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The last half year have riddled various forums with the now infamous Samsung HW/SW bug that is most often causing an extremely unpleasant echo in the other end of a conversation. However, this bug appears in many variants due to the multiple causes of many interacting smaller problems.
In my own quest of finding the root of the problem and scanning the web for a potential solution (not involving send my phone off), I decided to share my findings, very well aware of the shortcomings of my limited research. So please let me know of any current (or future) solution to this, or if I have missed anything important.
Internally there are 2 microphones and 2 speakers. Unfortunately the way these are situated, aligned and and isolated, together with the sound transmission throughout the phone chassis and the complicated sound and digital noise reduction (NR) settings, are the cause of these problems.
All this can best be seen in the iFixit's teardown guide:
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Samsung-Galaxy-S-II-Teardown/5861/1
or in the "S2 screen replacement photo tutorial":
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1253969
or in the schematic blow-apart diagram in the official "Samsung-GT-i9100-service-manual". (Google that!)
My Conclusion:
After performing a limited number of tests, on my own, I have concluded that this problem should in ANY case be resolvable by a fix in the phone firmware/software. Obviously the phone is working without a case, and (usually) perfectly when turning off NR (noise reduction) and/or turning down the volume. Others report fiddling with the internal rubber enclosure of the microphones and/or speakers. In either case, it would be very interesting to know the details of your phone's SW and HW configuration as many reports differences in behavior after flashing new/old phone software. It is very likely the problem occurs as a combination of "PHONE/PDA" software, the lower USB charge-port HW and the upper speaker/microphone insulation. In other words the NR algorithm need to be changed or better tuned for various environments. We can only hope Samsung fixes this in their next updates... But very unlikely as they are much more interested in making new phones and selling more of them. And if they did fix it, they probably wouldn't tell anyone since if they ever did admit to any wrong doing, they'd have to replace/repair probably at least tens of thousands of phones!
Problem (Simple Description):
A number of small assembly line variations is causing the internal noise reduction software to misbehave. (Remember the "butterfly effect"!)
Problem (Technical Description):
The problem consists of (at least) 3 smaller problems working together.
1. The lower playback speaker is always on (!) and is causing feedback to the lower microphone when using a protective cover. Thus explaining the greater echo at higher volumes and less external noise, when using a rubber cover.
2. The SGS2 plastic casing transmits sound around the entire phone. Thus both speakers (lower and upper) are transmitting sound to both the lower normal microphone and the upper noise cancelling microphone. These need to be isolated.
So when covering the upper noise reduction microphone you are getting better feedback (more "noise") from both upper AND lower speakers, than from outside and thus (usually) improving call quality by reducing the echo effect, but when there is no case-cover and a noisy environment, you may end up increasing the echo, by covering it up!
3. BUT not all phones have echo, thus there is also a NR settings or algorithm problem that should or may be resolved by a firmware/phone/PDA update. In addition, and making things even more complicated, different phones have slightly different hardware on the PCB of the USB charge-port...
Who to Blame?
1. Samsung Hardware engineers who must have been sleeping in their "Acoustics and Wave Propagation" classes.
2. Samsung (?) Software engineers who never took a course in "Feedback and Control Theory".
3. Samsung HW design director(s) who
a) didn't make (1) and (2) work closely enough together on the SGS-2.
b) never though of putting a rubber case on the phone! 4. Samsung Assembly line Quality Control manager(s) who didn't check for minor design flaws.
- check (open up) every 100 or so phones, if problem check ALL previous 100 and estimate problem!
- stop assembly line and talk to the management about solution ..
..
oo. The casual SGS2 owner who just wanted to protect his new investment with a rubber/plastic cover.
Some Known Solutions:
Service Center Solutions:
1. Improperly placed internal speaker cushion:
http://androidforums.com/samsung-ga...ice-echo-anyone-else-getting.html#post3000051
2. Replace the UI Board; Part No: GH59-10949A
http://androidforums.com/samsung-ga...ice-echo-anyone-else-getting.html#post3269199
http://www.scribd.com/doc/56542824/5/Cellular-phone-Exploded-View
http://giga-tel.com/item-10095-samsung-i9100-ui-board.html
3. Attach layers of soft electrically and noise insulating tape (e.g. medical-tape) over the back-side of the upper speaker, earphone jack and microphone. On the inside of you phone. See instructions in Hebrew (!) below:
http://iandroid.co.il/forum/topic56552.html
DIY Home Fixes (various success):
4. Put some tape over the top NR hole, which is next to the 3.5mm head-phone jack. (This fix messes up the speakerphone functionality!)
5. Put some tape over the hole just above volume-rocker
6. Lower volume
7. Manually disable NR during call: ("HOME" button)
8. Factory Reset (This will wipe your data/contacts and probably only lasts until next reboot!)
9. Try to flash a different phone ROM/Firmware/Kernel/Baseband etc. (Seem like it's mostly Gingerbread 2.3.4 phones being affected.)
10. Perhaps by changing some settings in the hidden "Service Mode" menus (???)
11. Open your phone and
a) make the bottom small microphone hole in the case bigger and
b) cut some of the rubber from the lower microphone cover.
See: "Fix for low microphone volume":
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1127103
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=20022525&postcount=10312. Attempt the above Service Center operations by yourself!
NOTE: It's highly recommended to do only ONE AT THE TIME!
Currently Recommended Solution:
A) WITH stock phone/firmware AND warranty; ask for a new phone and test it!
B) WITHOUT stock phone/firmware OR WITHOUT warranty; Try 11b!
List of Firmwares WITHOUT echo: (PDA/Phone/CSC)
"Polish Stock ROM"
"Many Indian firmwares don't have DNR (KE8 or KF3) activated"
I9100XWKE7 (2.3.3)
KI4/KI1/KH2 (XEU) Echo with DNR OFF (default) NO ech with DNR ON!
KD6/KE7/KD1 (XEU) 'same'
[ If you have/find other firmware solutions, please add them to this thread! ]
Service Mode Settings
Entering Service Mode: *#197328640# OR *#*#197328640#*#* [dial]
See: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14692752&postcount=30
These settings are probably ending up in the various audio setting files in: /system/etc/audio (which are only accessible in a rooted phone.)
Potential (Rooted) System Hacks
Tweak/check the files present in: /system/etc/audio
OR perhaps write some Tasker script; see:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=19339706&postcount=125
Some custom ROMs come with NR tweaks that allow you to permanently turn ON/OFF DNR:
VillainROM (VRTweaks)
DarkyROM
Revolution 2.7.1
[Could someone confirm & provide a links to these?]
Apparently there are other ways in which you can directly hack the Phone.apk package, under certain conditions. Thus at least in theory it should be possible to directly toggle NR in memory, which could indeed be useful. Here is one variation of the APK hack:
In the Phone.apk package, find the ../res/values/bools.xml file. Edit and recompile after changing the line: "<bool name="has_in_call_noise_suppression">true</bool>".
See: "[HOWTO] disable NoiseSuppression by default, to enlarge mic volume":
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1251922&highlight=volume
and start reading from this post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=18932990&postcount=107
Some additional info for hacking Phone.apk:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1332137&page=3
Do you have a contribution or solution?
So if you want to contribute to the solution and permanent fix of this (or any other comments), please post the following info, as well.
1. Baseband (aka. "Phone") version
2. Kernel version
3. Build number
4. The USB-charge-port PCB version (if known)
5. Your particulars when it works and when it doesn't
6. Details on how you fixed the problem, if you did!
To find info use these codes on the dial pad:
Firmware Version: *#1234#
Hardware Version: *#2222#
Both Versions: *#8999*8376263#
That way we may hope to find and fix the problem ourselves!
Some of this I already mentioned here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=20142257&postcount=99
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=20143129&postcount=28
http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s2-international/357910-voice-echo-anyone-else-getting.html
Also try to search the "Samsung Galaxy S2 Q&A" forum for "Echo Noise Reduction".
http://forum.xda-developers.com/search.php?searchid=104855328&pp=25
Thanks and I hope this helps!
...
UPDATE: 2012-01-30
Apparently there have been many reports of very happy people doing their own SGS2 surgery following the thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1441510
This is essentially equivalent to the solution in number #3 above!
+1 for the effort, about time someone did an all-in-one topic about this rather common issue.
I've had the same problem and noticed it the day I bought my phone, a friend called and immediately complained about the echo. I did a quick Google search and found out that it's a rather common problem and caused by most case types, removing the case or disabling NR did indeed fix my problem.
Anyway, I have tried many fixes, including VillianTweaks/LeoMar's fix, turns out those only remove the ability to turn NR on/off, but it was still turned on by default. This fix however was the only one that actually worked:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1332137
The fix above had a minor drawback though, the first call after reboot always had NR enabled by default. I wanted a set and forget solution to permanently disable NR so I learned a bit about deodexing/decompiling and managed to get rid of it for good, you can check the fix in here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1372718
Wow
E:V:A said:
After performing a limited number of tests, on my own, I have concluded that this problem should in ANY case be resolvable by a fix in the phone firmware/software. Obviously the phone is working without a case, and (usually) perfectly when turning off NR (noise reduction) and/or turning down the volume.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd disagree. I heard a slight echo also without the case (I called from a land phone to hear it myself). Lots of SGS2s work fine with cases, with NR on. Killing NR should not be considered the solution.
I've opened the phone and inserted two thin layers of white medical tape over the ear speaker (much less tape than in that hebrew sample). The original echo gone completely, with and without case. But now the other party hears a very slight echo of me. I don't consider tape a solution either. Perhaps the speaker is not mounted properly (sticks out too much)?
I was wondering about the position of the cushion, don't understand what that guy meant precisely. Mine looked a bit squashed by the case, maybe too firm contact?
> 1. The lower playback speaker is always on (!)
Are you sure? It could be transmission via the case? I guess the add-on cases increase the transmission.
> 3. BUT not all phones have echo, thus there is also a NR settings or algorithm problem that should or may be resolved by a firmware/phone/PDA update.
I'm not sure the NR algorithm can be fixed so that it can work with a faulty phone.
> Service Center Solutions:
Add 4. Replace old SIM card
I'm using stock 2.3.4 I9100XXKI1
2.6.35.7-I9100XWKI4-CL575468
[email protected] #2
FTA HW REV1.5
Baseband: KI4
ROM: MIUI 1.12.2
Kernel: Siyah 2.4.2
Everybody I talked to used to tell me that my voice echoed pretty bad. Then I switched to the KI4 modem and the issue was resolved. Maybe someone with this echo problem could try the KI4 modem and report back.
Sent from my GT-I9100
@bazzag: Thanks for VillainTweaks info, I'll scratch that until further notice.
@_sem_: Essentially I agree that killing NR is not a proper solution, as it is just a remedy for a sickness, which would return in a very noisy environment when NR may be needed. But given that this will probably never get properly fixed, it seem to be the best option we have for now. ALSO:
a) In the 1st § you say you called your own phone and found echo, then in the 2nd § you said: "But now the other party hears a very slight echo of me." these seem the same to me, or did you mean that now you hear echo when using your mobile to call someone else?
b) > 1. The lower playback speaker is always on (!)
Actually I am not sure about this as I live in very noisy environment, but everyone standing next to me, during phone calls, say then can hear everything the other person is saying!
c) > Service Center Solutions: Add 4. Replace old SIM card
Now THIS is a shocker! Why on earth would upgrading the SIM card have anything to do with this? Where did you see and hear about this solution?
d) We have the exact same stock SW/HW!@iHoneyBadger: Yes! Could someone provide a link for (easy/noob) instructions on: (1) where to find/download the KI4 Baseband files and (2) how to easily install only Baseband?
@E:V:A
> Essentially I agree that killing NR is not a proper solution, as it is just a remedy for a sickness, which would return in a very noisy environment when NR may be needed. But given that this will probably never get properly fixed, it seem to be the best option we have for now.
I think the best option is the service center if you have stock ROM. You may need to convince them first, best by showing another SGS2 that works fine with your case. But that'd take much more time for me than inserting that tape did.
It really isn't difficult. Except that I'd feel a bit better knowing the exact problem better. It may be possible that the change was just due to taking the phone apart and back, not the due to the tape. I'm too lazy to do it five times trying this and that I'd ask the next one who tries this to check if the speaker can perhaps be pushed a fraction of a mm deeper into its seat, so that the speaker would have less or no contact with the (removed) back of the case. I think this could be better than tape.
> a) In the 1st § you say you called your own phone and found echo, then in the 2nd § you said: "But now the other party hears a very slight echo of me." these seem the same to me, or did you mean that now you hear echo when using your mobile to call someone else?
This echo is on the level of the previous echo without case - barely noticable if you're listening carefully, but no longer an issue really. And, those phones that do not have the problem don't have any tape inside
b) > 1. The lower playback speaker is always on (!)
> Actually I am not sure about this as I live in very noisy environment, but everyone standing next to me, during phone calls, say then can hear everything the other person is saying!
I think this could also be caused by the case conducting the sound. It must also be emitting some around. I've also read some folks got improvements by cutting ugly large holes in gel cases at the back - that'd probably decrease conduction.
> c) > Service Center Solutions: Add 4. Replace old SIM card
Now THIS is a shocker! Why on earth would upgrading the SIM card have anything to do with this? Where did you see and hear about this solution?
I think it was a german forum android-hilfe
/samsung-galaxy-s2-i9100-forum/144551-probleme-beim-anrufen-echo.html
/samsung-galaxy-s2-i9100-forum/174469-echo-problem-sgs2.html
@E:V:A
It's in the modem thread in the original development section.
Here's a link to the CWM flashable zip...
http://www.multiupload.com/0FTG1P9MK4
Edit: It's just the modem. Let us know if it helped.
Sent from my GT-i9100
Your modem did NOT work for me :-(
put k14 modem on my phone
so i just added the modem as of now doesnt seem to be any noticeable echos. I will use it for a day with a case and see what happens.
Just tried to install the zip on power up of the phone....it starts but I just get a signature verification failed error. The progress bar hangs and when I go back to the root menu in recovery the error message is present in red.
Am I doing something wrong?
I had also the echo problem and also the other person could not hear me well... After changing my modem firmware to BOKJ1. This is a custom made firmware for Greece Cosmote... My voice is now loud and clear.
But I have also made a change to the stock dialer at KK5 deodexed ROM (Omega v9) so that the phone starts with noise reduction off.. but you can enable it from the menu during call.
Please see my post..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1388058
iHoneyBadger said:
It's in the modem thread in the original development section.
Here's a link to...
Edit: It's just the modem. Let us know if it helped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I will flash a complete new ROM (with a different Modem) in few days, when I get some more time off. I'll get back to you on the results.
talexop said:
...
After changing my modem firmware to BOKJ1. This is a custom made firmware for Greece Cosmote... My voice is now loud and clear.
But I have also made a change to the stock dialer at KK5 deodexed ROM (Omega v9)
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please see my response at:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=20306528&postcount=11
This does not seem like stock...
a) Where did your Phone.apk come from?
b) What did you do?
c) How does it compare (diff) to a real stock,lets say the 2.3.4 (XWKI4 / XXKI1)?
Could someone test this?
E:V:A said:
Please see my response at:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=20306528&postcount=11
This does not seem like stock...
a) Where did your Phone.apk come from?
b) What did you do?
c) How does it compare (diff) to a real stock,lets say the 2.3.4 (XWKI4 / XXKI1)?
Could someone test this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please see my responce. I hope I made it clear for you. I have tried a patch nobody else did and to tell you the truth I cannot uderstant why they did not! My patch is way to easy and leaves the user choise to reenable noise reduction.
Also all the other patches did not work for me. The one I made worka fine.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=20320415
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
I don't know for u guys but with last KK5 Roms my sound is terrible.
When i speak with people sounds as i call out of the box
Can't find f'in solution....
BuzzFuzz said:
I don't know for u guys but with last KK5 Roms my sound is terrible.
When i speak with people sounds as i call out of the box
Can't find f'in solution....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of you should try to change your modem firmware... This did the best work for me. You should try the one you had before... If that one was ok... Also you can try my dialer which works for KK5..
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Used my phone without my tough mate case and have worried about dropping my phone all day! Really wish i could sort this myself, why can i not install this modem zip?! Echo def gone without case no complaints at all. It doesn't feel right without a case! If someone could help me install this modem id be eternally grateful!
sent from t'internet
Dear all, i was testing the loud speaker (you know, speaking with speaker on) and unfortunately no one can hear me. When i disable it everything is ok. I made a hard reset, but nothing changed. Do you have any alternatives??
Thanx
Hmmmmphh....back to a service centre for my phone then! This is a fundamental flaw with the phone. Problem still occurs without a case if the top of the phone moves too close to my head!
Hi all
Am I the only one experiencing microfone problems on my new galaxy S3?? Im on my third I9300, because of this issue...
People complaining about that the mic vol goes up and down...
I'm also facing similar issues. I'm going to get mine replaced also.
First of all guys make sure 100% it's not the mic. Record some song and see if you still have the problem. I was facing similar issues with the mic going up and down durring calls.
In my case it was the simcard. Don't ask me why, because the same simcard was working fine in another phone, but after getting a replacement everybody said that they can hear me a whole lot better.
mikesoftwiz said:
First of all guys make sure 100% it's not the mic. Record some song and see if you still have the problem. I was facing similar issues with the mic going up and down durring calls.
In my case it was the simcard. Don't ask me why, because the same simcard was working fine in another phone, but after getting a replacement everybody said that they can hear me a whole lot better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am going through the very same issues.
I had a mic problem with my first S3 during phone calls. It was really annoying me because I couldn't do anything about it everyone was saying they couldn't hear me etc.
The sim I am using is an British UK O2 micro simcard that I used in a iphone 4, cheap samsung, and samsung S2 previously with no problems at all.
I then returned the phone to the T-mobile shop retailers, they said it was rare and not a common fault.
My new one is doing the exact same thing, I didn't update it nor is there a new update.
Can someone please help. Thank you.
I am getting the same issue but not everytime. I am sure that it is not the fault in mic that is causing this problem, as i recorded my voice (using both mics, the one at the top and at the bottom) and it was crytal clear.
turn off Noise Cancelling... fixed my problems
same problem
Had the same issue ,also with the s 2 , but the trick then (witch also worked now ) was to turn off the noise cancellation .
During a call just take the phone away from your ear and under the callers picture there u will find the option to do so
I have literally just started having the same issue today.
Am on FoxHound Rom 1.4 with Siyah Kernel. Had no problems, even made calls last night, perfect.
Then I tried switching Fast Dormancy on, flashed stock kernel and this morning I find when I made calls to Orange customer services, they were saying they couldn't hear me.
Tried testing it myself, and no matter who I call no-one can hear me.
I've tried:
re-flashing rom, kernel
Tried latest stock roms such as I9300XXBLG8_I9300OXABLG8_I9300XXLG8_HOME.tar.md5, none have made a difference. Even Roms I had backed up in clockworkmod that were working perfectly, like CM10 preview and CM9 have stopped working.
I've tried disabling Noise reduction, which has had no effect. Tried factory reset, flashing modems, kernels, roms, stock roms, nothing has made a difference. I can record video, google talk, anything else fine, just not get anything from the mic when making phone calls.
Tried putting a friends 3 SIM in, and the same thing, so it's definitely not network related either. I definately hope it isn't a hardware fault, as I bought mine on ebay and it isn't insured. Was kinda hoping for more than 2 mores usage out of a phone :crying:
When on a call, I keep getting this annoying sound kind of like static sounding something like "pukk" ( hope someone got me). It comes just for a second. Nowadays its been happening more than 10 times on a call. Its really getting annoying.
The worst part is this sound comes only when on a call and sadly its not the phone speaker problem since I get it on my earphones too.
This is happening on Stock and ViperOne ROM and the handset is AT&T version which I have been using in India.
Can anybody help me in getting rid of this irritating sound while on a call??
If anybody can help me out here it would be great. Please voice your opinion.. Thanks.
If anybody is facing this problem please try putting another sim card of the same network and of a different network.
This solved my issue, my Sim card was not cut properly hence the disturbance.. Let me know if its d same case with you.
Hi...
I got a xperia z2 prototye. model 6503.
Everything is working fine, except the call quality. i can hear and understand very well, but the other person has echoes, and very bad sound..
When I use a heatset, there is no problem. and it is almost good, when I put the phone on the table, with speaker on. The problem is worst, when I hold the phone on my ear..
Is it a hard- or software related problem?
I´m now on 17.1.A.2.55
THX
Since others have not complained about this issue, it looks like a hardware issue. Maybe your microphone is faulty?
Take it to Sony and get it checked.
I did some voice recording, and it is brilliant.
Try turning off the noise cancellation feature during calls, and see if there's a difference.
Well it's a prototype so who knows...
Sent from my C6903 using Tapatalk
I have a very similar issue I posted about in my thread...
kuass said:
I did some voice recording, and it is brilliant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As you read in my thread my voice recording is anything but brilliant......what did you use for your testing?
g4rvd4 said:
Try turning off the noise cancellation feature during calls, and see if there's a difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I first became concerned when I recorded an outgoing message for the phone's default answering machine...As a test I download a voice recording app that let me turn off noise suppression/cancellation.
It brought it from unusable to usable, still not good. But I think your suggestion is a good one, I just don't see why a software tweak improves on something that seems more like a hardware problem. I say that because I can't find a single thing on the web aside from these two posts stating any concerns about it.
This is killing me...turning off noise cancellation only improves the quality in that particular app. Turning it off in the Call settings didn't change anything. I can't record an acceptable answering machine greeting no matter what I do.
EDIT- I also have unlocked my bootloader and thusly lost my DRM Keys... OP has a prototype Z2, perhaps something there?
Same problem here, and mine is not a proto
my nephew and my gf got Z2 too, and same problem...
we hear wel, they can't hear us clearly
Considering that the quality of sound that comes out of the speakers when we hear music, it sure is software problem! In Xperia Z was the same thing in its release!
non proto:
when I'm on earpiece, the caller will always be breaking up. I'll have to disconnect and return the call before everything's crispy again. though there are times they'll complain of not hearing me properly. turning off the "background noise" option seems to help but they'll tell me it's noisy as fuuu.
lol hoping for a software fix I guess.
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
i have had a problem with people being able to hear me clearly ! if i let the phone even drift slightly away from my mouth people say they cant hear me or im breaking up ! ! i had a GS2 before this phone and never had a problem like this . this to me is a hell of a major flaw ... if you struggle to use a mobile phone as what it is designed to do .. then it aint worth a s**t ! i have to keep the phone pressed up against the side of my face all the time im using it ... i cant just wedge it under my chin like i used to do with the old phone. maybe if i root and install a custom ROM it would help this issue ???
strommy1966 said:
i have had a problem with people being able to hear me clearly ! if i let the phone even drift slightly away from my mouth people say they cant hear me or im breaking up ! ! i had a GS2 before this phone and never had a problem like this . this to me is a hell of a major flaw ... if you struggle to use a mobile phone as what it is designed to do .. then it aint worth a s**t ! i have to keep the phone pressed up against the side of my face all the time im using it ... i cant just wedge it under my chin like i used to do with the old phone. maybe if i root and install a custom ROM it would help this issue ???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First time I've seen my problem described to the letter. It's especially bad when I hold the phone with my chin and no hands. I turned off noise cancelation under phone settings and people stopped complaining however a few people complained of an echo... Lose, lose. Btw, I'm rooted with a custom ROM and nothing has changed.
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
jiggyb21 said:
First time I've seen my problem described to the letter. It's especially bad when I hold the phone with my chin and no hands. I turned off noise cancelation under phone settings and people stopped complaining however a few people complained of an echo... Lose, lose. Btw, I'm rooted with a custom ROM and nothing has changed.
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh .. i thought rooting and a custom ROM would solve this problem ! i also have noise cancellation switched off .. but still if i let this phone drift even slightly away from my mouth , immediately people say im breaking up or they just cant hear me ? what the hell good is a damm phone that people cant hear you on ! i can hear them very clearly .. it must just be a crap microphone in the phone
strommy1966 said:
oh .. i thought rooting and a custom ROM would solve this problem ! i also have noise cancellation switched off .. but still if i let this phone drift even slightly away from my mouth , immediately people say im breaking up or they just cant hear me ? what the hell good is a damm phone that people cant hear you on ! i can hear them very clearly .. it must just be a crap microphone in the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This worries me. I'm planning to buy the z2 but if people in the other end have issues hearing you then I might pass. It's a shame.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA Free mobile app
There should be a speaker voice enhancement option in the call settings menu, not sure whether you've tried this or not but might be worth a shot
neotoky said:
This worries me. I'm planning to buy the z2 but if people in the other end have issues hearing you then I might pass. It's a shame.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA Free mobile app
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i wouldn't of bought this phone .. trouble is you don't get to test the call quality or anything like that before you buy the phone ! yes now its easy to read this forum about the problems people are having . so wish i had waited and read this forum before i ordered mine. think i will be buying something else in the near future, and try and sell this one
Maybe people should report this to Sony as I don't get any complaints from the receiving end so far. My only complaint is the sound quality of the voice in the earpiece is not rich. The voice lacks low frequency.
goodpenguin said:
Maybe people should report this to Sony as I don't get any complaints from the receiving end so far. My only complaint is the sound quality of the voice in the earpiece is not rich. The voice lacks low frequency.
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On my handset I constantly have hissing noises during a call and voice breaking up intermittently, but not when I'm on speaker or headphones then it's all crystal clear.
Mine is 14W16 and I've already had it replaced but the problem is still there (replacement device also 14W16).
Does anyone else experience this?
I've already disabled/enabled microphone noise suppression and speaker voice enhancement, but to no effect.
EDIT: My third device (also 14W16) still has this problem, maybe a faulty batch or is it probably a software problem?
EDIT2: Seems to be a software related problem. I have flashed the new 17.1.1.A.0.402 rom and it's almost perfect now.
It seems like a recurring problem...
Hi Guys,
Here's my post on Xperia Care (3 threads dealing with this specific issue):
"I've had the exact same issues since my very first call. I am pretty sure it is a hardware issue and not software or use-related (my phone has never been in contact with water, the issue started in an "out-of-the-box" context and ALL the people I've had over the phone guessed that I changed for a new one just because they could not hear me as clearly as with my former HTC HD2 which I'm starting to deeply regret for this basic use of calling for a phone!).
Searching over the web and through this forum, you can find many people complaining about this problem and saying that a standard exchange did not solve it: would it be a batch problem?? For info, mine is a simlock-free purple model bought in Germany.
Another thing, using noise cancellation is even worse according to my callees so I guess I'll never use this feature, then... All details provided by you guys are described by my friends when I have them on the phone: hissing, hearing me in the distance (muffled sound), hearing their voice in echo (bad Z2 speaker=>mic interaction), vibration (resonance/vibration due to the phone design itself??), hearing like intermittent wind gusts and very very bad sound when I hold the phone between my cheek and shoulder...
As if this would not be bad enough, now the camera application does not record sound anymore when filming (it used to be OK before updating to newer version through PC Companion). Instead of proper sound you hear constant hissing. After a lot of tests I've realised that it now uses the noise cancellation mic instead of the primary one. When running a mic test through Xperia diagnostics menu you can hear back that hissing and no sound at all. Doing the same test through the *#*#7378423#*#* menu gives a different result since I can hear the recording perfectly well (because it is using primary microphone)."
After rebooting my phone, the secondary mic is now working. This leaves me very puzzled now: would it be a software issue in he end??
I'm phoning French Xperia Car hotline tomorrow, keep you posted.
Cheers
Guillaume59000 said:
Hi Guys,
Here's my post on Xperia Care (3 threads dealing with this specific issue):
"I've had the exact same issues since my very first call. I am pretty sure it is a hardware issue and not software or use-related (my phone has never been in contact with water, the issue started in an "out-of-the-box" context and ALL the people I've had over the phone guessed that I changed for a new one just because they could not hear me as clearly as with my former HTC HD2 which I'm starting to deeply regret for this basic use of calling for a phone!).
Searching over the web and through this forum, you can find many people complaining about this problem and saying that a standard exchange did not solve it: would it be a batch problem?? For info, mine is a simlock-free purple model bought in Germany.
Another thing, using noise cancellation is even worse according to my callees so I guess I'll never use this feature, then... All details provided by you guys are described by my friends when I have them on the phone: hissing, hearing me in the distance (muffled sound), hearing their voice in echo (bad Z2 speaker=>mic interaction), vibration (resonance/vibration due to the phone design itself??), hearing like intermittent wind gusts and very very bad sound when I hold the phone between my cheek and shoulder...
As if this would not be bad enough, now the camera application does not record sound anymore when filming (it used to be OK before updating to newer version through PC Companion). Instead of proper sound you hear constant hissing. After a lot of tests I've realised that it now uses the noise cancellation mic instead of the primary one. When running a mic test through Xperia diagnostics menu you can hear back that hissing and no sound at all. Doing the same test through the *#*#7378423#*#* menu gives a different result since I can hear the recording perfectly well (because it is using primary microphone)."
After rebooting my phone, the secondary mic is now working. This leaves me very puzzled now: would it be a software issue in he end??
I'm phoning French Xperia Car hotline tomorrow, keep you posted.
Cheers
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Any update on this? I just got this phone for my fiancé and it seems that she's having the same issue. I can't hear well.
Must have something to do with positioning the mic and how far it is from the mouth. More than a design problem than a hardware one methinks.
SooSpecial said:
Any update on this? I just got this phone for my fiancé and it seems that she's having the same issue. I can't hear well.
Must have something to do with positioning the mic and how far it is from the mouth. More than a design problem than a hardware one methinks.
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Hi SooSpecial,
Xperia Care had no explanation about this; they advised me to file a standard exchange procedure with the seller, which I did.
I'm now waiting for my new device, hoping I won't have the same problem anymore.
If not, I would ask for a refund and go for a G3 instead. That would be a pity because I really like the Z2.
I'd advise you to have your girlfriend's handset changed asap, otherwise you would have to go for a repair procedure w/ Sony, which may take approx. 1 month, leaving you without any replacement smartphone if it was a simlock-free one...
FYI, this problem has also been reported on Xperia Care Forum in 3 threads on Frandroid (french forum) and on some customer reviews on Amazon (as far as I know).
Good luck with that
Has anyone ever experienced problems with calls? It has happened more than once to me that the person stops hearing me and then we eventually hang up and call again and it works. Today something strange happened and it was after the other person stopped hearing me and i called back we both just start to hear like a scratching sound, like a record being scratched or something.
Anyone experienced this? I don't know if its rom, the phone, the network or what it is.
I have the same problem with the boeffla kernel and with agni kernel..
With stock i dont know because it don enable wifi..
I ask here because i cannon write to the right post i am new menber less than 10 messages...
I see and someone elese have the same problem page 263 #2621 ..but no one answer something...
Please help because this happens many times...i hear the other but the other no..He closes and call again and is ok...for a little time,...