A method and system for controlling multimedia presentation characteristics among a plurality of devices are disclosed. An electronic device (100) is capable of communication (109) with a peripheral device (102) to play back content (107) on the peripheral device (102). The content (107) has an associated a multimedia presentation characteristic signal, for example an audio signal (108). When the electronic device (101) receives a user input request to adjust a system volume, the device is configured to adjust either the associated audio signal or an output volume level of the peripheral device (102). Once this adjustment reaches a threshold, the device is configured to adjust the other of the associated audio signal or the output volume level of the peripheral device (102). The decision of which control to adjust first and which to adjust second can be user defined. The process can be repeated when more than two devices are included in the system.