Bluetooth audio quality concerns

OK, I'm opening a new thread with this one, since I would really like to gather opinions of people who are also facing bluetooth audio quality issues.

Since I got my iPhone 3G, and paired it with my bluetooth headsets, people have been complaining that the couldn't hear me well. My voice would crack up, or even not make it at all to the other side. I got a couple of new bluetooth headsets, only to find out that it wasn't the headsets' fault. That said, I would like to add, that all the headsets that seem to misbehave when paired to the iPhone, work great when in use with my older SE mobile phone.

I did some testing and found out that, the issue of my side cracking up or not sounding at all would only arise when the OTHER party was in a noisy environment (usually trying to talk to somebody in a Mall would do the trick). That said, I would also like to add that when talking through the iPhone itself (even on speakerphone), would work fine!

I am suspecting that there is an echo cancelation feature build-into the iPhone that revs up when talking through a bluetooth headset and seems to cut-off my headset's input level when strong noise it detected from the other side, presumably to avoid echo. Seems like this feature is badly tuned, in a way that communication can no longer work in an syncronous way.

What seems strange to me is that, after updating to v2.2 of iPhone software, the issue seemed to have gone away; however, it looks like it's back!

This whole situation could also be connected to various bluetooth quality issues many people are facing when using bluetooth car kits. I would suggest you try and connect such issues with the NOISE on the OTHER END.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. I will try and put together a Skype call that would hopefully demostrate what I am trying to say.

iPhone 3G v2.2

Posted on Nov 26, 2008 4:23 AM

Reply
359 replies

Oct 8, 2009 8:04 AM in response to masterstif

This is an OS issue. So only a firmware fix from Apple will solve the problem. For now, if you have 3G-S, just turn off WiFi. Reboot the iPhone and your static/gurgle/breakup of sound on the Apple BT headset will go away. Back to crystal clear sound. Original iPhone doesn't have this issue with the Apple BT headset. I've tested it on the original one. WiFi and BT works fine together.

Oct 8, 2009 8:43 AM in response to Thanar

Just got my 4:th ( ! ) iPhone today - the long awaited iPhone 3GS 🙂

Just for fun I took my Apple BT headset for a spin just now, not expecting much BUT...
...it actually worked great! Over a long call, about 20 min, walked as far as 10 meters from my iPhone and it still worked fantastic! But it's just one call tested yet. But I'll bring some more updates here as I use it more.

However,
I agree with Thanar and others, that this is a Firmware/OS-issue with the BT noice cancelling thatdon't work as intended. So do not run off to the store and buy new 3GS's now, just because of my (unbelievable!) successful first attempt today 😉

Before it was: I'm so happy, I'm so happy, I'm so happy... gusfraba! (ref: fun movie AngerManagent).
Now it's just: I'm so happy 🙂

Have superday everyone!

Oct 8, 2009 9:59 AM in response to masterstif

Hello masterstif,

Regarding my previous post, I confirm that right now my headset seems to be working FINE on ALL calls. This happened after prolonged use with the iPhone, both for calls as well as listening to audio podcasts through A2DP. No way to explain it, but I am 100% certain that once I try repairing I will have 50% chance of it breaking again, or after a software update/restore the chances are 90% that I will be facing this issue for two or three weeks before it -just like that- vanishes once again.

All the above taken from my experience, using my 1-and-a-half-year-old iPhone 3G and my year-old Jabra BT530 bluetooth headset. I don't have any prolonged experience on other configurations, although my brother owning an iPhone 3GS and a Plantronics Voyager 815 is still facing the issue.

Oct 8, 2009 10:04 AM in response to SuperSizeIt

SuperSizelt,

I would like to remind everyone participating in this thread that the issue described here is not tied to Apple's bluetooth headset, but affects headsets by nearly ANY manufacturer, as far as I can tell.

The static/gurgle/breakup you are referring to (and the solution by turning off WiFi) is affecting ONLY Apple's bluetooth headset.

Lets try and keep this thread as focused as possible.
Thank you.

Oct 8, 2009 3:47 PM in response to Thanar

I quit using the headset until something new comes up to solve this nonsense.
Apple plz don't disappoint us on this one, just fix it....we don't ask too much!!!
I'm sick and tired of this story and I really need to be using the headset device for
my work. This is such a libel for iphones... Especially for those who use it for professional proposes... and there are many...

Oct 9, 2009 8:30 AM in response to Thanar

Another day with successful calls with my new iPhone 3GS & Apple BT Headset. NO complains from clients or me!

FYI:
1) Also hade WiFi on the hole day.
2) Upgraded to iPhone OS 3.1.2 this morning (but it worked yesterday to!).

Anyone else here who just got BT to work ok?

I'll continue testing this weekend and report back. Also, I'll upgrade my old iPhone 3G (for sale now btw) to OS 3.1.2 to see if it makes any differens regarding the BT-issue.

And don't understand why it works now but, I'm so happy... 😉

Oct 11, 2009 1:50 AM in response to Thanar

Well I took the big decision to reset my iphone after upgrading to 3.1.2 .
Now it works almost fine!!!And I say almost cause it still doesnt sound near as good as my old phone
when using the headset, but ok my speech it at least understandable. From one point I'm happy
cause its fixed for now,from the other I'm ****** cause i had to reset my phone..
I'm really afraid that somehow the problem will return. The only really positive side of the fact is that its CLEARLY a software problem (double checked from me guys...).
Nobody ensures me that in the next few hours things wont go back the way they were, so I still anticipate for the final bug fix that u will also highlight on ur next firmware update.
So... fingers crossed ...

Message was edited by: masterstif

Oct 11, 2009 7:48 AM in response to Thanar

I have the same issue with my phone, except mine seems to be isolated to two locations--my home and office. I always have wifi switched off on my phone, have tried multiple bt headsets, have done a complete restore on my phone and am operating 3.1.2. Still my bt headset is unusable on a call either at home or in my office. Interestingly, it works fine in my car or other locations. The bt system installed in my Audi works fine also. But, I can not use any bt headset in my home or office because of the audio quality issues everyone in this thread seems to be experiencing. I did test each headset with my home phone (Vtech phone) and had no issues whatsoever, so it does appear to be an issue with the firmware. The only thing I can think of is the wifi networks at my office and home create some sort of interference with the iphone. My first generation iphone worked fine, but this issue persisted ever since I got my 3g and now my 3gs. It is very furstrating.

Oct 12, 2009 12:50 AM in response to Ronald Hatcher

I don't think it's interference with the WiFi networks, although they operate in the same band as bluetooth headsets. You say that you don't face the issue when using your car's bluetooth car kit. What if you try it when near to your home? Wouldn't it suffer from the same WiFi interference? What if you try your headset while on the road, instead from your car kit? Would it work fine then? I truly don't think so...

It's a matter of firmware; however, the cause is not at all easy to identify.

By the way... my headset is now broken again; for no apparent reason.

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Bluetooth audio quality concerns

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