audio hiss after 4.4.2 update. - Moto G General

<<SOLVED>> The moto G Opamp is not very efficient. It struggles to go down to 2Ohm stable. This means average earbud type headphones rated at 16Ohms. will have hiss and other artifacts. Higher impedance headphones. 40-70Ohms have much better sq. Much above 70Ohms and I suspect the Moto G won't be powerful enough to drive them.... so, that's the sweet spot!
Hey,
Since I updated to kitkta4.4.2 I notice there is a significant background hiss listening with headphones.
As soon as you use an app that activates the audio jack the hiss kicks in, it is constant, not volume dependent. If you turn the volume down to zero, but the app keeps the sound output active the hiss remains.
when the app is closed, the hiss abruptly stops (presumably when the sound API deactivates the inbuilt opamp to save battery)
I'm about 90% sure this wasn't present under 4.3 or was far less noticeable.
I'm not being picky either, this is bad enough that it would make using the phone as a walkman at a low or moderate volume unpleasant. From experience I'd estimate the hiss at approx -20dB.. this is similar to the hiss you would hear from your average desktop PC fan at idle under your desk..
can anyone test this too, on 4.3 and 4.4.2?
Oh, and use earbud headphones or good closed cup ones. Open phones, unless you are somewhere very quiet won't give a good idea of the hiss..
thanks

Can confirm this on 4.4.2, too bad I didn't see your post before updating, as I don't really remember how it was on 4.3 :/
You don't actually have to use earphones, it's noticeable through the speaker, too (well I'm in my room alone and I put my ear close to it). However, I wouldn't say it's very significant - when using earphones I can hear it when muted, on the 1st bar after mute; on the 2nd you can't really say if you hear it or is it your imagination; and on the 3rd bar it's unnoticeable.

I can't notice any hiss in 4.3, even if I use a headphone amp. No clicking sounds either when the opamp turns on.
Sent from my XT1032 using xda app-developers app

UnknownAX said:
I can't notice any hiss in 4.3, even if I use a headphone amp. No clicking sounds either when the opamp turns on.
Sent from my XT1032 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is what I was worried about. I didnt notice any hiss before either, and I had it connected to a car stereo so would amplify the issue (if it was there).
maybe something did change in the audio settings/drivers then. I have already tried dissablying all the dsp stuff with no luck, still the hiss and click when the opamp switches on/off.
Maybe it was there before though, and it's bad luck with the phone, rather than the OS version.

I have got UK Retail 4.4.2 and I have tried to replicate this. I have tried YouTube, Spotify Play Music and TuneIn. I do not experience a hiss!

UnknownAX said:
I can't notice any hiss in 4.3, even if I use a headphone amp. No clicking sounds either when the opamp turns on.
Sent from my XT1032 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
dhilluk said:
I have got UK Retail 4.4.2 and I have tried to replicate this. I have tried YouTube, Spotify Play Music and TuneIn. I do not experience a hiss!
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Click to collapse
Under 4.3 to save battery I disabled apps I wasn't using, including the Audio Effects app, and google play. When you disable them it forces you to 'uninstall updates' which I didnt realise at the time, but I think may have been specific to the moto g, as you cannot redownload them from playstore, or update them.
Would someone be so kind as to upload the FULL apk of their google play and and Sound Effects, from their stock 4.4.2 build?
Im pretty sure this is down to the software API that activates the opamp. (as it is very distinct), it even happens when you activate audio by using the rocker to increase the ringtone volume!?!?!???
It sounds like listening to a really cheap mp3 player with a low S/N ratio...
** edit I mean 'Play Music' not 'google play'

Hi,
I actually just registered to say this was very much present on my moto g on android 4.3 and is still the same on KitKat. It definitely sounds like a cheap mp3 player. Does anyone know of a fix?
Thanks
helppme said:
Hey,
Since I updated to kitkta4.4.2 I notice there is a significant background hiss listening with headphones.
As soon as you use an app that activates the audio jack the hiss kicks in, it is constant, not volume dependent. If you turn the volume down to zero, but the app keeps the sound output active the hiss remains.
when the app is closed, the hiss abruptly stops (presumably when the sound API deactivates the inbuilt opamp to save battery)
I'm about 90% sure this wasn't present under 4.3 or was far less noticeable.
I'm not being picky either, this is bad enough that it would make using the phone as a walkman at a low or moderate volume unpleasant. From experience I'd estimate the hiss at approx -20dB.. this is similar to the hiss you would hear from your average desktop PC fan at idle under your desk..
can anyone test this too, on 4.3 and 4.4.2?
Oh, and use earbud headphones or good closed cup ones. Open phones, unless you are somewhere very quiet won't give a good idea of the hiss..
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

motg-gm said:
Hi,
I actually just registered to say this was very much present on my moto g on android 4.3 and is still the same on KitKat. It definitely sounds like a cheap mp3 player. Does anyone know of a fix?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now this is getting weird. I think I'll install the ota to see how mine behaves. The G's audio quality decent enough imo. Probably above Android smartphone average. But what I like the most is that it's 100% silent, regardless of the volume setting, headphones or the amp.
Having said that, I will still get a USB DAC solution for it, which luckily has native support on both stock ROMs.

UnknownAX said:
Now this is getting weird. I think I'll install the ota to see how mine behaves. The G's audio quality decent enough imo. Probably above Android smartphone average. But what I like the most is that it's 100% silent, regardless of the volume setting, headphones or the amp.
Having said that, I will still get a USB DAC solution for it, which luckily has native support on both stock ROMs.
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Click to collapse
Is there anyway to update the phone without wifi ?? ...my friend as unlimited data but no wifi and she really wants to update ?

boe323 said:
Is there anyway to update the phone without wifi ?? ...my friend as unlimited data but no wifi and she really wants to update ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see how this is on-topic, but of course, you can download the update either on Wi-Fi or mobile data.

I don't know what you mean with "hiss", but since I updated mine (today - uk), i have started to notice some "clicks" in musics, that i didn't have before.
I was using PlayerPro, turned off the equalizer, uninstalled and reinstalled it again, and it was solved.
Google music, had no issues.

RickPinto said:
I don't know what you mean with "hiss", but since I updated mine (today - uk), i have started to notice some "clicks" in musics, that i didn't have before.
I was using PlayerPro, turned off the equalizer, uninstalled and reinstalled it again, and it was solved.
Google music, had no issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
by hiss, I mean hiss. It is probably around 18KHz, and is similar tot he sound of RF interference on a stereo (alsmost like the snow screen sound on a tv).
It is not volume dependent so it is defenitely downstream from the DAC, and must be the opamp or downsteram from the opamp in the phone. It is most likely from a poor ground some where in the audio path (assuming the opamp isn't awful, anyone know the chip?). It could be due to the single board set up of the Moto G mainboard design. I'm guessing here, but if the PCB has the audio channel close to any of the ground of power channels, this would explain my hiss. If it is built to tight tollerance, this could also explain why some people have it, others don't.
In laymans terms, I'm saying the audio signal is 'dirty. If anyone has every used a PC with crappy audio on the motherboard, they will know exactly what this problem is like. When no program is using the audio driver, the board puts the audio to 'sleep', when you open a program that uses that audio driver, the audio wakes up and you get some hiss, noise through the audio and pc speakers. This is exactly what I experience with my moto G.
if im honest, it's unlistenable, however I'm a bit of an audiophile so I can appreciate for most people they won't see it as a problem..

helppme said:
if im honest, it's unlistenable, however I'm a bit of an audiophile so I can appreciate for most people they won't see it as a problem..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found 4.3 to already be noisy with the hiss when using my earphones, which have a low attenuation and so even low volumes sound loud on them. To get around this problem I bought an attenuator which connects between the phone and the earphones. Then I set the phone audio to maximum, and reduced the volume using the attenuator. Setting the phone audio to loud means the hiss volume is low compared to the volume of the sound coming out of the phone.
This is the attenuator I use:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008EWP07E

RickPinto said:
I don't know what you mean with "hiss", but since I updated mine (today - uk), i have started to notice some "clicks" in musics, that i didn't have before.
I was using PlayerPro, turned off the equalizer, uninstalled and reinstalled it again, and it was solved.
Google music, had no issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
superusr said:
I found 4.3 to already be noisy with the hiss when using my earphones, which have a low attenuation and so even low volumes sound loud on them. To get around this problem I bought an attenuator which connects between the phone and the earphones. Then I set the phone audio to maximum, and reduced the volume using the attenuator. Setting the phone audio to loud means the hiss volume is low compared to the volume of the sound coming out of the phone.
This is the attenuator I use:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008EWP07E
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is a possibility, but its not ideal... sadly this is looking like a hardware issue not a software one though as if it was software, I'd expect it to be upstream of the opamp. The fact your attenuator solution works, is more evidence this is a downstream issue . (as implification induced noise increases with the square of the volume (assuming a logarithmic volume scale))

I'm on 4.4. I notice a slight hiss when music is coming out of the phones speaker, though its completely undetectable if the phone is at around half volume. No hiss when coming through headphones.
Sent from my XT1034 using xda app-developers app

Ravinxx said:
I'm on 4.4. I notice a slight hiss when music is coming out of the phones speaker, though its completely undetectable if the phone is at around half volume. No hiss when coming through headphones.
Sent from my XT1034 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please can you test something, with some sensitive in ear headphones (or in a quiet room if they are normal headphones.)
>Connect headphones to phone
>Make sure ALL apps are closed.
>turn the phones ring volume to zero
>you should hear silence.(regardless of what headphone volume is)
>On the home screen, Press the Up volume rocker 3 times quite quickly.
>On my phone, the headphones go from silent to Hiss, then I hear the 'Beep'.....'Beep' of the volume increase on top of the hiss. Wait 2 seconds after the second beep and you hear the Hiss abruptly stop, and you are back to silent.
I have this problem with all audio activity on the phone, but the ringtone volume trick is the easiest way to demonstrate it.

helppme said:
Please can you test something, with some sensitive in ear headphones (or in a quiet room if they are normal headphones.)
>Connect headphones to phone
>Make sure ALL apps are closed.
>turn the phones ring volume to zero
>you should hear silence.(regardless of what headphone volume is)
>On the home screen, Press the Up volume rocker 3 times quite quickly.
>On my phone, the headphones go from silent to Hiss, then I hear the 'Beep'.....'Beep' of the volume increase on top of the hiss. Wait 2 seconds after the second beep and you hear the Hiss abruptly stop, and you are back to silent.
I have this problem with all audio activity on the phone, but the ringtone volume trick is the easiest way to demonstrate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or even easier, just press the volume down or up button once in any direction with headphones plugged in. Regardless of what it was set to and becomes set to, you will hear a faint background hum/hiss be emitted through the headphones for a second. This is fairly normal on any phone and even most audio devices. I don't know what you expect really in a smart phone that costs £129 in the UK. It is a compact environment to build so much electronics into and will never be a hifi device.
I tested with 3 phones on my desk right now and they all have a hiss when you first do something to make audio come through the headphones like quickly play and then pause a track. In fact, one phone (Samsung Galaxy Ace Plus) has not only a hiss, but a screech/high pitched whine as well. All of these "noises" that are detectable, become undetectable when volume of anything is turned up past the first or second bar anyway.

Ravinxx said:
I'm on 4.4. I notice a slight hiss when music is coming out of the phones speaker, though its completely undetectable if the phone is at around half volume. No hiss when coming through headphones.
Sent from my XT1034 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
coursemyhorse said:
Or even easier, just press the volume down or up button once in any direction with headphones plugged in. Regardless of what it was set to and becomes set to, you will hear a faint background hum/hiss be emitted through the headphones for a second. This is fairly normal on any phone and even most audio devices. I don't know what you expect really in a smart phone that costs £129 in the UK. It is a compact environment to build so much electronics into and will never be a hifi device.
I tested with 3 phones on my desk right now and they all have a hiss when you first do something to make audio come through the headphones like quickly play and then pause a track. In fact, one phone (Samsung Galaxy Ace Plus) has not only a hiss, but a screech/high pitched whine as well. All of these "noises" that are detectable, become undetectable when volume of anything is turned up past the first or second bar anyway.
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Click to collapse
This is a fair point, and I agree is not surprising given the phones price. I think the reason I have posed this question was to a) determine if it could be software related (4.3 vs 4.4.2) but It doesn't looks so. b) Is it universal, or could be a slight lottery and maybe my phone is worse than others. As some people say they definitely have no issue. (granted it could be subjective)
Also, I would say, although it is present in most devices to some degree, it is noticeably worse on this phone than any other I have had. Multiple sony erricsons, galaxy Ace, Nokias.. And my last phone Galaxy S2 had extremely clean audio production. (i compared directly with moto g).
I do concede I am an audio snob though, so don't like listening to poor quality. I never really expected to use the moto g for music, but would have been a nice to have.

helppme said:
This is a fair point, and I agree is not surprising given the phones price. I think the reason I have posed this question was to a) determine if it could be software related (4.3 vs 4.4.2) but It doesn't looks so. b) Is it universal, or could be a slight lottery and maybe my phone is worse than others. As some people say they definitely have no issue. (granted it could be subjective)
Also, I would say, although it is present in most devices to some degree, it is noticeably worse on this phone than any other I have had. Multiple sony erricsons, galaxy Ace, Nokias.. And my last phone Galaxy S2 had extremely clean audio production. (i compared directly with moto g).
I do concede I am an audio snob though, so don't like listening to poor quality. I never really expected to use the moto g for music, but would have been a nice to have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it seems to me too that you are a bit more on the audio than most people
By the way, I was wondering up to which levels can you really say that you hear the hiss? As I've said before, for me it's definite hiss when muted and 1st level, weird feeling on the 2nd and I can't hear it from the 3rd.

theArchitektas said:
Yeah, it seems to me too that you are a bit more on the audio than most people
By the way, I was wondering up to which levels (just the volume slider, no music) can you really say that you hear the hiss? As I've said before, for me it's definite hiss when muted and 1st level, weird feeling on the 2nd and I can't hear it from the 3rd.
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Click to collapse
Depends on the music. pop music which has a lot of mids and highs, the hiss isnt noticible from notch 4 up maybe.
Quiet music, classical, R&B & hihop with a lot of bass beats but not many highs, you can hear the background his up to maybe 2 notches off max. But its acceptable from maybe half volume.
tbh it's more of a shame than an issue. I didn't expect this to replace a decent mp3 player, would just have been convenient is all.

Related

Sound too quiet, try this.

Hi all,
I've always felt that when playing music on my DHD that it's too quiet, when I've listened to music through my headphones I would say it's acceptable however when I've plugged my DHD into a HiFi or into my stereo in my car I could crank the volume to full control without it been deafening. I happen to find a fix yesterday by accident, I had my DHD plugged into my car stereo and the phone rang, I pulled the audio cable out and answered the phone, when I was done I put the cable back in and immediately I was like WTF just happened now, the music was much louder than what it was before I answered the phone, I would say it was about 30% louder.
I tested my theory by stopping the music and unplugging the cable, plugged the cable back in and started the music, while it was playing I opened the phone and simply dialled any random number and ended the call immediately, when it went back to the music it was most certainly much louder. I've tried it several times now and every time it makes it much louder than what it was before I make a call, I can now no longer turn the stereo full blast as it is simply too loud, just by turning it up to half way I would say it's the equivalent of what it was before when I had it turned up to the maximum.
I'm using Poweramp and I don't know if it's got anything to do with that, I will test it with the built in music player and see what it does. I originally downloaded Poweramp as I thought that the built in music player may be the problem.
i'll repet what you do and post some results... really want a louder volumen in headphones. I plugged my headphone in a Wildfire and it's incredible louder, no talking about an ipod! last week in a party i was ashamed when my friend put off his $50 cell phone and i plugged mine on stereo, so low volume....
wtf, that's true.. really don't understand what the phone turns on!! probably the same thing that volume boost turns on!!
Aha that actually works
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
thiagodark said:
wtf, that's true.. really don't understand what the phone turns on!! probably the same thing that volume boost turns on!!
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Click to collapse
Good news, it must be a software bug with the volume control.
works here too.. atleast on poweramp and soundcloud, didnt hear any difference on spotify
MarkieSA said:
Good news, it must be a software bug with the volume control.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
let's hope someone let this bug permanently turned on, with no call trick...
Haha! Tried it myself, and it works! Awesome!
I found using shazzam or sound hound while music was playing caused it to go louder. Seems to be when the mic is initialised. Noticed this two days ago
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Interesting find.
I've noticed a couple of ROMS which suggest better audio volume by 20%.
For example this one. (Speaker Boost +20%)
So somehow, somewhere the bug or issue has been fixed or improved.
Grant Barker said:
Interesting find.
I've noticed a couple of ROMS which suggest better audio volume by 20%.
For example this one. (Speaker Boost +20%)
So somehow, somewhere the bug or issue has been fixed or improved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really, i'm using that rom right now, and what it makes is improve SPEAKER volume, not from headphone. I made my tests in Android Revolution rom and can confirm that headphone is as quiet as stock rom, and it is improved by the "call trick"!
Thanks for sharing! I was experimenting a bit, and it seems like the simplest way to boost the volume is to make a call while music is already playing. The call MUST connect though, or the volume will revert to normal levels. Tested with Winamp.
Maybe have one of the dev's ask to look into this.
If this is different from the already increased speaker volume output, it probably is a bug that can be fixed / feature that can be 'un-featured'
works fine
I had similar experience with my laptop. When listening a mp3 file, the sound coming out from my laptop seems like no effects, standard sound without bass and treble effect. Have to play a movie file first together and stop the.movie make the song hear with the effect.
I believe this issue coming from my sound driver. Using another OS in same laptop. The sound play normally with no issue.
For our Android, it's about the sound driver too?
well well, i just noticed that in the Android Revolution 4 (leaked gingerbread based), the sound is improved by default, no needing the call workaround, looks like HTC fixed the strange bug for the next version...
i just wanted to share!
edit: if someone could try to confirm it, i'll appreciate! =o)
sound problem
hey guys i'm new to this forum, i would appreciate if anyone could help me..
my DHD tones(just keyboard sound, lock sound, shutter sound) have came very low and i can burly hear it.. i turned all the volumes to the max but it's still very low, can anyone help me with that?
indramino said:
hey guys i'm new to this forum, i would appreciate if anyone could help me..
my DHD tones(just keyboard sound, lock sound, shutter sound) have came very low and i can burly hear it.. i turned all the volumes to the max but it's still very low, can anyone help me with that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same problem, go to the Market and download "Volume Ace".
MarkieSA, you're an accident hero.
I noticed sometimes my DHD volume suddenly were loud . If I restart the phone, it will go low . I couldn't find out how to make it loud again until reading your post. I'm using PowerAmp too . I think it plays a role in this case.
Thank you for this great finding.
Really useful little trick for 2.2 users, especially for peeps using stock ROM's without the 20% boost via custom kernels. I had tried some of the volume boost type apps before rooting but all they do is invert the phase of one of the stereo channels. All this does is give you a very tinny mono output which is no use to say the least.

Strange static noise

I have noticed that when using the supplied earphones I can hear static background noise when I scroll through menus and buttons while music is playing. This only happens when music is activated and I can hear a low annoying fuzzy static that gets louder the more I scroll for example.
I can barely hear it when I put on headphones but can with earphones, seems quite strange wonder if anyone else experiences the same thing?
No one? Just try it, turn the volume down while listening to music then go to home screen and scroll left constantly or right and the hissing noise will get louder.
Audio chip or whatever must be quite crappy.
Restarted phone and can't seem to hear it now. Strange.
I'm glad that by talking to your self you've managed to fix this problem.
I spoke to myself to soon! Its back and I suspect it has something to do with the wifi sharing. As I activated kies air, uploaded a song, listened to song and hissing is back! argh.
jonkrav said:
I spoke to myself to soon! Its back and I suspect it has something to do with the wifi sharing. As I activated kies air, uploaded a song, listened to song and hissing is back! argh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try force stopping it? I've frozen most Samsung apps but even before then I had no problems at all with something like this tbh...although I don't use the stock music player.
I have annoying static background noise while using earphones, it can be better heard whilr using the phone when no music is playing.
This is a general issue or isolated cause?
I have this!!! I seem to get possibly some kind of audible distortion just before i play a song, and then when i pause the song and touch the screen it makes the weird static noise (and possibly when the song is playing as well, but its less identifiable). For me this noise only lasts for about 5 seconds after i have paused it and then stops. And yes, it also seems to be louder in earphones than headphones.
HAVE YOU FOUND A FIX? Firmware upgrades? Sent it back and got a replacement? what did you guys do? Let me know, thanks.
Could it be evp?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
I installed the Backslash Kernel and THEN noticed this, rebooted and it went.
It came back a while after. I also unplugged the headphones with the music app running and the phone rebooted.
Re-flashed the CF-Root KG1 Kernel and it went away, not had any 'noise' or reboots since :/
I got a replacement from orange as this issue was too distracting. My replacement has just come, but exactly the same 'static noise while and after listening to music' issue is still here!!! Is this really what its like for everyone but people don't bother saying?
PDA: I9100BVKE2
PHONE: I9100BVKE2
CSC: I9100ORAKE2
BUILD INFO : Wed May 11 22:56:39
KERNAL VERSION: [email protected] #2
On my last phone i tried flashing to generic KE7 AND KF3 (using odin). Both seemed to make the sound last for not as long after i pause the music, but did not solve the issue. Will rooting the phone, using different kernals and whatnot fix this? Could it be a dodgy batch of phones from orange? (I have no knowledge of what rooting and kernals actually is, let alone what ones i should use)
I have also experienced this. It seems the screen is the problem since the noise is gone when the screen is off.
What headphones are you using?
I have used the supplied headphones, but i have also tried other headphones as well. All seem to give the same sound but possibly at varying levels of volume. Do you still have the problem?
I use the Sennheiser CX300 II and I do not experience it any longer.
It depends on the impedance of the headphones. If the impedance is 16 ohm I cannot hear it but on 12 ohm headphones it is pretty obvious (but they are able to play louder).
I have not tried the supplied ones myself because they ALWAYS sound awful but if you had a specific name for a proper headphone you have tried, you can easily find their impedance on the internet.
Hmm well i have tried my creative EP-630 headphones which have impedance of 16 Ohm and i can still hear the noise. I have used many terrible headphones on terrible 'mp3 players' over the years and i have never experienced this, so i don't see why i should now go out and buy some new headphones. Although if you are really saying that the Sennheiser CX300 II headphones completely cured your problem then it might be worth it? Was your problem exactly the same as the one i described? Cheers.
It's obviously a problem of the audio amp picking up electrical noise from the other components of the device. I'm skeptic that anything can be done to solve it.
I also can hear some faint background noise on mine when scroling the screen and using memory, but anyway it's very faint... not enough to bother even in quiet environments.
I have to agree, it's bad shielding in the design. Something we will all have to live with.
I notice it most between songs when listening to music. Each songs starts with a little blast of noise.
Hmmm well i've heard that with certain kernals it is not there. Also for me, simply changing to different stock firmware reduced the time that the static sound lasts after i pause a song, so surely that can mean it can be stopped altogether. Im not prepared to give up on this (yet).
I would be grateful for other information and reports from other people about this issue, even simply if you don't have it. :/
...anyone?
tgg12 said:
...anyone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have this problem too...
but i have found that it does with some earphones... i guess its a matter of shielding, as posted before.

[Q] Any way to remove the headphone audio safety feature?

When you plug in headphones with media volume above 75% it seems, the software will lower it with a message saying prolonged listening at higher volumes is hazardous to your ears.
I plug my phone into my car stereo and its annoying changing it back up to 80% or so every time. Any menu item I'm just not seeing, or anyone have a fix to flash?
Not that I've seen doesn't happen with Bluetooth media
Sent from my VS980 4G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Electronic nannies are annoying. Particularly if you're using line out or over the ear type headphones. 100% is barely loud enough, if that.
You can use Tasker to program it to be 100% upon pluggin in the headphone.
I used it back in my S3 days.. didn't bother so much with my recent devices.
Geekybiker said:
Electronic nannies are annoying. Particularly if you're using line out or over the ear type headphones. 100% is barely loud enough, if that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find (and have found with all my phones) that 100% gives a fair amount of distortion so I stick to around 80%, but yes, quite annoying that there isn't at least a setting to turn this off.
This drive me nuts too. Also the notification when I join a wireless network, or if im not using the "official" power adapter...
I can't wait till an AOSP rom comes out for this!
So, I find that using the audio out port is awful in general. I was using the audio out cable to connect it to my vehicle and even at 100% volume, its terribly low. I like to put on some music while in the shower and I have a small speaker I keep in there, which is MUCH quieter with my LG G2 than with my Gnex. The audio output from this phone is just low when using the 3.5 mm output. However, i did get a new truck this week and with the bluetooth audio: its plenty loud: maybe 2x as loud. I had the volume at MAX with the audio out aux cable and it was not even that loud, but with blue tooth- I dare not turn it all the way up.
I did just try some headphones, and they were plenty loud: so it is just when using the audio out with my car, my Xmini speaker, or some other speaker that its low.
Bring on the AOSP ROMs devs! There are some good features LG packed in, but this is a bit too much supervision and non-sense going on in the background for my liking.
I don't know much about LG as a company: but if their marketing department is anything close to competent (probably too much to ask) they should be trolling these forums and looking for suggestions on what to change with updates.
I might email them, and let them know as much.

Fundamental audio buzzing problem with a brand new LG G3...unacceptable!

Hi all,
So I recently bought a new LG G3 - after having screen problems with the Oppo Find 7 - had the Oppo fully refunded, so was on the hunt for a new phone.
Bought the LG G3 instead - great phone (apart from the stupid button placement)...but there's a fundamental flaw with it - just sharing this here, to hear if anyone else has been testing it the way I have done in the video:
(Essentially the audio has a buzzing noise to it, when using the phone - this happens when you amplify the source)
I don't find it acceptable for a 2014 flagship phone to be like this.
I'm on the fence now to root it and/or flash another ROM OR just return it for a full refund - anyone else have any experience with different ROMs (ie 5.0 ROMs)?
EDIT:
I'm returning the phone: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=57514537&postcount=12
Some test results: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=57514889&postcount=13
Cheers
That "beep beep" sound when connecting your audio jack appears to be unique to your device as I haven't seen any other G3 do that before.
Also, I stated in another thread about this issue, It only happens while the cpu is under load AND there is no audio.
Once the cpu load drops to idle the issue is gone.
Once there is audio playing the issue is gone too.
It's annoying while no audio is playing, But it's not gonna degrade your audio experience in any way what so ever when there is sound coming out of your phone.
Amb669 said:
That "beep beep" sound when connecting your audio jack appears to be unique to your device as I haven't seen any other G3 do that before.
Also, I stated in another thread about this issue, It only happens while the cpu is under load AND there is no audio.
Once the cpu load drops to idle the issue is gone.
Once there is audio playing the issue is gone too.
It's annoying while no audio is playing, But it's not gonna degrade your audio experience in any way what so ever when there is sound coming out of your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the input.
Well that's odd, I've gotten others saying the beep beep is normal, but the buzzing isn't lol.
Out of interest, do you have the same issue?
And it's also a matter of principle, rather than it also being a fundamental flaw in the design. No flagship phone should have such an issue.
Whilst music is playing it's not noticeable at the levels I play it at, but at low volumes, and whilst using the phone at the same time, I can hear the problem. I'll retest tomorrow to make sure.
Not because I'm looking it for it, but because something doesn't sound 'right'in my music.
If it's CPU causing it, then is it linked somewhat to the kernel (ramp up and down of the CPU) or is it due to the placement or 'communication' it has to do within the phone (hardware problem)?
Mine does the Beep beep thing when i plug in my phone to the sound system at my work. It's done it on every ROM i have tried. The hissing, i haven't heard for a while though.
To be honest though, it is completely unacceptable it's not been sorted though yet.
neo6776 said:
Mine does the Beep beep thing when i plug in my phone to the sound system at my work. It's done it on every ROM i have tried. The hissing, i haven't heard for a while though.
To be honest though, it is completely unacceptable it's not been sorted though yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the input!
Hi !
I think the audio system is the only problem with this phone.
When hearphones are plugged and there's no sound, you can hear a weird sound (especially when you touch the screen).
I also have a problem when I listen to music, sometimes the music has a little lag, a little buzzing for less than a second, as if the phone didn't have the time to load the music. It sounds like an old used CD. It happens once every ten minutes approximately. I don't know if it comes from the fact that I listen to music from my SD card, which isn't a very good card (64Gb, 20$ on amazon). I should test it from internal storage to check that...
Anyway, I'm using ChupaChups ROM and the problem you're talking about is also present. But Chupa Chups is a stock-like ROM, so this isn't a surprise.
I'm planning on installing CyanogenMod to see the difference.
I'll report back here after that
Sideness said:
Hi !
I think the audio system is the only problem with this phone.
When hearphones are plugged and there's no sound, you can hear a weird sound (especially when you touch the screen).
I also have a problem when I listen to music, sometimes the music has a little lag, a little buzzing for less than a second, as if the phone didn't have the time to load the music. It sounds like an old used CD. It happens once every ten minutes approximately. I don't know if it comes from the fact that I listen to music from my SD card, which isn't a very good card (64Gb, 20$ on amazon). I should test it from internal storage to check that...
Anyway, I'm using ChupaChups ROM and the problem you're talking about is also present. But Chupa Chups is a stock-like ROM, so this isn't a surprise.
I'm planning on installing CyanogenMod to see the difference.
I'll report back here after that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!!
As for your issue - you tried disabling throttling from the secret menu?
I've done so - in order to avoid temp capping
TotallydubbedHD said:
Thank you!!
As for your issue - you tried disabling throttling from the secret menu?
I've done so - in order to avoid temp capping
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What hidden menu ? Dev options ?
ChupaChups ROM includes a mod which allows the processor to have an higher temperature (I think the original limit is 65°, the mod is set to 75°). The mod is supposed to erase this kind of issue.
Sideness said:
What hidden menu ? Dev options ?
ChupaChups ROM includes a mod which allows the processor to have an higher temperature (I think the original limit is 65°, the mod is set to 75°). The mod is supposed to erase this kind of issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it's not much of a "mod" - just a setting that you enable/disable:
http://forums.androidcentral.com/lg...-mitigation-offa-option-tweaks-does-work.html
That's a link to what I did.
Essentially the reason I'm saying it for you - is the laggy nature of what you said - with my brief use of the G3, I noticed a little alg, until I disabled the temp and throttling
TotallydubbedHD said:
Well it's not much of a "mod" - just a setting that you enable/disable:
http://forums.androidcentral.com/lg...-mitigation-offa-option-tweaks-does-work.html
That's a link to what I did.
Essentially the reason I'm saying it for you - is the laggy nature of what you said - with my brief use of the G3, I noticed a little alg, until I disabled the temp and throttling
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, thanks for the info.
I just installed CyanogenMod 12 (The ROM looks very stable, but I only got it 20 minutes ago so...). The first thing I tested was the issue we're talking about here... It's also present on Cyanogen ! The problem does not come from the Stock ROM !
Sideness said:
Okay, thanks for the info.
I just installed CyanogenMod 12 (The ROM looks very stable, but I only got it 20 minutes ago so...). The first thing I tested was the issue we're talking about here... It's also present on Cyanogen ! The problem does not come from the Stock ROM !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Legend - seems hardware related (as initially thought)
Unless CM use the same stock kernel - highly doubt that though!
OK guys - went into O2 store in the UK - they had a G3 on display.
(It was plugged in) - I could hear a LOT of static noise on my earphones with the amp connected.
Then I unplugged it from the mains - the static went away.
I then did the same tests as before and boom - same issue.
It's 100% not my device only and is present in the international G3 version.
My LG G3 is being returned tomorrow. It's unacceptable.
Amb669 said:
That "beep beep" sound when connecting your audio jack appears to be unique to your device as I haven't seen any other G3 do that before.
Also, I stated in another thread about this issue, It only happens while the cpu is under load AND there is no audio.
Once the cpu load drops to idle the issue is gone.
Once there is audio playing the issue is gone too.
It's annoying while no audio is playing, But it's not gonna degrade your audio experience in any way what so ever when there is sound coming out of your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK so I did tests -
Without the micro USB cord connected:
Audio playing - 0% volume (thus you can't hear anything) - static noise, no HDD-esk noise
Audio playing - 1st notch (you can hear music faintly) - static noise, no HDD-esk noise
Audio not playing - HDD-esk noise
WITH the micro USB cord connected - charging:
Audio not playing - Louder static noise, minimal HDD-esk noise
Audio playing - 0% volume (thus you can't hear anything) - louder static noise, no HDD-esk noise
Audio playing - 1st notch (you can hear music faintly) - louder static noise, no HDD-esk noise
Hope this helps everyone looking at this thread
So, I have a set of Sennheiser HD 598, a pair of Monster DNA headphones and Sennheiser CX275S in-ear earphones (for Android smartphones).
When I connect the HD 598 and the Monster DNA to the phone directly. I get no noise.
But when I connect the CX275S, I get the noise.
Could it be something to do with the impedance/resistance of the headphones and/or cable that is being used?
However I am not using an amp. Do you get the noise without the amp? Have you tried a variety of headsets??
sirdj said:
So, I have a set of Sennheiser HD 598, a pair of Monster DNA headphones and Sennheiser CX275S in-ear earphones (for Android smartphones).
When I connect the HD 598 and the Monster DNA to the phone directly. I get no noise.
But when I connect the CX275S, I get the noise.
Could it be something to do with the impedance/resistance of the headphones and/or cable that is being used?
However I am not using an amp. Do you get the noise without the amp? Have you tried a variety of headsets??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it can be the impedance - however this doesn't apply when I connect the amp -as it is picking up more than the source usually shows.
In other words - you CX earphones could be more sensitive (which I find surprising vs the HD 598) - but if you were to put an amp - I think all of them would show.
I've tested with a bunch of earphones and my headphones - all of which showed the same problem with the amp.
I know for sure now it's to do with the phone - now if some people would notice it or not with their given setup is another thing.
ie. their setup might not reveal the flaw (ie if I had never put the amp - I wouldn't have heard the problem).
Also - I've noticed a audible "click" / "lag" when music was changing. making me say: "Yup 100% this phone is being sent back"
Can't believe I'm back to my SGS3. over 3yrs old - no problems and trumps these flagship phones in terms of audio quality.
Just to add my part, the "beep beep" is normal when connecting headphones. I usually get a very quiet buzzing noise when I have the phone connected to a power source and have headphones in. I'll report back in a week, getting a warranty replacement so may be different
EDIT: Using a pair of Audio Technica CKS-77X in ear headphones
GuyInTheCorner said:
Just to add my part, the "beep beep" is normal when connecting headphones. I usually get a very quiet buzzing noise when I have the phone connected to a power source and have headphones in. I'll report back in a week, getting a warranty replacement so may be different
EDIT: Using a pair of Audio Technica CKS-77X in ear headphones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
excellent thanks for letting me know - why are you getting a replacement? (this issue?)
I've already packaged mine ready for an amazon return.
I decided to pull out all the earphones and speakers that I have. And here are the results.
1. LG earphones that came with the phone - no noise
2. Old Samsung Galaxy S2 earphones - no noise
3. Old iRiver earphones - no noise
4. Sennheiser HD 239 headphones - no noise
5. Bose Soundlink speakers in aux mode using a cable - at the highest 2 levels of volume I can hear the noise.
So it may be an amplification issue.
I am not sure that LG would accept the product back here in Australia if I tried to return it as there is no noise with the supplied earphones and any problems with amps would probably be out of their warranty terms.
TotallydubbedHD said:
excellent thanks for letting me know - why are you getting a replacement? (this issue?)
I've already packaged mine ready for an amazon return.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cracks on the top IR Blaster (the one used for Quick Remote not for the camera) and your bottom microphone. Its a know defect with the G3 and they'll replace the phone for free
sirdj said:
I decided to pull out all the earphones and speakers that I have. And here are the results.
1. LG earphones that came with the phone - no noise
2. Old Samsung Galaxy S2 earphones - no noise
3. Old iRiver earphones - no noise
4. Sennheiser HD 239 headphones - no noise
5. Bose Soundlink speakers in aux mode using a cable - at the highest 2 levels of volume I can hear the noise.
So it may be an amplification issue.
I am not sure that LG would accept the product back here in Australia if I tried to return it as there is no noise with the supplied earphones and any problems with amps would probably be out of their warranty terms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not an amp issue - I think I showed that by comparing multiple devices.
It's the fact the source doesn't like to be amplified - and when done so, shows these problems quite easily.
The source (LG G3 jack) doesn't seem to be isolated/shielded well - that's the issue. Therefore normally nothing happens, crank the source up a little and it fails miserably.
It's 100% down to LG here - I won't say it again, but I've returned the LG G3 now. I'm done with their crap implementation. How on earth they would have missed it is beyond me.
Reviewers also need to wake up when they do audio tests. Useless.
GuyInTheCorner said:
Cracks on the top IR Blaster (the one used for Quick Remote not for the camera) and your bottom microphone. Its a know defect with the G3 and they'll replace the phone for free
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dam ok

Did they lower the headphone volume on latest update?

I feel my headphones sound significantly lower on latest January update.
Did anyone else notice this? Did they do it to deal with the "hissing" issue some people had?
gordito_gr said:
I feel my headphones sound significantly lower on latest January update.
Did anyone else notice this? Did they do it to deal with the "hissing" issue some people had?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So are the hissing issue gone?
soralz said:
So are the hissing issue gone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on the latest build. The hissing is for me gone (or so quiet I don't here it anymore. At about volume 1 or 2 you maybe be able to here some. But like I said, to quiet to notice and only when you play something without sound ) I think it got quiter, but still damn loud on max. I love it.
Petty Palkovics said:
I think it got quiter, but still damn loud on max. I love it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course it's not "damn loud" anymore, it's significantly lower and not enough loud.
Does anyone know a way to being back the old audio output on headphones?
gordito_gr said:
Of course it's not "damn loud" anymore, it's significantly lower and not enough loud.
Does anyone know a way to being back the old audio output on headphones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe the build in equalizer could help you? You can easily access it through google play music settings..
Maybe its your phone? Or your headphones? When I'm on max I can literally use my headphones as speakers...
There is a new headphones audio menu with Oreo.
Configuration > Sound > headphones and audio effects.
There are some headphone presets, some are louder than others.
jonpagecr said:
There is a new headphones audio menu with Oreo.
Configuration > Sound > headphones and audio effects.
There are some headphone presets, some are louder than others.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe that to. Personally I didn't notice a big difference change those settings. It could also be your music player. SoundCloud for example can't be equalized through normal ways.
Hissing is still there, maybe a tiny bit lower. Max volume is still "damn loud", my max comfortable listening level (without ear bleeding) is not more than 50%. I often listen at volume 1 or 2 (out of 30).
Both earphone volume and loud speaker volume have been reduced for me.
Prabin813 said:
Both earphone volume and loud speaker volume have been reduced for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, personally, I think that the speaker sucks, quiet or loud. I never use it. I really bought the phone for its "rare" headphone jack, which since the latest update is wonderful. Maybe headphone hisses a little bit, maybe they cancelled the Oreo update ( I believe) and maybe the speaker are horrible. But it's the best you can get with almost fully stock Android and a headphone jack.
Yes I wrote to much
Yes, I noticed this too...
I noticed this too as the volume that I used to play music at (about 60%) with my headphones was MUCH to soft after the update! Something definitely lowered the volume, though it SEEMS that it is more on headphones than the speaker. I have to go to max when on headphones to listen to music now. I say 'seems' because I don't use the speaker for much more than phone calls, and while it is quieter, it is not so quiet you cannot hear the conversation. It would be nice if there was a way to get the volume back, but I'm not going to hold my breath.
KB_Thailand said:
I noticed this too as the volume that I used to play music at (about 60%) with my headphones was MUCH to soft after the update! Something definitely lowered the volume, though it SEEMS that it is more on headphones than the speaker. I have to go to max when on headphones to listen to music now. I say 'seems' because I don't use the speaker for much more than phone calls, and while it is quieter, it is not so quiet you cannot hear the conversation. It would be nice if there was a way to get the volume back, but I'm not going to hold my breath.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Volume at max? Wow, what headphones do you use?
_mysiak_ said:
Volume at max? Wow, what headphones do you use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro HD that I got a deal on when I bought the A1. They are ok... not great, but ok for what I paid for them.
I've tried multiple headphones since the update, and the volume issue is true across the board with anything plugged into the headphone jack. I have NOT tried bluetooth headphones as I don't keep bluetooth enabled.
My wife's red A1, which is still on Nougat, is much louder than my A1 on Oreo, update 1. (still haven't gotten the latest one)
--KB
maybe they lowered to power of the DAC because everyone was moaning about a tiny hissing noise, the only way to stop it is to buy more powerful headphone or lower the DAC, now its quieter we cant have it both ways guys
KB_Thailand said:
Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro HD that I got a deal on when I bought the A1. They are ok... not great, but ok for what I paid for them.
I've tried multiple headphones since the update, and the volume issue is true across the board with anything plugged into the headphone jack. I have NOT tried bluetooth headphones as I don't keep bluetooth enabled.
My wife's red A1, which is still on Nougat, is much louder than my A1 on Oreo, update 1. (still haven't gotten the latest one)
--KB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I honestly can't imagine listening to any of my IEMs at max volume. I can't get comfortably over 50% while commuting (bus, train etc). In quiet environment my volume's somewhere between ~3% and 16%. I would accept further lowering of overall volume to remove the hissing noise in a blink of an eye (and hopefully I'll be able to do that with custom kernel)
_mysiak_ said:
I honestly can't imagine listening to any of my IEMs at max volume. I can't get comfortably over 50% while commuting (bus, train etc). In quiet environment my volume's somewhere between ~3% and 16%. I would accept further lowering of overall volume to remove the hissing noise in a blink of an eye (and hopefully I'll be able to do that with custom kernel)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never noticed the hissing noise people talk about so much, but then, my ears are old so it may be that. Before the Oreo update, a tick over half was plenty loud. After, I had to raise it, a lot. Some songs require max, while most are ok at around 85-90%. So yeah, there was a huge reduction in sound volume on my phone with the update. At least, I THINK it was the update. I installed a Sony app to record sound. I've only owned one Sony phone, an Experia 3Z. The sound on that phone was horrible. Even at max volume, you could not hear it ring if it was in your pocket, and music was always not loud enough on headphones. I may uninstall that app and see if the volume level returns just to be sure it wasn't the app and not the update, but doubt the app would affect the whole system.
I feel that too that they reduced the volume for the audio out put via 3.5 mm jack.
I got update today, and can't really tell if there is any difference in volume. I still use no more than 30-40% of volume (my head would explode with MAX), and there is still some hissing.
This applies to Oreo patch 1. Patch 2 arrived today but I have not installed it yet.:
I am not sure what I did (or what I did that made the difference) but I deleted the Sony app, then went into the settings on my music app and did some tweaking on the modes there, and the volume is now louder than it was. I can set the volume to about 55-60% now and it is loud enough. A few songs in my library still need higher settings, but I am assuming that is because they are pretty old, converted to .mp3 files from CD's (remember those?) way back in the late 1990s/early 2000s.
Bottom line: I am not sure that the update really hurt sound volume. It could have been a combo of app differences with the update. Still no hissing that I can hear.
Regards,
--KB
EDIT: I just did the new Oreo update (89MB) and the sound was different again. I went into my music app and changed the EQ to Flat and the sound was much better. I did not hear any hissing, even with classical music, but again, old ears may be the issue there.

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