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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

Nov 26, 2008 5:02 AM in response to Thanar

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

Nov 26, 2008 8:45 AM in response to Thanar

Just finished some more testing. I tried un-pairing and then re-pairing the bluetooth headset and this has cleared the sound a bit, I now actually have input from the headset. Anyone facing similar problems could try it out and let me know.

This also would explain the fact that after upgrading iPhone to software v2.2, the issue seemed to have been fixed. I guess some bluetooth-related settings got reset at that time, as did when I unpaired my headset during my last test. Looks like this issue is a bit "dynamic", meaning that you have to use the headset quite a bit in order for the problem to appear.

Will let you know as I have more information on the issue.

Message was edited by: Thanar

Nov 26, 2008 10:40 AM in response to Thanar

I can attest to all of the above. The situation gets even worse when utilising the echo cancellation technologies of the Plantronics bluetooth headsets. I only wish Apple comes up with a solution to this issue soon enough..

The Bluetooth technology has been around for many many years, yet it seems they all never got the hang of it for crying out loud.

Jan 29, 2009 6:43 AM in response to Thanar

I've had problems with bluetooth headset on my Iphone 3g since the beginning a bought it. I've tried 8 different models of bluetooth from Motorola to Jabra and Jawbone, plantronics, etc.... They DON'T work good. People can't hear me well or sometimes not at all. I'm tired of this because the bluetooth headset is very important for my work and i have to use my old phone, a Sony Ericsson witch work fine with all bluetooth headset instead of my Iphone.

I'm ****** now and at apple they say they could do nothing.....arghhhh

Jan 29, 2009 9:35 AM in response to Thanar

It is strange that NOT EVERYBODY is facing these problems. I've heard of people who had their problems fix by replacing their iPhones. If somebody was facing such issues and were resolved after replacing his/her iPhone with a new one, please post here. I will not begin such a process myself without first knowing that it is hardware-specific, since here in Greece I will have to give my iPhone for service at Vodafone, and it will be a month minimum before I will be informed of their intentions.

Feb 10, 2009 2:17 AM in response to Thanar

I have the same problems with my iPhone and iPhone Headset or 3rd party Bluetooth headset. For me Bluetooth handfree is a very important things on a mobile phone. I'm minimum 3hours a day in my car calling clients, it's not appropriate to said to client: "Ho sorry I'm using my iPhone, let me 2 min to stop to call you back !!!" What's this ? the Flintstones era ?

It's the first problem I have with an Apple product. I tried so many things, but anyway.

Please do something to solve this problem...
Thank you

Feb 10, 2009 10:24 AM in response to gTubes

Maybe it would be worth it if you could take your iPhone to an AppleStore and have it replaced. I have heard of people with the same problem having it resolved after the replacement of their iPhones.

Take note thoough, that IF you replace your iPhone, I (and many many others) would VERY MUCH would like to hear from you again!

Thank you.

Feb 23, 2009 12:52 PM in response to Thanar

I read all post and noticed that whatever the bluetooth kit you use you will be concerned by poor communication. I uninstalled my inegrated nokia bluetooth for a brand new parrot mki9100. I believed my nokia was incompatible wtith iphone....I spend 3 hours a day on the road and make call for a large moment.

Some people say that i've got a voice robot, others are obliged to turn volume at maximum level to hear...I am very disappointed. Iphone is a good pda but surely a bad telephone. I hope they can fix this issue on a next update.

Apr 2, 2009 5:41 AM in response to Thanar

Just to add to the discussion. I just bought the Contour Metal BT headset from Apple and it works just as bad as every other headset I've tried so far. It is actually so bat that it's useless. And not worth a cent of the €80 it cost, unless I switch to anoter phone.
If Apple can't give me a solution to this, I will return the headset and reevaluate the iPhone from the view of a phone without BT, since headset is currently the only BT function it provides.

Bluetooth audio quality concerns

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