Cracking noise in earspeaker during calls - Nexus 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello,
I have just received my long-awaited Nexus 4. The screen is perfect, there is no static sound (at least not to the extent which would bother me), no flexing etc.
HOWEVER... I can hear cracking noise in the ear speaker whenever it is on. I.e. whenever somebody tells me something via it, the sound is like through an old speaker, cracking etc... The same problem occurs on all volume settings (I wouldn't be surprised if it occurred on the loudest setting). It is loud enough to be annoying.
Do you have any ideas what it is? Do you think there is some software fix, or should I RMA? Given the appalling Google store service (I am still waiting for shipping labels for Nexus 10), I would prefer to avoid it...
Thank you!

Hi
theriel said:
Hello,
I have just received my long-awaited Nexus 4. The screen is perfect, there is no static sound (at least not to the extent which would bother me), no flexing etc.
HOWEVER... I can hear cracking noise in the ear speaker whenever it is on. I.e. whenever somebody tells me something via it, the sound is like through an old speaker, cracking etc... The same problem occurs on all volume settings (I wouldn't be surprised if it occurred on the loudest setting). It is loud enough to be annoying.
Do you have any ideas what it is? Do you think there is some software fix, or should I RMA? Given the appalling Google store service (I am still waiting for shipping labels for Nexus 10), I would prefer to avoid it...
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is an issue where the speaker lets out a little buzzing sound but this hardly noticeable and doesn't interfere with the sound coming through the ear piece, so what you describe is a hardware fault, probably a faulty speaker. You will need to exchange it.
Regards
Phil

I called Google support and did an RMA. It's been a week and still waiting for the replacement to be shipped. Called again regarding the shipment of the replacement and the rep said he needs to forward the case to a specialist.
Anyway, I still think you should do an RMA. Why tolerate a defective device that you paid full price for?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

So.... I have done RMA for both my Nexus 4 (cracking noise in earspeaker) and Nexus 10 (significant light bleed). The "UK" Google customer service is just appalling - they don't know anything and don't ship labels whatsoever. Shipping specialists are equally unhelpful and ignorant.
Although on paper the devices are nice - I am sorry, but Google devices have given me the worst experience I have ever had when dealing with ANY electronics in the whole of my life. I can truly say that I would be embarrassed to recommend buying any Nexus device to any of my friends...
The more I think the more I am convinced that I should have given up all the features and gone with iphone and ipad. Because it just works...

Related

Noise Cancellation

I'm leaning on upgrading to the Nexus S from the Nexus One, but have a few questions concerning noise cancellation. In the tech specs, the Nexus S states it has software noise cancellation. So is it safe to assume it uses software to remove background noise as opposed to the Nexus One which used a secondary mic? How is the software based noise cancellation on the Nexus S performing for people? Would love feedback. I work at a manufacturing plant, and being able to hold conversations in and around noisy equipment is a must. Last question is, does the built in VoIP stack on the Nexus S make use of the noise cancellation?
I would really appreciate the feedback.
I don't know, but in another thread someone posted that their new nexus s performed very bad in a noisy environment, unusable actually. So its worth investigating and owners posting their results for now.
I am pretty sure that "software noise cancellation" is bull****. they just didnt want to disappoint existing Nexus One owners. Maybe Gingerbread in general tries to improve sound quality, but it has nothing to do with Nexus S
I haven't been in a "plant" environment, but have been in a noisy office, and it has performed as well as the N1. I also frequently use the google chat voip calling feature that was added to gmail recently. It mentions "software based" noise canceling. If it's the NS uses the same, then it will be awesome.
How does your N1 perform in your plant environment? I'm guessing it also will have problems.
rhca50 said:
How does your N1 perform in your plant environment? I'm guessing it also will have problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Nexus One performs great when it comes to noise cancellation. Never had anyone complain. I have tested the noise cancellation by leaving myself a voicemail on my work phone standing next to a centrifuge, and was shocked at the results. Not a hint of background noise. My voice was pronounced and clear, albeit a tad "digitized", which I'm sure is a side-effect of the noise cancellation. Only gripe I have is the low earpiece volume. Even on "full" blast, it's still too low in noisy environments.
I am having complaints from people I talk to using my nexus s. They say that it sounds like they are on speaker phone and that the call is nice and quiet until I start talking; which they say has a lot of static and background noise. Any other people getting complaints from people you talk to using your nexus s?
p.s. I work in a loud environment and never had issues using my N1.
I have commented on this in other threads. I've used a N1 since its launch. I returned my NS after having used it for 3 weeks as my primary phone. The main reason that I returned it is the lack of noise canceling, the ear speaker sounds tinny and on a busy street the traffic noise is picked up by the mic and broadcast in my ear. My N1's in call sound quality is far superior to the NS. The noise canceling really does a good job.
given that the Nexus S uses software noise cancellation instead of a secondary mic, is this something that may be able to be fixed with a new ROM or custom kernel?
generalagony said:
given that the Nexus S uses software noise cancellation instead of a secondary mic, is this something that may be able to be fixed with a new ROM or custom kernel?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt it, for noise canceling to work in an intelligent way, I would think there needs to be more than one mic. All of the noise canceling headsets I've seen have two mics, including my Jawbone bluetooth which has a button that rests on my cheek.
if you work in noisy environment don't buy this phone. I returned it only because of this problem. Every other problem that people complain here on this forum I didn't have and are nothing when it comes to phone calls. The primary function of the phone is the worst ever. Nobody hear me when I made phone calls from my car (driving, not using blue tooth - yes still legal in some countries) and I had to put the phone always on the speaker phone to be able to hear the other callers. Finally give up and returned the phone. Same isuue with my old Samsung i8910, but i was able to tweak the speaker settings in phone service software.
otherwise great phone.
I have found the that the NS works better than my N1 in general as a phone. The call quality is much better and the ear piece is MUCH better than the N1. N1 was hard to hear in anything above an avg room noise. NS I have to turn it down most of the time and much richer sound than the tin sound of the N1. Been in a few coffee shops that are loud and did calls in them. People on the other end said they could hear the background noise but it was very low and I was very loud and clear. Just my 2 cents.
I am going to try an exchange. I bought one of the first units sold at my local best buy on release morning so maybe I got a bad one. Friend of mine who bought just before me exchanged his and said his new one has much better call quality.
I am going to try to put this to the test. Although currently I am unhappy with the results I am getting recording wise.
The situation is that I own a Galaxy S GT-I9000 and often had complaints about sounding muffled. Now a Nexus S and the complaints are gone.
However. It is very difficult to understand an issue OTHER people are hearing, so I am doing some recording tests in different situations and I will be posting the results to http://technocrate.net in the next day or so.
I'm in the same boat with ya. I thought I was the only one. yeah perfect on the N1 now my wife says I sound garbled on the end. I changed the radio thought that would help but didn't. Just upgraded my from the N1 to the NS other wise the phone is great. I guess there's not a fix for this. I'll be returning mine then. even with the newest radio KI1, same way
Edit: Returning my second one, I'm done with this phone. I'm sad to see it go really like it beside the mic problem. Did samsung happen to fix this later on in a rev. batch?
Phone Fixed Post above
Well called samsung and they me told to send in my second phone in. I explained the issue about the mic to the tech which said they never heard about that issue. Ok well havent got a chance to make it home yet to test it but they replace more than just the mic:
Original Problem:
TECHNICAL INQUIRY - AUDIO/SPEAKER/SOUND/VIBRATION - SPEAKERPHONE NOT WORKING
Problem found:
RINGERTONE INAUDIBLE/NO ADJUST - CAMERA FAILURE - LOCK UP DURING OPERATION (SW)
Solution:
REPLACED COMPONENT - REPLACED COMPONENT - REPLACED PBA
Til i check it when I get home, just to let you guys know. The problem at the top, there system didn't have an option for the microphone. They replaced a lot of stuff but the mic only problem was the problem? I was liked its not the speaker just the mic to the tech. She said it was in the notes about the problem. I've been very happy with samsung trying to fix this issue. so far til i get home.

[Q] Buzz/distortion during calls

Hello all,
I recently got my Nexus 4 (build 302K - UK model) and have noticed a buzzing noise which comes and goes during calls. It sounds vaguely like the distortion you hear when you put an active mobile phone near speakers/radios and sort of sounds like the chirping of crickets (yes...lame explanation, but don't know how else to describe it).
It does seem to come and go during the duration of the call, and not sure if it is related to the processor ramping up or not. It also seems present regardless of whether I have a good mobile signal or not.
I called Google and reported the issue. They said this is not a common fault with the phone (which I would expect them to say regardless, no company wants to admit defects) and recommended a hard reset. Low and behold it is still there. They said if that didn't fix it, they would send a replacement.
I just want to find out from the general population of Nexus 4 owners whether this is common to all the phones and just tolerated by you guys, or whether I just happened to get a bad batch and it might be solved via a replacement?
The noise is very noticeable and you'd have to be deaf as a post not to hear it. If it is common to all of them and just tolerated, it's going to be a bit of a deal breaker for me and I'll be seeking a refund.
Apologies if this is covered in another thread as I am quite the noob...I did a quick search before posting and most threads seem to discuss the slight buzzing/clicking noise which is present when the device screen is active (rather than during a call). Mine also has this, but I couldn't care less about that issue. My concern is with the quality of the audio during a voice call, which I am unimpressed with. My BB 8900 had better call quality than this current device I have at the moment.
Thanks in advance,
R
This is pretty common, mines is pretty bad happens every call no matter what.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
The first nexus 4 I had never had this problem. I bought another nexus 4 after selling the first and noticed the buzzing/crackling sound. I just got my replacement today and looks like the problem is still there.
That is a bit alarming. The sound on mine is so extremely noticeable that I'm really surprised everyone is not up on arms about it?
Is it on all phones and people just tolerate it?
I'd so, why?
R: [Q] Buzz/distortion during calls
I've had my previous nexus with same problem, I've tried to switch the call sound loudspeaker and tried to hear music through earpiece (with earpiece app in google play), but the distortion happened only during calls so I've asked for RMA.
This new one is good, there is still a bit of buzzing sound but not loud, I can live with it.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Same issue here two RMAs all 3 phones have the same issue all this batch. I have a pulsing buzz in every call I have tried multiple sim cards and networks with no improvement.
I have no idea if LG have discovered an issue with the two I sent back, I plan try one more RMA in hope I get a new batch or I will want some kind of refund. I love the phone but I can't have a loud buzz in every call that I can hear over the person speaking.
Hi,
Has anyone had a replacement or fix for this pulsing buzz in calls yet?
Randy I sent you a PM back not sure if you got it.
Recently received a 303K RMA. Had to go away for a few days so moving all my data across now (using google sync & carbon). Not as easy as I thought.
Will report back soon.
Well I recieved my 4th Nexus 4 yesterday via RMA.
It is the same model as the previous one (does not have nubs on the bottom), built in Feb 2013 likely some kind of rererbished model.
So far I am not having the issue, it may be there very very quietly in the background but it is not audible under normal use now which is fine with me.
I will keep testing it for a few days untill I am happy that it is remaining the same.
After a few days of use I haven't had the same issue with this recent replacement. I did here a bit oh background noise on one call (similar to holding a mobile in call near a speaker) but overall it's better than my previous device.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Uneven speaker volume

The top speaker on my phone is noticeably louder than the bottom speaker. I've played music and watched videos in portrait and landscape mode and turned it every way to make sure it's not just the orientation. It's even more noticeable when I play this video to check: https://youtu.be/hTvJoYnpeRQ
Anyone else have this problem? Such a bummer because everything else about the phone is absolutely perfect. Gonna wait a few days to see if it gets better but I will probably RMA it. Just wanted to see if anyone else is experiencing this.
Mine is the same way, noticed it yesterday.
Thank goodness mine is consistent. Also not having any issues everyone else is having. Perhaps we should open a thread about where we purchased and list of problems.
Only slight rant I have is 3.5mm jack. My left ear makes little static noise. It's really low sound and stops when something is playing so I won't complain or RMA it. I had same issue with Samsung tablet so I'm just hoping it's a software bug. We'll see.
By the way, I think there is a similar topic on this channel. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3221402
My first one had this problem and only realised when I got a replacement. Way much better sound and volume.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3237050
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA Free mobile app
Mine is also the same way. Top speaker is slightly louder. Weird.
Looks like another widespread issue.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA Free mobile app
This is a frustrating issue. I want to RMA but am worried about having another experience like I did with my Nexus 7(2013) where I have to RMA multiple times only to receive several devices with the same issue. I really love this phone and everything is satisfactory besides the bottom speaker but I'm really considering returning it.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
It's a hard decision, cause you can end up with worse device lol but we all should get what we paid for. All should be top notch
I am picking my second replacement tomorrow.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA Free mobile app
Can this can be tweaked in the mixer paths XML? Or can you not change individual speakers? Mine is maybe very slightly louder at the top but it's hardly noticeable.
The speakers have to be lined up with what are really pretty tiny cut outs in the front glass. There is probably some sort of foam gasket between the speaker and the glass of the screen. The gasket, if there is one, not only directs sound to the cut out, but also sometimes serves as a sort of tiny megaphone and is integral to the acoustics of the speaker.
It is easy to have a slightly misaligned gasked blocking sound, which can have a surprisingly significant effect on the sound quality and volume of a cell phone speaker. So, although I'm just guessing, I bet something like this is the problem (rather than the speaker element itself).
I've seen this sort of thing badly put together in other phones. So it's probaby a quality control issue in the assembly of the phone.
wazka2 said:
It's a hard decision, cause you can end up with worse device lol but we all should get what we paid for. All should be top notch
I am picking my second replacement tomorrow.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let us know how it turned out
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
Both replacement were fine regarding speaker volume. However both has a pink tint. First one top and this one bottom!
Going back tomorrow
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA Free mobile app
wazka2 said:
Both replacement were fine regarding speaker volume. However both has a pink tint. First one top and this one bottom!
Going back tomorrow
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you are sending it back again??
Blehh I cant decide what I wanna do and if I am artificially creating this problem on my 6P after reading this and other threads
wazka2 said:
My first one had this problem and only realised when I got a replacement. Way much better sound and volume.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3237050
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA Free mobile app
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Click to collapse
Would you mind playing this video on your replacement? My top speaker is definitely deeper and has better sound than my bottom speaker which sounds tinny and artificial.
https://youtu.be/hTvJoYnpeRQ
MoNsTeReNeRgY22 said:
Blehh I cant decide what I wanna do and if I am artificially creating this problem on my 6P after reading this and other threads
Would you mind playing this video on your replacement? My top speaker is definitely deeper and has better sound than my bottom speaker which sounds tinny and artificial.
https://youtu.be/hTvJoYnpeRQ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bottom one sounds a bit different but I would say its acceptable. My 1st 6p was definitely more quiet on the bottom speaker. I could hear it without special channel test.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA Free mobile app
wazka2 said:
Bottom one sounds a bit different but I would say its acceptable. My 1st 6p was definitely more quiet on the bottom speaker. I could hear it without special channel test.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA Free mobile app
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Click to collapse
I think its all in my head, damn OCD.
I'm having the same issue with my Nexus 6P (32 GB, Aluminum), which I purchased from the Google Store. I just got off the phone with Google support. They did not offer to replace it and did not seem like they would have even if I pushed them. They're saying that this is how Huawei designed the phone, i.e., it's a design flaw. He also said he would open a ticket for "top-level management" to look into the issue, so there's at least an implicit recognition that something's wrong.
It sounds from what I'm reading like some other retailers are being more lenient with the returns? Something to keep in mind for anyone who hasn't bought theirs quite yet.
I guess for now I'll just enjoy my imbalanced audio. Great phone otherwise though.
snrzhu said:
I'm having the same issue with my Nexus 6P (32 GB, Aluminum), which I purchased from the Google Store. I just got off the phone with Google support. They did not offer to replace it and did not seem like they would have even if I pushed them. They're saying that this is how Huawei designed the phone, i.e., it's a design flaw. He also said he would open a ticket for "top-level management" to look into the issue, so there's at least an implicit recognition that something's wrong.
It sounds from what I'm reading like some other retailers are being more lenient with the returns? Something to keep in mind for anyone who hasn't bought theirs quite yet.
I guess for now I'll just enjoy my imbalanced audio. Great phone otherwise though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Call again, explain you've went through troubleshooting steps. Reboot, reboot to safe mode, trying many different apps to play music/video/etc and bottom speaker is clearly softer in volume. I had the email to RMA about an hour after getting off the phone. Replacement hasn't shipped yet, but is processing. There are people on reddit who had the same issue and have received replacements already and said their first one was definitely defective as the new one is balanced.
I don't know where the rep you spoke to got the idea that it's how it's designed (I've seen that floating around), but that doesn't make any sense, they are supposed to be stereo speakers, which you obviously want to be balanced.
ageesm said:
Call again, explain you've went through troubleshooting steps. Reboot, reboot to safe mode, trying many different apps to play music/video/etc and bottom speaker is clearly softer in volume. I had the email to RMA about an hour after getting off the phone. Replacement hasn't shipped yet, but is processing. There are people on reddit who had the same issue and have received replacements already and said their first one was definitely defective as the new one is balanced.
I don't know where the rep you spoke to got the idea that it's how it's designed (I've seen that floating around), but that doesn't make any sense, they are supposed to be stereo speakers, which you obviously want to be balanced.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I was a bit on the fence as to what to do, but I followed your advice and contacted them again. It took quite a while, and they still gave me the same message that it's a question of design (they said they received an update directly from Huawei about this on October 31), adding this time that they could go ahead and replace the phone, but that the new phone would still have the same speaker imbalance. Well, I figured I'd take my chances with the replacement and see if the imbalance is fixed. I could even hold on to the current one until I get the replacement and then do a comparison.
Unfortunately, as the rep was processing the order he said he couldn't move forward because the system required a reason for returning the device and imbalanced speakers isn't an error or flaw, it's by design. He said I could return the device for a refund and then order a new one, but in the meantime I'd be without a phone. He seemed to spend a fair amount of time trying to find a workaround and speaking with his manager, but all to no avail.
At this point, I've been on the phone for so long today that I'm just going to wait it out for a few days and reassess then. Perhaps I'll get different answers if I call in a few days, or perhaps Google or Huawei will get about to addressing the issue (one can hope, right?).
Hopefully the rest of you will have better luck!
Only way it is going to sound the same volume wise is if both speakers have identical enclosures. Like regular speaker cabinets. One of them probably has more room to breathe and the other one is probably cramped with other components and hence they don't sound the same!
Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

Nexus 6p microphone

I noticed when i talk on my phone and place the phone on my desk on its back, people say they can't hear me... Is there only one mic on the nexus 6p which is on the back ?
Getting the same whenever I hunch my shoulder up to balance the phone near my cheek
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
I think I had a similar issue with my Nexus 5. When the noise cancellation mic was blocked, people would have a hard time hearing me. My guess is now that the mic is on the back and not the top it is easier to block.
The Nexus 6P is supposed to have three microphones. I assume the main mic is in the bottom speaker. There is clearly a mic hole on the back just below the camera hump, so that may be what people are blocking. I'm not sure where the third mic is, perhaps in the top speaker.
It is a little odd that block one of the extra noise cancellation mics on the back of a phone would disrupt call quality (at least in a quiet place). This is a common design and you'd think the obvious use case of speakerphone with the phone sitting on a flat surface would be considered.
Perhaps, once one of the noise cancellation mics is blocked, the phone can't tell what's background noise and what's your voice, so it starts attenuating your voice as if it's background noise?
I'm assuming the 6P using Qualcomm's Fluence noise cancellation, which is what most phones with Qualcomm chipsets use these days. Fluence has always been kind of mediocre as far as noice cancellation goes. The Nexus 5 with Fluence tended to cut people's voice off a lot. I was hoping the extra third microphone would improve things, but it's also the algorithm that matters.
There's definitely better noise cancellation out there. The Audience chip (now called EarSmart) is probably the best. It was in the Nexus One, which had amazing noise cancellation (and also in the iPhone 4). But both Apple and Google dropped it. Samsung put it in a lot of the Galaxy S phones, but has dropped it now too. I assume they just don't want to pay for the licensing. Motorola uses four microphone noise cancellation and their own propriety algorithm, which is pretty good--that's what's in the Moto X 2014 and the Nexus 6, don't know about the new Moto X.
Anyway, you could experiment with covering the hole on the back and see if that's what's causing the problem.
I facing the same issue. Not sure hardware issue or software issue or some setting.
Having the same issue, need to have the microphone right up to my mouth for anyone to hear me. If I move it an inch away people sound it too low. Going to get onto google tonight about returning. Hopefully it's just a faulty microphone and not the phone design. I've tested in quite and noisy spots and same in both. Also checking not to cover any pin holes in phone that may be noise cancelling microphones.
I have the same issue with people reporting they cant hear me when the bottom mic is off angle from my mouth. I've done some testing by calling a desk phone on speaker and playing with the angle of the phone. From my testing and personal opinion it seems that the issue is likely due to over aggressive noise cancellation. Hopefully this is fixed in a software update or google gives us at least the ability to disable noise cancelation.
I am having the same issue, complaints that I am not able to be heard.
Any feedback yet on this?
Same issue here, a lot of people saying they cant hear me properly, if i then swivel the phone so the mic is in line with my mouth problem goes away. It seems very sensitive!!
Same here...
Anyone resolve this issue with a replacement device? It's quite annoying to have the phone glued to your face and if you move an inch the other party cant hear you clearly.
godsafk said:
Anyone resolve this issue with a replacement device? It's quite annoying to have the phone glued to your face and if you move an inch the other party cant hear you clearly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here....not sure if its a hardware issue or bad design? But if every phone is not like this then I have to send it back. Just need to determine what it is first.
Also when playing music my bottom speaker is not as loud as my top....I'm assuming that is a defect as well.
Same here with 2 devices. I've read that disabling noise cancelling fixes the issue, but this obviously requires root to do. I sure hope Google adds an option to disable this without having to root....or at least tones it down because it definitely does seem over-aggressive.
I also enabled advanced calling on both devices, and I'm not sure that didn't *help* at least a tiny bit...although I don't really have much to base that one other than neither of us getting any complaints for the past 24-48 hours....and if any of you are for sure using advanced calling and still getting complaints than I guess take this fwiw.
I remember this happening with my Nexus 5... The fix was to disable to the noise cancellation until Google came out with a patch.
I was talking to a nice Tech guy from Huawei on a completely separate issue, when I tried to hold my phone with the face while resting it on my shoulder. The guy told me that he started hearing me all muffled up. When I told him what I was doing. He told me that there is a third Mic that is in the back of the phone, which when covered, causes low or muffled noise to the other user. Seems, like disabling noise cancelling is the only option to fix this, because I do want to put my phone down and use speakerphone., especially during long conference calls.. Hope someone else can find a solution that does not require root.
There is a huge post on the official nexus forums about this issue with an actual official (kinda) response here.
It's very obvious at this point that this is a software issue related to noise canceling.
Just commenting to say that I'm experiencing the same thing as everyone else here. Thought it was just because the phone was so big, but looks like its definitely a software issue related to noise canceling
I have same issue got a replacement thought it fixed it, but realized today I still have the same issue. I am losing my patience with this phone and the replacement device has a pink hue on the top of my screen.
It's not a bug, it's already been explained that it's because if you cover the noise cancellation mic on the back near the top you'll muffle yourself. Personally I don;t know how you could possible hold this phone in a manner that would block it but... I'm used to seeing a lot of nonsensical issues from smartphone forum posters these days.
I've had the phone resting face up on the table on speakerphone and the person the other end can't hear me properly

One Speaker on my 6P was louder than the other.

I received my 6P yesterday, and by this morning I dropped it into a UPS box to send it back.
So, I got the 64GB aluminum version, it arrived a day after I placed my order. I set it up and let it install its OS update, which took forever, then I started to use it. Right away I noticed that the top speaker seemed louder than the bottom speaker when the phone was playing notification sounds. In two phone calls, people complained that it sounded like I was underwater or had them on speakerphone.
I was a little concerned by the speaker issue, so I took the time to play back audio from NPR and then tried a few videos. While playing back video, I flipped the phone this way and that, and moved the phone back and forth from ear to ear just to make sure I wasn't deaf in one ear. The top speaker was definitely much louder than the other. With the mic being housed with the bottom speaker, I'm lead to believe both issues are related.
I contacted customer support and the lady who took my call said that another user had called with the same issue, but she couldn't recall which model they had. She had spoken with the design team about this and they said it was a defect, that both speakers should be firing at the same volume level.
We did the mandatory factory reset and I fired up YouTube - then I moved my old phone back and forth over the speakers of the 6P and she could hear the difference too, so I ended up mailing it back for a refund - I plan to buy another, but an exchange would entail a $549 hold on my bank account, so a refund it is.
So, that said, I'm curious - has anyone else had this issue? I searched the web but didn't find anything, but I've tweeted to some people who were opening new devices and one of them said he felt the top speaker was louder on his unit too (I didn't say which speaker, I just asked if one was louder than the other), while another person said she'd follow up.
It seems like it's a relatively common issue.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/help/check-speakers-t3237050
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/help/uneven-speaker-volume-t3238144
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3r6faw/nexus_6p_speaker_issue_strawpoll_please_answer_if/
Roxy said:
It seems like it's a relatively common issue.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/help/check-speakers-t3237050
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/help/uneven-speaker-volume-t3238144
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3r6faw/nexus_6p_speaker_issue_strawpoll_please_answer_if/
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Click to collapse
:crying::crying::crying:
Oh dear... I wouldn't have minded it if it was just a tad louder, but it was bad - plus I was having some speaker overdrive issues as well. I guess I'll wait for Google to process my refund and keep an eye on these threads before deciding if I want to take the risk again... Which sucks, because I was loving the phone. Hell, I picked this over a Lumia 950 XL because I wanted to use some half decent apps and have access to Tap to Pay. Sure, Android still waits forever for iOS apps, but Windows waits for never. -_-
I kept my phone regardless of the volume issue... lol.
Here's more reddit post(s) regarding the problem:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3rjbbd/did_anyone_figure_out_if_the_top_speaker_being/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3r45jr/speakers_not_balanced/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3qrjp2/top_speaker_louder_than_bottom_one/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3qso4k/is_anybody_not_having_speaker_balance_issues/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3rak95/did_rma_fixed_uneven_speaker_issue/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3rajy4/can_someone_post_a_video_of_the_speakers_balanced/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3quee4/front_facing_speakers/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3rdslq/google_store_support_says_that_the_volume/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3rekuc/speaker_difference_an_intended_feature/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3rcumg/speaker_imbalance_based_on_volume_level/
Roxy said:
I kept my phone regardless of the volume issue... lol.
Here's more reddit post(s) regarding the problem:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3rjbbd/did_anyone_figure_out_if_the_top_speaker_being/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3r45jr/speakers_not_balanced/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3qrjp2/top_speaker_louder_than_bottom_one/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3qso4k/is_anybody_not_having_speaker_balance_issues/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3rak95/did_rma_fixed_uneven_speaker_issue/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3rajy4/can_someone_post_a_video_of_the_speakers_balanced/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3quee4/front_facing_speakers/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3rdslq/google_store_support_says_that_the_volume/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3rekuc/speaker_difference_an_intended_feature/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3rcumg/speaker_imbalance_based_on_volume_level/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've blogged about this and have included all these links - thanks for the info! I really hope when I buy another one that it don't have the speaker issue. Google needs to step out and address Speakergate so users are aware of this issue.
https://tekmuze.wordpress.com/2015/11/04/forget-bending-the-nexus-6p-may-have-speaker-defect/
I see on Reddit that some people are hearing the exact opposite of what I was told by Google support - Google support is telling them that this actually "feature" and not a flaw, which brings to mind old comics about Windows 95 and 98 bugs being labeled as features... -_-
If it's a "fault" on all phones then surely it's an easy software fix. I'm surprised none of the reviews mentioned it?
Batfink33 said:
If it's a "fault" on all phones then surely it's an easy software fix. I'm surprised none of the reviews mentioned it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I too am amazed... But keep in mind that review units are hand picked and sent out by Google, so it's likely that phones without this flaw were sent to the press.

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