Level 2

302 points

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

359 replies

Thanar Author

Level 2

302 points

Apr 16, 2010 10:28 AM in response to masterstif

masterstif,

Lets keep this thread on topic please. You should probably check some HTC-focused forums for what you are asking about.

Thank you.

Apr 16, 2010 3:34 PM in response to Thanar

Well ok.
1 1/2 years of focused discussing haven't help whatsoever.
Well I already ordered new mobile.
I'm fed up 🙂
I 'll watch from time to time the topic only out of curiosity.
To see when they will repair somwthing a 40 euros mobile does
excellently.
I hope u guys resolve it with 4.0.
Anywayz.

Apr 25, 2010 7:11 PM in response to Thanar

*POSSIBLE WORKAROUND, FINALLY, UGH!!!* Please confirm my result....
Everyone, I"m going to attempt to put this on every blog I can find. I have emailed Apple and haven't seen a response. I believe I have a solution that worked for me and a place in the code for Apple to begin their root cause assessment of the volume issues with Bluetooth and iPhone 3.0.x.

I have 6 iPhones and have run multiple tests to determine software versions, firmware revisions, etc... looking for a common denominator. I'd like to hear feedback on this "workaround" and I need help making Apple aware that the problem exists within the software itself......Read On......

Issue:
iPhone 3G and 3GS, Samsung bluetooth and Jawbone Bluetooth. Volume when on a call or after reboot is almost silent.

Solution (Confirm Test):
Start a conference call with your bluetooth and open the iPod Application. Start any random song and change the volume. Your bluetooth will immediately increase in volume and you can stop the song. Everything at that point works great.

Alternate Test: After this iteration, I hung up the call and asked that my friend call me back to see if I had to do this for every call or only once and it would stay loud until I rebooted.

Result: The next phone call was perfect as long as it was incoming.

Alternate Text #2: I hung up again and placed an outbound call.

Result: I lost the volume increase. I opened the iPod Application, pressed play, increased volume, pressed paused and returned to my call, all is well again.

I hope Apple takes my intial testing and completes this investigation to the #1 most annoying bug in iPhone technology.

Apr 25, 2010 7:13 PM in response to Pfortino

Everyone, I"m going to attempt to put this on every blog I can find. I have emailed Apple and haven't seen a response. I believe I have a solution that worked for me and a place in the code for Apple to begin their root cause assessment of the volume issues with Bluetooth and iPhone 3.0.x.

I have 6 iPhones and have run multiple tests to determine software versions, firmware revisions, etc... looking for a common denominator. I'd like to hear feedback on this "workaround" and I need help making Apple aware that the problem exists within the software itself......Read On......

Issue:
iPhone 3G and 3GS, Samsung bluetooth and Jawbone Bluetooth. Volume when on a call or after reboot is almost silent.

Solution (Confirm Test):
Start a conference call with your bluetooth and open the iPod Application. Start any random song and change the volume. Your bluetooth will immediately increase in volume and you can stop the song. Everything at that point works great.

Alternate Test: After this iteration, I hung up the call and asked that my friend call me back to see if I had to do this for every call or only once and it would stay loud until I rebooted.

Result: The next phone call was perfect as long as it was incoming.

Alternate Text #2: I hung up again and placed an outbound call.

Result: I lost the volume increase. I opened the iPod Application, pressed play, increased volume, pressed paused and returned to my call, all is well again.

I hope Apple takes my intial testing and completes this investigation to the #1 most annoying bug in iPhone technology.

Apr 25, 2010 7:24 PM in response to Thanar

Another post regarding the test. I was able to simplify my solution by not strating a song.

Simply by opening the iPod App and using that volume control (wihtout a song playing) fixed the problem as well.

I would guess the volume control on the iPod app works separately from the iPhone main volume in some cases????

Sounds like poor design on the developers part. Either way, this could be your work around....

durancd

Level 1

4 points

Apr 27, 2010 3:21 PM in response to Scotty_Bevill

I don't think you understand the audio issue at hand. It has nothing to do with ear piece volume. It has everything to do with poor mic gain. People who use iphones with bluetooth headsets sound very low to everyone at the other end. I can hear people just fine. I wish Blackberry would catch up so I can move back. I hate Apple's ignorance of this problem and am beginning to wonder if it will ever be fixed.

MattC522

Level 1

0 points

Apr 27, 2010 4:04 PM in response to durancd

The guy who suggested the "work around" may have a point. I tried mine in the car . When on a call to a mate who always complains that he can't hear me, I opened the iPod app and moved the volume slider to max on the screen pops up the message " Bluetooth volume". Since this I have had no complaints not holding my breath though. Apple prob won't resolve the issue as their heads are stuck up their own arses!!

MattC522

Level 1

0 points

Apr 28, 2010 4:51 AM in response to MattC522

I take that back mine still doesn't work. Must have been luck 😟

Apr 28, 2010 11:55 AM in response to MattC522

So, I have bought yet another BT headset.

The last one I bought actually turned out pretty well. (The Pura from Jabra)
It worked better than the other ones I tried with the iPhone 3G. I am working on this issue with a "Phonehouse" store here in Stockholm, Sweden.

This headset, the Plantronics Discovery 975 seems to have a new DSP system that actually can co-exist with the iPhone bug... I have tested this one on about 10 calls so far with the usual environments we have tried here... on top of that, the sound is really crystal clear when listening to others as well...

All 10 users comment so far: "It sounds like you are talking directly in the mic on the phone"...

Now let me try it out with all typical problems we've had so far and I'll let you all know ASAP.

Thanar Author

Level 2

302 points

Apr 30, 2010 11:35 AM in response to SolidSwede

SolidSwede,

My brother has been using DSP-enabled Plantronics Dircovery headsets for over two years and has been also facing the issue discussed here. However, I do not know if he's an owner of a 975 headset, too. That said, I wouldn't put my hopes very high for your tests...

If only you could escalate the issue through the "Phonehouse" to Apple in a more direct way...

Apr 30, 2010 3:39 PM in response to Thanar

As you might remember I had the 925 tested as well, it failed.
I think you need to give the 975 a real test through a store... you can open the box and try it right away without destroying the box...

All my tests so far have passed with this headset... but i'll give it more time since we know better usually...

I wonder if any other Swedes are still with us... this store will let others try the headset as well.
It's located in the heart of Stockholm in the galleria called GALLERIAN on Hamngatan 37. My store I run is located next to it.

The store has reported the issue to Apple, along with other premium retail partners...

rudise

Level 1

0 points

Jun 2, 2010 9:08 AM in response to ujjwalsarin

Hi,

I have exactly the same quality problem with my iPhone 3G (with the latest SW update) using Bluetooth coupling with an original BMW integrated car kit in my BMW 5 Series. All people I talk to via the integrated microphones complain about the very bad voice quality (it sounds like a GSM call of the 80's, metallic and with break-up's). The incoming sound through the speakers of the car is excellent though. Testing with other phones like Nokia or Sony-Ericsson are excellent, just that stupid iPhone doesn't work appropriately. Does anybody know about a forthcoming software fix for this. It seems to me like a mismatch on codec support negotiation or something like that.

Thanar Author

Level 2

302 points

Jun 21, 2010 12:31 PM in response to Thanar

Installing iOS 4 right now; will let everybody following this thread know, if anything changes for the better regarding the bluetooth audio issues. Will take me a week or so to estimate the issue again under every-day conditions. Fingers crossed.

Hi5_no

Level 1

0 points

Jun 22, 2010 5:47 AM in response to Thanar

Did some basic tests and the mute problem seems to be almost gone now.
Will start using BT handsfree again now and check if this is really true.

Dave Hutch

Level 4

1,497 points

Jun 22, 2010 5:57 AM in response to Hi5_no

Will also test this evening and do an A-B comparison with a cable connection and A2DP.
Also I will test the AVCRP and report back

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Bluetooth audio quality concerns