BF-33C Volume steps up too much from level 0 to level 1

This is a 3-pack FRS radio that works great except for the volume steps being too large:

I have listened to GMRS repeater traffic on FRS channels 15 through 22.  At minimum volume, I can hear it all right in a quiet room.  Raise the volume level up one step and the repeater traffic fills the room.

I have used two radios with a friend, and he was comfortable copy out on the street as I was walking, listening on the level 1 volume.

I was hoping there would be some tech support, maybe a firmware upgrade that can add two levels of volume between 0 and 1.  But I called the phone number to "Baofengradio.us" and that tech support doesn't support Baofeng.

So what gives?