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

Nov 26, 2009 5:13 AM in response to Thanar

I am trying to take this issue to the reseller and see what they have to say. I would wish for some clarifications:

1. Is the duplex issue independant of with BT headset being used?

2. There are rumours that it works perfectly with Apple BT headset, true or false?

3. Some say that the problem goes away when factory resetting the iPhone, is this permanent or a temporary fix? (memory/stack overflow issue?)

4. If 3=temporary fix, will the effect be permanented if not installing or running any non-default applications?

5. Has ANYONE heard of anyone that has solved the problem by replacing the phone?

6. Upgrading HW to 3GS, will this remedy the problem?

Thanks in advance 🙂

Message was edited by: Binaural

Nov 26, 2009 5:43 AM in response to Binaural

Binaural wrote:
I am trying to take this issue to the reseller and see what they have to say. I would wish for some clarifications:

1. Is the duplex issue independant of with BT headset being used?

2. There are rumours that it works perfectly with Apple BT headset, true or false?


False. I also used an Apple BT headset a few days and the sound quality issue was exactly the same as with other BT headset (ie: Jabra, Zivio, etc...).

3. Some say that the problem goes away when factory resetting the iPhone, is this permanent or a temporary fix? (memory/stack overflow issue?)

4. If 3=temporary fix, will the effect be permanented if not installing or running any non-default applications?

5. Has ANYONE heard of anyone that has solved the problem by replacing the phone?


I've never seen any real confirmation on this.

6. Upgrading HW to 3GS, will this remedy the problem?


AFAIK no. There are other 3GS users encountering the same issue.

Thanks in advance 🙂

Message was edited by: Binaural


Regards

Dec 9, 2009 2:02 AM in response to Thanar

Hey Apple plz stop sending me emails about gifts. The only gift I'm asking you to offer us is not happening. 700 euros device is not operating properly with a BT headset. Thats a shame...
Stopped using it for my business proposes, on the first chance I'm selling it. Only if something out of the blue appears from Apple, but I wouldn't count on that.
This kind of feedback reaction of yours is not a characteristic of a quality brand....
So long...

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Bluetooth audio quality concerns

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