How can I set the default audio volume for Siri playing music on HomePod?

Question

I like to ask Siri to play music, a playlist or a specific song. However, (s)he likes 50% volume and that's too loud for me. I looked at the settings and can't find how to set this:

• https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208341

There are articles on setting equalization when playing AirPlay, but I'm not using any device, just HomePod and voice command. For now, I have to say "Siri - set the volume to 25%" when I forget to do that. I do already enable sound check, but that seems to be a 3 to 6% benefit and I’m looking to go from half volume to 1/4 or less.

Is there a way to make my preference more sticky and the music start more softly?

Answer 1

Upon some experimentation, the issue I’m having is that each device that connects to HomePod changes the “last volume” so if I forget to turn down my Mac volume when watching a video or show with low volume (or I’m really rocking out to some music) then the next time I ask Siri for the weather early in the morning, I will continue to be surprised by volume louder than I expected.

I’ve put in a feature request to reset the volume after 60 minutes to a low or pre-set level, but I’m not holding my breath Apple implements that or uses the microphones to realize the house has been silent as a mouse for an hour and adjust her volume to be an indoor voice in the morning after a night partying.