Why does the ringtone sound worse AFTER I download it?

I'm having the same problem with my iPhone 4S - these are ringtones I'm buying and downloading from iTunes. They sound fine in the preview, and terrible once I set it as a ring tone (tinny, no bass, distortion). Clearly a software bug.

Same problem here, everything as described previously. Except for the fact that after a restore (suggested by the Apple Support) I can't even use these custom sounds for text messages as before.

Any chance for a fix in 5.0.2? Would be nice, because I'm disappointed a bit.

I have the same problem on my iPhone 4.

As text tones, my files sound gorgeous, but when set as ringtones, they sound more like AM radio quality crud. Just awful.

I was very frustrated to come to the forums and find that there's no fix or announced plans for a fix... I can't imagine why they'd WANT our phones to sound like garbage...

Sad.

Update:

My phone has been replaced by Apple under warranty due to some network problems. But it still sounds like my phones 10 years ago... It's hard to stay calm, I'm disappointed and very upset. Maybe iOS 5.1... Maybe.

Does anyone have access to the Apple Express Lane Support? I'm wondering what they think about this problem.
T-Mobile and the hungarian Apple Support said: they have no information on this bug/issue. This is why I would rather ask the the Express Lane.

The thing is: I've bought mine at T-Mobile Hungary. This way the hungarian Apple Support says that I must ask help from T-Mobile. Well, T-Mobile sent it to Apple, and as said before they replaced the whole phone due to network problems, but not a single word was said about the ringtone issue. Fact: you can't access the Express Lane from Hungary, the Apple Support redirects you to T-Mobile, who can't do anything than to send it to Apple.

Costumer care at it's best.

Same problem here, I have used the form Gabor has posted. Lets see what they say, I have hopes this can be fixed in the next update which shouldn't be long. Seems quite an oversight though for a company that is so meticulous.

I am having the exact same problem. I don't understand why this is happening, and there doesn't really seem to be a fix. Thankfully, I rarely get a phone call, so I won't have to deal with the terrible sound quality all that often.

Still, it's really annoying 😟

I think you should wait one or two weeks or so. The iOS 5.1 should be out in the first half of February. (No official date, just guesses.) I had my phone replaced by Apple, and nothing changed. Should be a bug, but we'll be smarter when iOS 5.1 comes. Hopefully.

Good news Ladies and Gentlemen 🙂

Some people on a hungarian iPhone 4S forum are using iOS 5.1 Beta 3. One of them said, that this ringtone issue is fixed. All we need is the final iOS 5.1... Fingers crossed.

I have iPhone 6s and iOS version 9.2, and the same issue. I just compare the quality from settings and from itunes - A VERY big difference, WORSE! It looks like I downloaded it from some pirate site for SMS, however it's iTunes 😕. How can I fix it? Because standard tones sounds more clearly than it.

How can this bug be still unfixed after 4 years.

Happening on my 6s; asked for refund on my purchases.

Poor introduction to my first iPhone and I'm wondering why Apple is so popular. Fairly disgraceful.

10.0.2, and the problem is still present. I've just BOUGHT 2 ringtones in iTunes and both of them sounds like sh*t if I want to use them as a ringtone. As "text message sound" they sound just perfect. Dear Apple, would you FIX this???

Hello, I have brand new iPhone 6s (2016 wersion) and the newest iOS 10.1 and I'm still having this issue.

Please Apple, fix this. I have expensive phone with ****** ringtone sound quality. It's uncool.

Steve Jobs is turning over in his grave

Try and synchronize them on computer with iTunes !

After they appear in Itunes as synced to library the sound quality will be better on device ....

i used Fone Trans app, trial, to sync folder to iTunes library , then did the rest from iTunes .

Only issue i found is that , from 54 ringtones , it takes only 40 that accumulate 20minutes , but that's ok !

Succes

P.S. IOS 10.1 , Iphone 7+...

Doesn't work for me.

I have all my ringtones sinced up with my iTunes. I'm syncing those with an iPhone, then uncyncing (uncheck them) and then again syncing up and all ringtones stays in the same poor quality. On a computer though they sounds identically as full mp3 song.