Speakers emit high-pitched sound during charging... - Acer Iconia A500

Has anyone else noticed an issue with the Iconia a500's speakers emitting a rather high-pitched, noticeably audible sound while you're charging your tablet?

jerry43812 said:
Has anyone else noticed an issue with the Iconia a500's speakers emitting a rather high-pitched, noticeably audible sound while you're charging your tablet?
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Some user had the same issue awhile back, only not so loud. My guess, some sort of protection tape came loose (yes, Acer uses a lot of tape on the inside). Either that, or a grounding point is loose on the inside.
If it's under warranty, send it back.
If not, pop the back off and poke around a little. There's some guides somewhere in the general or q&a forum. Also some you tube vids if you search.
Also, dirty electrical in the house/apartment can cause this as well. If you have a really good power strip with noise filters, you can try this also. Or go to a new facility and plug it in there and see if it's the same.

Other devices do the same thing.
Every time I charge my ipod or iphone in the car via car charger while having it plugged into the aux to the car speakers, it emits a high pitched sound through the car's speakers. It seems to something inherent.
The solution might be simple as not using the speakers while charging your tab. But I guess there are ways to fix it as Moscow stated if you feel adventurous.

Related

Project: Low noise car charger

Hi All.
I'm using my TYTN II to listen to radio when I have a long drive. The TYTN II is connect using a FM radio transmitter, with the USB converter.
The problem: When using the Internet, then battery drain is quite fast, especially if you are on the move and the radio signal is not that strong. I tried few USB chargers, and all of them have a DC ripple that effects that sound. When I don't use any charger, the sound on the radio is great, but when I connect the charger then I hear the noise of the alternator.
partial solution: I have opened one of the chargers and installed a 22uH Inductor in series to the power. I have also increased the Cap. from 470uF to 100ouF. This helped but not the desired requirements.
Any one solved this problem? I will be glad to hear nay inputs or ideas on how to solve this.
Thanks.
I had the same problem and installed a ground loop isolator to solve my noise issue. It is installed between the usb adaptor and fm mod to eliminate the noise when charging.
http://www.scosche.com/products/productID/1097
Hope that helps.
Hi Weav2k4.
From your answer I Google it and I found this article:
http://www.tkk.fi/Misc/Electronics/circuits/audio_isolator.html
From there I found an alternative transformer and I have order couple of samples. When I will get them, I will build this and will let you know if it worked...
Thanks.
Ground loop isolator is what you need. Radioshack has one that's decent too. Scosche is good but the build quality can be (not sure about the isolator) a tad flimsy; I had a line out converter from them which worked great but had to be taped together. anyway, about the isolator: they actually decrease sound quality to some extent - but given that you're not using a high end system, there's no way you'll notice a degradation; only an improvement as the alternator whine goes away!
Solution
Hi.
I have finally built the isolator using the transformer that I got. If I use speakers or BT connection I get almost 100% of clear signal, NO alternator noise!!!
When I use my FM transmitter, I get about 90% - 95% of clear noise. That is probably because of the pickup from the FM transmitter. Never the less, the noise is only apparent when I turn the volume in the car high, and I'm not playing anything on my Kaiser. When I play musing or anything else, you don't here that noise at all the the quality is sufficient for Internet radio.
So what did I do and use?
2 x Transformers: http://www.componentsuperstore.com/Store/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductIdentifier=82096ULF3WEMIDCOM5872510
Connection: See bellow picture.
Good luck to you all.
@gidim:
Glad to see you were successful! Nice job on the schematic and information for future DIY'ers out there.
PAC SNI-1/3.5 Noise Filter at Crutchfield for auxiliary stereo input
gidim said:
Hi All.
I'm using my TYTN II to listen to radio when I have a long drive. The TYTN II is connect using a FM radio transmitter, with the USB converter.
The problem: When using the Internet, then battery drain is quite fast, especially if you are on the move and the radio signal is not that strong. I tried few USB chargers, and all of them have a DC ripple that effects that sound. When I don't use any charger, the sound on the radio is great, but when I connect the charger then I hear the noise of the alternator.
partial solution: I have opened one of the chargers and installed a 22uH Inductor in series to the power. I have also increased the Cap. from 470uF to 100ouF. This helped but not the desired requirements.
Any one solved this problem? I will be glad to hear nay inputs or ideas on how to solve this.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
weav2k4 said:
I had the same problem and installed a ground loop isolator to solve my noise issue. It is installed between the usb adaptor and fm mod to eliminate the noise when charging.
http://www.scosche.com/products/productID/1097
Hope that helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great question and solution!
I use an auxiliary input jack on my Eclipse, and had the same issue when trying to use charger with my Zune or my Samsung Helix XM. With the information you two provided, I searched for a solution that would work with 3.5 jack and not require splicing or soldering, and found this PAC SNI-1/3.5 Noise Filter at Crutchfield. I have just ordered it - hope it works well - will report back.
I built a little box with a Meanwell DKE-series DC-DC converter that goes in the glove box. 12V in, + / - 5V out, isolated from ground and no ignition noise in the 5V signal. I put it in a little plastic box with a USB A female jack. They're a little bit expensive but I had some lying around from an old project.
I have my Tilt mounted in a car cradle with a 2-in-1 USB / audio y-cable. Works great for me with no noise when charging.
Have you tried to first check to see if your GROUND is clean?
On my 2007 G35 2nd gen sedan, i use the radio hoooked up to the factory audio/video inputs and i get all sorts of noise.
I know for a FACT the cigerette lighter socket on my car has a very DIRTY ground which is the cause for all the noise.
I also have 0 gauge wire to the trunk for my subwoofer amps, and there is no noise back there when tapping those lines (which go direct ot hte battery).
I realize this thread is referring to the "alternator whine" which I get when charging, but that's not my biggest issue, I constantly get interference from the phone radio itself, you know the sound you get when a phone gets near amplified speakers with poor shielding. Is there a similar solution to get rid of this noise? I have a ground loop isolator to hook up already, just haven't got around to it, but I doubt it will take care of the other interference.
rcm_rx7 said:
I constantly get interference from the phone radio itself, you know the sound you get when a phone gets near amplified speakers with poor shielding. Is there a similar solution to get rid of this noise?
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That kind of noise is radiated over the air, not conducted through wires, so unless you start putting RF shields around your audio equipment you won't likely get rid of it.

[Q] Headphone/Speaker

Does anyone else have this issue where sometimes when you plug in headphones the sound still comes through the speaker? I have the headphones plugged all the way in. I usually have to restart the phone to get it to work properly.
[Edit]: When this happens the sound comes out from the speaker as well as through the headphones.
Mine is more of when I bump the headphone jack it either plays through the speaker or pauses the song. It seems very sensitive
My first Vibrant had a faulty headphone jack, that would short out with even the slightest touch. You guys might be in the same boat.
Overall, yes, I would agree that the headphone jack is 'cheap'. It seems as if it could be easily broken, and having one arrive DOA is not a great sign.
If you're still able to, I'd take your phones in for a swap. You're not going crazy.
Same issue here. It's especially an issue when you're sitting in your quite cube at work about to watch The Bed Intruder video on YouTube and it comes blaring out of the speaker when you thought is was going to come out of your headphones.
I think the third connection point for the video causes the problem since the device has 3 contacts instead of just left and right audio like most devices.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Headset jack doesn't fit well

Hi, does someone have the same experience when connecting a headset to the TF?
I have to adjust the plug very precisely, since it can be pushed further into the device. Otherwise I loose left or right channel.
Is it less than 3.5mm? Or is some of where the wire means the plug (usually chunk of plastic) cut off?
no, it's an almost brand new inear headset which came with my Xperia Neo phone. I assumed the problem being caused by a sloppy assembled connector. If it works fine for everybody else, then it must be an individual defect with my TF
yeah i have a cheap pair of sony headphones and they work fine. just the volume isnt the best....but i know that is a tf issue not a headphone issue.
Yes, volume is a horror. I expected better. Haven't tried volume+ yet, works fine on my android phone.
To be honest, I wouldn't necessarily attribute the volume to the TF101. I have a decent pair of headphones and the volume works fine. Also, I've never noticed anything about the plug being finnicky.
I wasn't complaining about the sound but about the max. volume level. It seems to be a little low on my device. It may comply to some EU laws - I assume.
Anyway since nobody else has issues with the headset connector, I have to check with my dealer.
i'm having a similar issue but not exactly the same.
i used to have a problem with the 3.5" jack only when i plugged it to my surround system- logitech x530. i supposed it was because the signal is being amplified. so when i touched the connection or rotated it at his place it made a lot of loud static noise. i've tried changing cables but the same.
so i've got the lab to replace my transformer's mother board or so, and it is still happening. in fact i've noticed a new problem, this time with just a simple earphones.
when i push the plug a little bit harder into the jack, the sound becomes a bit louder.
wierd stuff... and of course in general the max volume kind of sucks.
I've noticed a similar issue with several of my plug-in phones.... Some work great whilst others either have no sound or mono only.
To me it appears the connector on the TF is simply too picky.
I have a pair of meelectronic A151 armature iems as well as Vsonic GR07, and while i like my music loud, clear, and with a lot of instrument seperation, maxing volume is definitely not needed.
Quick fix would be to flash a Rom/kernel compatible with Supercurio's Voodoo control and install Voodoo. It will be louder and sound clearer.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=14914293
Long term fix would be to buy a better pair of iems/headphones. Armatures like the A151s I mentioned above for clarity, a good dynamic driver like Meelec CC51, Sunrise X-cape, if you're a basshead, or VSonic's GR07 if you want a nice combination of both.
I'm quite a bit of an audiophile and while it surely isn't THE best DAC out there, the Wolfson WM8903 is very very good.
Also, depending on what phones you're using, you may just need an external amp, especially if their impedance is rather high.
Edit: I realize I went more into the sound aspect, as it was also being discussed above, but all my iems fit my TF snug just like all my other devices.
Sent from my HTC Eva 4G using Tapatalk
If anything mine is too tight a fit, but works perfectly with any headset I've tried.

[Q] What Volume SHOULD the speakers achieve? whats the spec

Friends obviously a LOT of Nexus 7 owners have complained about sound issues, from obviously defective units to the simple issue of volume being inadequate for use
My question is what is "normal" on this device? anyone know a db / sound-pressure at radius specification?
other than obvious noise through a speaker, how does anyone know if their unit is "normal" ?
cognus said:
Friends obviously a LOT of Nexus 7 owners have complained about sound issues, from obviously defective units to the simple issue of volume being inadequate for use
My question is what is "normal" on this device? anyone know a db / sound-pressure at radius specification?
other than obvious noise through a speaker, how does anyone know if their unit is "normal" ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My speaker is defective, and in need of going out for repair/replacement, but the volume seems like it will be fine for my needs once the rattle/vibration is fixed. It only happens at certain frequencies, so I can still get a solid sense of the output level.
Trying to determine the exact db at a specific distance isn't going to do you much good, because it will be based on either the loudest frequency, or 1khz. The 1khz rating is somewhat reasonable to use, but what if there's a massive spike there (and on small speakers, there generally is). Say it could hit 95-100db at 1khz, it still will likely only hit about 5db at 40hz. See where I'm going with this?
I don't know, I could grab my spl meter, and run a whole series of tests at 1 meter in a quasi-anechoic environment (though it's really cold outside here), if you're really that keen on finding out precise measurements of the frequency output over the 20-20 range. Seems a little overboard for a 7" tablet though. I would consider the volume more than adequate for listening to the news, or voip calls, but there isn't a tablet that exists where I would be happy with the sound of the speakers for music.
Of course, I'm kind of picky about these things.
From what I see in the boards, there are three types of view points on the output.
1. Plenty good for normal use.
2. Terribly low for music.
3. Flat out broken, so you can only turn it up half way (the second is my current situation).
Also, don't forget that the speaker is in the back, so you'll have to keep it turned around or bouncing straight off of a hard surface, to get the full output to your ears. Some cases may also significantly reduce the output as well.
more questions: if we presume/conclude "there is a volume problem even when the speakers are not defective", then two follow-on questions:
1. is it JUST speakers?
2. combo of lousy speakers and a problem with the DSP/firmware/software/etc.... ?
I think it is 2 but I'd love to hear a root cause on the whole issue.
with SOME music sources I can get through the speakers a little bit louder response, at FULL volume max'd - than I can with MX Player on a video with the Player set on Volume Boost [200%].
in the case of MX Player, its basically worthless through the speakers both from a dynamics standpoint [obvious...] and just volume unless you are in a stone-quiet area and are craning toward the device to hear.... and you have acutely good hearing.
Then, if one is unconcerned about warranty: anyone have suggestions on replacement speaker that perhaps would help?
cognus said:
more questions: if we presume/conclude "there is a volume problem even when the speakers are not defective", then two follow-on questions:
1. is it JUST speakers?
2. combo of lousy speakers and a problem with the DSP/firmware/software/etc.... ?
I think it is 2 but I'd love to hear a root cause on the whole issue.
with SOME music sources I can get through the speakers a little bit louder response, at FULL volume max'd - than I can with MX Player on a video with the Player set on Volume Boost [200%].
in the case of MX Player, its basically worthless through the speakers both from a dynamics standpoint [obvious...] and just volume unless you are in a stone-quiet area and are craning toward the device to hear.... and you have acutely good hearing.
Then, if one is unconcerned about warranty: anyone have suggestions on replacement speaker that perhaps would help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
#2
When I connect the Nexus 7 to my car stereo inline, via the headphone output, I get mixed results. I generally have to crank the car stereo way up, which can cause voltage induction through the 1/8" to RCA connector, if I have the Nexus charging simultaneously.
Now granted, induction of this sort is not something that is a Nexus only problem, and has more to do with the quality of cable shielding. If I move the USB charger so that it doesn't line up with the headphone output wire, the problem is reduced.
However, the issue is more that the headphone output is somewhat inconsistent, so that means that some audio will require me to turn the stereo to a level where the inductance is moot, and sometimes I will have to turn up the stereo to the point where charging and listening to audio through the car stereo is just brutal. Of course, you weren't asking specifically about car audio, but it leads to my theory.
Now, here in lies why I think it's you're "#2". If it were purely hardware, there shouldn't be that great of a difference from the headphone jack, assuming relatively similar reference volumes from the source. So software would seem to be at play here, as well as hardware.
As far as the speakers go, I don't think you'll be able to replace the internals. They're a very awkward shape, which probably doesn't help, and there is very little room in there.
Your best bet would be to find out if there is an external speaker option which can easily work for tablets. I listened to an Ipad 4 last night, and it wasn't good either. I think you have to consider the size of these things. A speaker the size of your pinky nail, can only be asked to do so much. Trying to cram one the size of your thumbnail in there, won't do much more, and just wouldn't fit.
now we're talking real issues. thank you.
yes, compared to any of my other android or pc or apple devices this one is uniquely odd
all as you have noted. inconsistent, output device matters, etc.
I admit I'm skewed by the ipad Mini - if you get a chance, sample that in terms of speaker performance. I have not access to Ipad 4 in my shop.
in my case, there is no distortion that I can observe/detect with my ears - clear enough, but there's not much substance there, oddly except for notifications which are crystal clear at full volume, if not particularly loud [my ancient droid optimus is louder - obnoxiously so which is why I keep it on vibe].
bladebarrier said:
#2
When I connect the Nexus 7 to my car stereo inline, via the headphone output, I get mixed results. I generally have to crank the car stereo way up, which can cause voltage induction through the 1/8" to RCA connector, if I have the Nexus charging simultaneously.
Now granted, induction of this sort is not something that is a Nexus only problem, and has more to do with the quality of cable shielding. If I move the USB charger so that it doesn't line up with the headphone output wire, the problem is reduced.
However, the issue is more that the headphone output is somewhat inconsistent, so that means that some audio will require me to turn the stereo to a level where the inductance is moot, and sometimes I will have to turn up the stereo to the point where charging and listening to audio through the car stereo is just brutal. Of course, you weren't asking specifically about car audio, but it leads to my theory.
Now, here in lies why I think it's you're "#2". If it were purely hardware, there shouldn't be that great of a difference from the headphone jack, assuming relatively similar reference volumes from the source. So software would seem to be at play here, as well as hardware.
As far as the speakers go, I don't think you'll be able to replace the internals. They're a very awkward shape, which probably doesn't help, and there is very little room in there.
Your best bet would be to find out if there is an external speaker option which can easily work for tablets. I listened to an Ipad 4 last night, and it wasn't good either. I think you have to consider the size of these things. A speaker the size of your pinky nail, can only be asked to do so much. Trying to cram one the size of your thumbnail in there, won't do much more, and just wouldn't fit.
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Soldering the headphone jack

Hello people,
I've finally had enough with the headphone problems many have reported, the distorted sound and triggering voice commands. I've previously swapped the jack with a new one(had to buy a whole mid frame) and now it's started doing it again, about a month later(the original one lasted just as long).
The issue is that this phone is huge and when using it in my pocket with the headphones on, it moves that jack with every step. This wouldn't be a problem if the jack was soldered on or at least wired to the board, but instead it's just placed on top.
So I've decided I want to solder it on. I'm a bit scared as I've never soldered to a pcb board... And I might desolder other items. I'm going to hone my skills first on some other broken devices, but at this point I'm pretty sure I'll do it in the end.
Has anyone else here done this? Want to watch me possibly destroy this otherwise great phone? Heh.
Ty
Dude you're nuts. Just go get some Bluetooth headphones, it's 2016!! I literally haven't used my headphone jack more than 3-4 times in the 4 months I've owned this phone.
Also, I'm pretty sure the headphone jack isn't soldered in specifically so that if the jack moves around a little it won't cause damage to the board. This is common on most/all phones. Soldering it down would be a TERRIBLE idea. You will likely damage your phone.
Why didn't you just send it in for warranty repair?
Sean89us said:
Dude you're nuts. Just go get some Bluetooth headphones, it's 2016!! I literally haven't used my headphone jack more than 3-4 times in the 4 months I've owned this phone.
Also, I'm pretty sure the headphone jack isn't soldered in specifically so that if the jack moves around a little it won't cause damage to the board. This is common on most/all phones. Soldering it down would be a TERRIBLE idea. You will likely damage your phone.
Why didn't you just send it in for warranty repair?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I couldn't send it in because I unlocked it, which voided the manufacturer warranty. If I remember correctly on my old galaxy s4 it was plugged in with a cable, which was a much better solution. The reason my sound interrupts is because when it moves, it moves the pins on the board causing slight interruptions.
However the pins in the jack are long enough and soft enough that they would bend first instead of breaking the board.
And about Bluetooth headphones? I've bought 3 different sets, they either have huge controllers hanging and pulling on one side, or they are too big, or they're poor quality, I've spent more than I want to admit on different sets (see attachment).
So today I'm going to try and solder the jack, and throw this phone away if I break it and buy a small one, that doesn't put that much pressure on the jack in my pocket.
Stay tuned. I should take pictures.
No go
Well, it didn't work. I knew it would be hard to solder the little legs that where under the actual jack. Getting them all melted and touching before they cool down, without melting the plastic or the rubber around the jack was not possible in the end.
Only 2 of the 5 pads actually stuck together, and there was only a buzz coming from the headphones. I decided to open it again and remove the solder just in case something was shorted, I didn't want the sound chip to get toasted. My biggest mistake was leaving the glue on the jack, which stuck to the mid-frame. When I pulled that apart, the jack, with the two pads came with it.
I'm putting the pictures up if anyone wants to have a look at the mess, you can see in the first and second picture why my sound is interrupting: the pad is damaged from continuous friction.
The phone still works so I've lost nothing other than my time.
BTW, at the moment I'm using wired headphones to a Bluetooth adapter. Until they make smaller/lighter wireless headphones I'm stuck with this.
They got Bluetooth without the wire hanging thing that bugs ya (bugs me too) don't have a name or link right now but a quick Google search should pull them up
Ken C said:
They got Bluetooth without the wire hanging thing that bugs ya (bugs me too) don't have a name or link right now but a quick Google search should pull them up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, I saw Jordan Keyes review these ones. They are too much like having screws screwed in your ears. If they can get them smaller, and still have 2-3 hours battery, I'll be interested.
I am not sure how the LG Tone type of Bluetooth ear buds are any more intrusive than regular earbuds with a cord hanging down the side of your body! They definitely last a long time for me.
bv90andy said:
Yea, I saw Jordan Keyes review these ones. They are too much like having screws screwed in your ears. If they can get them smaller, and still have 2-3 hours battery, I'll be interested.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about these
Use this instead, it's a taotronics tt-br05 Bluetooth wireless receiver, you can plug your wired headphones in it and use Bluetooth instead of the 3.5mm plug.
Has play/pause and volume/track change buttons. Also has a mic for calls.
Search in Amazon.
Ken C said:
How about these View attachment 3865297
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They only have 1 hour battery before you have to plug them in the little tube to charge again. The battery technology isn't there yet.
kadopt said:
Use this instead, it's a taotronics tt-br05 Bluetooth wireless receiver, you can plug your wired headphones in it and use Bluetooth instead of the 3.5mm plug.
Has play/pause and volume/track change buttons. Also has a mic for calls.
Search in Amazon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have actually been using this
Good option, but it wasn't great sound quality.
Anyway, I've bought a second hand Xperia z5 compact and use that now. The moto x style has become a in house tablet.

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