha (or Onkyo), since the own the firmware. I wouldn't feel comfortable for a music library company to be able to update or maintain firmwares for my equipment. Out of curiousity. Was this update a native Spotify client (controlling it via the receiver) or the client using the Spotify Connect function?

 

I'm asking, because I had no problems when I had to use my Onkyo's internal program for Spoti. The issue is since the Spotify Connect update. The update itself is WAY more user-friendly.

 

The Spotify Connect client can change the volume on my amplifier. My amplifier is set to 40 (for example), my phone is set 'half-way' and when Spotify Connect, I can see it shoot to MAX. I can easily slide it back to about halfway with the Spotify app (which is about 40 on my amplifier). Given this knowledge, I don't see why the Spotify app, can't just either, leave my amplifier at it's current setting, force my amplifier to a set value, or even take over the value of my phone if it prefers.

Issue is when using the Spotify client and Spotify Connect ONLY.

There's no longer a Spotify interface on the Onkyo receiver since the last
update, the only way to play musak through the Onkyo is using the spotify
client running on another device. In this instance Spotify client for
Windows.

All indications to me is that the Spotify client is driving the Onkyo.



Just adding a +1 to this thread. I get the same problem when using Spotify Connect with my Libratone Zipp speaker. Open Spotify (desktop or iOS), play song, ensure volume is down (in the app and on the device in the case of desktop), connect to my speaker... then scared half to death and scrabbling around for the pause button. Concerned about speaker damage and reluctant to use the connect feature any more (though there is no airplay option on desktop).

Well Jeez... put me down as a +1 on this issue.

 

Woah, that was loud. I'm not sure i've ever been more scared.

I can concur that this happens with both Libratone Diva and Zipp.

 

(support@)Libratone has not answered me back on the matter for 3+ days just proving that the Spotify Connect API is something they add and thereby give all the hardware control to Spotify over their own product range.

 

This is in a business perspective in my eyes INSANE. This means that in this post you have clients from a broad spectrum of speakers / amplifiers that all have a problem that relates to the API of Spotify Connect. In regards of Libratone offering 30 day money back guarantee I would love to know how many % of the returns are based on this little bug alone..

 

Spotify:

 

It is incredible that you have a user community forum that you do not surveil to make sure that clients do not end their subscriptions on matters that could be solved. I proudly ended my subscription for good last night, and will not be coming back. By accident your bug would mean that the following scenario could happen:

 

a. I enjoy my Libratone Zipp and night time outside on an "outside" volume level

b. At night I bring it to my bedroom to listen to an audiobook before I sleep or some calm music

c. I leave the day after to go to the office - the rest of the family sleeps in

d. I open my iPad > Spotify and start playing music but wait there is no sound.. I start + the volume.. Still no sound.

e. **bleep**! The green light is on on the LITTLE icon of Spotify Connect - oooops I have played the sound at home.

f. Libratone Diva = 103db 1 meter from the speaker and Libratone Zipp = 96db...

 

Libratone:

 

I mailed you 3 days ago on the matter. Since obviously you are aiming for a Danish Bang & Olufsen "for the mass market" product line with "design and great sound for an affordable pricetag" approach needless to say you are swimming in a sea of A LOT of other fish that could by a blink of an eye swoop your business. To add a closed up software feature like Spotify Connect and by doing that "opening up" your entire product line for bugs that relies solely within that API are in my eyes on a business level insane. I will probably return my newly bought Diva and Zipp ONLY because support@libratone.com do not mail me back on the matter. I have also sat down writing in this forum to hurt your business a little bit as this is the only way I feel I can get som satisfaction out of being scared **bleep**less 2 times by the Libratone Diva jumping to 103db of sound in less than a second. I don´t care that this is a Spotify Connect issue obviously since it is YOUR HARDWARE that damages peoples eardrums. So it is at the end of the day - your product I have bought and your product I will return. And to just help google searchers a little bit on the same matter (since I found this post by googling) I will use your brand name a couple of more times to get a higher rating on Google. Libratone Diva and Libratone Zipp decibel scare spotify connect bad customer service.

 

I would prefer if you could make a firmware that skips the inclusion of Spotify Connect to MAKE SURE that my kids never ever experience what I have experienced (twice).

 

ALTERNATIVE:

 

Google Music. Use either Airplay or BT or to get a Spotify Connect feature add a Chromecast HDMI dongle to your stereo equipment. For people that do not have an HDMI in on their stereo I suggest you simply buy a little "HDMI to SPDIF / TOSLINK / etc" box that you put between your c.cast and stereo. You will have the same "button" in Google Music like Connect that play the music regardless of what happens on your phone / ipad WITHOUT the volume panic attacks mentioned above. Google Music are also a hidden gem in my eyes when it comes to for example "radio based on a tune". Much much better than Spotify. However... I gave AGAIN Spotify a try after the Libratone summer purchases but now that is over for good. I am only 1 man but hopefully other people join me and use Apple Music / Google Music / Wimp or other services to at least do what we can do to show Spotify that this is non-acceptable.

 

 

and yes..... I +1 this problem.

 

Cheers.

I experienced and commented on this issue here almost exactly one year ago. Although a Spotify app-update on iOS a few months later seemed to have ended my problem, I never felt absolutely sure that this was really 'fixed' and that it couldn't happen again at any time (only a safe setting to completely disable the volume sync would have been able to do this).

 

Well, after watching this issue for a year and not seeing any real efforts from Spotify's side I now voted with my wallet, and ditched Spotify for Apple Music.

+1. I can only concur with this being a serious problem. I believe that this bug has just cost me, a pair of expensive speakers and my hearing for half a day. This I beyond acceptable, and I'm considering sending my damaged speakers to Spotify along with a bill for a replacement. 

NAD D7050
Spotify Desktop 1.0.11.134

IOS 8.4.1

I was playing from my phone, IOS 8.4.1, via Spotify Connect to my NAD D7050. When I wanted to lower the volume, I opened the desktop app, since I was now at my computer. It correctly stated: You are playing from D7050. The second I tried to lower the volume on the desktop app, the amplifier went straight to max. I've noticed this behavior before, but not so radical. Generally when I try to change volume when using Spotify Connect, the volume will jump up by 10-20dB for just a second. This is even when it's the 'host-device' I'm using to adjust volume. The only secure way to adjust volume, is the physical knob on the D7050. In short, whenever a device tries to adjust volume, weird behavior occurs, when using the connect feature.   

Maybe it's just my lack of knowledge when it comes to programming, but I can't believe it to be too hard to make some sort of limiter that cut out instant peak requests from the control-device. Alternatively a very simple solution, would be to make it optional to whether the volume is ‘synced’ between the control-device and the receiver. Originally being thrilled about getting Spotify Connect, I can now conclude that this feature simply isn’t useable, without the risk of damaging gear and hearing. So now, I’ll get back to crying over my broken, otherwise brand new, speakers.     

 

Libratone has stated that they have fixed the issues with this audio bug in their own firmware set for release this fall. I see that many other vendors have relied way to much on the Spotify API and basically have given it "full access to sound control" of their own hardware. There are however NO guarantee that there aren´t other bugs that will definetly put that last dent in your hearing so I will never use Spotify Connect again. WHY should they AT ALL control the sound level outside of the "amplifiers own sound level system"??????? This is like a "third sound wheel".. Weird.

 

Amazing that Spotify has been able to get this product bundle into the market in such a wide range of vendors. Amazing! No security in regards of visitors to your house that can continue to control your speakers after they have left your house, or this audio bug. Both totally unacceptable. Imagine a friend that puts on Sepultura Roots on 103db 04.00 am. The first Spotify victim 6 feet under... Even a guy that "think" that the Spotify player aren´t still connected to your house can basically do this - put on the music and keep rising the volume level because he doesn´t hear audio - well... the audios heard all right IN MY HOUSE!!

 

Tip: I for one with kids did not take a chance on a system (Libratone) where anyone that knows the speakers IP has full control of the speakers through a webpage or anyone on my WIFI that downloads the Libratone app can control the speakers (the app lacks a password system!!). Kids love to fiddle with things and after a friend of my son brought his Spotify subscription over for a sleep over I had to fix the issue (lay down some security so the kids could not provoke the 103db beast of this bug).

 

1. I purchased a new Asus router with more config opportunities than the Airport Extreme

2. I set both my Libratones to fixed MAC adresses

3. I set a new fake DNS to those MAC adresses (255.255.255.255). In other words: The speakers can not connect to Spotify (connect) anymore but they work fine on everything else like bluetooth, airplay and of course line ins (toslink / analog).

 

I have then swapped to Google Music (they are now releasing an audio chromecast module by the way - but I use Chromecast and an HDMI audio splitter to get the Spotify Connect experience with "safe sound levels" to my Libratone Diva) but still feel that this is a health hazard and that Spotify shows they do not give a darn. So I am still angry!!!

 

ALL THIS TWEAKING TO PROTECT MY CHILDREN FROM A SERVICE THAT ARE LIKE A NET TROLL IN MY SPEAKERS!!! darn.

 

SERIOUSLY this annoys me SO MUCH!!! We live in a society where internet vendors like Spotify basically can do what they want because nobody (the little man) can reach them in size to be taken seriously.

 

Let us add enough little men to be heard guys!!

 

Anyone up for a class action suit against Spotify? Surely on the American market with the laws and the amount of money that can be sued for on products that damages peoples hearing (read all blog articles and see all affected people and time that by a 1000 for the people that do not report this!!)

 

Anyone? I wil definetly join if you as a reader perhaps are working within law and even better are in America. 

 

🙂 I am SO tired of **bleep** like this. I post this on their own forum and the chances of them even caring about the word "class action suit" are VERY slim. Should tell you guys something about their concerns...

 

Power to the people: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Class_action

 

 

Glad to hear Libratone is addressing the issue in a firmware update. Nice to have an acknowledgement of the problem and a solution.

Dat heart attack, when the sound went to max on my onkyo... a connect volume manager to be able to dissable or enable volume should be introduced

 

Hi
Just to confirm that I have escalated this issue to the Spotify developers.
I do not have any updates yet, but I know they are working on it.
I will keep you updated.
Thank you for your feedback.
Camillo

Hi,
It seems I just have news for Onkyo devices!
It seems there is a new Onkyo firmware update which should solve this
problem.
Can you try and tell me if you are having trouble to update the firmware on
the Onkyo devices? The most recent update should help out with this issue.

Thanks
Camillo

There is no update available for my TX-NR414 😞

 

http://www.intl.onkyo.com/support/firmware/tx-nr414.html - last updated in December.

Hi @lgladdy,
Please, some other information.

Have you been in touch with Onkyo regarding this issue?

Which version of Spotify are you running at current?

Thank you
Camillo

This just happened to me and my ears are still ringing. It sounds suspiciously like my classic Tannoy's have taken a hit too. I have a very new Onkyo TX-NR646 connected by the Spotify Windows desktop client 1.0.11.134.ga37df67b

 

To begin with I was playing music on the PC with spotify volume at max with overal listening level adjusted on amplified speakers. I moved rooms and connected to the AV amp which commenced playback at the last volume level set on the AV amp. It was a little too loud so I moused onto the Spotify client volume slider. Instantly this set the AV amplifier to maximum which caused a devastating 150Watt 7.1 surround sound explosion.

 

Clearly the slider was showing at max, but the amp wasn't sync'd until the slider was dragged. What is the expected behaviour for Connect in the situation I describe? It would be just as devastating if the amp did sync straight away (the moment it connected) so I'm not clear as to what the design intention might be.

 

I see there is a Onkyo firmware update available but it doesn't list anything to do with Spotify as being included. before I install and repeat this excersise I want to understand what connect is supposed to do with the volume setting.

What's a Spotify Rock Star, and how do I become one?

Regarding my misadventure with Spotify Connect on Yamaha Aventage RX-A2030 (2x140W) and Monitor Audio BX2 speakers (90dB sensitivity), that happened 8 months ago : I now have a bilateral tinnitus, with a slight but permanent very high-pitched hiss (such as CRT TV hissing noise) ... Fortunately, no hearing loss in the voice frequencies (125Hz-8000Hz) according to audiogram done by the ENT specialist I consulted, but nothing to do to get rid of the tinnitus, except trying and learning to ignore it (avoiding stressing situations, silence...).

 

Vincent

Hi @bluevince, sorry to hear about your tinnitus. I was also diagnosed with tinnitus a few years ago (unrelated to this issue) and just wanted to give some positive reassurance that it is certainly possible to learn to ignore it (I never notice mine now unless I actively think about it). Let me know if you need any tips. All the best! Rob.

Hi all,

 

I agree with @orinocai that you do get over time better from tinnitus by "habituating the noise" and also change your noise exposure.

 

HOWEVER that is not the point in this case!! You are a victim of a well known Spotify bug that can harm and has probably harmed many more around the world. There are (if you guys read all the posts) episodes of children being in the same room as a HI FI equipment going to a volume of 100% etc. Imagine if ANYONE has been in your house allowed to "play something" from their mobile Spotify to your stereo where they later on that day can in fact address this bug from a remote location. If they "forgot" that they are still "connected to your house" and "raise the volume" etc to find out why they do not hear any music - the bug will be in play and even worse possibly life threatening to the pets at home.

 

Since Spotify are one of the -if not "THE" biggest music streaming company in the world I am a little amazed that this major flaw have gone un-noticed by themselves and the media for this long. Even more odd that this has not been reported in a legal manner in the US which would address this issue "globally" especially now when people are stating that they have gotten tinnitus by using a Spotify product.

 

Remember: Spotify could claim that "they do not make any stereo equipment" so they in fact are not responsible for the "sound coming out of your speakers" - however: they have a closed up API that has been offered to the stereo companies and the API itself contains the bug; not your stereo!

 

What Volkswagen does to our lungs - Spotify certainly now do to our ears!! 

 

I HATE the fact that they on their own board on such an important topic like this don´t have a more proactive surveillance by their admins since it really can sink the Spotify ship if it goes to court.

 

🙂

@orinocai : Thank you for your friendly post ! I still love music and enjoy listening to my CDs, but now I can't "enjoy the silence" (as Depeche Mode sang) any more, as I used to.

 

@morgii : Clearly Spotify is responsible of my tinnitus and I perfectly agree with you regarding their legal responsibilty, and their failure to act... Nevertheless, class actions are quite new in French law (introduced in 2014!), and maybe we're not so many victims. And, most of all, the causality is very difficult to prove before a court : how to prove that I had no tinnitus before the event ? how to prove that the Spotify Connect issue is responsible for my tinnitus ?...

Tanks a lot for your post, you perfectly understood the issue and you're absolutely right regarding Spotify's passivity and inertia in communication and prevention...

 

Vincent

Suggested posts