Database Users

Sound distortion playing music with some headphones

I have found some strange behaviour that i'm hoping someone else can test out on their Galaxy S.
I have found that some headphones seem to work fine with the phone for music playing but others result in the sound being distorted with the vocals being very faint as if the left and right channel are cancelling each other out (with vocals generally being on left and right channel).
The packaged Samsung headphones appear to work properly although the quality seems average. I tried my iPhone headphones but these resulted in the strange sound distortion described above. I also tried a pair of cheap Sennheiser which were a free give away with a purchase from Richer Sounds and they worked well. Another pair of no-name cheap headphones exhibited the same distortion problems as the iPhone headphones.
Oddly, the FM radio sounded ok with all the headphones, it's just the music player that has the problem. I have also tried a couple of other music apps including the doubletwist player to rule out the software.
I'm considering taking it back to the shop to swap for a replacement. I'd be grateful if anyone could try out some headphones (particularly iPhone ones) on their Galaxy S and report their results to see if this is just a quirk with my phone or the Galaxy S in general.
Many Thanks

I just need some clarification because I know that a headset, and not headphones, is delivered with the Iphone. If it was a headset then I might suspect that different Iphones use different polarity as opposed to Samsung. Try out the Samsung headset on the Iphone.
EDIT:
Obviously not the problem. I must have skipped over the radio experience.
I can't post a link to it, but I remembered that GSMArena did a thorough review of the SGS. If you find your way to it, go to page 6 and see the sound chart at the bottom. SGS is superior in sound to iPhone. Perhaps the iPhone headset/headphones and the cheap ones are not sufficient for the SGS? I'm guessing

I had a similar experience when I tried to use the Samsung Spica headset on my HTC Hero. It seems that it might be a difference in polarity as suggested above.
Does all the headsets that give distorted sounds have a microphone on them? (E.g. not headphones)

the iPhone's headphones have extremely high distortion regardless of the media using to play them. The SGS is probably just overpowering them because they are very loud headphones as well/easily powered.

No it's nothing to do with them being overpowered.
I have an expensive pair of etymotic in ear headphones that are exhibiting the very same problem. Strangely I found a fix. They have a microphone on them and pressing in the answer button on them seems to fix the problem. I have taped the button down now and everything works perfectly. The second that button is released though, everything goes back to being faint, muffled and distorted.
Odd!
PS. This isn't just with the music player. I noticed it first watching a video.

It sounds like Samsung has their own way of producing the 3.5mm port with regards to the microphone support.
The Samsung headset distorts music on my HTC Hero.
The HTC headset distorts music on my gfs Galaxy Spica

To be clear, are you saying the problem only affects headsets with microphones? I have etymotic er4p headphones and it would be a deal breaker if they didn't work right with this phone.

If its only showing up in the media player, check that you havent enabled the 5.1 button in the the top right of the player. This can really screw with the sound and entire frequency ranges can be lost. I'm guessing this is whats happening.
The default headphones work fine for me if a little tinny, but with my Senheissers, the results are very pleasing. Apart from a slight gap between tracks that should seemlessly play through, I prefer using it to my iPod Touch. Being able to change tracks and volume without unlocking is a nice feature.
I threw my iPod headphones out years ago, they're the most ridiculous design ever, with the cable tapping the inside sleeve all the time when you walk or run.

k2snowboards88 said:
To be clear, are you saying the problem only affects headsets with microphones? I have etymotic er4p headphones and it would be a deal breaker if they didn't work right with this phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It sounds like that the problem is with headsets with microphones, yes. Not sure if it happens with all 3rd party headsets w/ mic though.
Considering you have etymotic, and ClownShoes a few posts up have problems with this brand, I guess you're out of luck unless you wanna tape the answering button like he did.

The er4p is just headphones, so it sounds like i'm in luck.

Got my GS a few days ago and im having exactly the same problem with the Etymotic hf2 Headset with mic. So yeah it looks like it the mic that causes the problems.

sim87 said:
Got my GS a few days ago and im having exactly the same problem with the Etymotic hf2 Headset with mic. So yeah it looks like it the mic that causes the problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a little bit crude, but taping the button down does work.

I have the same issue with with Monster Studios even with the cable without the integrated mic. Would be great to have some sort of fix.

Headphone issues
Just thought I would post what I knew about the issue, both me and my dad purchased the same pair of headphones to use on mp3 players (the headphones are ultimate ears metro fi 220 vi's if I remember correctly, these have an in-line microphone as well as a single button for answering calls and to control music playback). Whilst I experienced no distortion when using them on my iPod Classic, my Dad's Creative player would produce the issues described above - he found that either taping the button down or slightly pulling the headphones out would solve the issue however it ended up annoying him so much that he went back to using another set of headphones.
I don't know what causes the issue but I just thought I would let people know

i have some sennsihaur sport headphones which work fine no problems. i also a monster fm transmitter in the car.. again no problesm.. just make sure the volume is not on max but 1 setting below max.

Hmmmm, a few problems here. Obviously the standard Samsung headphones are fine, no humming, no background noise. However if I connect the following:
1. Standard Apple iPhone (with mic) loads of background noise, humming etc
2. Shure (no mic) loads of background noise, humming etc
3. B&O (no mic) loads of background noise, humming etc
4. Shure (with mic adaptor) loads of background noise, humming etc greatly reduced by pressing the mute key.
Using the Shure adaptor with the others resulting in the same as 4.
Needless to say I'm not happy!

That's too bad. Not being able to use my Shure with the phone renders it useless for music and that IS important.

In the SERVICE MODE *#*#197328640#*#* there is an audio menu
there you can change the headset settings too like NR noise reducion.
i did not test and changed the settings but when i had the samsung omnia2 last year
i had some problems with my headset and fix it in in the sevice menu.
when you gonne do some tests write down the orginal settings before you try.
hope this will help some of you..... and post the results

im sure its the jack, cos the galaxy s has a 4pole trrs at left/right/mic/ground
iphone compatible headset have a 4pole trrs at left/right/ground/mic
thats why pressing the mic button clears up the sound as it closes the circuit
so it a matter of finding an adaptor that switches the mic and ground terminals
I have a tf10vi and im trying to diy one
will post the results

Just saw the post and thought I would check mine again, not that I noticed anything....anyway tried few songs and different types and all are sounding amazing, I use Sure 530 so music needs to be no lower than 256 to get the best out of the phones, most of my music tracks are 320bit.

Headphones - Hissing Noise

Guys,
Another day, another observation. When you plug in the headphones, do you guys hear a hissing/static/white noise for a couple of seconds initially. I am able to reproduce this every time I plug in my headphones (tried three different sets). I am not too bothered by it because the noise dies after 2-3 seconds. I also witness the same behavior when I pause a song.
I guess I am raising the topic here because am not sure if this is common across all WP7 devices (thereby making this a WP7 issue), if it is only my phone, or if it is common across all Venue Pros.
Thanks for any input.

ZappiestOyster said:
Guys,
Another day, another observation. When you plug in the headphones, do you guys hear a hissing/static/white noise for a couple of seconds initially. I am able to reproduce this every time I plug in my headphones (tried three different sets). I am not too bothered by it because the noise dies after 2-3 seconds. I also witness the same behavior when I pause a song.
I guess I am raising the topic here because am not sure if this is common across all WP7 devices (thereby making this a WP7 issue), if it is only my phone, or if it is common across all Venue Pros.
Thanks for any input.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get the same noise, but mine is constant. Whenever a sound plays, the white noise/hissing in the background comes up and continues for 5-10 seconds after the sound is played and then goes out. Then when another sound happens, it does it again.
It almost makes using headphones unbearable.
I've tried multiple sets of headphones too, it does it on them all.
I think it may have something to do with the curved top of the phone and the fact that the plug doesn't go all the way into the device.
Anybody else have a similar experience?

jfellows said:
I think it may have something to do with the curved top of the phone and the fact that the plug doesn't go all the way into the device.
Anybody else have a similar experience?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think it's that - if the curved surface was the culprit, the sound wouldn't vanish after a few seconds. It almost seems like a software issue.
Thanks for confirming the behavior!

I only hear the hissing sound for a few seconds after plugging it in to the jack...

Hearing a hissing on most smartphones is pretty common, in my experience. The better quality earphones you use the more you will notice it. The Nexus One did, the Venue Pro does, my N95 did a bit.

People I've called with the built in headphones/mic say the noise levels are so extreme they are unusable. Hopefully the free Bluetooth headset we're all getting will fix that issue...

Hello!
This is normal when companies use cheap DACs and amps for sound replication. The DAC turns on when you play sounds, and turns off when there's a period of no sound. If it's a cheap system, there's a noticeable base sound/noise that is added to your signal.
When you have music playing, that, of course, is drowned out by the music. Thus, you won't hear it unless you have really soft music, say, a few bars rest in your classical album or something.
The problem also is more noticeable with low impedance earphones (IEMs, for example).
A possible, easy way to fix this is to use an inline resistor/impedance cable on your headphones, since typically this noise does not vary with volume (in my experience). Then, you bump up the volume on your device... if it's powerful enough to do it. Otherwise, you'll have to inline resistor, a clean-sounding portable amplifier (powered by additional), and then your headphones. It gets pretty bulky...
Alternatively! Separate your music player and your phone. Unfortunately, the DVP has such a nice Zune interface. And still, with cheap music players you can hear the hiss if you're careful. I can hear this on iPods with my earphones still...
Sorry to hear about this! I was hoping that the sound quality would be decent. I might try to get an HD7 instead now...
Cheers!

linj said:
Sorry to hear about this! I was hoping that the sound quality would be decent. I might try to get an HD7 instead now...
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to let you know, the HD7 does not have the hissing/static that the DVP does. I've tried the HD7, Samsung Focus and DVP and HD7 had the best sound quality in my opinion. The Focus sounds muffled compared to both HD7 and DVP.

I've got the same hissing noise on mine, but I think it's an issue with a crappy DAC as it's only there when there is sound. I was hoping to replace my Zune HD but there's no way that's gonna happen with this noise - it's AWFUL!
I'm really thinking about moving to a Samsung Focus. I loved this phone when I first got it, but over time I just uncover more and more I don't like.

Arcarsenal said:
Hearing a hissing on most smartphones is pretty common, in my experience. The better quality earphones you use the more you will notice it. The Nexus One did, the Venue Pro does, my N95 did a bit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very true. Almost every phone I've used has this. It's more noticeable on some phones than others but it's nothing unique to the DVP.

Bringing this back to the top, I've observed something on my new model, though I could have sworn the one I sent back for a refund did not have this problem...and it only occurs with earbuds, and not ear phones (I have a big pair of medium to high quality full-size Creative earphones, the buzzing is not audible at all with them.
Since this phone seems reasonably crash-free, I'm reluctant to press Dell for a replacement, especially if, viola, all the DVPs have this problem. Mine seems particularly loud, but that may be a combination of the Zune Premium earbuds I'm using and other factors. As others said, it vanishes briefly if you pause a song (like the sound output is switching off to save electricity or whatever) but resumes immediately. I might be better off just going through various earphones and finding a brand that's of at least the quality of my current earbuds but minimizes the effect.
EDIT: Additionally, lowering the volume simply makes it much more noticeable.

Issue with Bose MIE Headset and Galaxy S I9000

Hey,
I bought the Bose MIE Headset (I think not the MIE2) and there's a problem with the galaxy s.
You get only a good sound when you push the Microphone button. -.-
After a lot of Threads i found out that the Pin allocation isn't similar to the one of the Galaxy S ...
The Bose Headphone has on the 3rd Pin "Ground" and on the 4th "Mic"
The Samsung Headset / Galaxy S Mobile Phone has on the 3rd "mic" and on the 4th "ground"
Has anyone an idea how to solve this problem? Or is it already solved?
Thanks for your help

Adjust the pin such that you get clear sound.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2

spike1989 said:
Has anyone an idea how to solve this problem? Or is it already solved?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can buy or make a short adapter lead which swaps the pins. (socket>lead>plug)
Or you can do some soldering on the headphone plug/lead (which is more permanent change to the headphones)
Or some people simply tape closed the button.
Which of these is best for you depends on personal preference...

Just realized that I've got the same problem. But I've got the MIE2 with an adapter, and it does the same as pressing the button. Now it's louder, but not really clearer .

Due to the Galaxy S using the 3.5mm jack for TV out it's really finicky with headphones. It's seemingly random also, my Sennheiser 280 Pros works great, but most headphones won't, my girlfriends earbuds will work but my sisters' wont.
A fix would be cool.

Uhlaf said:
Due to the Galaxy S using the 3.5mm jack for TV out it's really finicky with headphones. It's seemingly random also, my Sennheiser 280 Pros works great, but most headphones won't, my girlfriends earbuds will work but my sisters' wont.
A fix would be cool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could try turning tv output to off.
Look in: settings > display.
I've heard others say it improves things. Therefore I always leave mine set to tv output off (except when connecting to a tv!).
I've never tested the sound quality as a direct comparison with tv output set on and off though, but could be worth a try.
Mike

Some headphones not working.

Hi,
I have a pair of xiami piston headphones and they work fine with my older phone (galaxy s3) but with my 6P they are not detected by the phone. I can't use them to listen to music or make calls.
I tried a pair of generic headphones and they do work. Is there some headphones that are simply incompatible with the device?

Yes I had the same experience. My samsung headphones from my galaxy s5 can't be used to make phone calls and if you try to use the volume adjustment buttons it pauses playback. Another pair of off-brand headphones I bought at duane reade work just fine for making calls. It is strange because w/ my galaxy I could use apple headphones or really any brand and they all worked fine. They should all work exactly the same.

I just hope this is a software compatibility issue with the in-line mic/controls and not a hardware issue. I have three pairs of pistons 2's that I used on a regular basis with my oneplus.

chowhoundb said:
I just hope this is a software compatibility issue with the in-line mic/controls and not a hardware issue. I have three pairs of pistons 2's that I used on a regular basis with my oneplus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have found the same issue...hopefully software.

+1
My V-Moda Crossfade LP2s are unable to control anything on the 6P, where they worked just fine on the LG G4

I was able to get my Piston 2 working by holding the VOLUME DOWN button while pluging them. but the controls on the cable do not work. but I have sound at least.

clongetty said:
I was able to get my Piston 2 working by holding the VOLUME DOWN button while pluging them. but the controls on the cable do not work. but I have sound at least.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's odd that audio would completely fail.
I just tried another headphone pair I have. They are Klipsch Image S4i and the middle button works, even though these are iPhone specific headphones (hence the i in the name). The volume buttons on it don't do anything.

havanahjoe said:
That's odd that audio would completely fail.
I just tried another headphone pair I have. They are Klipsch Image S4i and the middle button works, even though these are iPhone specific headphones (hence the i in the name). The volume buttons on it don't do anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't there an app that can remap the "input" it sees from the headphones?

I'm encountering issues across ALL headphones with inline buttons, including Sony, Beats, and the Project Fi headphones. I'm on my second device now (RMA'd the first to see if it was device-specific), and all exhibit the same issue: double-click to skip track fails when the device is locked after a certain number of presses, and recogntion of the inline button is generally sporadic when the device is locked.
HOWEVER! Everything is perfect when the device is unlocked! So this has to be a software issue, right?

i'm having issues where the headphones seem to be working, but the mute button is not muting the headphones (but they do mute the call). so i hear EVERYTHING in my ears. its like a weird loopback.

The_Middleman said:
I'm encountering issues across ALL headphones with inline buttons, including Sony, Beats, and the Project Fi headphones. I'm on my second device now (RMA'd the first to see if it was device-specific), and all exhibit the same issue: double-click to skip track fails when the device is locked after a certain number of presses, and recogntion of the inline button is generally sporadic when the device is locked.
HOWEVER! Everything is perfect when the device is unlocked! So this has to be a software issue, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There was a thread about this, maybe it was you who posted it.
My S4i headphones can control music (pause/unpause) with the screen off. I have Smart Lock enabled with my Moto 360 though, so not sure if that makes a difference. I also finally updated to MDB08L this morning. I was stuck on MDA89D until I manually sideloaded the MDB08K OTA (then the MDB08L OTA was downloaded by the phone).
I just tried my V-Moda Crossfades and those still are not able to control anything with the screen lock or unlocked (last time I had used them was before the software update)
---------- Post added at 11:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:37 AM ----------
640k said:
i'm having issues where the headphones seem to be working, but the mute button is not muting the headphones (but they do mute the call). so i hear EVERYTHING in my ears. its like a weird loopback.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds like a feature I might like to enable sometimes at work, but it would be annoying when trying to isolate everything around me!

havanahjoe said:
That sounds like a feature I might like to enable sometimes at work, but it would be annoying when trying to isolate everything around me!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it wasn't such a nice feature as i was walking from my car and the mic was rubbing on the zipper of my jacket and i could hear it and the wind in my ears. if i covered the mic with my hand, the sound went away, so it seems like there is definitely a software issue.

640k said:
it wasn't such a nice feature as i was walking from my car and the mic was rubbing on the zipper of my jacket and i could hear it and the wind in my ears. if i covered the mic with my hand, the sound went away, so it seems like there is definitely a software issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get that when using the Klipschs, but it's the vibration traveling through the wire and into my ears (since they are in-ear headphones), and it is annoying.

i use Apple EarPods. $29. love them.

My Xiaomi Pistons were the only set of headphones that didn't work at all (music played through front-facing speakers and not the headphones). All other headphones I own seem to have the same compatibility issues as all other Android headsets vs iPhone made headsets in regards to the in-line buttons working or not.
I hate in-ear/noise-cancelling/over-ear options since I use headphones while walking around the city and still prefer to still hear what's going on around me. Apple EarPods work but the in-line volume buttons don't work. Play/Pause/Answer/End button works fine though. My only other option that I've discovered is the Amazon Fire Headset. They are similar pods that don't isolate sound and all buttons on the headset work fine.

RG129 said:
My Xiaomi Pistons were the only set of headphones that didn't work at all (music played through front-facing speakers and not the headphones). All other headphones I own seem to have the same compatibility issues as all other Android headsets vs iPhone made headsets in regards to the in-line buttons working or not.
I hate in-ear/noise-cancelling/over-ear options since I use headphones while walking around the city and still prefer to still hear what's going on around me. Apple EarPods work but the in-line volume buttons don't work. Play/Pause/Answer/End button works fine though. My only other option that I've discovered is the Amazon Fire Headset. They are similar pods that don't isolate sound and all buttons on the headset work fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mine didn't work as well. however, my amazon ones worked and i could also use vol up and pause, but vol down wasn't working.

So now my headphones are working apparently, the inline mic controls, pause/play volume up and down now work.
Using the Sennheiser Mm30g.

The Bose QC25s work like a charm along with the inline controls.
But...you need to buy the "made for Android" version.

I also have the pistons and they no longer work

My jaybird bluebirds x work perfectly. Need to test in my Lexus, however, pairing went fine so expect it will be ok.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Dongle Noise

Hello!
Just got my Essential Phone and I'm loving most of it so far. Unfortunately though, I'm having a problem with the DAC Dongle that came in the box. In combination with my Shure SE215 earbuds I get some terrible static noise whenever I start playing media from any app (doesn't matter if it's Video or only Audio). As soon as playback stops everything is totally quiet again with absolutely zero noise. Though it pops back in for a few seconds from time to time when I'm not listening to anything.
This is extremely annoying, especially when listening to really dynamic acoustic stuff on youtube or with movies, that tend to have quiet moments, as there are parts when the noise is louder than the stuff you're listening to.
Is there anyone with the same problem out here? Or could it be that I've gotten a bad adapter and getting the Pixel one might be a fix?
Thanks in advance!
Lauritz

LL1997 said:
Hello!
Just got my Essential Phone and I'm loving most of it so far. Unfortunately though, I'm having a problem with the DAC Dongle that came in the box. In combination with my Shure SE215 earbuds I get some terrible static noise whenever I start playing media from any app (doesn't matter if it's Video or only Audio). As soon as playback stops everything is totally quiet again with absolutely zero noise. Though it pops back in for a few seconds from time to time when I'm not listening to anything.
This is extremely annoying, especially when listening to really dynamic acoustic stuff on youtube or with movies, that tend to have quiet moments, as there are parts when the noise is louder than the stuff you're listening to.
Is there anyone with the same problem out here? Or could it be that I've gotten a bad adapter and getting the Pixel one might be a fix?
Thanks in advance!
Lauritz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had 2 Essential phones and have not noticed static noise while playing anything. This you update the adapter? When you plug it in, there is a notification in the status bar telling you about the update. If you haven't updated, then try it, possible that the update fixes static noise. When I tried 2 of the phones, I update the adapter before listening to anything, so can't really confirm if update really fixes anything or you have a bad unit.
I do know that Google adapter works with Essential phone, although Essential adapter seems to be a bit louder.
Just found, read the post # 7: https://forum.xda-developers.com/essential-phone/accessories/type-c-usb-dac-t3703043

LL1997 said:
Hello!
Just got my Essential Phone and I'm loving most of it so far. Unfortunately though, I'm having a problem with the DAC Dongle that came in the box. In combination with my Shure SE215 earbuds I get some terrible static noise whenever I start playing media from any app (doesn't matter if it's Video or only Audio). As soon as playback stops everything is totally quiet again with absolutely zero noise. Though it pops back in for a few seconds from time to time when I'm not listening to anything.
This is extremely annoying, especially when listening to really dynamic acoustic stuff on youtube or with movies, that tend to have quiet moments, as there are parts when the noise is louder than the stuff you're listening to.
Is there anyone with the same problem out here? Or could it be that I've gotten a bad adapter and getting the Pixel one might be a fix?
Thanks in advance!
Lauritz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same problem. Asked for a new dongle, seems to be gone i'm hoping.
pointmaine

I can hear the noise for certain songs when the song is ending or at a "quiet" part of the song. Not for all songs. A bit weird.

Charkatak said:
I had 2 Essential phones and have not noticed static noise while playing anything. This you update the adapter? When you plug it in, there is a notification in the status bar telling you about the update. If you haven't updated, then try it, possible that the update fixes static noise. When I tried 2 of the phones, I update the adapter before listening to anything, so can't really confirm if update really fixes anything or you have a bad unit.
I do know that Google adapter works with Essential phone, although Essential adapter seems to be a bit louder.
Just found, read the post # 7: https://forum.xda-developers.com/essential-phone/accessories/type-c-usb-dac-t3703043
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, did the update the first time I plugged it in. I'll try it with a different pair of earbuds maybe, to see if that makes a different.
As for the replacement dongle mentioned in another post. Thats interesting. As I live in Germany though, that would probably be a bit complicated getting a hold of one directly, if you can somehow get them separately from essential.
Maybe I'll just order a Pixel dongle to see if that changes anything. Should at least work as I've read in a few other posts.

LL1997 said:
Hello!
Just got my Essential Phone and I'm loving most of it so far. Unfortunately though, I'm having a problem with the DAC Dongle that came in the box. In combination with my Shure SE215 earbuds I get some terrible static noise whenever I start playing media from any app (doesn't matter if it's Video or only Audio). As soon as playback stops everything is totally quiet again with absolutely zero noise. Though it pops back in for a few seconds from time to time when I'm not listening to anything.
This is extremely annoying, especially when listening to really dynamic acoustic stuff on youtube or with movies, that tend to have quiet moments, as there are parts when the noise is louder than the stuff you're listening to.
Is there anyone with the same problem out here? Or could it be that I've gotten a bad adapter and getting the Pixel one might be a fix?
Thanks in advance!
Lauritz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Lauritz,
I'm experiencing exactly the same. Did you solve the issue finally? I realised that the only time I don't hear any static noise is when listening through HF Player from Onkyo. For any other app like Google Music, Spotify, Foobar I stil hear that terrible static noise.
Thanks for any info.
Vojta

Pointmaine said:
I have the same problem. Asked for a new dongle, seems to be gone i'm hoping.
pointmaine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did the issue get resolved with the new dongle?