How to test audio imbalance? - Nexus 6P Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So far my Nexus 6P seems perfect. The only that I can't tell is if there is the speaker imbalance that some people are experiencing where one speaker is louder than the other.
Is there a specific way that people are testing for this? If so what can I try?

WizeGuyDezignz said:
So far my Nexus 6P seems perfect. The only that I can't tell is if there is the speaker imbalance that some people are experiencing where one speaker is louder than the other.
Is there a specific way that people are testing for this? If so what can I try?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The imbalance is tested by covering one with your finger and then switching to cover the other.
The reason for the imbalance is the housing each speaker is in. Top one is in a thicker backed by glass and sounds richer. And bottom is in thinner and backed by plastic and sounds flatter. Both speakers however are at the same sound level and volume.

Honestly, it isn't that big of an issue. I've noticed it by doing that cover test and by playing L/R audio. When played together I don't see it being a big issue. Enjoy the phone.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3snbct/nexus_6p_speakers_fix_a_scientific_approach/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3sdnyl/the_nexus_6p_speakers_arent_just_unbalanced/?

Related

Sound distortion?

Alright Guys,
Had this issue with my tablet for a while now, regardless of ROM.
When I'm playing music or video, if the notes or sounds are too high pitch (I think). I get horrible distortion from the speakers! I have to have the volume 50% or below to rectify this. It's typically the sound you can get with speakers when they're vibrating too hard on something. Could it be down to the casing, perhaps something is loose? Anyone else have this issue?
Cheers
kashinoda said:
Alright Guys,
Had this issue with my tablet for a while now, regardless of ROM.
When I'm playing music or video, if the notes or sounds are too high pitch (I think). I get horrible distortion from the speakers! I have to have the volume 50% or below to rectify this. It's typically the sound you can get with speakers when they're vibrating too hard on something. Could it be down to the casing, perhaps something is loose? Anyone else have this issue?
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't really know what you are expecting from the speakers, but seems you should be able to run 75% with no distortion. If I want it loud, it ear buds for me.
shaun298 said:
Don't really know what you are expecting from the speakers, but seems you should be able to run 75% with no distortion. If I want it loud, it ear buds for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah not expecting great results of course, but shouldn't be distorting above 50%. Usually take the tablet out to the park for music when we're relaxing so need the volume up.
Just took the casing off, tightened all the screws and put some tissue paper in the gaps to stop any vibrations, seems to have done the trick :good: Probably had few too many drops.

[Q] Nexus 10 Speakers

Hey there, I got my Nexus 10 today and I'm overall pleased with the device but something caught my attention and I was hoping that other Nexus 10 owners would help me. The device is fairly big and seemed to have large speakers at both the left and right, but I noticed that when I play music or watch something sound only comes out from the top of the speakers. So what, is the large speaker look just for show or is there a problem with my tablet? I'd appreciate any answers
I think it's just for show. Pretty sure the "actual" speaker area is 2 small "squares" at the top corners of the device. Not entirely sure if sound is supposed to travel through the entire speaker area on the sides of the tablet or not though, but it doesn't seem like it does :/
espionage724 said:
Not entirely sure if sound is supposed to travel through the entire speaker area on the sides of the tablet or not though, but it doesn't seem like it does :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sound doesnt just bend and get routed all throughout the speaker grill, that's not how sound waves work.To do something like this would be massively complicated to do and probably sound terrible. The only practical way to do it would be to use 3-5 speaker drivers per side. and actually have speakers all throughout the grill that you see.
EniGmA1987 said:
Sound doesnt just bend and get routed all throughout the speaker grill, that's not how sound waves work.To do something like this would be massively complicated to do and probably sound terrible. The only practical way to do it would be to use 3-5 speaker drivers per side. and actually have speakers all throughout the grill that you see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the information. But the question wasn't how it would be practical but how it is right now and unfortunatly I hear no sound comming out from the whole speaker grill, only the tops.
espionage724 said:
I think it's just for show. Pretty sure the "actual" speaker area is 2 small "squares" at the top corners of the device. Not entirely sure if sound is supposed to travel through the entire speaker area on the sides of the tablet or not though, but it doesn't seem like it does :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply, that helped ease my worries a bit. I'm probably gonna wait for a few more replies until I'll be 100% sure about this.
Yeah, played some music and the sound is coming from the top corners.
Ya, speakers only on the top, similar to the Gnote 10.1. The guys at Powerbookmedic did a full tear down, and posted photos as they removed each part. The photos show what the speakers look like in the inside.
You can muffle the speakers quite a bit if you cover the top of the grill with your thumb, but anywhere else, it sound is unaffected.
Speaker issue with me as well - Only top left and right speaker works
Hi All,
I have the same issue where only sound is produced from top right and left corner of the tab. Spoke to the google customer service and they state that this is a defect. Can anyone please confirm if you are able to here sound from all ends. Thanks.
The speakers we see are indeed for show. The actual speaker is just a square at the top. Somewhere on here there's a picture of the internal components of the N10. If I find it I'll post a link.
Rodeojones said:
The speakers we see are indeed for show. The actual speaker is just a square at the top. Somewhere on here there's a picture of the internal components of the N10. If I find it I'll post a link.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's the diagram:
http://www.powerbookmedic.com/PartLocator/Google-Nexus-10-Front-s-94-v-289.html
rswain64 said:
Here's the diagram:
http://www.powerbookmedic.com/PartLocator/Google-Nexus-10-Front-s-94-v-289.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow. I knew they were at the top but I did not think that was where the speakers were located. Those aren't even in the area of the grills...
Not complaining though. I still think the sound on this device is just fine for my taste.
How loud is the sound outputted? I'm coming from Asus tf700 and the sounds so weedy on that tab - any better?
Yes, it's much better than the TF700t. I had to use equilizer on the TF to get decent out. The N10 is much better right out of the box. No apps needed.
ga9213 said:
Yes, it's much better than the TF700t. I had to use equilizer on the TF to get decent out. The N10 is much better right out of the box. No apps needed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool . My only worry is low storage of 32gb - is cifs working on ROMS?
(sorry to hijack thread)

Loudspeaker Quality

As there is no similar topic specially for Loudspeaker I decided to create one.
I like the speakers of the phone sound good and bassy.
Although I had to replace the speakers (repair),
(cuz it got low by it self (hardware defect))
But I noticed the bottom speaker is thinner and more high frequency specialized in the other side the top speaker for low frequency (bass)
Idk if it is hardware fault or it is designed by Sony,
I want to know your thoughts abt the loudspeakers ?
I don't know about Z3, but in the Z2 the top speaker is more clear than the bottom one. I think it's probably some kind of technology. But in the other side, if you're watching a film in horizontal direction, you can hear that everything is happening on the left side and that's annoying.
if the phone gets wet especially the loudspeaker area the loudspeakers stop making sound and thd sound is emitted from some sort of loudspeakers internal to the phone which appears the be louder from the back of the phone.
i listen music in the shower, so thats how i found out. though it was interesting to share
BrainstormPL said:
I don't know about Z3, but in the Z2 the top speaker is more clear than the bottom one. I think it's probably some kind of technology. But in the other side, if you're watching a film in horizontal direction, you can hear that everything is happening on the left side and that's annoying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's kind of weird, my neighbor have the Z2 and he never had such problem, are you sure it's not hardware fault? If my neighbor find such problems he directly comes to me to ask me what's this etc, but I know he don't have this problem cuz u also use his phone to compare etc, so I guess for you its a hardware fault maybe?
raviboy100 said:
if the phone gets wet especially the loudspeaker area the loudspeakers stop making sound and thd sound is emitted from some sort of loudspeakers internal to the phone which appears the be louder from the back of the phone.
i listen music in the shower, so thats how i found out. though it was interesting to share
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I also listen to music when I shower and I can confirm that,
oh no dont get me wrong it's not a complaint, im suprised the phone knows when its wet enough to stop the loudspeaker, its a good thing =)
raviboy100 said:
oh no dont get me wrong it's not a complaint, im suprised the phone knows when its wet enough to stop the loudspeaker, its a good thing =)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm maybe the speakers feel pressure when it gets wet and it shows the volume down / stops the speakers ?
As an audiophile I will say that as a Mobile Loudspeaker it is quite good. Compared to anything else though it is still a low sound quality speaker.
But as a mobile speaker though, it is very good. It is loud, clear and doesn't "break up" that much. It got some bass, but not much.
I think it sounds better with the surround function on. :good:
Its pretty good, but not near the M8. Id say second best of any phone out. I don't get the left/right mismatch many of you have mentioned., I have been through 4 Z3s for cosmetic defects and all sound equal. Maybe its a quality control issue or I have bad ears.
When I go into the service menu and do a test of the speakers, I get the sound coming out of the top/left speaker on both. What's going on there? There is perhaps some sound coming out of the bottom/right but it's tiny in comparison.

A possible fix to low in-call volume

Recently I found my Z3c had a dramatic drop in earpiece volume. I could barely hear the caller's voice when in a quiet surrounding (like office or home), and impossible to follow the talk when outside. This was quite annoying, because it's a phone and making calls is one of its essentials regardless of whatever extra functions added to it. So I did a lot of work trying to bring the volume back. I rooted the phone (eventually), tried some sound mod, and even worked on the mixer_paths.xml directly. None of these gave me any luck. As the problem seemed irrelevant to the software flaw at the stage, I was thinking about possible hardware cause.
The first thing I did was to open the top side flap, which covers the micro SD and USB. Then I made a call to my voicemail and compared the voice I heard from both the flap opening and the top speaker. I could tell immediately that the sound was much louder and clearer from the flap opening, while the sound from the top speaker was distant and isolated. Wait a sec...
From my research on posts, I was told that there is a film lying on the speakers to make the Z3c dust proof. You can see them through the speaker cuts. To allow the sound goes through it, the film has to be perforated. Could those tiny holes be blocked after spending time with dust, water and soap (yes I did wash my Z3c frequently, thanks Sony for the water proof!). A user did mention the volume on both speakers were much gained after removing those films. I don't want to go extreme, but that did give me a hint.
So I used a pair of tweezers, with pointed tips. I slightly scratched them on those films. Immediately the color changed from dark black to lighter gray. I kept scratching them and made the grey evenly, and made another call to the voicemail. Guess what...the earpiece volume was noticeably increased! Then I airbrushed those films and tried again, this time I could not tell the improvement, but the sound was loud enough that I could hear the voice even from a distance. Now the sound coming from the flap opening would also match with that from the top speaker. I would call it a success.
To summarize: what I did was simply cleaning those meshed films on the speakers, by scratching dust off them. These films can be penetrated if you pushed too hard, so please be gentle. And I'm not sure if this trick would work for others, I'm just sharing my experience, with a good wish that this could work for others who are also bothered by the low in-call volume as I was. Still, try those software fix as well, as the cause to the same phenomenon may be different.
Thanks for reading. Let me know your comments/thoughts/tricks and treats (Happy Halloween!)
Thanks for sharing, I have same issue --- did you test its waterproofing if it still works after cleaning the speaker's mesh?
Has anyone issue with the lower speaker? I actually tried to touch it, its very hollow --- are all units like this? Thank you.
Shizuwi said:
Thanks for sharing, I have same issue --- did you test its waterproofing if it still works after cleaning the speaker's mesh?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had it showered once, nothing wrong so far.
today-g said:
Had it showered once, nothing wrong so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
done, so far great improvement with sound, i can hear the other person on the phone better --- but not sure about my bottom speaker, its very hollow.
This was one of the reasons why I'd sent in my phone. I thought the speaker was broken. Seems they've just cleaned or replaced that mesh because the volume works well on the returned phone.
Thanks for sharing :good::good:
I push chewing gum in to the grills and mic to clean them out.
Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk
wow.. it realy works... thanks a lot bro ... !!!
Thx for sharing I'll try it
How does such a thin layer of perforated material manage to block so much sound?
You're my hero!!!!!
I was about to send it back cause of the awfully low earpiece volume. Now that I have cleaned it it's even too loud!
Thanks mate I really appreciated it
Cheers:good:
Great tip bro. Immediate improvement to volume level. However I guess I pushed it further that the sound is now cracking at high volume when the phone rings.
But am still happy that I can hear the other party.
Good job man.
Those of you who are claiming this works, could you please go into your service menu (*#*#service#*#*) from your dialer and run the stereo speaker test? Do both speakers have the same volume output or is one significantly louder than the other?
Sent from the only flagship phone that actually fits in my hand... The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact
So, I'm almost embarrassed to report that I had no issues with my earpiece, but thought I'd give this method of "cleaning" it out a try. I used a piece of chewing gum to remove any dirt from the screen and almost immediately noticed a drastic DECREASE in output from that speaker. Now, calls sound hollow and tinny, and the stereo speaker affect is nearly gone because the top speaker is so much quieter.
I'm afraid that I somehow caused my top speaker to produce less sound by trying this method. I've tried to wipe away any sticky residue caused by the gum, but nothing seems to help. I can't send my phone back to Sony because it's been rooted and they wont honor the warranty. I can't believe that thin piece of speaker grill would actually be able to block sound. What now?
I managed to get higher volume by cleaning the upper speaker with a chewing-gum but my operation removed the thin grey layer. Do you think I've lost waterproof?
zar69 said:
I managed to get higher volume by cleaning the upper speaker with a chewing-gum but my operation removed the thin grey layer. Do you think I've lost waterproof?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No you haven't. Speaker attached to the lcd panel by a plastic staff so water can't goes inside.. I removed the speaker cover too but i admit without that cover phone looks ugly
2russell said:
No you haven't. Speaker attached to the lcd panel by a plastic staff so water can't goes inside.. I removed the speaker cover too but i admit without that cover phone looks ugly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, thanks.
Has anyone tried replacing both speakers with Z3/Z3 dual/Z3+ ones? I was looking at the pictures of spare parts and it might be possible to put some of those in our Z3c, since the sound on Z3c is really low by default, and the ones on Z3 do sound quite louder.
I had same problem, could barely hear a phone call. I scrapped off the black material protecting the speaker now I can hear through the earpiece. I'm guessing now the phone is not water proof..

Rattling Speakers!

Been using my phone for a bit over a day now and I noticed that the bottom speaker has a slight rattling noise to it, especially at full blast. It's almost as if the speaker is too loud for its own good. It is really noticeable with higher-pitched tunes, such as the one from the following link:
https://youtu.be/GYtck_85rJQ
Can anyone test this out and confirm?
Volume-wise, they seem to be pretty even. However, as someone who listens to music a lot, I know this is going to drive me crazy.
By the way, this issue is obviously not present when connected to a headphone or via Bluetooth. So its definitely the speaker itself.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
akarol said:
Been using my phone for a bit over a day now and I noticed that the bottom speaker has a slight rattling noise to it, especially at full blast. It's almost as if the speaker is too loud for its own good. It is really noticeable with higher-pitched tunes, such as the one from the following link:
https://youtu.be/GYtck_85rJQ
Can anyone test this out and confirm?
Volume-wise, they seem to be pretty even. However, as someone who listens to music a lot, I know this is going to drive me crazy.
By the way, this issue is obviously not present when connected to a headphone or via Bluetooth. So its definitely the speaker itself.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone has a rattle on the top speaker. I received a new device from Google which had a jaundice yellow screen but no rattle. I sent back the device with the bad screen and will request another RMA for the original device.
I read this & gave mine a good shake. I'm good but I'm glad you posted to look out for it.
Just tested on 2 phones, both seem fine.
madmuthertrucker said:
I read this & gave mine a good shake. I'm good but I'm glad you posted to look out for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure he means the noise the speaker makes while playing music, not a physical rattle from shaking the device.
Yes. It's more like a buzzing sound when something high pitched is playing. As if the speaker can't handle the loud volume.
Oh I see. Ok I tested the video and mine is fine. The speakers don't sound over driven.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
akarol said:
Been using my phone for a bit over a day now and I noticed that the bottom speaker has a slight rattling noise to it, especially at full blast. It's almost as if the speaker is too loud for its own good. It is really noticeable with higher-pitched tunes, such as the one from the following link:
https://youtu.be/GYtck_85rJQ
Can anyone test this out and confirm?
Volume-wise, they seem to be pretty even. However, as someone who listens to music a lot, I know this is going to drive me crazy.
By the way, this issue is obviously not present when connected to a headphone or via Bluetooth. So its definitely the speaker itself.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@akarol, what's the manufacturing date of your 6P? To see your manufacturing date, boot into the bootloader and select "Barcode". One of the barcodes should have a date, mine was October 31st. I'm curious to see if the speaker rattle issue is particular to some 6Ps manufactured on certain dates. I'm pretty sure I experienced some slight rattling on my bottom speaker while playing the music rhythm game Deemo. It doesn't really bother me that much though, and it would be too much of a hassle for my parents if I were to RMA the device, especially so soon after I just got it.
Got mine 2 weeks ago from Best Buy Canada, but didn't notice that issue at first. I suspect that this may be amplified by time, or maybe I just didn't pay attention at firt. I did what you said to see the manufacturing date and mine is October 24th. Maybe this is specific to early production devices. I am gonna exchange it in store today and see if the new one is fine.
Can anyone with this issue confirm if the new one is fine or the same?
Thanks.
I think it's present on all devices and those who say aren't there just don't have the ears for it. I'm on my 3rd RMA and it's still there. All 3! I'll probably just keep the original device.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
akarol said:
I think it's present on all devices and those who say aren't there just don't have the ears for it. I'm on my 3rd RMA and it's still there. All 3! I'll probably just keep the original device.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The video you posted doesn't cause it for me. However, the launch screen of clash of clans does. Ah well.
About 3 days ago I started noticing this issue on mine. Mainly, when I was receiving a text, the tone sounded really over-driven for the speaker.
Then I was watching a YouTube video today, and I noticed it a lot. I honestly think it's the speaker itself slightly rattling with high pitched noises.
Kind of disappointed in this. I don't feel like sending it back, but it's sad. Maybe a kernel with a good amount of audio control can solve this. Maybe if I could tune down the highs a bit.
I don't have Nexus Protect or anything, but I know the device is still covered under warranty. Is this something that could easily be claimed under warranty, or probably not?
I honestly think it's a design that flaw. I have it in all 3 of my speakers. All 3 of them it's with the bottom speaker. I don't think RMAing or sending it in would solve anything. Maybe some time after when it's been addressed. I'll learn to live with this knowing that I don't usually keep these things past a year anyways.
Sent from my OnePlus One using Tapatalk
My current issue is with the top speaker, instead of the bottom. And my top speaker is getting progressively worse. It's a very annoying buzzing/high pitched static noise that comes with almost any sound. Notifications, alarms, phone ringer, YouTube videos, etc. Its getting worse, and so I submitted an RMA and have a replacement coming out.
Since you say yours is with the bottom, and mine is strictly with the top, it sounds interesting.
Mine is almost bad enough though that you wouldn't want to live with it. I'll try and get a recording of it.
anyone have any updates on this? I just got mine nexus 6p about 2 weeks ago and it's been driving me nuts. The top speaker has a buzzing sound when playing certain videos, songs or notification tones. One specifically is the "Tethys" notification tone that causes the buzzing pretty badly. I have tried viper4android and tried every configuration possible and it still has the buzzing. Has anyone managed to get a device that does not have this issue?
I've got this similar problem too, with my top speaker. Testing my speakers with this video: https://youtu.be/qNf9nzvnd1k?t=54s top one starts buzzing at approximately 250 Hz, even on half of the volume. Bottom speaker is crystal clear (maybe with exception of 100% volume, but I'm ok with this). After reading this thread's posts I'm not sure if I should send it back on warranty, especially that my N6P is free of any other flaws.
Interesting: bootloader barcode screen shows 12-10-2015 - that's quite old unit, considering the fact that I bought it in the middle of January...
Honestly, I went through 3 and they all had some rattling. Over the months, I haven't noticed it anymore. Either I forgot about it, or it actually improved. As long as the volume is even on both, I wouldn't risk getting a worse device.
Sent from my OnePlus One using Tapatalk
I have the exact same problem with top speaker buzz, really noticeable with the tethys notification sound and in youtube videos with deeper sounds. I have tried RMA'ing twice, the first one the speakers were perfect but had a screen problem so I sent it back and kept my original, and the second had the exact same speaker problem so I kept the original again. I am very frustrated with this. A question I have though is when I just leave my finger on the left corner of the speaker that buzzes, it stops buzzing. Has anyone tried any home repairs? What if we were to put a drop of super glue in the left corner of the speaker? is that likely to fix the problem? I appreciate the help guys.
nicemsp said:
I have the exact same problem with top speaker buzz, really noticeable with the tethys notification sound and in youtube videos with deeper sounds. I have tried RMA'ing twice, the first one the speakers were perfect but had a screen problem so I sent it back and kept my original, and the second had the exact same speaker problem so I kept the original again. I am very frustrated with this. A question I have though is when I just leave my finger on the left corner of the speaker that buzzes, it stops buzzing. Has anyone tried any home repairs? What if we were to put a drop of super glue in the left corner of the speaker? is that likely to fix the problem? I appreciate the help guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean by screen problem?
Rasool-Hamilton said:
What do you mean by screen problem?
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Are you serious?

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