Database Users

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.

Nexus 7 speaker defective!!!!!

I am currently in the process of sending back my nexus 7 because of a pretty defective speaker. The speaker crackles and pops when played above 40% . It basically renders sound on this thing without headphones as a boon starter.
I have two questions to the forum:
1) is anyone else experiencing this problem?
2) is it true that the problem stems from too much power behind sent to the speaker chip. A guy on another forum reckoned it could be fixed with software but I severely doubt that. I think the speaker is just damaged or loose
Kind Regards
@Igboscouser
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Sounds like you blew out the speaker. Good luck with your RMA.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

I have the same problem, waiting for Goog to send me a RMA link... been two days.

igbo_scouser said:
I am currently in the process of sending back my nexus 7 because of a pretty defective speaker. The speaker crackles and pops when played above 40% . It basically renders sound on this thing without headphones as a boon starter.
I have two questions to the forum:
1) is anyone else experiencing this problem?
2) is it true that the problem stems from too much power behind sent to the speaker chip. A guy on another forum reckoned it could be fixed with software but I severely doubt that. I think the speaker is just damaged or loose
Kind Regards
@Igboscouser
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it helps, I had a similar problem with distortion of certain audio over 50% volume. Fixed it by installing Equalizer and reducing the for the faders two lowest frequency bands.
I can now run full volume without issue.

I think one of theverge people had this as well. I think Topolsky, in their latest podcast said "I liked the speaker" while his disgruntled colleague said speaker was bad. Looks like defect number three has reared its head (screen separation, digitiser fault).

Mine is broken too
I just got off the phone with Google. As soon as I mentioned distorted sound above 50% volume they said It was defective. They are sending me a new one within a week with a box and shipping for the bad one. I'm pretty sure they've been dealing with this a lot. They aren't the manufacturer so they aren't going to dispute or question a bad product. They know they initial bad reviews about sound could destroy sales.
I'm pretty sure that ASUS installed speakers that can't handle the output frequencies. Doubt they have a fix but maybe Google could update the code to meet the speaker frequency range while allowing the headphone jack to retain full audio range. A generic across the board equalizer adjustment might fix the internal speaker issues but would ruin the headphone usage. I just a thought.
---------- Post added at 07:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:27 PM ----------
m0gky said:
If it helps, I had a similar problem with distortion of certain audio over 50% volume. Fixed it by installing Equalizer and reducing the for the faders two lowest frequency bands.
I can now run full volume without issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It works but makes external speakers and headphones sound terrible. Great idea though. It will have to do until I get a new one. Since so some people aren't having sound issues I'm going to exercise my warranty rights until I'm satisfied.

I've just run into this exact same problem. Looks like I'll also be lodging a RMA for "speaker crackles above 50% volume" with Google.

I have distortion at volumes above 60 % however it varies with material. Cinema Paradiso theme music seams to have the perfect tones to rattle the speaker on mine.
I am not sure if this is normal as mine sounds better than the MP3 of this I was listening to above. I really don't want to be parted from my Nexus. Still I am disappointed that the speaker is impractical for film watching when on trips.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

No speaker problems at all here. Thank the Lord.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

The replacement device I received yesterday, which has screen lift issues (3rd device with the same problem) now has speaker/ headphone jack issues. I left it turned on and charging yesterday evening for about 2 hours and when I came back to unplug it the device was stuck at the Google boot up screen and the back/bottom of the device was 127 degrees (I have an infrared temperature gun). Now the speakers and headphones can barely be heard with the volume all the way up. Hopefully the third replacement will not have any problems.

Bleh was starting to think I had a good one but was in denial about the speaker problem. Glad I found this thread so I try to get a better one. All these mfg defects it's like you won the lottery when u get a good one. Lol

Got a nexus with the same issue, it honestly does not bother me as I use my headphones a majority of the time. I rather dig in there then to send it in and have a risk of getting a unit with other issues

m0gky said:
If it helps, I had a similar problem with distortion of certain audio over 50% volume. Fixed it by installing Equalizer and reducing the for the faders two lowest frequency bands.
I can now run full volume without issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any chance you could give me a quick guide on how you did this?
I thought my device was flawless until I noticed this speaker issue.

Just got my replacement today and it's definitely better. Make sure u get a replacement if yours us bad! Don't gimp your device with sound hacks it should work all the time.

Worked for me...
m0gky said:
If it helps, I had a similar problem with distortion of certain audio over 50% volume. Fixed it by installing Equalizer and reducing the for the faders two lowest frequency bands.
I can now run full volume without issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This worked for me after all. I'll be honest one day my nexus got really hot when charging. Played some music after and it had blown out. It seems that the bass is the reason for the popping sound.

I have the same problem ... my right speaker sounds like a trash can -.-
edit:
called google... system problems ... could not reach anyone ... niice
edit2:
called google... getting a new device -.-

Same problem here, got RMA a few hours after I sent in the request. New one should be here in a couple of days.

Mine work fine for 2 months and 1 morning I got this cracking and distorted sound at 40%
I did nothing wrong with my tablet and rarely use the speakers....

Well, I was showing a friend how to do voice input. Using SwiftKey. He held the microphone /comma key down continuously - and the nexus screamed. Not his fault. Wouldn't boot up for 5 minutes. Thought it was a gonner. It did boot up eventually, but the speaker is well and truly zapped. Distorted even at the lowest volumes. Unintelligible above 20%.
I was thinking of spending 20 quid to buy a replacement speaker and replace it myself - but it looks like it's a design fault to me (after much Googling). It'll only blow again, will it not?
So maybe a bluetooth speaker...? Anyone tried one? And if you like it, which one?
Steve
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

It's good to know that I'm not the only one to have this problem. Well... I don't know if it's a good thing, but whatever...
I've been using my N7 for exactly 1 month, and one day to the next, the sound is crispy. Under 40% everything sounds great, but above, it's very crispy, very ugly as if the speaker was saturated.
I've just contacted Google and they will replace it by a new one. I just hope that the one I will receive will not have any issue.

Cracking noise in earspeaker during calls

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...

Do you guys realize this HUGE ISSUE in your nexus 4?

So there is a huge issue in the most basic function. the call function.
I have tested it with my google nexus 4 from Canada and my friend's which was purchased in Hong Kong. They both have the same issue.
The issue is:
When you are talking to someone on phone, not just the "speaker" by you ear have sound, the back speaker actually have sound too! So probably people beside you may have heard your whole conversation with your friends! Also, if you used earphones and stuff it does "fix it".
Try to test it out by yourself and see does all the nexus 4 have the same issue and hopefully google will release a fix. hopefully a software fix.
Sorry for my bad english.
Cheers.
Matthew

Lol the sound is still coming from the top speaker, you can hear it because it's inside the device and the bottom happens to have that large opening.

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
Click to expand...
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