Sound crackling/distortion with certain headphones? - Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

For detailed information about the problem see: http://www.jensign.com/S4Distortion/
The issue is CONFIRMED FIXED with I9505XXUBMEA firmware. I expect future updates for other regions should have this fix.
ORIGINAL POST:
Anyone having issues with audio crackling/distortion when using headphones?
It seems with audio volume above 50% using UE600 headphones i get crackling/distortion(usually on bass) that gets worse as i increase volume. I've read other reports of similar audio issues with decent head phones but not sure what the issue is.
I tried stock, cx-270 and koss headphones but they don't display the issue.

trza2k said:
Anyone having issues with audio crackling/distortion when using headphones?
It seems with audio volume above 50% using UE600 headphones i get crackling/distortion thats gets worse as i increase volume. I've read other reports of similar audio issues with decent headhpones but not sure what the issue is.
I tried stock, cx-270 and koss headphones but they don't display the issue.
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try the headphones on another device to make sure the headphones arent blown

fade2green514 said:
try the headphones on another device to make sure the headphones arent blown
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried the UE600 on a SGS2 and notebook so far and no crackling/distortion.

trza2k said:
Anyone having issues with audio crackling/distortion when using headphones?
It seems with audio volume above 50% using UE600 headphones i get crackling/distortion thats gets worse as i increase volume. I've read other reports of similar audio issues with decent headhpones but not sure what the issue is.
I tried stock, cx-270 and koss headphones but they don't display the issue.
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Click to collapse
Which s4 do you have? qualcomm chip or wolfson chip?

tvp480 said:
Which s4 do you have? qualcomm chip or wolfson chip?
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I have a i9505 s4, so assume qualcomm.

trza2k said:
I have a i9505 s4, so assume qualcomm.
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maybe you should check out HTC ONE forum, since they have the same chip. Havent been back there, so im not sure if they have a fix for it.

So far i've read 3 people have confirmed crackling issues that are bad enough that you cannot listen to music.
Details:
JVC FXZ100 and UE 600 headphones have issues with crackling relating to bass.
stock, cx-270, re0, koss pathfinder, sennheiser ie8 and CX-500 appear to have no crackling.

My UE600 crackles at volumes 10 and above.
---------- Post added at 04:46 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:07 AM ----------
I was thinking this is an issue with low impedance headphones?
The UE600 is 13ohms which is pretty low. JVC's is 16ohms.
EDIT: But the CX-270 is 16ohms as well. Very strange.

I did some more testing at a local store, and found one unit that distorts heavily above volume 7 and another that does not distort at all even at 15!
so I went to do a 1 to 1 exchange but unfortunately the new unit I got distorted at volume 7 too! and it was much noisier. So in the end I decided against exchanging.
It's a frustrating problem though.

Ive got exact same problem using cx300 mII's. Stock buds are fine tho. Just out of curiosity what firmware you running, im on mdd.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium

Mine is on MDE.
I wonder if this issue could be addressed in software? If it's a hardware issue I have little hopes of it being solved I guess...

Im thinking it might be seeing as our firmwares are close together. I hope so cos I use it for music more than anything else.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium

I don't know... but seeing that it happens only on certain IEMs, it might be a hardware issue after all...

I posted this issue over here: http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/s...ackling-higher-volumes-galaxy-s4-4199380.html
And it seems that the Shure SE425 and the Sony MDR-EX300 suffers the same issue too.

I just found out this problem! xxxk! seriously, this is not acceptable for a flagship smartphone. xxxt like this should not happen! It's crackling heavily on my UE600 and Sony XBA2VP. Its ok with the stock headphones and also my wife's UE200.

For those with the problem, can you try one of the following:
1. Go to SoundAlive, select Custom EQ and turn 1Hz, 100Hz, 450Hz down all the day.
2. Turn on Flight Mode.
With either one of these options on, do you experience less crackling?
Thanks!
BTW can you guys contact Samsung to get them to investigate the issue? I emailed them but they kinda snubbed it off as a third-party issue.

Seems to be more when I crank the bass. I dont know how yours sounds but mines almost as tho its the jack connection. Dont know if this is relevant but looking at the earphone connector, the samsung ones have 3 bands round the jack the sennheisers have only 2. Can anyone with the crackle just check how many bands the offending earphones have round the connector.
Edit. Think I might be onto something here. Just tested my sons, there only cheapos but theyve got 3 bands, didnt crackle one bit at full volume with full bass.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium

Mine is 2 bands. But unfortunately, I don't think that is the case, 'cos I tried with a 3.5mm extension (3 bands) and the crackle still happens.
I think it has to do with the sensitivity of our 'better' earphones--perhaps they are better at detecting the noise at low frequency levels. Strangely enough, sometimes when I plug in my earphones I don't get any distortion at all. Could be numerous factors in play.

Bugger!!! As long as its not a faulty hardware problem im hoping itll be sortable.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium

In the meantime could you send an email blast to Samsung Support about this issue? There is only so much I can do to bring this matter to their attention, and for now they don't seem to take me seriously or think it's just an isolated problem. Would be great if people could spread the word about this issue so that they'll be more inclined to fix it...

Related

Noise on earphone output

Hi!
I have i9100 phone and it is amazing, but i have a problem with earphone output.
I try it with original earphone and Sennheiser too, when it pluged, no music just surf in menu i can hear quiet noise. The noise is louder when i tap an icon and after that it fade.
In my opinion the music quality is not so good.
Have anybody the same noise?
Yep, I've got the same quiet noise on mine aswell. Also had it on my previous 4 Galaxy SII's. You need good ears to catch it, and it needs to be pretty much silent in the room youre in to be able to hear it.
Just got to live with it unfortunately.
drm111 said:
Yep, I've got the same quiet noise on mine aswell. Also had it on my previous 4 Galaxy SII's. You need good ears to catch it, and it needs to be pretty much silent in the room youre in to be able to hear it.
Just got to live with it unfortunately.
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same here - think this has to do with weak em shielding...
maybee supercurio can do something about that, but if it's really related to poor
shielding i fear this would not be possible!
Oh, that is not a good thing.
I agree, but it's by no means limited to the SGS2. Nearly every computer I've used (including Macs) have some sort of interference when doing CPU intensive work.
There's a long thread discussing this. A couple of us with high-end headsets got different results. I have Shure 530s and hear no side noise from the phone while idling or listening to music. Someone with the exact same headset does. No one knows why.
David Horn said:
I agree, but it's by no means limited to the SGS2. Nearly every computer I've used (including Macs) have some sort of interference when doing CPU intensive work.
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That's why I always use a discrete souns card... I usually have this problem with integrated audio.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

[Q] Low volume (Bluetooth and headphone)

I thought my GNEX had crappy volume output, but this thing is even worse. I love the phone, but I listen to podcasts and audiobooks all day and through my BT and headphones they are really difficult to hear if anything else is going on around me. In my car I used to have the stereo set to 18/40 (with GNEX) to be able to hear the spoken word, now with the 4 I'm cranking it up to 35 which introduces some hiss and distortion. Any ideas how to boost the volume? I've looked into a few apps but none seem to work with JB. Any suggestions would be awesome. And just to note I know it isn't just me. At my brothers house parties music is supplies via a 3.5 plugged into speakers. Everyone's ipods/iphones sound so much louder than my phone, which bums me out.
Agree fully. I use Sony XB500 headphones and coming from my Xperia Arc S + Power amp to e Nexus 4 and power amp, the loudest volume setting is pathetic. It's so frustrating. Is there any way we can get a flashable mod to address this issue? Anybody else experiencing the same issue?
The AUX out is an issue and has been posted and discussed a lot on XDA and Google's pages. It's a problem with the Nexus 4 not just individuals phones. Whether it's hardware or software I don't think I've seen it determined yet.
Bluetooth and headphones shouldn't be that big of a problem. I agree it's a bit quieter than my Gnex but these are still very much usable.
asawoszc said:
The AUX out is an issue and has been posted and discussed a lot on XDA and Google's pages. It's a problem with the Nexus 4 not just individuals phones. Whether it's hardware or software I don't think I've seen it determined yet.
Bluetooth and headphones shouldn't be that big of a problem. I agree it's a bit quieter than my Gnex but these are still very much usable.
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Its usable yes, but for me it's simply not loud enough, even when tweaking around with Poweramp's settings. There are probably a handful of apps on the Play Store which will attempt to ifx it but surely changing the DB (decibel) parameters in the software is something simple to do? That's my train of thought. Just disappointed is all Music is vital for me when working because it blocks the world out for me but I can hear little distractions now.

Low sound volume in nexus 7

I was wondering if other users of nexus 7 are also facing this problem of very low sound while playing movies. I have noticed that sound volume is quite low as compared to my mobile. Can anyone help me to increase the volume ?
ballo508 said:
I was wondering if other users of nexus 7 are also facing this problem of very low sound while playing movies. I have noticed that sound volume is quite low as compared to my mobile. Can anyone help me to increase the volume ?
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as repeated in other threads over and over.. This device has crappy useless speakers... Get a Headset. Bluetooth would be best as the headset port can be flaky
I'm sick of this BS
I don't care who you are you are not the final word on what is and isn't crap. Yes there are problems with the speakers and sound through them. But there are many many people with no problems with the speakers. Also the 4.2 update seems to have fixed the popping issue for a lot of people. And the volume has been raised a bit on 4.2, though some people seem to notice it more than others. I noticed it when using headphones.
It's fine if you think something blows but be mature enough to speak for yourself. For example: the speakers on my tab suck, and many people say the same thing.
I hope people can see the difference.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
ballo508 said:
I was wondering if other users of nexus 7 are also facing this problem of very low sound while playing movies. I have noticed that sound volume is quite low as compared to my mobile. Can anyone help me to increase the volume ?
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Is it only in movies or is it throughout the entire os? My first unit had a faulty speaker causing the volume to be extremely quiet, almost unhearable. I got a replacement and all has been good with the new unit. I still use headphones when I can though to get the best audio experience I can
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
The Dice Player has an option to boost the audio output on movies.
ezas said:
I'm sick of this BS
I don't care who you are you are not the final word on what is and isn't crap. Yes there are problems with the speakers and sound through them. But there are many many people with no problems with the speakers. Also the 4.2 update seems to have fixed the popping issue for a lot of people. And the volume has been raised a bit on 4.2, though some people seem to notice it more than others. I noticed it when using headphones.
It's fine if you think something blows but be mature enough to speak for yourself. For example: the speakers on my tab suck, and many people say the same thing.
I hope people can see the difference.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yup, i have great speakers.... i dont know if its because its the 32gb version or that i only got it fresh 2 weeks ago, but the audio on my nexy is fine, playing youtube and music is nice and loud, no crackling, no pops just smooth nice volumed sound, after reading about other peoples problems i really was expecting to acquire some myself but haven't at all. :fingers-crossed:
---------- Post added at 09:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:27 AM ----------
jinx100 said:
The Dice Player has an option to boost the audio output on movies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that works too

[Q] Distortion through headphones

I have read through other posts regarding crackling, yet the majority of people came to the conclusion that it was headphone related.
After putting the volume past 60-70% the music starts to crackle, whether it be with stock headphones or others. Bass needs to be turned down (using Poweramp) otherwise it really does get annoying.
Is this to do with the hardware, the software or possibly the Poweramp app? It is incredibly annoying seeing as though I use my phone in very large amounts for music usage but could put up with it if it would be fixed in a later firmware update, however if this is a hardware issue then i'm unsure as to what to do.
This is a serious issue, and it's a shame because apart from this and a few other small niggles, it's an absolutely amazing phone
droidrob said:
This is a serious issue, and it's a shame because apart from this and a few other small niggles, it's an absolutely amazing phone
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So is this a hardware issue? Great phone yes, but I cannot warrant having spending so much money on a phone that can't even go beyond fifty percent volume, absolutely ridiculous to think this wasn't found before release.
Wiley87 said:
So is this a hardware issue? Great phone yes, but I cannot warrant having spending so much money on a phone that can't even go beyond fifty percent volume, absolutely ridiculous to think this wasn't found before release.
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At this point I'm not sure. In this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2258831 its not quite conclusive (yet) whether it is a hardware issue or not, but the general consensus seems to be that it is a hardware issue. I'm listening to them right now and I can hear the crackling occasionally. If you use headphones over a certain level of sensitivity (16 ohms) then it seems that there will be crackling, the ones I'm using now are 15 ohms headphones (Sony Mh1c) , and the crackling is there occasionally.
Im not sure what to do because apart from this issue (which is ridiculous and should not be the case with a flagship), I'm happy with everything else except the volume rocker being a bit loose. I suppose i might just have to get headphone that are less sensitive....
AFAIK the issue has not been reported on any GT-I9500 (Wolfson DAC). Issue or not, I love Wolfson and music is for me the most important extra in a phone, so I ordered the Octa version of S4. I hope I got it right.
If it crackles on the stock earphones then I would think you have definitely gotten a lemon, considering 'normal' sets should only distort with low impedance IEMs.
Would suggest you take it back for an exchange.
On an I9505, there's an issue with crackling at certain conditions for me.
When using stock earphones, there's no cracking at any volume. Same for a-Jays Three and Creative Headphones, no crackling.
However, when I plug in a splitter (came with a-Jays Three) and use two earphones simultaneously, crackling kicks in at above 50% volume.
It maybe because the current required of both earphones is too high for S4 to handle or it might be a software issue.
This does not happen on my previous Galaxy S3 with similar setup.

Bad sound on Note 4

It seems like the sound on the Note 4 has some dynamic EQ or compression going on, always trying to balance out the volume of the sound. Whenever I'm listening to a track that lacks bass for the first few measures - the song will be really loud, and then when the bass and drums come in, the song will abruptly go to half, and pretty much poorly adjust itself to the music.
It sounds awful. Is there any way to turn this effect off?
Are you using the default music player? Try to check in music player settings- uncheck smart volume
Sent from my SM-N910C using Tapatalk
iznee said:
Are you using the default music player? Try to check in music player settings- uncheck smart volume
Sent from my SM-N910C using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using Subsonic, which doesn't really have any settings that effect the sound. I tried Google Play Music and seeing if Adapt sound was on, and it wasn't, so I'm not sure what's going on. I'm going to see if maybe my cables are going faulty or something. I might post a sample that demonstrates clearly what I'm hearing so others could pitch in. I'm an audiophile so I'm *really* picky about sound - the normal listener likely wouldn't notice what I'm talking about, but someone who's keen on audio knows exactly this effect and knows it's often turned on where it shouldn't be (like in many AVR setups).
I'm still experiencing this issue and can't find a solution. If I use the provided handset, the connection and sound seems perfect. But if I connect my phone to certain speakers using any old AUX cable, the sound volumes fluctuate and one of the channels seems to drop out depending on how the cord fits in.
My Exynos sounds good with Shures and DFX Player
t1337dude said:
I'm still experiencing this issue and can't find a solution. If I use the provided handset, the connection and sound seems perfect. But if I connect my phone to certain speakers using any old AUX cable, the sound volumes fluctuate and one of the channels seems to drop out depending on how the cord fits in.
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Maybe try a new aux cable to see if that's the problem?
sefrcoko said:
Maybe try a new aux cable to see if that's the problem?
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I've tried 3 different aux cables, which work perfect for everything else, and I don't honestly see how another aux cord will fix anything. I'm pretty sure it's not the cord - aux cables aren't typically unreliable anyways. I think it's a poor analog "handshake" between my Note 4 and my A5's. If I plug any other phone into my A5's, or my computer, they sound great. And if I plug my phone into my receiver or the provided handset, it sounds just fine too. It's specifically when I connect my A5's to my Note 4 when it doesn't work fully.
The only new type of aux cord I would consider is one that's similar to the cord on my handset (3-ringed instead of 2). Do they make 3-ringed aux cords? That's the only thing I can imagine helping.
This dude is describing the problem I'm experiencing, but with his Note 3.
After trying the note 4 about 3 weeks...I had Xperia s before but even the time gone Sony the best of sound tech ..I installed today Walkman player ported from the new Z3 the sound get more better...try that app
As much as I hate to say it, the sound quality on note 4 is inferior to iPhone, Experia and HTC.
I have tried several scenarios and have always come to the same conclusion.
Sent from my SM-N910G using XDA Free mobile app
Im using Noozxoide EIZO and I like quality
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
I dont own a note 4..but i try to buy one.. I have a note 2..with stock kernel and power amp from the store.. And my lovely dr beats monter headset.. Bass is amazing crisp.
I heard also that it may be the snapdragon that has worse audio chip.. Exynos has the wolfon dac.. Its quite damn good.
Sent from my HUAWEI G700-U10 using XDA Free mobile app
I think I have to take my phone back. My problem with doing this is that the problem seems intermittent and I might have trouble convincing the people at Sprint that I need a new phone. I think this because last time I had problems with my G3, despite me being able to reproduce the problem in front of the assistant, he basically brushed me aside as if it was unimportant and as if I should just buy their crappy overpriced headphones because they just so happen to work perfectly with the phone.
I don't get why my smartphone experience has been so poor when it comes to my speaker listening. My old crappy HTC 3D Evo worked perfectly for speaking listening (and that's a out it), but my G3 and Note 4 had been pretty weak.
Even if I did manage to convince the techies at Sprint that there's something wrong with my phone, aren't they just going to give me a refurbished phone that may not necessarily be brand new? The idea of that irks me. I'm also worried they'd charge me a deductible or something - even though I'm having a legit issue with my phone.

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