Options for controlling headset volume separately to speaker volume?

[Tethys07]

Alright so I recently picked up a Plantronics headset as a birthday present, and while I'm enjoying it a lot, I've run into a problem with the audio levels. Using my normal laptop speakers (also applies to my desktop but I don't have it at the minute), levels around 50% are normal listening, up to 80% is comfortable, and down to about 20% is still pretty easily audible without much background noise.

However, using the headset, 8-10% is about the limit that I can comfortably listen to music and play games at, and 0%-2% is obviously inaudible. This gives me a really limited range of options for how loud I want things to be, without individually going into each program and messing with audio settings for each program.

I'm basically looking for a lazy option, some kind of software that will take what the headset currently outputs at 10% and make that more like 50% volume, and giving me better control over the sound output.

If anyone knows any suitable programs I'd appreciate a heads up, thanks.


Laptop is Windows 8, desktop is W7, in case its important

 

[kittle]

Im assuming your headset doesnt have an in-line volume control? ... if so, that will solve your problems.
You can also go searching for an in-line volume control.. something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA2DS1E53105


If no, inline volume control, just get in the habit of turning down the overall windows sound volume, but leave your game and music volumes unchanged. I do the same thing with my laptop when switching between speakers and headset.

 

[Tethys07]

The headset has a volume control built into the left earpad, but it doesn't control the headset sound discretely from the computer, it only alters the laptop's own sound levels, limiting me to the narrow 4-10% band that is usable.

I think I'll have to make do with the limited sound level choices for now, I might look into an inline control at some point and see if that will let me control the headset sound more accurately, thanks