Database Users

[Q] Sound when speaker is closed?

Hey guys i'm thinking of getting the surround and wanted to ask people who already have it what happens when you play music/phone rings when the phone is closed? Does the sound come from the hidden speakers? won't that sound muffled? or what? thx!

From what I can tell, even when the phone is closed the sound still comes from the same speakers. So the sound does seem muffled by the front plate of the phone. However, the quality of the sound is still great for a phone even with the speaker closed. If I'm listening to something, I usually leave the speaker slid out though.

frejos said:
From what I can tell, even when the phone is closed the sound still comes from the same speakers. So the sound does seem muffled by the front plate of the phone. However, the quality of the sound is still great for a phone even with the speaker closed. If I'm listening to something, I usually leave the speaker slid out though.
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So it sounds like you like your phone! would you recommend it?
and on a related note, why is there a speaker grill on the back of the phone too? (see attached pic)

I like the weight and feel of the phone compared to the other thiner/lighter models. It feels like a solid well made phone. I definitely use my phone more for music now and really like the Zune integration. The large speaker bar provides crisp clear sound that remains clear at the highest volume. There are three different sound modes (changed by pressing the silver square button on the speaker bar): Normal, Dolby Mobile, and SRS Enhanced.
Overall I like the Surround, I'm a bit disappointed in the lack of customization (true for all WP7 devices) but I expect that will improve over time. I'm also looking forward to some more great apps.
As for the back cover, that appears to be a vent hole as there is no speaker (at least visibly) behind it.
If you are going to get a WP7 and enjoy using your phone for music/media then I think the Surround is a great choice.

Also found this review which has some good pictures of the back cover removed.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4015/htc-surround-review-pocket-boombox

Hey there,
You don't really notice any muffling of the sound until you slide the speaker out, and even though, I wouldn't say it makes a HUGE difference - a difference yes. I think the phone, while it has a nice solid quality feel, is a bit thick for my liking. Coming from an iPhone 4, then Samsung Galaxy S (super thin), and now this, the Surround almost feels like the Tilt 2. I just ordered the Samsung Focus (I think the HD7 is awesome, but I wouldn't be able to enjoy 3G since I'm on AT&T). I hope the Focus is thinner.

That speaker looking grill is just that, it allows the sound to have an alternative venue to escape in the event that the speakers are covered. Thats what helps keep the sound crisp and clear when the phone is in the closed position. Think if it as a ported sub-woofer box... Well at least thats what the HTC rep told me
CyK1 said:
So it sounds like you like your phone! would you recommend it?
and on a related note, why is there a speaker grill on the back of the phone too? (see attached pic)
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I thought that's what it was for too, but I don't know if it's very helpful.
If you get this phone and use the alarm like me, just get use to leaving the speaker open. It's not really a big deal.

speaker sound
The speakers sound FINE whether open or closed. There is a grill on the back that helps when the case is closed. I think all this stems from a couple of dim witted no talent reviewers who trashed the entire phone on this one caveat.
Despeite what a few of them say, the phone has great audio, great video, great everything, the phone is NOT bulky, the screen is plenty bright with good saturation, the zune software does a great job of converting videos.
The only limitations of the phone are those of the OS and that will certainly improve over time. In fact there are already 2500 apps available, many for free, that extend the abilities of the phone and you can bet your whiskers MS is working on upgrades right now. Someone just put out an app where you can vote on what improvements you want to see next. There are new apps appearing every day so having the phone is fun....that's what we do here...tinker and maximize our toys until the next one comes out ))))

panflute said:
The speakers sound FINE whether open or closed. There is a grill on the back that helps when the case is closed. I think all this stems from a couple of dim witted no talent reviewers who trashed the entire phone on this one caveat.
Despeite what a few of them say, the phone has great audio, great video, great everything, the phone is NOT bulky, the screen is plenty bright with good saturation, the zune software does a great job of converting videos.
The only limitations of the phone are those of the OS and that will certainly improve over time. In fact there are already 2500 apps available, many for free, that extend the abilities of the phone and you can bet your whiskers MS is working on upgrades right now. Someone just put out an app where you can vote on what improvements you want to see next. There are new apps appearing every day so having the phone is fun....that's what we do here...tinker and maximize our toys until the next one comes out ))))
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Not to be a pain, but can you stay on topic? We are talking about the sound when you do not slide the speaker out. No offense intended, just saying...
I failed to mention that the sound is definitely muffled when closed. Is it still loud? Yes, it's fine, but definitely better when slid out.

Case to "fix" the low speaker volume issue

Everyone here is probably familiar with the DHD speaker volume issue.
The GSM Hero also suffers from a similar problem except that hardly anyone complains because the battery cover acts as a passive diaphragm which amplifies the audio from the tiny speaker. Removing the cover makes the Hero sound just like the DHD.
That got me thinking... a properly designed or modified case may be able to do the same for the DHD that the battery cover does for the Hero.
I'd be interested to hear feedback especially if someone has a DHD case that they think would make a good candidate. Mods might include patching the speaker hole and etching a speaker port.

if you have the design and wanted to make it happen. Why don't you try kickstarter? I am sure there are a lot of DHD owner will support you (if your case really works)

I've experimented with several materials but am unable to reproduce the effect seen on the HTC Hero. My best guess is that the Hero's plastic body transmits speaker vibrations efficiently to the large battery cover diaphragm whereas the DHD's solid unibody construction dampens vibrations needed to produce sound from a case.
Another solution may be to build a larger case with a thin film speaker via the headphone jack. A juice pack and kick stand might be cool too.

Has anyone noticed it is twice as loud when laid on its back on a hard surface, like a table? Probably the same idea of reflected sound that Bose engineers dine out on.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

It's made to be placed screen down when using the speaker, for music anyway.

I use Tasker to turn off the notification sounds at night when phone plugged in (so I can sleep).
I too have very low/bad speaker sound but noticed something weird yesterday and today, if I remove the power (therefore automatically reverting notification volume to 100%) BEFORE dismissing the alarm then the alarm temporarily got very much louder (for maybe a second).
This makes me think the issue is actually software/firmware, particularly as some people seem to think the speak volume is OK. I've tried turning off pocket mode etc, so far no good

Yes, I too observed the same. if i start any game, the initial sound for may be 2 secs is very louder and then fades away to usual self. It might be a firmware issue, but no one from HTC seems to be acknowledging this or trying to provide a fix.

This hasn't got anything to do with the 'make my phone louder when it's in my pocket ' setting has it? Perhaps it knows its on your desk so doesn't crank up the volume?
Just a thought ......
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

I actually places the speaker on the table to bounce the volume up. It works somehow.

Just thought I'd add that I've been watching videos in bed lately. I prop it up by making a dip in the covers, which bounces the sound back. The sound, especially in dolby, goes from being awful to being really good. In fact I find it better than putting it on a hard surface...

MisterBuggie said:
Just thought I'd add that I've been watching videos in bed lately. I prop it up by making a dip in the covers, which bounces the sound back. The sound, especially in dolby, goes from being awful to being really good. In fact I find it better than putting it on a hard surface...
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Any picture?
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

just use a custom rom they have increase the volume...
or wait for offical GB that will maybe increase too.
i think 1.84... has an boost?

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
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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.
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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.

Does your S4 make a springy noise when tapped?

Like it has a spring inside?
No, I'm not kidding here!
Hold the phone between your index finger and thumb about 1/4 way from the bottom and tap the back near the camera while listening. You can actually feel it too, like there is a spring inside. Not sure if it's the battery terminals or the display inside. I have the 16GB Korean model if that makes any difference.
I will try using the voice recorder to see if it can be recorded in case nobody else's phone does this. I've had it in many different cases as well, does not make any difference in the sound.
EDIT: The voice recorder and video camera (using the same mic) do not pic up this "anomaly". It would have to be recorded with another device.

cpufrost said:
Like it has a spring inside?
No, I'm not kidding here!
Hold the phone between your index finger and thumb about 1/4 way from the bottom and tap the back near the camera while listening. You can actually feel it too, like there is a spring inside. Not sure if it's the battery terminals or the display inside. I have the 16GB Korean model if that makes any difference.
I will try using the voice recorder to see if it can be recorded in case nobody else's phone does this. I've had it in many different cases as well, does not make any difference in the sound.
EDIT: The voice recorder and video camera (using the same mic) do not pic up this "anomaly". It would have to be recorded with another device.
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How often do you go around tapping your phone with it up to your ear?
I think it's either the camera lens or the vibration module. This is very normal, don't worry about it.

Obagleyfreer said:
How often do you go around tapping your phone with it up to your ear?
I think it's either the camera lens or the vibration module. This is very normal, don't worry about it.
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Just curious as to what's inside causing this. I felt it, if you hold it up to your ear you can hear a distinct "boing" when it's tapped.
Speaking of camera lens is the "stabilizer" function of the camera digital or active, i.e. suspended elements servo controlled, etc. ?
None of my other phones do this.

Some may call me crazy, but I do enjoy that sound. Not quite as good as the ting my s2 used to make doing the same thing

I get it too. Not worried about it.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk HD

s4 weird feel
I noticed that too and they replicated that feel to the charger that came with it. kinda weird.

same here
i have it also...and is actually very bad. i tried to get it replaced, but the guys from samsung said it's normal and it will not affect the hardware of the phone. the phone is working great...without any problems,lags or errors so i think i will leave it that way. i watched a video on youtube about how to disassemble the s4, and i think is the vibrator motor. i hope so...because if is not the next think would be the display. if someone has any other clues please let us know

Its just the vibration module, the force makes it spin slightly causing the "springy" feeling like a light vibration, same with plugging your charger in its just haptic feedback bud
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium

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?
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Had it showered once, nothing wrong so far.

today-g said:
Had it showered once, nothing wrong so far.
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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?
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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
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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..