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My iPhone 5 speaker does not work properly.

My iPhone 5 16GB AT&T has problems with its speaker...when I'm playing music at full volume, at certain times in my music the volume fluctuates, going lower for a second and then returning to normal volume...there are also distortions in the actual music at different points. Does anyone else experience this issue? I know it's not a problem with the song itself because I've listened to it through both the built-in speaker and the fantastic EarPods, and I do not have any sound issues through the headphones.

Posted on Sep 22, 2012 9:18 PM

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Posted on Sep 22, 2012 10:19 PM

Hey ya - I am having this same problem. UGH!

79 replies

Sep 22, 2012 10:20 PM in response to Astroblazed

Glad to see I'm not the only one...what are your specs? I'm wondering if this is an issue for only certain iPhones. I'm thinking about taking it into a genius bar but I doubt they'd have inventory for replacement yet. I just hate waiting, putting more stuff on my phone, just to have to backup, replace, and restore it. A hassle I don't enjoy going through.

Sep 23, 2012 8:57 AM in response to ajw522

Knew I wasn't the only one who'd picked up on it! Now, as a musician I can tell you that this 'distortion' you're hearing to me sounds exactly like dynamic compression, and after trying out some loud songs on my phone I think that may be it. Basically what dynamic compression does is it levels out the audio so there is less range between the loud and quiet parts of the song but applied to extremes can make the audio sound as if it is 'breathing'.


My best guess is that this allows the speaker to go so loud and avoid damage to the speaker in case of any sudden extreme loud peaks in the audio.

Sep 23, 2012 9:44 PM in response to tomma0264

What you're saying makes sense, and I'd agree with you about your diagnosis for the problem. If that were the case, shouldn't the problem be present on all iPhone 5s? Judging by the number of responses to this thread, either a) it's not that big of an issue or b) most people don't realize / detect the issue.


Also, would you think this is a software issue or a hardware issue? Will/Would Apple solve this in the next iOS update? If it's not a hardware issue on ALL iPhone 5s, perhaps we should contact AppleCare or Genius Bar and get it replaced. If it's software, I guess we'd have to wait.

Sep 24, 2012 7:05 AM in response to stuarty21

Well, someone, if not multiple people are telling you a line of BS.

There is a 1 year warranty for manufacturing defects on the device. That is undisputable. There is no cost associated with this.


The return policy is set by the store where the device is purchased.


What is your intent? To return the device or to get it swapped out for a working device?

Sep 24, 2012 9:01 AM in response to ajw522

It could be hardcoded into the speaker but it's also possible it may be the doing of iOS 6. If it is compression though I do feel it is a rather genius idea of Apple allowing the loudest possible audio without running the risk of damaging the speakers, but the fact not everyone will really notice it.


Anyway here's an example of some extreme compressed audio - more than that of the iPhone speaker but same thing.


http://www38.zippyshare.com/v/19887124/file.html

Sep 25, 2012 8:58 AM in response to ajw522

I have a similar issue and think its software related. Siri sounds very tinny in the iPhone 5 compared to 4s. Lock sounds, key sounds also much quieter but get better if you turn them off and on - hence why I think it's software prob. Same with external speaker and headphones.


Please Apple release update. Call volume is great in mine, just Siri sounds terrible and low lock and key sounds.

My iPhone 5 speaker does not work properly.

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