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

Jul 30, 2009 1:35 AM in response to CrazyKZ

CrazyKZ,

so DID mine! For a month or so. Then, for no apparent reason, full-duplex was once again disabled.

Thanar Author

Level 2

302 points

Jul 30, 2009 1:36 AM in response to iproblemo

iproblemo,

Very well put.

Aug 14, 2009 11:43 AM in response to Thanar

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1701919
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8877788

I'm just following up from the above prematurely archived threads (what is with this forum doing that before an issue is resolved!). I have the same issue and must add my name to the list of those who have reported it.

I have tried this by calling my own voicemail:
When I use the Plantronics Voyager PLT-510 to call myself from my VoIP line or Nokia E71, it works fine and I can hear every word I record.
When I call from the iPhone, the iPhone seems to be trying to employ some sort of 'echo cancellation' and cuts out / lowers volume to zero, any words that I speak below a certain acceptable volume. In other words, I have to shout for the iPhone to 'allow' the words through.

It seems there's always some sort of issue that means allegedly compatible hardware (it says so on the Plantronics website where iPhone is listed), needs to be trashed.

Apple should be causing its customers this pain.

*I suggest everyone file feedback to Apple urgently addressing them to fix this 'echo cancellation gone wrong' issue: http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html*

wareham

Level 1

0 points

Aug 16, 2009 4:56 AM in response to Thanar

I bought a iPhone 3GS, and put 3.0.1 software, but same problems with bluetooth like 3G model. I recently bought one more bluetooth with excellent results with my iPhone, model is Sony Ericsson HBH-PV770. Now my voice is loud and clear with no fluctuating on the other end of the line.

Thanar Author

Level 2

302 points

Aug 17, 2009 3:33 AM in response to wareham

You should wait a few weeks before you start celebrating about how your new headset work fine. Problems often occur a few weeks after pairing the headset.

Alcares

Level 1

5 points

Aug 18, 2009 2:21 AM in response to iproblemo

iproblemo wrote:
Hi, I think the problem with using BT headset with iPhone is that iPhone mutes the microphone when there's no sound AND also when the other person is talking. Think about it for a minute. That's probably the reason why some experience less problems while driving a car.

Actually I have the biggest issue in my car kit!
It's a Ford S-Max kit that works fine with my wife's €40 Nokia (!!!) but my iPhone has the issue common to many of you guys: I can hear people well, they will hear me VERY far. So far that if they are in a noisy environment, they will hang up as they believe no one is at the other end!

I have tried to delete the association and re-pair without any success, not even temporary as someone said.

Same issue with a Motorola and a Nokia headset, that are both obviously working fine with other (crappy) phones.

I am convinced it's a software issue.

Thanar Author

Level 2

302 points

Sep 4, 2009 11:50 AM in response to Thanar

For no apparent reason, I've been having no problems with my bluetooth quality-wise for a couple of months, since I upgraded to OS 3.0.1. That's the main reason I've been silent in this thread (go ahead, call me a selfish pig). However, I've been following other posts and replaying if necessary.

However;
I was today forced by my carrier to to a restore my iPhone, since I was having some 3G connectivity issues, which seems now like their fault, since the situation hasn't improved. I did a complete restore to 3.0.1 and afterwards restored to the hour-ago backup.
Guess what: my bluetooth was still paired (thanx to the restore to backup, I guess), but LOW VOLUME ON THE OTHER END is now BACK! After a couple of months, I again feel like smashing my iPhone 3G against the wall!

Guess I'll have to wait for a new software, yet again...

Sep 6, 2009 10:26 AM in response to Thanar

Same problem here. Sometimes perfect voice quality on the other end. but only until there's some noise on the other end, like traffic, helicopters or airplanes. Then the audio gets quiet and remains quiet (even if the noise is gone), until i switch off bluetooth and reconnect the headset...

The louder the ambient noise on the other side, the quieter gets the headset. i always hear loud and clear, it only affects my microphone.

On my old iPhone (1st Gen) there was no problem at all when using the same headset for calling...

Michael

Thanar Author

Level 2

302 points

Sep 9, 2009 11:48 AM in response to Thanar

Please post your experience (the plenty of you who've had problems, myself included) after upgrading to OS 3.1.

Sep 9, 2009 12:25 PM in response to Thanar

I'll try my BT headset first thing tomorrow. I'm hoping for the best, but my expectations are low :/

Sep 9, 2009 2:21 PM in response to krisen_swe

Will re-test a few of the ones I have to see how it all works out, however I have grown tired of this problem since it's so random... even though it can work better with some...

Sep 10, 2009 5:52 AM in response to Thanar

First call today; "I cant hear you, you sound very far away".

This really *****...

_Mac

Level 1

4 points

Sep 10, 2009 7:08 AM in response to Thanar

Hi Thanar & Co
Sure will try it out after the upgrade to OS 3.1 with a couple of my BT headsets (got quite a few now...) - but I wouldn't get my hopes up though...

Your feedback...
Even is this is most likely an SW-issue, please state which BT headset your testing your iPhone with and also where you bought your iPhone (country) with in your feedback to this thread. Thanks.

berg82

Level 1

0 points

Sep 10, 2009 12:11 PM in response to _Mac

Hi,

I'm glad I found this thread.

I have the exact same problem described here. Sadly, the problem remains after updating to 3.1.

I have tested with two different headsets:

- Jabra BT3030
- Samsung WEP - 350

Sep 10, 2009 5:01 PM in response to berg82

Hi.,

Can I check with you if you have this problem..

I assume you have paired the iPhone 3GS to the a2dp carkit/headset.
First, play something on the iPod.
Then go to the Bluetooth settings page where you can see all the paired devices.
after that, make a connection to the carkit.
Is there any stuttering or audio breaking you hear from the carkit/headset?

I have this problem with my iTech BluebandR headset and iSkin Cerulean RX. I only found this problem with iPhone 3GS but it worked fine with 3G.

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Bluetooth audio quality concerns