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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

Jun 26, 2009 4:01 PM in response to Thanar

I was having the same problem, but when I put my phone in the case the audio was dropping in & out. I have the Altec Lansing Backbeat 906 headphones. Well after extensive research I come to a conclusion that the current bluetooth version on the iPhone 3G is 2.0. Most headphones are compatible with Bluetooth 2.1. Just check the box of your headphones, and I'm almost postive it will say Bluetooth 2.1. Hopefully Apple with roll out a Bluetooth version update in the update.

Jun 26, 2009 4:03 PM in response to nmavro73

I was having the same problem, but when I put my phone in the case the audio was dropping in & out. I have the Altec Lansing Backbeat 906 headphones. Well after extensive research I come to a conclusion that the current bluetooth version on the iPhone 3G is 2.0. Most headphones are compatible with Bluetooth 2.1. Just check the box of your headphones, and I'm almost postive it will say Bluetooth 2.1. Hopefully Apple with roll out a Bluetooth version update in the update.

Jun 27, 2009 6:14 AM in response to Thanar

*After 2 deleted posts on this thread I appended some feedback to Apple on this iPhone & BT-issue. Maybe you should do it to? If we are many adding feedback on this - it might get resolved quickly.*

Feedback link provided by Apple moderators here;
If you would like to share your experiences with Apple directly, you can submit feedback here: http://www.apple.com/feedback

+"Thank you for your feedback on the iPhone.+
+We cannot respond to you personally, but please know that your message has been received and will be reviewed by the iPhone Team. If we need to follow up with you on your ideas for improving the iPhone, we will contact you directly.+

+We appreciate your assistance in making the iPhone better.+

+iPhone Team+
Apple"

Jun 27, 2009 3:18 PM in response to Thanar

I might have found a headset that REALLY works!

Been testing it with 20 calls so far and people couldn't make out the difference between the headset and the iPhone's mic!

Name any headset worth naming and I have tried it... but I never would have guessed that this one that I sell in my own store, would be so good...

The Sony Wireless Headset for PlayStation 3.
8h talk time
BT 2.1 EDR
300h stand by
And a great charging dock and has multi point ability etc etc

People complaining about the echo all said it's gone.
People complaining about static noise all said it's gone.

Tried using it in the subway, at a library and at home so far... with the phone in my pocket.

Will spend more time with it and report back soon again.

Jun 28, 2009 12:09 AM in response to Thanar

@SolidSwede
Very interesting with "The Sony Wireless Headset for PlayStation 3" - please update the forum on the progress of your testing. I've only had max 2-3 successful calls in a row with iPhone & BT headset (tried about 10 different), then the usual trouble.

Would be very interesting to know which BT-version it uses? 2.0, 2.1 or other?
Also, can you load the headset with 12v (car) or 220v (office) - or do I need to buy a PS3 to? 😉

I'll buy one today (if I can find it) and try it too. I will also give feedback to this thread on how it works for me. Price is about 30 € (about 42$). If it don't work with my iPhone I'll just add it to my large collection of non-iPhone-compatible BT-headsets... 😉 lol

(Swedish: Skönt att höra att man inte är ensam om dessa enorma BT-problem. Man blir ju väldigt frustrerad, speciellt när Apple sticker huvudet i sanden och låtsas som om det inte är något problem).

@Jay
Re: "Invisible posting". I hope not I've been "marked" by Apple Discussions - would not be good for my iPhone Developer status... I just want to solve the BT-issue - don't Apple? 😉

Jun 28, 2009 2:37 PM in response to _Mac

lol mac you didn't bother checking my post to find the specs?

I have used it all day today, on, off, with music around, with walls between the phone etc etc
EVERYTHING WORKS!

I'll post some nice pictures of the headset here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/solidswede/sets/72157620691387080/

Jay yes and it didn't perform well... but that is because iPhone just don't handle BT sets on it's own, it needs a really powerful BT headset and finally this seems to be the only one so far...

I've also tried BT Stereo Headsets but the sound and the music sounds like 15 years ago when you heard a musicfile in some badly compressed format... Even my MBP didn't make them sound better so I guess Apple still need to improve on this matter.

I've also tried headsets for around 400 Dollars and they just don't cut it with the iPhone.
HOWEVER many of these sets work just fine with many other phones... just so you know 🙂

Message was edited by: SolidSwede

Jun 28, 2009 10:50 PM in response to Thanar

Regarding the "working" headset by Sony... I wouldn't get over-excited with this one, since as I've already noted, MY Jabra BT530 works perfectly with iPhone OS 3.0 with MY iPhone, but it DOES'T when conneced to my brother's iPhone! So, finding a certain headset that seems to work fine with a certain iPhone during a certain period, diesn't do it IMHO...

There's defenitelly something needed to be done by Apple on this matter.

Just my 2cents, in case somebody particupating in this thread is getting ready to go get some playstation headsets for self, friends and family...

Jun 28, 2009 11:31 PM in response to Thanar

Well as I have tried most Jabra sets as well (including yours) some work better than others but people still don't hear me well but I hear them ok, not as good though as the Sony one...

Someone else here needs to try it and post the results so we can compare.

True to the fact though is that Apple needs to fix this issue, if it CAN be fixed with the Bluetooth chip currently built in the iPhone...

Jun 29, 2009 1:49 AM in response to SolidSwede

Let me repeat my experience once again:

PRIOR to iPhone OS 3.0 update, EVERY headset I'd tried FAILED to work flawlessly; People kept complaining that the COULDN'T hear me well.

AFTER iPhone OS 3.0 update, I found that my BT530 works FLAWLESSLY. This means that it is definitelly a SOFTWARE issue.

HOWEVER, this is not the case when using my brother's iPhone with my BT530 headset.

BOTH iPhones are on the same software, using the same headset and getting different results on this issue.

That said, I believe it is DEFINITELY a software issue, the actual cause however is still unknown!

Bluetooth audio quality concerns

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