Cracking earpiece - Nexus 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I noticed that on full volume my earpiece will crackle during a phone call. It's not a big issue since I turn it down one notch and the cracking will go away. It seems as if the volume level for the earpiece I'd higher than what the actual speaker can handle.
Has anyone else notice this?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

Yep. Distortions when you turn the volume up on any device seems normal to me, though.

Sorry but over powering a speaker and having it crackle is normal, but unsure what u mean on other devices. Typically the software will not allow the hardware be used in levels that isn't optimal
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

bradm23 said:
Sorry but over powering a speaker and having it crackle is normal, but unsure what u mean on other devices. Typically the software will not allow the hardware be used in levels that isn't optimal
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've never had a phone that when you turn your volume all the way up, it starts to get distorted?
Phones I've owned that has it: Xperia X1, GNEX, Mytouch 4G, Galaxy S3, and now the Nexus 4.

Sfkn2 said:
You've never had a phone that when you turn your volume all the way up, it starts to get distorted?
Phones I've owned that has it: Xperia X1, GNEX, Mytouch 4G, Galaxy S3, and now the Nexus 4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, guess I never noticed it. I had the gnex also, lol. Maybe because this speaker is clearer quality you can pick up on distortion easier
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

Mine for volumes higher than 60/70% starts to buzz or distort calls, I've asked for an RMA

Related

Nexus S call volume

Hi guys how is NS call volume really interested in purchasing one. I have x10 terrible call volume can't hear nothing. I wonder if it has to do with android? Or maybe x10 and how is NS compare to x10 call volume wise. Thanks
Sent from my X10i TripNMiUI using Tapatalk
sofia-captivate said:
Hi guys how is NS call volume really interested in purchasing one. I have x10 terrible call volume can't hear nothing. I wonder if it has to do with android? Or maybe x10 and how is NS compare to x10 call volume wise. Thanks
Sent from my X10i TripNMiUI using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In-call volume on my Nexus S is good. I once had a Sony-Ericsson T610 and the in-call volume was so low (even with hands-free), I swore to never have one again.
sofia-captivate said:
Hi guys how is NS call volume really interested in purchasing one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I picked up the Nexus S Friday on Rogers and call quality and volume are important factors for me - I can't stand a quiet phone in a noisy environment. For example the iPhone 3G volume wasn't loud enough in a bar. Earpiece call volume at maximum is similar to the iPhone 4 or HTC Desire with Froyo but not as loud as the Motorola Atrix. Call quality is decent as well. Speaker volume is fairly good too but not as loud as the iPhone 4. And since it's a tiny speaker quality isn't the best, but it's good enough for handsfree in the car with the windows up. I was a little concerned about the volume, but once I used the Nexus S demo for a few minutes to confirm performance and call quality, I bought the phone.
sofia-captivate said:
Hi guys how is NS call volume really interested in purchasing one. I have x10 terrible call volume can't hear nothing. I wonder if it has to do with android? Or maybe x10 and how is NS compare to x10 call volume wise. Thanks
Sent from my X10i TripNMiUI using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My previous phone was an X10i and definitely the call volume in the Nexus S is far better. You can actually hear it. On my X10, unless my ear was right next were the sound output was I couldn't hear anything and even when my ear was right there it was difficult to make out what was being said.
The speaker phone on the X10 can be heard, but still the Nexus S is much louder and the voice quality is better than the X10.
Well, it really depends on every ACTUAL phone. Why ? I've first bought the Nexus S i9023, European version. Even at the highest ear-piece volume, it was soooo quiet I couldn't hear a god damn word. I had to put my girlfriend to yell at me every time we spoke at the phone. Returned it, bought a US i9020 version. Clear and crisp, as loud as my previous HTC Desire. I've searched for this bug on Google and found that many handsets from different producers have this. Some users have low ear-piece volume at high setting, some of them have HIGH ear-piece volume at low setting (as high as if the ear-piece was like the load-speaker on the back). Dunno why.
So yea, it really depends on each handset. I would strongly suggest to test right after buying, if not preferably when actually in the store.
lambda30 said:
Well, it really depends on every ACTUAL phone. So yea, it really depends on each handset. I would strongly suggest to test right after buying, if not preferably when actually in the store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A manufacturing defect is one thing and rare these days when compared to the amount of devices being manufactured. Any device you buy runs the risk of being defective. The question here is if the Nexus S is generally expected to have good call volume, and the answer is yes. As for the model differences, the display and radios are different parts in the 9020 & 9023, but the earpiece and driver should be the same in all Nexus S models and have the same output.
bfksc said:
A manufacturing defect is one thing and rare these days when compared to the amount of devices being manufactured. Any device you buy runs the risk of being defective. The question here is if the Nexus S is generally expected to have good call volume, and the answer is yes. As for the model differences, the display and radios are different parts in the 9020 & 9023, but the earpiece and driver should be the same in all Nexus S models and have the same output.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There MUST be a difference in some of these phones because there is NO possible way anyone could ever complain that the earpiece volume was too loud or high on my Nexus S - NAM version
My nexus S seems very quiet compared to my iP4 even at max settings. Is there a way to manually boost the volume limit through voodoo or something?
many people have said the nexus s volume was too low. how come there has not been an audio boost in cyanogen like there has been for other phones?
The call volume is acceptable. Just don't expect whomever you're on the phone with to hear you clearly if there's a lot of noise around you.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
bfksc said:
but the earpiece and driver should be the same in all Nexus S models and have the same output.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well yea, they SHOULD have the same volume. But that doesn't mean a i9023 phone can't have a "broken" earpiece with low volume.
Anyway, I think you got me wrong. I didn't suggest that the i9020 was fine and the i9023 has crappy earpiece. No. I just said that MY OWN i9023 had problems. Not that ALL i9023 have problems.
Like I said,
lambda30 said:
found that many handsets from different producers have this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
, like Sony Ericsson, etc. Just Google it and you'll find some threads.
So, because some of the phones have this problem (not all of them), then that's why I suggested a replacement from the seller.
Ohh I taught it has something to do with android os low call volume
Sent from my SE_X10i using Tapatalk
the nexus s in call quality overall is quite good, however many users are reporting either extremely low or high volume from the normal forward facing speaker. its been about 5 months since the device was released and only now the ppl at cm are looking into resolving it

[Q] Anyone exchange their device with Google Play?

What is the procedure for doing so. Just got mine this afternoon and the audio is ridiculously low. I maxed it out, made sure not to block it, and I'm still having a hard time hearing videos from YouTube and other apps. Sigh.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Like how low? My Nexus 7's sound is way lower than my SGS II. I think thats just how the speaker sounds.
Questions go in the Q&A section
wiithepeng said:
Like how low? My Nexus 7's sound is way lower than my SGS II. I think thats just how the speaker sounds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The sound on mine is fine.

Does anyone think the speakers on the Nexus 7 are terrible??

I was playing some music and as soon as I turn it up past half, the speakers sound like they are crackling....not sure if thats normal, but it sounds terrible....its ok if i keep turned down...I had a simiar problem with my Asus transformer pad before i sold it....
Mine are perfectly fine when cranked up loud - maybe yours are defective? Otherwise, get a small mobile speaker, they sound much better than stock The XMI X-Mini speakers are great attached to the nexus, and small to carry around.
No issues with mine at all, sounds prertty decent full volume here
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
I actually find the speakers to be better than I expected.
The speaker is not terrible but it's not the best. It all depends on the quality of audio you're listening to. The sound on my device can be very low or the volume and sound quality can sound perfect, or all depends.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
My speakers are actually pretty good. I was surprised as well as others were.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
one028 said:
I was playing some music and as soon as I turn it up past half, the speakers sound like they are crackling....not sure if thats normal, but it sounds terrible....its ok if i keep turned down...I had a simiar problem with my Asus transformer pad before i sold it....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I would do is play the song paradise in Google music ( it came free with mine). Turn it up medium then high and listen too the quality. Mine has no problems at all so if it is crackling, it is most probably a defect.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
I found volume on the three N7's I tried to be quite low both on the external speakers and out the headphone jack. I didn't experience any distortion, however.
Coming from the Galaxy Nexus where it's pretty low and under-performing, I found the N7 very refreshing to hear since it was pretty loud and decent.
No problems here. Was actually surprised with both the speaker and headphones after reading the thread about substandard audio components.
one028 said:
I was playing some music and as soon as I turn it up past half, the speakers sound like they are crackling....not sure if thats normal, but it sounds terrible....its ok if i keep turned down...I had a simiar problem with my Asus transformer pad before i sold it....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've actually been impressed with the speakers, even at high volume.
General tip with any speakers and headphones : they have to be warmed up. They will all sound terrible out of the box but once they "warm up" they will sound better. The process can take weeks. Be patient with it
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
one028 said:
I was playing some music and as soon as I turn it up past half, the speakers sound like they are crackling....not sure if thats normal, but it sounds terrible....its ok if i keep turned down...I had a simiar problem with my Asus transformer pad before i sold it....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've seen the crackling problem before, might wanna get a replacement
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
one028 said:
I was playing some music and as soon as I turn it up past half, the speakers sound like they are crackling....not sure if thats normal, but it sounds terrible....its ok if i keep turned down...I had a simiar problem with my Asus transformer pad before i sold it....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yours defective. mine too. i had to ask for a replacement.
---------- Post added at 02:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:30 PM ----------
_thunderchild_ said:
General tip with any speakers and headphones : they have to be warmed up. They will all sound terrible out of the box but once they "warm up" they will sound better. The process can take weeks. Be patient with it
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's just bad ****in hardware design.
but thank u for the tip, i will try not to crank up my volume for the first couple of weeks. mine was good for a few days, then after a week, watched Wall-E at 70% volume and its cracking up. under 50% is safe. another week of i-dont-want-to-get-a-defect-replacement-instead, its still cracking full of distortion at anything above 50% volume. games, movies, videos. i couldn't stand it anymore. replacement should be coming tomorrow, we'll see.
I think the speakers are better than I thought in the first place.
I think the speakers are poor. My expectations weren't high but ive heard much better on other tablets. This is in regards to the quality as well as the amplification.
For youtube videos, etc its fine, for anything else you need a pair of iems or headphones
As expected for the size and price. I am happy with them. Check different positions. When I lie it on its back against my counter top it sounds much more full.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Speaker on Nexus 7 definitely defective
Mine was definitely defective. Not sure whether it failed with use, or if it arrived that way. Exchanged tablet for new - speaker sounds great. Will re-post if it fails with continued use.
They are very weak, I can barely hear them most of the time, but some games seem to be louder than anything for some reason, it's quite weird, not a huge fan of them.
No issues with my speakers. They are as good as they get on tablets.

Phone call quality

Got my nexus 4 during the first launch and apparently when I use it as a phone the people on the other end have a tough time hearing me. It doesn't happen all the time but people say I sound far away and they ask if I've moved or not but I'm in the exact same position for the duration if the call!
Also, I get the same complaint while on speaker phone.
Does anyone else have these problems?
I'm sure its not the network I'm using either since I'm on Telus in Toronto and I have full bars when talking.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Haven't heard a complaint yet. How's your signal when you are hearing complaints?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Voice Quality
maxpowerxiii said:
Got my nexus 4 during the first launch and apparently when I use it as a phone the people on the other end have a tough time hearing me. It doesn't happen all the time but people say I sound far away and they ask if I've moved or not but I'm in the exact same position for the duration if the call!
Also, I get the same complaint while on speaker phone.
Does anyone else have these problems?
I'm sure its not the network I'm using either since I'm on Telus in Toronto and I have full bars when talking.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can tell you that people are commenting on how clear and crisp my voice sounds.
Either speakerphone, Bluetooth car or regular phone all are excellent call quality.
Much better then my old SGS3.
CC
are you saying that you actually hold the nexus 4 up to your ear and talk into the thing?!?!
do you know what year it is??
Clear and crisp on both ends. No issues hearing people and haven't heard anyone say my end is faint/distorted or anything.
My call quality is awesome, much better than my one X - but the main thing you notice is the volume - its nice and loud. (some would say too loud, but you can always turn it down if you think so)
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Ogg said:
are you saying that you actually hold the nexus 4 up to your ear and talk into the thing?!?!
do you know what year it is??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know, right? Who uses a phone for a phone any more??
But in all seriousness. I'm wondering if I have a bad speaker or something. Everything else with the phone is fine. A slight buzzing in the earpiece but that's only if I'm using it as a phone but it doesn't bother me. Also, no rattling whatsoever.
The signal quality is fine when during the call. Full bars.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Ogg said:
are you saying that you actually hold the nexus 4 up to your ear and talk into the thing?!?!
do you know what year it is??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why does your third post ever have to be so offensive? You haven't talked on a phone for 5 years?
I think I got the same call quality problem. It sounds even worst than my old ATT captivate.
wawacoffee said:
Why does your third post ever have to be so offensive? You haven't talked on a phone for 5 years?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He was obviously kidding, which the op got. All good. :thumbup:
chrisjcks said:
My call quality is awesome, much better than my one X - but the main thing you notice is the volume - its nice and loud. (some would say too loud, but you can always turn it down if you think so)
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This....
'effin speaker made me deaf the first time someone called me and spoke into the phone
if you have buzzing...that might be an indication of a bad speaker... I just placed a call to / from my phone for you as a test to be sure..
crisp, clear and NO buzzing. ever.
Yes, I have the same issue. People can't hear me as it constantly cuts out, and when it doesn't cut out, it sounds like I'm far away. It's so bad that some people have said "your new phone is a piece of crap!" and in general it's not possible to have a conversation. This has happened in several cities and places where my old htc inspire never had any issues.
I've been waiting for google to send me a new one, but it hasn't arrived yet. Also their customer service has no tools or authority to do anything, except for "sending an email to a specialist."
When I've called them about the RMA and to complain, I've done it from my Nexus phone and they constantly ask me to repeat. When I explain the issue they seem somewhat sympathetic.
^^ Stock rom & kernel?
Today i got my Nexus4 and have the same issues.
People tell me that i sound far away and some weren't able to understand me. My speaker (that one holding to the ear) sounds like an old Nokia with distortion from the wireless signal (induction). Sound chip tends to cut out people on the other end and it sounds like a "bumping volume". I have the same tested on my iPhone 5 and people also tend to sound like "bumping volume" but not that bad as on the Nexus 4. This is clearly a software issue (compressor).
Well i think i have to return my Nexus 4. Cheap doesn't always pay off in terms of quality
100% stock here. Turns out they're shipping me a new one and it should here tomorrow afternoon. So we will see if that one is better.
Got new phone, works now, everyone can hear me fine.
I get complaints anytime I use speakerphone. The caller on the remote end says my audio is choppy and sounds like I am far away. I've been holding out on doing a RMA hoping it will be fixed in a software update. I've tested my mic using different recording apps and the audio playback sounds very clear. I'm wondering if the issue is related to the noise cancelation that takes place when in a call.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
three letters. APN
phermey said:
three letters. APN
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Care to explain?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
solvingchaos said:
Care to explain?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure thing. 99% of all call and data quality issues on this phone is due to the APN never being set. Or put in improperly. Most peeps think that inserting the sim is all they have to do.

Question for LG G2 owners, regarding external speaker decibels

One of the things which hold me from buying this phone, is the speakerphone decibel levels.
In the past, I had some phones with very low speakerphone levels, which led for many missed notifications (it happened mostly with notifications and not phone calls, because notification sound is much shorter).
I've seen GSMARENA's comparison of spkearphone decibel levels (attached image), and was quite shocked to see just how quiet the LG G2 speakerphone is. It is 10 decibels lower than the Galaxy S4 (10 decibels translate to twice as loud, for human hearing).
So, in your day to day experience with the LG G2, do you find yourself in situations that you missed a notification because of the quiet speakerphone ? how much of a problem are we talking here ? can you compare the notification volume to your last phone and conclude this is a real problem ?
notification sound is pretty loud enough imo.
Havent missed any notifications in loud places.
Video sound is a little quiet, but not the notification sounds
Sent from my LG-D801 using xda app-developers app
Yeah, it's a little quiet, but there's a post somewhere around here about how to increase your speaker volume above factory specs if you're rooted... Haven't done mine yet because I'm not rooted yet
Well, I'm quite particular about this, thus I sold off the Xperia Z after 11 days of usage.
As for the LG, I'm running it for 2 weeks and still going good.
I did the hack as mentioned above and it's pretty much decent. Videos are pretty darn loud for me (MX player, using HW+ decoder).
Something to note is that the speaker placement is at the bottom. I feel that's the best place for a speaker on a phone. It will face out when you insert your phone headfirst. Also when laying on the desk, the speakers are not blocked (as opposed to the S4). All these help in delivering sounds more efficiently.
I've had the phone for a good 2 weeks now and haven't missed many notification or calls at all. The ringtones and notification tones that come with the phone are plenty loud.
Also, I agree with MasK about the bottom-facing speaker. It doesn't seem to get muffled at all sitting on a desk or even on a pillow on my couch, unlike my old RAZR MAXX.
MasK said:
Well, I'm quite particular about this, thus I sold off the Xperia Z after 11 days of usage.
As for the LG, I'm running it for 2 weeks and still going good.
I did the hack as mentioned above and it's pretty much decent. Videos are pretty darn loud for me (MX player, using HW+ decoder).
Something to note is that the speaker placement is at the bottom. I feel that's the best place for a speaker on a phone. It will face out when you insert your phone headfirst. Also when laying on the desk, the speakers are not blocked (as opposed to the S4). All these help in delivering sounds more efficiently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, could you let me know how you did the hack?
Thanks.
You might say that I have been known to be a bit hard of hearing, but I have not really had any issues with the speaker or speaker phone with the G2. I have add these 2 apps:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.divi.volumebooster&hl=en
and I have the pro version for .99 cents of this one:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cb.volumePlus&hl=en
i hope this helps you
albundy9999 said:
Hi, could you let me know how you did the hack?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I did. Set the value to 65.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2442883
There's a ViperMOD as well and seem to get very good reviews. However, I could not get it to run. I've yet to troubleshoot it.
I find that picture hard to believe...the HTC one been getting BIG thumbs up for its speaker.
Will ViperMod work on T-Mobile variants? Can someone confirm?
Sent from my LG-D801 using XDA Premium HD app
Ok guys,
I have the LG G2 D802.
There are 2 speaker grills, one on each side of the Micro USB port on the bottom of the phone. I noticed that only the Right Speaker on the phone is working. The Left one is not. My question is, DOES THE PHONE HAVE 2 SPEAKERS OR IS THE SPEAKER GRILL ON THE LEFT JUST FOR SHOW?
abhinavsg said:
Ok guys,
I have the LG G2 D802.
There are 2 speaker grills, one on each side of the Micro USB port on the bottom of the phone. I noticed that only the Right Speaker on the phone is working. The Left one is not. My question is, DOES THE PHONE HAVE 2 SPEAKERS OR IS THE SPEAKER GRILL ON THE LEFT JUST FOR SHOW?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The second one is the mic
Sent from my LG-D802 using xda premium
gm007 said:
The second one is the mic
Sent from my LG-D802 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL.
Thanks a lot for the clarification. I got really worried. :laugh:
btw buddy, dont you think that practically the volume of the speaker is a bit on the lower side? Also, imo the earpiece performance for calls is not the best possible like HTC One. Dont you think?
abhinavsg said:
LOL.
Thanks a lot for the clarification. I got really worried. :laugh:
btw buddy, dont you think that practically the volume of the speaker is a bit on the lower side? Also, imo the earpiece performance for calls is not the best possible like HTC One. Dont you think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you are right but each phone has it's + and -
All have weak points at some place
Sent from my LG-D802 using xda premium
gm007 said:
Yes you are right but each phone has it's + and -
All have weak points at some place
Sent from my LG-D802 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, best part is, 802's positives weigh much more.
anyway any way we can enhance the speaker and earpiece without rooting?
abhinavsg said:
True, best part is, 802's positives weigh much more.
anyway any way we can enhance the speaker and earpiece without rooting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think so
Sent from my LG-D802 using xda premium
abhinavsg said:
True, best part is, 802's positives weigh much more.
anyway any way we can enhance the speaker and earpiece without rooting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yeah,
There is some chance to increase that low volume level without modding device please?
Many thanks guys
I've tried some apps like volume boost or music eq but don't seem work
diegocapassi said:
Oh yeah,
There is some chance to increase that low volume level without modding device please?
Many thanks guys
I've tried some apps like volume boost or music eq but don't seem work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FiiO e11 and a BOSE speaker in the backpack with car battery, you wouldn't miss a notification at all

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