Having such great volume (and surprisingly good bass response for such little speakers) in my old macbook, I expected the new ones to at least carry the same quality. To me this is unacceptable and I'm not going to buy external usb speakers and carry them around with me when laptops are meant to be able to do the simple everyday things like this. I have to pull the computer up on my stomach instead of having it on the stand at the foot of my bed.
If my window (because it's _crazy_ hot outside) is open, while watching a movie at full volume I can barely hear it. The volume on the retina all the way up is the same as 1/3 on the original intel machine. I found this thread because I just upgraded to the retina macbook pro from the original intel macbook pro and the volume is WAY lower than the old ones. How about holding the criticism and contribute something useful? You guys expect people to carry external speakers with them everywhere they go because the computer isn't supposed to make any noises other than simple alert sounds? And that's reasonable to you? Why are naysayers on this thread being so snooty? The poor guy wants to know if there is a way to make the speakers louder. I also like to be able to hear said movies, music, hulu and YouTube. Occasionally I also watch YouTube (esoteric of me, I know). When laying in bed at night I like to watch movies or hulu. I also like to be able to hear the music through iTunes when choosing tracks for the club/party without needing headphones. In the hotel room I like to put on some music. Yes, when listening or writing music at home I plug into the sound system, but laptops are made for TRAVEL. That's because it's powerful and portable and I don't _need_ another machine.
Seriously dude? I am a DJ and graphic designer and the macbook pro is my _only_ computer.