Audio issues (stuttering and granulation, artefacts) - Galaxy S I9000 General

I'd just like to see if anyone else is getting any audio issues, as I've noticed a few small things that marr the otherwise excellent audio quality that I get while listening to music:
- On bootup, the startup.wav sound often stutters, or is finely granulated.
- While navigating through menus, sometimes the audio stutters/is granulated. If I'm right, it correlates to the cpu clock speed being ramped up due to coming out of "sleep" mode. This is just speculation of course.
- Whenever audio is played, there is a very quiet but audible (with a reasonable set of headphones) click, followed by a quieter "hiss" which then plays throughout the audio being played, and for a short while after.
Now this last "symptom" I've heard on many audio devices, some much worse than others, with a rare few having no noticeable noise whatsoever. The Dell Streak I owned for a short time had a relatively loud and distinctive "click & hiss" combo - it was one of the reasons I changed to a Galaxy S. It just surprises me that a device where many people are praising it's audio playback qualities (for me) has some issues.
Anyways, I'd like to hear some thoughts on this, and maybe some people who have no issues whatsoever, with quality headphones, could show me that my particular device needs replacing - or that it is common to all devices.

I get the stuttering on start up everytime, I was also listening to some audio last night with headphones and there was lag and stuttering, I didnt hear any hiss but it was not a smooth process expecially switching between apps with music player running, it froze up for a few minutes.
I also tried going through the music player menus and not everytime but sometimes it would stutter just going into settings, at times this phone frustrates me more than my G1, but with the G1 i expected that, especially running eclair roms.
RUNNING JG5

I'm partly hoping that maybe FroYo, with it's cpu usage benefits, might help with the stuttering.
I'll also try to do a decent recording of what I mean later on tonight - Im at work with a laptop at the moment, so the recording quality is dire. I have no idea what I'm doing in terms of impedances/loads either - it means nothing to me
e: I've had a look in the other threads regarding audio - the one about the default EQ is interesting it must be said, but there are no direct implications for the issues I'm hearing here.
I should post my software version as well, though the problem has been endemic to the phone rather than the currently flashed rom - I currently use JM2, overlaid with SamSet pretties, Mimo's kernel and LauncherPro.

2 phones here with a hiss/whistle artifacts during the talk :-/

I recorded a vdieo the other day & the audio was totally trashed - all I got was gargling crackle. It was bad enough that I thought I'd got water in the speaker aperture! But playing music is fine (to my ears, anyway).

Related

File seeking noise when listening to MP3?

Hi,
I'm new to this forum so please be kind
When I listen to MP3 I hear a high pitched whine as the player switches between songs. It only occurs for a second or two right before the music starts, is followed by some lower pitch crackling and then when the track is playing this high pitched noise is absent.
It's relative volume to the music is loud enough that it's pretty irritating.
Is this normal for the Xperia or should I be getting my handset replaced? It's an UK O2 xperia with the latest "leaked" rom loaded and using AKG k414p headphones
Thanks
Tome
First test it with different headphones. If it still occurs then, try another ROM.
This is not a generic bug, as I don't have the problem myself, nor have I seen anyone else post about it here (and trust me, if the problem arose more often, people would have).
So, test a few things and then come back to report =]
thanks
I've just checked with another set of headphones and I can still hear it
The problem occurs on both the original o2 rom and 1.03.931.8 which is the latest that i'm aware of.
I'll see if I can think of anything else to try.
Thanks
I think it is a general bug.
I know, my old SE W850i wasn't made by HTC, but it had the same issue.
It looks like a pink noise, and you don't hear it for very long, because after a few moments (1,5 sec or something) it just dies.. (Like a gate is fading it out)
Since it you can only hear it in a very quite place, it doesn't matter to me..
I'm not gonna use my X1 in places where I need high dynamics..
Have played about with it a bit more and found that the issue isn't as apparent at all when using the player on the Media Panel. I was previously using Pocket Player.
Hi!
Just to confirm: I Have that high pitched noise too. Just two seconds before next track starts.
No changes between R1AA and R2AA. Actually using Pocketplayer as SRSWOW HD disabled Windows Meadia Player Volume Control. Music on 8GB SDHC Card.
Bax
I got my xperia replaced and it would appear that my original handset was faulty. With the new one i can still hear a very quiet and very high pitched whine when it loads up the next track but this noise is in conspicous enough that i can live with it.
The original handset has a much louder high pitched pink noise and also noise like static, so if you're experiencing something like that you should get your handset replaced
looks like i spoke too soon.
This handset has also developed the popping static noise that the previous unit had looks like this could be a generic Xperia fault. It really is quite odd that it would work fine for a day and then develop the same fault as the previous unit.
I experience the same high pitched noise in my swedish X1. It seems to get a little less noticeable when using bigger headphones, but with IEMs it's pretty pronounced but yet acceptable. Another thing that is much more annoying is the cutting out in the beginning and end of songs. Is there a way to get gapless playback in TF3D mode (skinned wmp?) on the X1?
:-O
amazingly.... the file seek noise has been eliminated after I installed Touch-it v7!!!!
I'm happy with the x1 as a music player now but it does beg the question "why can't SE sort it out!!!" as it's evidently more likely a software issue rather than a hardware issue.

Bluetooth audio issues

Hello,
I recently bought bluetooth headphones and they're great, but.. My HTC Magic (32A) seems to have some problems with it. The music plays, but playback is not contiuous - I get gaps of silence during playback. And it's not skippy sound - the music plays normally it just doesn't get transferred over BT for some reason. I get 1 or 2 second gaps every minute or so (not a regular pattern). Sometimes (very rarely though) I don't have this issue. It's extremely annoying
I'm running cyanogen mod (latest version, previous versions had the same issues). Original ROM was even worse. This happens right after reboot with clean memory and stuff, so it's not that something is taking all CPU in the background.
It's so bad it takes away all pleasure from listening to music
Anyone has similar issues?
For mine I've noticed that has happened when a limb goes between the phone and my headset.
Also the problem is compounded as either the headset battery or phone's battery is low.
I think it's just the nature of Bluetooth. Some areas at and around school have a lot of interference. There is specific street corner where the music sometimes gets choppy.
The thing is this is not an issue on my provious phone (a regular samsung dumbphone). And it's better or worse depending on a ROM, so I guess it can be fixed with software. Can't wait to see 32a eclair port.. maybe they gave bluetooth some love, too.
I have the same problem with cm 5.0.8 on MyTouch 3g 1.0 and my s9 HDs it's so sad

[working] sound issues and hardware/software link

Hello there everyone.
I am working on few of problems faced by Nexus regarding its sound quality and other issues related to hardware and software. One of the device has confused me completely is been addressed at the end of this thread.
Mostly, according to my experience, the sound is very loud compared to its previous model of Nexus 7 2012 which had mono speakers while this is loaded with two stereo speakers. Using it in portrait mode has best sound experience.
However, if you try the surround sound option via Google Music, the sound isnot really loud. Just without it, I have noticed best performance.
Also, in MX Player Pro, I have seen that with good headphones, you can increase the sound upto 30 (rather than normal 15) yet you can not do the same whilst using the speakers. It could be due to codecs.
Overall, the sound is loud in a quite environment but hardly noticed in busy areas with background noises like streets. shops etc even on its full sound.
However, some devices do have a bit low sound which could be increased by modifying files a bit but this is kind of increasing your speakers output more than it is optimised to be used for. Thus, sound may break and might be distorted. I am trying to find a combination where an optimum balance could be achieved but I haven't been successful. (If anyone has these values, please share)
I havenot come across a speaker problem related to hardware where no sound was coming out of it. Although, few devices do have different maximum sound if measured in db (3 to 5 db on same track)
THE DEVICE
The device came without its top speaker working and after opening it up and checking the speakers, both speakers worked. I thought the reason, it was not working was due to software. I tried looking into it deeply through software modification without any luck.
One day, after heavy gaming out of curiosity, I just turned on songs to check if both speakers were working and viola, both were working out of no where without any software modification (I gave up and reset the Nexus to give it for warranty claim the next day).
I was overjoyed and till next day, both speakers were working perfectly until I did some heavy gaming again and the sound vanished after charging it (It got hot again during charging)
This has happened twice and today I was gaming with sound turned on and nothing. The device top speaker didnot turn on for a second even like two times it happened before. Both that time, my device was silent while gaming.
I suspect some wiring issue but still not sure, I am now a bit sceptical to open this Nexus again and void the warranty as I have already have taken the back lid off few times. I do not intend to heat it with soldering Kit as I have damaged Htc Sensation a while back doing that. Any Suggestions about this device in particular?
How have been your experience with sound quality and do share any mods you have find useful and have tested.

[Q] Audio Jack Issues?

Just came across a disturbing report in a very recent Droid Life review of the Note 3 (from a list of N3 reviews posted on this forum) concerning "Audio Jack Issues". Anybody who treasures their hearing and uses their phablet for audio material (including movies, music, audiobooks, etc), especially using earbuds or headphones, might want to "listen up." The following is an excerpt from the review:
"...When listening to music through the 3.5mm jack, you are sometimes met with a very weak sound. It’s as if the sound of the music isn’t “full” or quite loud enough. Then, after a few minutes without touching anything while at full volume, the volume just explodes and you are left deafened by the surprise volume attack. Some people are pointing towards low-impedance headphones being the issue, but I have had the problem on multiple pairs of headphones, in-ear buds, through car decks, and everything else. It’s a very frustrating and reoccurring issue that I wish Samsung would find a cure for. Until then, I fear listening to music out of this device because I don’t want to go deaf. It might sound crazy, but it’s a very real issue that I experienced over the course of time I had the device."
I've had 3 Samsungs: a flip-phone a few years ago, a Fascinate 2 years ago, and currently Galaxy S3, and just preordered a Note 3. Of the three previous phones, two had infrequent but definitely-occurring audio issues where the volume changed unexpectedly. The flip phone blew out my ears once, and swore after that would never buy another Sammy (what a kidding-myself that turned out to be). What's unnerving is this seems to have appeared intermittently in multiple samsung phone models (the article reports yet another audio jack issue in the S4).
Chatted online with a VZW customer service rep. about this, who was really no help (wasn't her fault, i guess). She just regurgitated the company standard lines--14 days to return, restocking fee, can get a replacement if the problem occurs, etc. But she pretty much stated if there turns out to be a Note 3-specific issue, the customer is stuck with that model of phone; don't expect help from the carrier other than replacing with an identical unit might likely have the same problem; if you enjoy any kind of audio produced by the phone's audio jack, use it at your own risk. (Even more dicey is that it's intermittent--no guarantee you'll be able to demonstrate it to the carrier's service rep.)
Furthermore, i was one of those who got a free continuation of unlimited plan (thanks to the VZW ordering "system glitch" last weekend), which has been reported in the last day that VZW is going to honor contracts which show unlimited data. This rep completely contradicted that and claimed my data will be capped at 2gb at activation time. So with this diametrically-opposed chatter from VZW, what is one supposed to believe? Really suggests getting a satisfactory resolution from any carrier on a brand-specific phone problem like this to be wishful thinking.
Any thoughts or has anybody experienced thru-the-audio-jack sound issues with sammy phone products? My take is i'm not going to be on the bleeding edge of this one, too much of a hearing risk, cancelling preorder and wait for more reports on the N3 as time goes by.
For sure something is wrong with mine. (tmobile N3) The output levels are maybe half or less what my N2 can put out. I have carefully setup audio systems in my house and car, and it is unusable. Its also not USB compatible with the new Kenwood KMM 100u deck that plays FLAC files. It must be a glitch they can fix, i hope! The jack SQ sucks right now.
I hope mine won't have this problem.
*wierd double post an hour later*
dareo said:
For sure something is wrong with mine. (tmobile N3) The output levels are maybe half or less what my N2 can put out. I have carefully setup audio systems in my house and car, and it is unusable. Its also not USB compatible with the new Kenwood KMM 100u deck that plays FLAC files. It must be a glitch they can fix, i hope! The jack SQ sucks right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got that the first time you said it.
im experiencing this too with an AU Telstra Note 3.
ive tested it a bit and it seems like its 2 separate things to me, but I could be wrong.
firstly it seems like all EQs either crash or just lose their settings at random moments. this can be things like between track changes or when the 3G signal drops out. if you go back into the EQ panel it will kick in again, almost like it was off and you've launched it again.. very annoying. ive verified this with both the stock EQ and noozxoide. the difference in volume is minimal though, its more quality / bass / whatever EQ you use.
the second part with the volume dropping out completely only happens to me between track changes. if i pause the music for a couple of seconds then play it again, it will play at normal volume. fast forwarding between tracks is the most obvious since every other track will be minimal volume, and the ones in-between normal volume.
ive only tested this with google music. although my phone isnt stock now, the same behaviour was there out of the box. using etymotic earbuds with reasonably high impedance but i doubt thats the issue since pause/replay fixes it.
Doesn't happen to me on N7player or PlayerPro. (nor on videos in Dice, MX or VLC.)
Try not using stock apps if you have the issue. Might just be a stock problem.
I can't test Google music, I disabled that. Stock player itself is too annoying for me to try.
Send From My Samsung Galaxy Note 3 N9005 Using Tapatalk
kanemari said:
im experiencing this too with an AU Telstra Note 3.
ive tested it a bit and it seems like its 2 separate things to me, but I could be wrong.
firstly it seems like all EQs either crash or just lose their settings at random moments. this can be things like between track changes or when the 3G signal drops out. if you go back into the EQ panel it will kick in again, almost like it was off and you've launched it again.. very annoying. ive verified this with both the stock EQ and noozxoide. the difference in volume is minimal though, its more quality / bass / whatever EQ you use.
the second part with the volume dropping out completely only happens to me between track changes. if i pause the music for a couple of seconds then play it again, it will play at normal volume. fast forwarding between tracks is the most obvious since every other track will be minimal volume, and the ones in-between normal volume.
ive only tested this with google music. although my phone isnt stock now, the same behaviour was there out of the box. using etymotic earbuds with reasonably high impedance but i doubt thats the issue since pause/replay fixes it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got the same here. N9005 with Google Play Music. Sometimes it's also (it seems) input-triggered. Sometimes when I push Menu or Back button, volume goes down and when I open Browser volume goes up. I know this sounds like voodoo and I'm completely crazy but I got this situation some times now.
With original sound files this problem came very often but after installing sound mod, it became seldom but not solved.
Annoying!
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Silberpfeil3110 said:
Got the same here. N9005 with Google Play Music. Sometimes it's also (it seems) input-triggered. Sometimes when I push Menu or Back button, volume goes down and when I open Browser volume goes up. I know this sounds like voodoo and I'm completely crazy but I got this situation some times now.
With original sound files this problem came very often but after installing sound mod, it became seldom but not solved.
Annoying!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually moved to the stock sammy app since it was irritating me so much. i have to say though, that if you can be bothered syncing a playlist to your phone that the sound is much better through that... hard to pick fault with.
i set up galaxy adaptive sound first, which is the one that plays high med low tones through left and right channels on your headphones independently and lets you tune it. found a much more balanced tone coming out after that, to which I then applied higher bass EQ settings from within the sammy music player and it sounds pretty good. some distortion on really heavy bass tracks at high volume, but very nice otherwise. MUCH BETTER than variable bass and audio volume on the google music player.
i think samsung neglected to test the standard music APIs and borked them, but their own proprietary ones work fine. the adaptive music filter doesnt work in any player apart from the sammy one I read.
since i cant cross-flash regional roms without voiding knox warranty i havent tried the updated EU roms, but maybe they fix it there?
Experiencing same problem on my AT&T note 3. Google Music tracks will randomly apply a shoddy EQ setting that is either too loud or too soft. Then the next track will be normal. It explodes my ear drums constantly. I have the EQ set off also, but that doesn't seem to matter. Also unplugging and re plugging the headphone jack "fixes" the issue as well. I'm pretty annoyed by this problem.

Random Actions in Default Music App?

I haven't been using the default music app because randomly it does an action after a while of playback, pretty much every few minutes; back, forward, pause, whatever, it random action just randomly happens. I've wondered if I somehow accidentally used some sort of gesture or touched the screen, but it happens when the screen is off as well and there doesn't seem to be any gesture that would affect the music app anyway. Does anyone have any idea what can be causing this?
I've been using PowerAmp which doesn't seem to support the A7's DAC. I have it set to 24 bit sound in the last Alpha of PowerAmp (which was many months ago, I've given up on any update for PowerAmp ever arriving) but after side by side sample comparisons they do sound different. The problem is I'm not sure if there's a slight volume difference between programs causing that, or if it's some setting, or if it really is due to the output being done on different DACs resulting in the differences. Pocket Now's video stating it only outputs 16 bit downsampled audio has also stuck in my mind, but despite contacting them twice on different social media, they never responded. That's infuriating, making a bold statement like that, then never providing an explanation and leaving it ambiguous, never stating if the downsampling was at software level, firmware level, or anything.
So I basically have no idea what the hell is going on with the audio on this thing in any way, from software to hardware. That's incredibly frustrating considering the DAC is a major reason why I bought this phone instead of something else.
Edit: I forgot to ask, what software should I use to confirm what sort of bit rate depth the Axon 7 is outputting? I have a Sound Blaster ZxR for recording, so I can plug the A7 right into that.
I can't tell you how to test the depth of the audio coming from the cell. If you can't tell the difference is there any real point? It it just a matter of wanting the product you thought you were paying for?
For the other issue, a really simple thing you've probably done already is checking that ZTE's voice software isn't enabled for media control. An old S4 of mine would go "back" any time a sound remotely like a short "a" played.
PiArc said:
I can't tell you how to test the depth of the audio coming from the cell. If you can't tell the difference is there any real point? It it just a matter of wanting the product you thought you were paying for?
For the other issue, a really simple thing you've probably done already is checking that ZTE's voice software isn't enabled for media control. An old S4 of mine would go "back" any time a sound remotely like a short "a" played.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can tell a difference, on the default music player it sounds better, for example instruments sound more crisp and separated from the rest of the audio. The issue is that I can't tell if that perception of more crisp/separated sound is due to a slight difference of volume between programs which is difficult to perceive. Just to add to the confusion, different songs seem to have different volume levels on each player, which aren't consistent. For example song A may be louder on PowerAmp, but song B is louder on the stock player. In those cases where the songs are clearly different volumes (maybe 10% of the time) it makes it extremely difficult to tell which one sounds better to me. This is with all equalizer/Dolby settings disabled.
Humans easily mistake higher volume for "better" quality in various ways. That's really the reason for the "volume wars" or whatever it's called; music was often mastered with levels just blasting instead of balancing the audio properly.
What I was asking is what free program can I use to record audio from my phone to check if it's outputting 24 bit audio? But on that same note, yes, I suppose that would also let me directly measure volume as well.
As for the voice recognition, I'll try disabling that and see if it helps, but isn't that supposed to only work when holding down the back key anyway? Also, often when it did a random command like next or previous song, I was silent.
Ah, I see. Sorry to not be helpful whatsoever.
Hmm y somehow ZTE has volume differences. I also noticed it if i enable/disable Dolby Atmos.
But i also think that ZTE set up some DSP stuff on AK4490/61. I would be happy if there was an app which could change DSP etc settings of this DACs :/
I also noticed the fluctuating volume, for me it's via bluetooth.
It would progressively become quiet and when the next song starts it would scare the crap out of me (much louder), then repeat.
Rarely, it would continue to play randomly after I disconnect from bluetooth (not immediately after).
So it would be nice if someone found a good music player that takes advantage of the DACs and not exhibit random behavior -- alternatively if this was fixed that would also be good.
EDIT: For me, it happens in a certain volume range in the upper end. Anything lower or higher this does not happen.

Categories

Resources