Extensive echo when using bluetooth speaker - Nexus 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I wanted to do a very simle task which for some reason turned out not be simple at all. My goal is to send my voice, in real time, to a bluetooth speaker.
So I downloaded a microphone app, connected my phone via bluetooth to the speaker but then although the sound quality was good, I was getting lots of echo when talking. Every word I say gets repeated about 4 times. I do know that if I go further from the speaker or puts volume down the # get less pronounced but still, can't avoid the echo even feets away from the speaker.
Is there an app that would let me speak to the speaker without echo?
Or maybe there is some other solution to it?
Thanks for help

I am using this app to send my voice: ...play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.bitplane.android.microphone&hl=en
but any other mic app I tried for this purpose was having the same issue.
Anyone has idea how to solve this?

Related

phone call audio problem with ameo

I don't know if this is a fault or something I didn't expect but would be glad to here how others have found it.
I have had the ameo for a few weeks and have noticed that if I use a bluetooth or wired headphone everything seems to be fine on a phone call. However when I try to use it as a speakerphone, whoever I am speaking to complains that my voice is breaking up (I have a strong signal strength). It appears that if there is any response from the person I call or any noise in their background then the microphone at my end is interrupted making my voice unintelligible. I know the manual says to use a headset but what is the point of having a speakerphone if you can't use it? Does anyone else have the same problem or have I got a faulty unit?
bobg said:
I don't know if this is a fault or something I didn't expect but would be glad to here how others have found it.
I have had the ameo for a few weeks and have noticed that if I use a bluetooth or wired headphone everything seems to be fine on a phone call. However when I try to use it as a speakerphone, whoever I am speaking to complains that my voice is breaking up (I have a strong signal strength). It appears that if there is any response from the person I call or any noise in their background then the microphone at my end is interrupted making my voice unintelligible. I know the manual says to use a headset but what is the point of having a speakerphone if you can't use it? Does anyone else have the same problem or have I got a faulty unit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get this on full volume in a small room. Turning the volume down a bit usually seems to solve it. I think the mic is pretty sensitive and can get flooded a bit too easily.
bobg said:
I don't know if this is a fault or something I didn't expect but would be glad to here how others have found it.
I have had the ameo for a few weeks and have noticed that if I use a bluetooth or wired headphone everything seems to be fine on a phone call. However when I try to use it as a speakerphone, whoever I am speaking to complains that my voice is breaking up (I have a strong signal strength). It appears that if there is any response from the person I call or any noise in their background then the microphone at my end is interrupted making my voice unintelligible. I know the manual says to use a headset but what is the point of having a speakerphone if you can't use it? Does anyone else have the same problem or have I got a faulty unit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have used both the Ameo and the Dopod rom on the same device and can conirm that this problem is worse on the Ameo rom
Could other dopod users tell their experiences regarding hands-free calling
bobg said:
I don't know if this is a fault or something I didn't expect but would be glad to here how others have found it.
I have had the ameo for a few weeks and have noticed that if I use a bluetooth or wired headphone everything seems to be fine on a phone call. However when I try to use it as a speakerphone, whoever I am speaking to complains that my voice is breaking up (I have a strong signal strength). It appears that if there is any response from the person I call or any noise in their background then the microphone at my end is interrupted making my voice unintelligible. I know the manual says to use a headset but what is the point of having a speakerphone if you can't use it? Does anyone else have the same problem or have I got a faulty unit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I experienced something similar but only when the caller has a lot of background noise on their end. It's not a consistent problem here so I assume it's not the same issue you're having.
Thanks for the replies - it looks as if the unit is working to spec but that there is a 'built-in' problem when using the phone as a speakerphone. I didn't get this on the spv2000 I replaced with the ameo so wasn't expecting it. Background noise does seem to trigger it - I just tried phoning using the speaker phone to call an answerphone and it worked fine with clear audio at the other end. I think a day or 2 of playing with the volume to minimise the problem is the next step. I'll post back when I can be more definite but would be grateful for any other opinions.
Cheers
BobG
On my U1000 the mic works fine in speakerphone mode. There are no brakeups of voice even while walking mid-traffic. Yes, I have to speak loud but that is expected with background noise over 85db.
However, the speakers do not return sound very loud at all (for a speakerphone). I have to lean way forward and almost put my face on the screen to be able to clearly hear the other side (even in a totally quiet environment).
Would have been great to have had a decent speaker phone, but as it is I'm sticking to my bluetooth headset.
The 2 drawbacks with bluetooth is the answer delay, it takes a good 1 second before the connection is established between the headset and phone. The second thing is the sensitivity of the mic, it picks up everything that goes on around you, and drowns out your voice. I have to move the mic close to my mouth if there is other noises going on around me (but this is most likely a bluetooth headset problem, and not related to the U1000).
OK several calls later and after fiddling about with the volume I've found that the best way for this problem to be overcome is to set the 'in call' volume to its lowest! I've also set the main unit volume to about 40% but that shouldn't really have any effect. It's odd that the best way for the speakerphone to work is on minimum volume - fine for single calls but not much use if I want a few other people to listen in. However this is a very small problem now and the benefits of this device hugely outweigh this small drawback.

Raising Mic Volume

I was wondering if anyone knows how to raise the mic volume on a call. I use a car arm to use my phone to listen to music and answer calls while I'm driving. I've noticed that the mic volume is very low while the headphone jack is use (can't hardy hear me). Of I turn on the speaker feature on the call, the mic volume fixes itself. I was wondering is there was a way to raise the mic volume with the headphone jack in use .
Thanks in advance.
Bump!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
If you search for mic call on N4 threads you will see lots of complains and no answer. Seems like noise cancelation is the problem but still no luck
Stick your finger over the top microphone while you're talking. That will make the N4 send all the signal from the bottom microphone, effectively eliminating noise suppression but letting your voice come through okay.
wmm said:
Stick your finger over the top microphone while you're talking. That will make the N4 send all the signal from the bottom microphone, effectively eliminating noise suppression but letting your voice come through okay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did it with no success, in fact that should be the solution for some reason it doesnt work for me
Dunno, then; I was just reporting the experience of a user in a different thread. I haven't had a phone call in the car since then, so I don't know whether it would work for me or not.
Just a thought -- my car mount has movable feet, and I have to make sure that one of them doesn't cover the microphone hole on the bottom. I don't know if your mount potentially has the same problem or not.

Microphone low sensitivity when not on speaker

I have noticed an issue that did not exist with the Galaxy Nexus.
When not on speakerphone the microphone sensitivity is down-regulated significantly from the way it is when it is on speakerphone.
Frequently people connect the phone via auxiliary cable in the car (as a hands-free approach), but in order for it to route the audio to the speakers for the car, it cannot be on speakerphone. However when not on speakerphone the sensitivity of the microphone is limited, it is not the same as on speakerphone, therefore unless you have the phone right beside your mouth, the other party will be unable to hear you (due to low volume).
I assume this is an software change in 4.2, I have tested the issue on two Nexus 4's. When turning back on speakerphone, the microphone increases sensitivity again, and the other party is able to hear clearly again.
This poses a problem if you want to have the phone in your car connected to auxiliary and not right beside your mouth/face. I assume they added this because they assume that if the phone was not on speakerphone then it would be right beside your mouth/face during a call, however this is not at all always the case, especially if you connect your phone via aux in the car.
Anybody else experienced this? Any work-around?
Yes, thats really a shame.
I think, it is the noise cancellation. Nexus One has Niose Cancellation, too.
There I've found out, that I have to make a change in the build.prop to disable this
but I really don't know, where to find the line in build.prop to disable the noise cancellation.
And: You have to root your phone to do this.
It's really a shame, I can't use my Nexus 4 in my car plugged into the auxiliary input
hmm anyone can disable it via build.prop?
reminds me a of the days in Nexus one..
I've opened an issue on Google.
Hoping for many votes, that they can see it.
UKROB86 said:
I have noticed an issue that did not exist with the Galaxy Nexus.
When not on speakerphone the microphone sensitivity is down-regulated significantly from the way it is when it is on speakerphone.
Frequently people connect the phone via auxiliary cable in the car (as a hands-free approach), but in order for it to route the audio to the speakers for the car, it cannot be on speakerphone. However when not on speakerphone the sensitivity of the microphone is limited, it is not the same as on speakerphone, therefore unless you have the phone right beside your mouth, the other party will be unable to hear you (due to low volume).
I assume this is an software change in 4.2, I have tested the issue on two Nexus 4's. When turning back on speakerphone, the microphone increases sensitivity again, and the other party is able to hear clearly again.
This poses a problem if you want to have the phone in your car connected to auxiliary and not right beside your mouth/face. I assume they added this because they assume that if the phone was not on speakerphone then it would be right beside your mouth/face during a call, however this is not at all always the case, especially if you connect your phone via aux in the car.
Anybody else experienced this? Any work-around?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for bringing this up. This is my main beef with the phone coming from my Gnex. Hopefully a fix can be found soon.:good:
My suspicion is that this has to do with noise cancellation. The way noise cancellation works is that there are two different microphones at opposite ends of the phone; the one farther away from your mouth picks up ambient sounds and, more faintly, your voice. The one nearer your mouth picks up ambient sounds and, more loudly, your voice. What gets sent over the phone connection is, effectively, the difference between the signals from the two microphones, leaving mostly your voice.
If the two microphones are roughly equal distances from your mouth, they both pick up your voice about equally strongly, meaning that your voice is mostly filtered out with the rest of the ambient noise. Speakerphone mode disables the noise cancellation, so your voice comes through strongly.
.... as I've said in the second post. Other phones don't have trouble with it.
Send from my iPhone 6s
FormelLMS said:
.... as I've said in the second post. Other phones don't have trouble with it.
Send from my iPhone 6s
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. This is not simply a noise cancellation problem IMO. Other phones have noise cancellation too but don't have this problem.
FormelLMS said:
.... as I've said in the second post. Other phones don't have trouble with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for inadvertently repeating what you said in that post; it's been nearly two weeks since then, and I had forgotten it had been previously mentioned.
Perhaps the other phones with noise cancellation that don't exhibit this behavior simply turn it off if a headphone is plugged in. That would make sense for a speaker-only headphone, but not necessarily for a headphone with an inline microphone, where the voice microphone would still be nearer to you than the auxiliary microphone. If that's the case, it would be nice if that setting were exposed as a controllable option.
Please look here and add as many stars, as you all can:
http://code.google.com/p/android/is... 4&colspec=ID Type Status Owner Summary Stars
I'm the only one who has told it to google and with one star I think no one will see this problem there.
So we have to gewt as many stars and comments as possible.
Any developers can help with the build.prop line to disable this?
I remember pm founder of cyanogen mod and he pointed me the line to disable in nexus one..
I heard if you get an external mic it is much better but I haven't tried myself. This is annoying because I usually just use the aux with my nexus s with no problems >.< Anyone out there got any other solutions?
Yea seriously bump on this topic. This is a massive problem..
Have you all voted on Google page for this problem?
FormelLMS said:
Have you all voted on Google page for this problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I voted for 1, lets make another
Yes big problem.. I am driving using speaker phone and I can't hear ****..
mgear356 said:
Yes big problem.. I am driving using speaker phone and I can't hear ****..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's the other party not being able to hear when on aux.
Misread.. But Yea if using speakerphone to avoid this problem ull barely be able to hear them, simply not loud enough

Low microphone volume?

Does anyone else have the person they are talking to mention how low you sound to them when speaking on the phone?
It seems like I have a low microphone on my nexus 4, unless the phone is directly in front of my mouth the person can't hear me clearly, I'm thinking it might be hardware but I know with some phones this can be corrected with a custom driver that makes the microphone more receptive
Is there an app or setting that I can use that would disable noise cancellation in case that's what causing my mic to make me sound low?
mastrgamr said:
Does anyone else have the person they are talking to mention how low you sound to them when speaking on the phone?
It seems like I have a low microphone on my nexus 4, unless the phone is directly in front of my mouth the person can't hear me clearly, I'm thinking it might be hardware but I know with some phones this can be corrected with a custom driver that makes the microphone more receptive
Is there an app or setting that I can use that would disable noise cancellation in case that's what causing my mic to make me sound low?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I have the exact same problem - not sure what we can do to fix it.
If I crank up the volume fully it appears to -sometimes- solve the low audio problem.
_stefans_ said:
Actually I have the exact same problem - not sure what we can do to fix it.
If I crank up the volume fully it appears to -sometimes- solve the low audio problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if it -sometimes- solves the problem then it might be a software bug. i hope some dev can be notified of this. have you tried a different ROM? if yes, have you notified the dev of the ROM?
Jamal Ahmed said:
if it -sometimes- solves the problem then it might be a software bug. i hope some dev can be notified of this. have you tried a different ROM? if yes, have you notified the dev of the ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its actually on stock, so I just rooted it, and will try with a different rom shortly.
Same thing here.. Sometimes they hear me, sometimes they don't even during the same call..
I'm starting to think the noise cancellation is playing some tricks.
While driving home this afternoon I was on headset on the freeway, where those I talked to could barely hear me.
Unplugged my headset (klipsch s4 image ii), and sound was good. After a while I plugged headset in again, still bad.
When coming off the freeway I kept the headset on while talking - and all of the sudden it was crystal clear (using the words of the guy I talked to at the time). At the same time I noticed that I had no data (outside even edge coverage), don't know if that is related or not.
Is there some way we could experiment / disable or tweak the noise cancelling?
Ps: I have had the same issues without headset also, so definitely something general software things going on
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
_stefans_ said:
Its actually on stock, so I just rooted it, and will try with a different rom shortly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same setup. I am using the Xylon (stable) 15 ROM for several days now, and SO FAR I think the microphone reception is better. I haven't heard complaint from the person I speak to on the regular. *cross fingers* hope it's 'fixed' in some way.
equi said:
Same thing here.. Sometimes they hear me, sometimes they don't even during the same call..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly how my phone was as well. I would be on one call for a while and all of a sudden out of nowhere the person I'm speaking to says I sound like I'm speaking across a room and I'm like 'wtf happened? I haven't changed positions since I started talking to you!'
I did a little testing with the person I was speaking to as well, to test the microphone receptiveness and the mic seems to pickup my voice better, I wasn't speaking directly into the mic and they said they heard me fine.
_stefans_ said:
I'm starting to think the noise cancellation is playing some tricks.
While driving home this afternoon I was on headset on the freeway, where those I talked to could barely hear me.
Unplugged my headset (klipsch s4 image ii), and sound was good. After a while I plugged headset in again, still bad.
When coming off the freeway I kept the headset on while talking - and all of the sudden it was crystal clear (using the words of the guy I talked to at the time). At the same time I noticed that I had no data (outside even edge coverage), don't know if that is related or not.
Is there some way we could experiment / disable or tweak the noise cancelling?
Ps: I have had the same issues without headset also, so definitely something general software things going on
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a sneaking suspicion It might have to do with the noise cancelation as well, I think on paper whoever designed that feature on the phone thought it would be cool but it doesn't seem to be panning out too well. I've read somewhere on this forum about how to increase microphone volume and cancel the noise cancellation using the Terminal Emulator app and/or the phone's dial codes (#*#*some sumbers*#*#).
I have the same earphones (no mic attached) and I have similar experience but I haven't taken note of it like you have since 95% of the time I have my headphones in the phone.
I also want to mention a little trick that I think seems to work when on calls. Whenever I turn the phone over, screen facing opposite of me, I hear less complaints of me sounding too low to the other person. Maybe it's doning something... i dont know.
Same issue - with headset only though
I have the same issue, people really struggle to hear me on conference calls (which I spend a lot of time on), so I have to hold the mic in front of my mouth to speak which gives awful sound quality. I don't have this issue when not using a headset (phone mic works fine).
Nexus 4 + Klipsch s4a = really quiet mic, people can't hear me at all.
Nexus 4 = No problem, phone mic works.
Note - music playback is fine, no issues there.
My klipsch headphones worked fine on my GNex, no issues, so I don't think it is a problem with them. It has been an issue from the moment I switched to a Nexus 4. Have also tried other headset (samsung one that came with Gnex) - and have the same issue of sounding very quiet on the headset mic.
I did wonder if it was an OMTP vs CTIA issue, but the button on my headset works fine to answer/hangup/skip tracks/open voice search etc. so I don't think it is that.
I also tested with another Nexus 4 handset using Soundmeter and got very similar results on both handsets, suggesting it isn't a handset issue (though not a very scientific test).
Does anyone have any ideas?
Just In Phone Calls?
Hi Folks,
Is this mic issue just related to phone calls?
I'm using the latest CM10.1 nightly build and my mic is useless for phone calls.
However, Google's voice search works just fine and if I record a video my voice is recorded just fine.
I could be wrong but I suspect the Nexus4 can not use the phone jack for incoming audio.
In my opinion when one plugs a headset into the audio jack the Nexus4 camera microphone
becomes activated, not the headset one. And the Nexus4 cam mic is really bad.
Again, I might be completely wrong. (I hope)
---------- Post added at 04:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:59 PM ----------
Ord Mandrell said:
Hi Folks,
Is this mic issue just related to phone calls?
I'm using the latest CM10.1 nightly build and my mic is useless for phone calls.
However, Google's voice search works just fine and if I record a video my voice is recorded just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OMG you have it reversed. What a mess!
I have yet to see Google Search understand anything I say and video sound is horrible. Call audio is great.
Hi guys - I am on stock android - same issue on 4.2.2 as on 4.2.1.
This isn't just related to phone calls, same issue on google search. I tested headset mic pickup volume when speaking normally with Soundmeter - around 35-40dB (what it calls a quiet whisper at 3ft to quiet residential area, Park).
I also tried moving the headset mic closer and further away from my mouth with the phone in the same position - with the headset mic virtually touching my lips it went to about 60 dB (normal conversation at 3ft) - so it does seem to be related to the headset mic. I can only guess it is either a dodgy connection in the handset or some noise cancelling functionality that is cancelling out my voice!
Any ideas or thoughts greatly appreciated
OMG you have it reversed. What a mess!
I have yet to see Google Search understand anything I say and video sound is horrible. Call audio is great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Darn it!
I knew I was an outlier.
No way I'm getting a fix for my issue then
Anyone figure out a fix? I'm having similar issues with my microphone.
Hooked as bluetooth device in my vehicle, other end hears me fine.
On phone call using speaker phone, other end hears me fine.
On phone call WITHOUT speaker phone, other end cannot hear me at all.
Using a sound recording app to record voice, playback of the recording I can hear my voice faintly if I was YELLING during the recording.
Shazam/Soundhound apps do not work.
I am rooted on rasbeanjelly/trinity kernel. I have to say this issue started a few days ago when I have done no changes to the phone. Already running the rom/kernel for weeks.
I've tried flashing back to stock rom/kernel and the same problems persist.
Any ideas?
akira112 said:
Anyone figure out a fix? I'm having similar issues with my microphone.
Hooked as bluetooth device in my vehicle, other end hears me fine.
On phone call using speaker phone, other end hears me fine.
On phone call WITHOUT speaker phone, other end cannot hear me at all.
Using a sound recording app to record voice, playback of the recording I can hear my voice faintly if I was YELLING during the recording.
Shazam/Soundhound apps do not work.
I am rooted on rasbeanjelly/trinity kernel. I have to say this issue started a few days ago when I have done no changes to the phone. Already running the rom/kernel for weeks.
I've tried flashing back to stock rom/kernel and the same problems persist.
Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just an update, I unrooted and reverted back to stock and the problem went away, so it was defnitely a software issue. Will be trying other roms/radios/kernels and see if the problem comes back.
I was on rasbeanjelly 4.2.2/trinity
akira112, did you get any success with your experiments?
Guys, is there any progress / comments regarding this issue?.. Microphone itself works fine when recording the voice with some app, but during the voice calls it is the mess...
My Nexus 4 is two months old and is being returned to Google due to the microphone constantly cutting me out on calls to business clients. I've tried every trick from sound apps to custom roms. No joy. I'm hoping my replacement doesn't have the same problem (although given the sheer number of postings on this issue, I suspect a Nexus 4 design flaw)...
Hello
Is there any solution to low microphone volume problem?
I have been using my N4 for a week and some people complain about my voice's volume. There was no such problem with my previous phone (Defy). There is no difference whether I use phone's mic or bluetooth headset.
My Nexus runs CM10.1 with Franco kernel.
Also keen for a solution
I just returned my first N4 due to the speakerphone cutting out after a minute or two, and getting stuck in non-speakerphone mode.
The replacement seems to not have this issue, which is nice.
But now people are telling me they can hardly hear me. It happens both with normal mode and speakerphone mode.
Ridiculous.
I will be calling Google tomorrow to see what they say, but I am not going to hold my breath for a decent response. Judging by the number of people reporting this issue online, it's not something Google has a solution for.
If anyone figures this out, I'd love to hear about it.
Have sent mine for repair because of this problem. People told they could not here me well.
Skickat från min GT-I9305 via Tapatalk 2
I have the same issue, couldn't fix it but what I noted was that any mic gain adjustments I made only applied to the phone's mic not the headset mic. That means that there is something else that modifies the headset mic, but I do not know.

echo/amplified sound while talking on headset

I've tried a few diff headsets, including the one that came with the phone and any time I make a call I almost hear an echo or an amplified version of the sounds on my side of the call. If I sniffle I hear it louder through the headset.
anyone else having this issue?
pretty sure this is a bug...
when i plug in my headset, bluetooth mysteriously turns itself on, and its not always apparent...my headset is not bluetooth, nor do i use BT at all so it is always off.
if bluetooth shows disabled it is actually still enabled sometimes. in either case the solution is to disable and or enabled then disable.
as soon as bt is disabled the weird echo sound goes away
onicrom said:
I've tried a few diff headsets, including the one that came with the phone and any time I make a call I almost hear an echo or an amplified version of the sounds on my side of the call. If I sniffle I hear it louder through the headset.
anyone else having this issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same issue when using wired headsets, very annoying when the headset mic rubs against my shirt because it's blasted in my ears.

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