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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

Apr 14, 2009 11:20 AM in response to Thanar

Hi Thanar

I support you fully here...tried several BT headsets of different brands including Apples before everybody told me to get a Plantronics 925 so I did - Absolutly no difference 😟 - in fact I would say maybe even a bit worse than my SE headset. Still the same problem that I can hear people okay, but I'm cracking up and talking in boosts in their end...ggrrrrrrr!

If anybody that has the same problem ever find a solution to this pls. pls. post as I'm getting desperate! A phone without a usable BT headset is not a phone that I can use in my daily work.

Apr 14, 2009 2:46 PM in response to shemd

shemd,

As I and many others have already posted, it's not the headset's fault. It's the iPhone that's the culprit. We are hoping for a fix on the next version (3.0) of the iPhone firmware which is already out for the developers to try. iPhone software 3.0 brings many new features, including support for more bluetooth profiles; that's why I HOPE that this specific bug will be fixed.

Just a final notice: I have talked to people who've been arguing with me that the didn't have the problem on THEIR headsets; Actually, they did; they just didn't happen to notice it, until I "helped" them, under controlled circumstances of background and ambient noise. That said, I don't believe it is worth it, trying any more headset brands than we have already tried. Lets not waste any more money on this, and wait for a fix from Apple.

Apr 18, 2009 8:10 AM in response to Thanar

I 've been talking to a friend right now with iPhone software 3.0 beta. We have tested the issue reported here, and it seems like it has been resolved under 3.0 beta. I just HOPE it stays that way and they won't enable that buggy echo-cancelation code in the final version of 3.0 iPhone software.

Message was edited by: Thanar

Apr 23, 2009 11:44 PM in response to shemd

I have exhausted all options with Apple people. I have changed 3 phones and two headsets,ran all the diagnostics program in the three phones and three sets of different headset from different companies
all this in front of apple technician. the problem is the same.My voice is cut on the interlocutor side if there is noise or he or she interjects the slightess sound
But they havedenied that they have a problem. they just offer me a refund.

Apr 26, 2009 5:37 AM in response to Thanar

*Just read the whole discussion-thread - and I totally agree with you all, Apple MUST fix this (in 3.0?)*
Here are some of my experiences and hopefully it will help you to not to run and buy new iPhones and Bluetooth headsets to fix this iPhone problem, as I did and wasted good money! Read this post and save yourself money and time - then wait for a Apple OS-fix!

*Bluetooth DON'T work on these iPhones;*
(or works very poorly as described a lot in this forum-discussion)
- iPhone 3G black 16Gb, from Italy (#1). Also returned and served with "nothing wrong works ok?!?!"
- iPhone 3G black 16 Gb, from Telenor Sweden (#2).
- iPhone 3G white 16Gb, from Telenor Sweden (#3).

*The above iPhone 3G DON'T works with these headsets (iPhone 3G OS 2.2.1 (5H11);*
(Nothing wrong with the BT headsets, works just fine on other phones!)
- Apple Bluetooth headset. (#1).
- Apple Bluetooth headset. (#2), Apple BT headset #1 returned to Apple and exchanged for #2.
- Sony Ericsson HBH-GV435 (#3), BT "Top of the line"...
- Sony Ericsson Akono Headset HBH-300 (#4).
- Nokia CK-300, (#4), in car only BT headset (Audi). "Top of the line"...
- Palms BT headset (#5).
- And other BT headset I borrowed from friends & colleagues to try a solve this major _iPhone Bluetooth-problem_.



*Just fix it now Apple - or iPhone can not be considered a real "business phone"! :-(*
As you can see I've been through a lot of devices to try and find a solution. I really need to use my PDA headset both in the office all day and on the road. This is just a "MUST FUNCTION FEATURE" of a modern serious iPhone 3G / PDA of today!

(FYI: I'm former Palm Treo 650/680, Sony Ericsson 800/900/910i etc user, where the PDA's and it's BT headsets always worked great.)

Apr 26, 2009 5:52 AM in response to Thanar

I sure hope so. I've only had my iPhone 3g for about 2 weeks and curiously enough the issue popped up after the first week. I use a car handsfree setup (via Kenwood radio) and I wonder if the use of a phone cover might influence bluetooth's transmission? Has anyone done any tinkering on this area? I will attempt some tests today and report back.

Apr 26, 2009 8:08 AM in response to _Mac

_Mac,

I have also tried numerous headsets with different iPhones (3 of them bought from Vodafone, Greece, just one brought from from a U.S. Applestore) and the issue exists in all of them. That said, I believe suspect ALL iPhones to be suffering from the issue described here; for those who haven't noticed it yet, I believe they either don't use bluetooth headsets that often, or they just haven't noticed it yet (a couple of my friends have been nagging that THEIR iPhones wasn't having the issue, until I managed to make them admit that it DOES, by replicating a "noisy ambient").

So, I believe that your focus on certain iPhone ventors could be misleading in a way that could lead in "good" and "bad" iPhones.

Apr 27, 2009 7:47 AM in response to Thanar

@Thanar
Simular experiencies in different parts of the world...

To clarify:
YES! I agree with you, it has nothing to do with different cell-providers / ventors or where you bought your iPhone in the world. This is a, by all on this and other discussion-threads proved, that it must be an iPhone hardware or software issue. Most likely an software-issue. (I'll know soon when I get my OS 3.0 beta dev version).

Apr 27, 2009 10:28 AM in response to _Mac

_Mac,

As I wrote above, I've tried 3.0 beta and the bug is no more! I only hope it stays out in the final version, or they include an "echo cancelation option" for whoever faces headset echo issues.

That said, I'd like to add that I'm 90% certain that the issue discussed here is a drawback of some echo cancelation technique Apple introduced in iPhone OS 2.1, in order to eliminate the echo from which Apple Bluetooth was suffering, hence creating more problems for whoever is using ANY bluetooth up until today.

May 24, 2009 5:57 AM in response to Thanar

I bought the iphone from a Germanos store in Thessaloniki and i use Cosmote.I noticed the problem with my plantronics 665. I tried other headsets as well.Took it to the store and they tested there and confirmed the problem.They told me to give them the phone to be checked but if it is a software issue i am afraid they will either send it back or send a new one with the same problem.
I even contacted plantronics to see if they have any experience with iphone.
What actually ****** me off is that i cannot find ANYONE to give me a straight answer.I actually had to call Apple Uk because NOBODY supports the iphone in greece.They have a number but they just tell you to call your carrier.
Cosmote told me to wait for the update.Apple Uk support told me that the update will be a major bluetooth update.Otherwise i have a serious problem since i drive often and i have to be able to use the phone.

@Thanar
Since you are from greece i need some more details about your tests.I plan to file a complain to Cosmote, Germanos and the Consumers protection center since i was not notified of that issue.I want to be ready when the update comes out
Thank you

Bluetooth audio quality concerns

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