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

ilundber

Level 1

0 points

Sep 23, 2009 2:21 AM in response to Thanar

Hi,
Yet another 3Gs with this problem. I have used Apple's Bluetooth headset (one of the first ones) and the person at the other end barely hears me. I have tried other headsets but no improvement. The iPhone has OS 3.1.
My real "issue" is that I want to connect the iPhone via Bluetooth to my Garmin Zümo 660 GPS and use it's speaker and microphone. In addition I have this on a motor bike with a intercom system from Peltor.
The pairing works fine, I can hear what the person at the other end says but they can barely hear me. I get the same result if I call using the Zümo 660 sitting in a very quite room and having the iPhone only a couple of inches away.
This is basically the same problem as others have reported but if I turn the iPhone in for repair, I will be charged €40 - €50 if they can't find a problem. In the light of what everybody is experiencing, I think that this bad quality is the acceptable level according to Apple.
I honestly don't know what can be done in order to convince Apple that there is a problem with the Bluetooth. It seems that Apple is aiming for the business professionals with the 3Gs but to be successful with those clients they have better fix this.

Sep 24, 2009 12:54 AM in response to Thanar

Just adding my name to the growing list of disgruntled B/T users. I often get complaints that my speech is breaking up.

Just one thing - I read somewhere that this could be linked to WiFi and if WiFi was turned off, the speech would be OK. Haven't had a chance to test it though. Has this been covered here?

Sep 24, 2009 1:17 AM in response to Thanar

Thanar wrote:
OK, I ust managed to put together an audio file of what's happening here... I used Audio Hijack Pro to record a Skype call. The noise you can hear playing through the MacBook's speaker is the file "Lobby Conversation.caf" found inside Apple's iLife audio loops. The mac is sitting on the desk, playing the ambience sound, while I have moved to another -quiet- room answering the call.

Here's the link: http://homepage.mac.com/rtouris/thanar/temp/BTaudiotest.mp4

Tell me what you think of it. I will later try re-pairing me headset as well as resetting the iPhone, just to make sure that it's a constant issue that doesn't come and go.

Message was edited by: Thanar

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"Внимание !
Доступ к содержимому запрошенной WEB-страницы запрещен политикой доступа в интернет компании ЛЮКСОФТ.
Если доступ обусловлен производственной необходимостью, необходимо получить разрешение руководителя подразделения и подать заявку установленной формы через систему IT-HelpDesk. "

Thanar Author

Level 2

302 points

Sep 24, 2009 2:07 AM in response to pdeseymour

pdeseymour,

Regarding your notice on the WiFi interference, I have done various tests with every setting possible with no definite positive results. The issue is software-related and Apple should just look into it. It is a matter of disabling some "echo-cancellation" software feature on the iPhone.

Sep 25, 2009 10:42 PM in response to pdeseymour

I've turned off WiFi and the breaking up audio has stopped. You may have to turn of the iPhone and back on again if it doesn't clear up right away. So for now, WiFi is not usable if you want to use your phone with a BT headset.

Thanar Author

Level 2

302 points

Sep 28, 2009 11:46 AM in response to SuperSizeIt

I have done additional testing and it seems like WiFi on or off has no effect whatsoever on my configuration. I stand in my original assumption that this here issue is a software-related one; an issue that can easily be addressed by changing a flag in the bluetooth stack code disabling the possible "echo cancellation" feature of the iPhone. A "feature" that obviously isn't producing problems to the apple developers or beta testers because they propably... don't use bluetooth headsets often.

Sep 28, 2009 11:50 AM in response to Thanar

Well then good for you, for "your" configuration. But for many of us, the issue is there. Turning off WiFi solved the distortion when using the "Apple BT" headset.

Thanar Author

Level 2

302 points

Sep 28, 2009 12:09 PM in response to SuperSizeIt

This thread is focused on the issue where your voice "mutes" or "lowers" in volume when the other party is talking at the same time, or is in a noisy environment. This issue applies to most headsets, regardless of brand.

The distortion or "interference" you are referring to is a different issue that applies only to Apple's bluetooth headset, afaik. So, we are talking about different issues here.

Sep 28, 2009 12:11 PM in response to Thanar

Who appointed you forum police? Geez. BT audio quality concerns. You want to be specific, have the title changed then.

Thanar Author

Level 2

302 points

Sep 28, 2009 12:21 PM in response to SuperSizeIt

There's a very-well written description on the first post in this thread, with a pledge to keep it as focused as possible. I am just trying to keep the thread tidy. Please don't take it to a personal level. As I can see, you've been in Apple forums as long as I have, so I guess you too are fond of nice threads. Thank you.

I am happy your issue is solved, though.

Sep 28, 2009 1:02 PM in response to Thanar

Turning off WiFi haven't solved anything for me either...

I miss my legacy board profile that got purged here... it was from 1999...

Oct 3, 2009 9:06 PM in response to SolidSwede

Well I've updated to 3.1 and wouldn't you know it, no more volume problems!! But that's because my iPhone can't find my headset anymore. Nice one Apple, keep up the good work!

In my work I come across quite a number of Japanese people out here on working holidays. I'm beginning to understand why they all tell me that in Japan the iPhone is regarded as crap.

Thanar Author

Level 2

302 points

Oct 5, 2009 12:58 AM in response to Thanar

I am beggining to believe that after a few times of pairing-deleting the headset, I ended randomly with a better working bluetooth implementation. I.e. my headset seems to be working fine for the last couple of days.

Oct 8, 2009 6:59 AM in response to Thanar

Ok one year and still no permanent solution for you I see. Thanar its really tempting for me to write in Greek right now but i won't 😝
Well...guess what, i face the same ** problem. I use plantronics 925. An excellent headset but the "noisy enviroment of the other" makes the difference.
At ur last post Thanar u wrote smthng about working better with pairing-deleting for a few times. Does this solve it 100%? Ok i know it may be temporarely but even, did this solve the problem for all the calls or did just again some of them complainted for not hearing u?...
PS: I hate this voice reduction ahhgrrr...

Message was edited by: masterstif

Oct 8, 2009 7:08 AM in response to Thanar

deleted-repaired it one time , soft reseted it and works fine for now...
Lets wait for a few days first 🙂

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Bluetooth audio quality concerns