Low earpiece volume could just be a bad earpiece speaker.
For nearly a year right after flashing a rom I noticed that my earpiece volume is extremely low to the point where I couldn't hear certain callers on the other side. Since I noticed the issue after flashing a rom, I assumed that it was a software issue.
After getting time, I decided to finally flash Lineage OS even though it kills many of our phone features. I wanted a phone that I could make calls from. After the flash, nothing. Sound was still low. @i95swervin added LS997 support to alpha rom. I downloaded it and still had the same problem. I continued to search and only one single person had a problem while others said that the volume is fine. I then decided to try replacing the earpiece. At under $10 shipped, it wouldn't hurt.
That was the issue as it is now loud again. It is an extremely easy problem to fix with a single small phillips screwdriver.
Related
I know that other posts on this topic exist, but I've done a bit of digging and believe the problem doesn't lie with the speakers, so hence, new post. Sorry it's so long...
I've had my HD2 a week now and have noticed the same problem as some others here (it's the crackling during calls, it's driving me nuts, even on the lowest volume setting). But something about the "quality" of the distortion got me thinking (ie it didn't sound quite like what I would expect from a speaker taken beyond its capabilities).
I therefore tried a few different things to try and see where the problem was:
First I needed to identify if this was source related, therefore I tried playing different things through the earpiece. I downloaded audioroute from xda (I forget where) and tried routing all sorts of things through the earpiece. I tried music, skype, video and normal voice calls and the only one that caused crackling appeared to be the normal voice calls. I made sure my sources were loud enough to rival the loud calls, but no matter how hard I tried, it was only the calls that caused crackling (at least the type that was p****** me off)!
Next I tried to see if it mattered which output I routed the sound through. I tried the earpiece, the back speaker and the headphone jack (with both the supplied headphones and some good quality Sennheisers). Again, I found that all sources, other than the normal voice calls, were fine. What surprised me though, was that the normal voice calls taken through the headphones crackled too (not just through the earpiece and back speaker).
Finally, I tried to determine the effect of volume on the crackling. To my surprise, I found that with my Sennheisers, the crackling did not appear to get worse with increasing volume. I chose the Sennheisers here because they could handle volumes way in excess of what the phone could produce.
These tests lead me to conclude that the audio path including the amplifier and speakers in the phone, may not be to blame. I also believe the problem is voice call specific. My understanding of what happens to a normal voice signal is somewhat limited, but here's what I think. I reckon the digital signal processing in the decoder for the phone signal may be to blame, as it has to pass through this BEFORE moving through the rest of the audio path (the volume independence was the clincher). This does provide some hope of a fix though, since the decoder is probably in software so can be modified. I'm thinking radio ROM here though, so not something we can hope to mod ourselves.
Anyway, sorry for the long post, if you're still with me, what do you think? Am I talking a load of bull. Can any of you replicate what I've found?
Interesting post, I have the same issue with my HD 2, definitely gone backwards from my previous phone which was an N95, I'm always adjusting the volume to reduce the distorted crackle when talking to people, the speaker phone is borderline crap as well, at least with the N95 you can actually hear a little bass.
when you say crackling do you mean like the person talkin on the other line says your voice gets messed up ? because this has been a problem with my hd2 since i baught it...about 1 month ago and im running 1.66 latest official WWE rom....
I had this problem with my first HD2 and also with two replacements phones from my provider T-Mobile in the UK. These phones were running ROM 1.43.
I have found the problem is completely fixed (on the same handset), by updating to the new 1.66 ROM.
I didnt really understand how to flash my phone with a new ROM despite reading a few posts. However, after following the thread (The Complete HSPL Video Guide - 621930 - in the HD2 ROM Development forum), I realised it was very easy, and had successfully flashed to the new ROM within an hour.
I have had and still have this problem. I havecontacted HTC, flashed different ROMs, and have had a replacement but the problem still persists. I am learning to live with it as the good out weigh the bad.
Thanks for all who have replied so far. I like the phone too and don't intend to change to any other, but may consider sending it back for repair. I also have a rattle (not the volume switch though, this is coming from near the rear speaker, this definitely doesn't seem right). I run the 1.66 WWE official ROM and it hasn't fixed the problem for me when I moved from 1.48 which it shipped with.
Hello,
I'm running a X10i since 2 days. I must say that I'm quite happy with it but I have difficulties with the sound of the ear speaker : as the volume is quite low, I have to increase the volume and when I increase the volume higher than 3/4 to full I hear a lot of cracking and popping.
Do you have the same problem ?
BR
On my phone to sound is quite good. I have to volume at max, and dont have any bad sounds, or unwanted noices.
is this while using the bluetooth headset?
Ive not tested it with the bluetooth set yet...
I seldom use that...
So, I think the sound in the phone itself is great.
How's the ringer volume, because I've heard random reports of it being pretty low.
Unfortunately, it is kind of low....
And i noticed when something blocks the speaker, like having it in the pocket, it becomes even lower...
And if in a somewhat noicy area.. Forget about hearing it..
this is currently one of my main gripes with the X10. The earpiece volume on my unit (firmware 1.6) is extremely low. At highest volume I get cracking and popping. If there is even a little background noise it becomes almost impossible to hear through the earpiece. It's getting to the point where the phone is almost unusable in many situations. Also the speaker volume is quite low as well. Miss many calls and notifications even at full volume.
I have just used the BT headset thus far. and the sound quality is good up until I attach them to the speakers.. Then they make a ****t up sound when I change song, or when it is no sound on at all. This does not happen when I connect them directly to the phone.
I’m having problems with the in-call volume on my X10I.
I called orange uk and was told that there have been many similar complaints with this handset on their network.
I was told them that it may be the deal breaker for me and told them i wished to return the handset.
The rep said that the reason the call volume was low was because i was using my old sim and not the one that was shipped with the upgrade.
Apparently there a certain profiles assigned to each sim for each respective handset???
The rep was confident that this would resolve my in call volume issues.
Anyone else aware of this?
Personally I have no problem with the soundquality. My problem is just low volume in the earpiece. Hopefully this can be turned up in updates or custom ROMs.
Earpiece volume is my main issue. However I am being told that it is down to my sim and not a software issue on the X10.
That doesn't sound right to me (excuse the pun) especailly as so many others are having this same fault.
That's irony for you, it works really well at everything else just not as a phone!
Baggyb said:
Earpiece volume is my main issue. However I am being told that it is down to my sim and not a software issue on the X10.
That doesn't sound right to me (excuse the pun) especailly as so many others are having this same fault.
That's irony for you, it works really well at everything else just not as a phone!
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Hahaha, yeah well... I can't really say if that's true. I'm gonna try and get a new SIM since mine is like... Two-three years old. But I doubt that the SIM is causing problems like this.
I did get a new SIM with my upgrade, but as i didn't want to be without a phone for Two hrs whilst my services transferred to the new SIM, i just popped in my old one.
I will pop my new one in tonight and post my results.
I'm not confident though.
is it normal to hear own echo during a call?
That depends.. Is the person you are calling in the same room?
I've heard the odd few people mention this but I can't say that i've experienced this.
The volumes that low i probably wouldn't hear it anyway
Am on .16 and the volume/quality is ok if a little quiet, am mostly still getting used to switching back to pda phones from a candy bar phone, they are very different on your ear!
Now i'm on 1.0.14 and i thought upgrading to 1.0.16 may fix my issues but that update is not available for me (Orange UK).
Baggyb said:
Now i'm on 1.0.14 and i thought upgrading to 1.0.16 may fix my issues but that update is not available for me (Orange UK).
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I think SE said that the .16 update was for certain carriers and not for the phone itself. And since SE refuses to release change logs we'll probably never know.
Okay so I just changed my SIM card with the brand new one that comes with it, and there's no change in volume... Talking to the tech guy he claims that on some phones it actually did make a difference. Hard to say what they're told to say and what actually happens though.
Thats weird, im getting my X10 on tuesday, and I currently have a desire, and the sound volume in the earpiece isnt that high, and also the ring volume isnt that high, I was hoping for better from the X10 ;-(
Hey guys,
its been one hell of a ride with my HD2 and its not looking good. Several days ago my HD2 started to act up when i'm talking on speakerphone with cackles sounding like it has been blown. It then starts to lose its volume growing increasingly lower and lower until i can barely hear my speakerphone even when trying to play music and the speaker phone pressed against my ears on max volume. Strange huh? it gets weirder. Today I've finally had it and called customer service. They are sending me another one and ill have to ship the one off when the newer one comes. But out of boredom, I wanted to test out this phone again and see if i can manage to make it work but the speakerphone has completely gave out. No super low volume no nothing from the speakerphone but i heard my music pretty loudly. Strangely enough it came out from the regular front speaker with abnormally loud volume. For a second i thought my speakerphone has came back to life. But now my music, my ringer, everything that has sound comes from the front speaker instead of the speakerphone. Anyone have any similar experience? But to be honest, this sucks big time - _ -
never heard of it, but i have a problem with my rear speaker die before and T-mobile CS sent me the replacement HD2 within 3 days.
did you try hard reset or master reset
yah i've tried the hard reset and the factory reset from the setting>security>factory reset menu many many times actually but same result. I even went as far as update my 2.10 rom to 2.13 but same thing. I have actually just rebooted phone and now the sounds seem to be ported back to my messed up speakerphone now. muffled cackling with super low volume even on max.
I went ahead and got the 1.99 for extended warranty as i think this problem might happen again to the next phone i receive. How is your new one by the way? any problems so far as far as the speakers are concerned? My first HTC experience isn't such a great one. HTC "quietly brilliant". much too quiet in my opinion.
My HD2 has the same issue. Sounds like the speaker was blown. Called T-Mobile and they are sending out a replacement.
so far the replacement phone is working great, you have 12 month warranty from HTC/T-Mobile.
Hi,
I have unusual problem with my motorola defy earpiece (or at least i think it's that). Bought it used, so don't know how it was before...
During calls the volume of earpiece speaker is very low, practically unusable unless you are using phone in completely silent environment. The weird thing is tho, when i turn the phone around and listen closely on the back side the volume is actually a bit higher - seems like in call sound is coming from big phone speaker on the back, just very silenty... When turned to loudspeaker mode during call - everything works as intended, i can hear loud voice on phone's back speaker. I know that people are having problems with defy's earpiece not working at all, but it's not like that for me. It actually seems that both speakers (earpiece and main speaker) are working during calls just on very low volume. No luck searching for help on internet, doesn't seem that anyone had this happen... Problem egsisted with stock ROM, so i installed CM 7.2 - nothing changed. Volume buttons work, but even max volume is just too low. Wonder if that could be software problem or the hardware is somehow ruined? Any ideas? Don't know where to turn - i'm intending to take phone apart and see what's going on in there, no previous experience so please stop me
I just got my defy today and have exactly the same problem. I flashed cm 7.2
Hi guys,
Recently bought a Note 3 N9005 and just wanted to confirm if anyone else is experiencing problems with people listening to you while on speakerphone.
I realised after a few days of use that many people are complaining on the other end of the call quality. I sound too low and far away. When I switch off speakerphone the call quality changes drastically on the other end. One person compared the difference as going from a 10 to a 2 when switching to speakerphone.
This has to be a software problem as when I turn speakerphone off and hold the phone away from me the person on the other end says I still sound loud enough. This points to maybe the volume level for the mic is set too low, but I could be wrong and it may be just my phone.
I'm coming from a Note 1 which has excellent call quality on either end with speaker phone. Because of the size of these phones I tend to use speakerphone a lot and very reliant on it. I also noticed at max volume there's a bit of a vibrating sound during volume peaks on speakerphone also, but that is not an issue as it's plenty loud at one notch lower.
Region: Australian stock
Build number: XXUBMI7
Your experiences are appreciated guys.
Mine is fine. Is your volume at full or thw speaker is not blocked
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
Post removed - duplicate
baste07 said:
Mine is fine. Is your volume at full or thw speaker is not blocked
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On my end it's fine. It's the other end that has trouble listening, which leads me to believe the mic on the Note 3 during speaker calls is not set high enough.
I think i've worked it out. This only appears to happen on calls with another person who's phone is also compatible with HD Voice. This did not happen with a normal voice call today. The other end could hear me just fine.
This could be crap if it really is only happening with HD Voice calls as more and more phones are becoming compatible with it. Hopefully it can be fixed with software if it's the case.
Thanks for weighing in though Baste07, appreciate it.
Just go to settings, sound, call, uncheck noise reduction option. Now you can talk 5m away from your phone with crystal clear voice
Solved
So I followed the instructions here regarding the sound noise reduction thing and worked as planned, after done everything possible, including factory reset and opening and cleaning the hardware, I had a hitch that wasn't hardware, so yes it was the new system. If your phone loudspeaker microphone isn't working is because the noise reduction feature inside settings. Look up there and remove it.
swift1 said:
Hi guys,
Recently bought a Note 3 N9005 and just wanted to confirm if anyone else is experiencing problems with people listening to you while on speakerphone.
I realised after a few days of use that many people are complaining on the other end of the call quality. I sound too low and far away. When I switch off speakerphone the call quality changes drastically on the other end. One person compared the difference as going from a 10 to a 2 when switching to speakerphone.
This has to be a software problem as when I turn speakerphone off and hold the phone away from me the person on the other end says I still sound loud enough. This points to maybe the volume level for the mic is set too low, but I could be wrong and it may be just my phone.
I'm coming from a Note 1 which has excellent call quality on either end with speaker phone. Because of the size of these phones I tend to use speakerphone a lot and very reliant on it. I also noticed at max volume there's a bit of a vibrating sound during volume peaks on speakerphone also, but that is not an issue as it's plenty loud at one notch lower.
Region: Australian stock
Build number: XXUBMI7
Your experiences are appreciated guys.
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