Plantronics Voyager 855 unable to lower volume during iPod playback

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Level 1

8 points

Plantronics Voyager 855 unable to lower volume during iPod playback

I wasn't sure if this should be in 3GS or music and video, so I figured I would pick one.
I have a 3GS 32gb running version 3.1. The problem I have is during iPod playback. My Voyager 855 locks the volume slider on the phone at half way. Using the volume control ON THE HEADSET, I can increase the volume and see the volume slider on the phone increase correspondingly up to the point that the music is very loud. But, when I try to turn the music down, again using the volume controls ON THE HEADSET, the slider on the phone will only go down to the halfway point. I can continue to click the volume down button ON THE HEADSET and the button will beep along with a split second decrease in volume but as soon as the button is released the volume has not changed-it remains at the halfway point. I have this problem with watching youtube videos, everything, EXCEPT for on the rainfall app that I have. I can increase/decrease the volume all the way up or down to the point that I can no longer hear the rain or until it is so loud it hurts my ears. This is very frustrating as I would really like to use this headset while reading and for sleeping, but the iPod function is just too loud. My friend has a 3G 8gb with the exact same headset and he does not have this problem. Is this a feature/limitation of the 3GS?

3GS 32gb, Windows 7, n/a

Posted on Mar 17, 2010 6:11 AM

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Answer 1

Dr_AL

Level 3

674 points

Mar 17, 2010 6:28 AM in response to exhumis

I've never had issues with the volume on my 855, but I've never used it for long periods of time for music.

Anyways are you running 3.1 or a newer firmware like 3.1.2 or 3.1.3? If you are running 3.1 I'd suggest updating the firmware to see if that solves the issue first.

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Answer 2

Dr_AL

Level 3

674 points

Mar 17, 2010 6:31 AM in response to exhumis

Sorry, duplicate post...

Message was edited by: Dr_AL

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Answer 3

exhumis Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 17, 2010 6:38 AM in response to Dr_AL

Just plain 3.1. My wife is running 3.1.3 and she has the same problem-it's as though the phone will not allow the headset to adjust the volume any lower than half way. It is really frustrating. I love this headset!

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Answer 4

Dr_AL

Level 3

674 points

Mar 17, 2010 10:33 AM in response to exhumis

So I figured I give it a go and I don't appear to have any issues. I can go up and down and the volume makes it to either the loud or quiet ends of the spectrum with no issues.

On a side note I don't show the volume slider on the iPhone. I just get the device name (8XXPlantronics) and the Bluetooth symbol. I also use a Bluetooth receiver for my car stereo for the music and it shows the same thing for device name and the Bluetooth logo rather than the volume slider.

On a side note have you tried the headset on other devices other than an iPhone? Maybe try with a computer to see of it might be the device. I don't have any hard evidence but I'm thinking it might be device rather than the phone. So I'd first try the headset on something else.

My oly suggestions would be to try the following:
1 - Unpair the headset and the iPhone, and then pair them again.
2 - Restart the iPhone(s), and retry step 1.
3 - Restore the iPhone from back up. Maybe use your wife's if you don't want to update your phone to 3.1.3.
4 - Restore as a new iPhone.

There have been previous posts with people having issues with headsets and Plantronic models. I can't remember if any were the 855, but you could search the forum as well to see what the other issues were to see if you issue is similar or not.

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Answer 5

exhumis Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 17, 2010 10:39 AM in response to Dr_AL

Thanks for the suggestion-i'll try it and see if it works. Yeah, I saw all the other posts about people having trouble with their headsets-it seems like people might not be aware that the headset actually has two "profiles", if you want to call it that. One for phone function and one for music. Seems like people want these headsets to do something that they just can't/won't do or were never designed to do. I do feel sorry for all those that have music problems with their cars though. The iPhone is a pretty complex piece of machinery-computer/phone/music player/video player/gps/etc.
I wish I could attach a picture-that would make things so much easier. Oh well. Thanks for your help-i'll post again with the results.

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Answer 6

Dr_AL

Level 3

674 points

Mar 17, 2010 1:09 PM in response to exhumis

Search the Internet and didn't find any similar problems. All I found wa should post on the Plantronics discussion website...
http://soundingboard.plantronics.com/t5/Mobile-Bluetooth-Headsets/Voyager-855-iP hone-3GS-music-too-loud/td-p/4863

I can't say I agree with the response as the iPhone doesn't control the volume for phone or music.
Did the 855 ever work properly?
Does the volume slider of the iPhone do anything to change volume if it is adjusted on the screen.

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Answer 7

exhumis Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 18, 2010 6:35 PM in response to Dr_AL

Yeah, ha ha, that is my post to Plantronics and their reply to me. I tried what you suggested and no go:
Un pairing, rebooting, and re pairing did not result in a fix. I still have the same problem. I tried it on my wifes phone-hers is running 3.1.3, and no-go, it had the same problem.
The volume slider works when the music is not outputed through the headset. When through the iPhone speaker, it works as it should-the volume is able to be adjusted up and down via the slider. Videos behave as they should, any program that needs to be adjusted via the volume slider or the rocker button on the side of the phone works as it should. To expand on what I stated eariler: while using the iPod function I can set the slider all the way to the left (volume 0), press the option for output and set it to the headset. When I do that, there is a split second where you can see the slider move from the left to the middle, and then the slider disappears. It's almost as though the headset is resetting the default/baseline sound level from 0 to 50 (if we are working on a 0-100 scale). I can increase the volume using the buttons on the headset, and I can lower the volume only to half way. If I then select the option for sound output and change it back to speaker, the slider reappears, and it is all the way to the left where I originally set it. This is very frustrating. I can understand Plantronics response. but they are wrong. I can control the loudness of music via the iPod application. I guess maybe this is just a hiccup I will have to deal with. I have placed a request to Apple that they fix this. Maybe in the next upgrade they will, or at least add an option where you can adjust it in the settings.

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