Finally figure out why volume adjustment wasn't happening first thing, it was in the wrong file. This should finally be resolved once and for all.

pi4/files/etc/profile.d/stormux_first_boot.sh

@@ -12,6 +12,35 @@ if ! [[ -x /usr/local/bin/configure-stormux ]]; then
     return
 fi
 
+# Volume calibration FIRST
+echo "Setting up audio volume..."
+volume=50
+wait=0
+
+# Wait for pipewire to become available
+while [[ $wait -lt 30 ]]; do
+    if pgrep pipewire &> /dev/null ; then
+        break
+    else
+        sleep 1
+        ((wait++))
+    fi
+done
+
+# Volume calibration - this should be the VERY FIRST interactive part
+while [[ $volume -le 130 ]]; do
+    clear
+    echo "Volume calibration (current: ${volume}%)"
+    pactl set-sink-volume @DEFAULT_SINK@ "${volume}%" 2>/dev/null
+    spd-say "If this is loud enough, press enter."
+    if read -t4 ; then
+        echo "Volume set to ${volume}%"
+        break
+    else
+        ((volume+=5))
+    fi
+done
+
 # For audible sudo prompts:
 unset sudoFlags
 if [[ -x /etc/audibleprompt.sh ]]; then
@@ -19,6 +48,7 @@ if [[ -x /etc/audibleprompt.sh ]]; then
     export sudoFlags=("-A")
 fi
 
+clear
 cat << "EOF"
 Hello, and welcome to Stormux!