Develop Bugs

[Q] [AUDIO BUG] Help me xda developers... You're my only hope.

Get it? The title is a Star Wars reference. As in developers are Jedi? Like in the movie? Nevermind.
I have been having a strange audio bug recently. I flashed RC Mix Runny v1.0 through to v1.4 and each subsequent ROM version did exactly what it should. No issues that weren't listed on the thread.
Then I flashed Runny v1.5, followed by (after the ROM had booted twice) a theme I made on UOT Kitchen. A few days afterwards, when making a phone call, I couldn't hear the phone ringing through the phone's speaker. Nothing. That's the bug.
This only applies to phone calls (or at least the speaker normally used for phone calls). When I select 'speaker phone' the rear speaker kicks in and I can hear the phone call just fine, though a little loud when walking around in public.
The headset also works perfectly.
I flashed RCMix3d 3.5 v1.0 today - no themes this time in case it was the cause last time. The ROM boots up just fine, everything seems perfect but when I go to make a phone call the same bug presents itself. Meaning it's most likely a bug I have caused, not a bug in a ROM.
But what did I do?! Has anyone heard of this behavior before? Could it be radio/RIL related?
If anyone can shed a little light, I would appreciate it greatly.

Max-E-Moose said:
Get it? The title is a Star Wars reference. As in developers are Jedi? Like in the movie? Nevermind.
I have been having a strange audio bug recently. I flashed RC Mix Runny v1.0 through to v1.4 and each subsequent ROM version did exactly what it should. No issues that weren't listed on the thread.
Then I flashed Runny v1.5, followed by (after the ROM had booted twice) a theme I made on UOT Kitchen. A few days afterwards, when making a phone call, I couldn't hear the phone ringing through the phone's speaker. Nothing. That's the bug.
This only applies to phone calls (or at least the speaker normally used for phone calls). When I select 'speaker phone' the rear speaker kicks in and I can hear the phone call just fine, though a little loud when walking around in public.
The headset also works perfectly.
I flashed RCMix3d 3.5 v1.0 today - no themes this time in case it was the cause last time. The ROM boots up just fine, everything seems perfect but when I go to make a phone call the same bug presents itself. Meaning it's most likely a bug I have caused, not a bug in a ROM.
But what did I do?! Has anyone heard of this behavior before? Could it be radio/RIL related?
If anyone can shed a little light, I would appreciate it greatly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please search before opening a new post as I have seen this pop up alot the past few days with that rom. I would look in the roms thread

I will search more thoroughly. Apologies for any infraction.
Cheers for pointing the way.

Max-E-Moose said:
I will search more thoroughly. Apologies for any infraction.
Cheers for pointing the way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While you are searching for hours for a solution, download a different ROM (other than RCMix) and find out if it is really a bug or some hardware issue. And while you wait for the download and flash, keep searching

hohinder said:
While you are searching for hours for a solution, download a different ROM (other than RCMix) and find out if it is really a bug or some hardware issue. And while you wait for the download and flash, keep searching
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your advice. I heeded it!
I flashed Black Ice [AOSP] to see if it was still persisting. It is.
Seems like it's a hardware problem. I was hoping it wasn't. I didn't want to have to pay to fix it!
Ta for the help!

try changing the radio or kernel see if it helps

SOLVED
NOT SOLVED
rakinisbat said:
try changing the radio or kernel see if it helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was holding back on changing the radio because I don't like higher risk of bricking. Having done it in the past though, I said it was worth a shot before I blame the hardware entirely and hand over money to fix it.
I had been using radio 26.09.04.11 and it's matching RIL with every ROM I tried.
Once changed to radio 26.13.04.19_M and it's corresponding RIL and the problem was erased. I can hear phone calls on the phone speaker again. (Like normal folk!)
Thanks for the push rakinisbat, I needed it!
Edit: NOT SOLVED. The problem has re-surfaced. I have made absolutely no changes to the system since it started working. I am now going to pay someone to take a look and will report back with results.

Definitely not solved.
This problem with the receiver not working has not gone away.
I have tried ignoring it for the last while and just using the speakerphone on a low volume - not ideal but workable.
A few days ago I changed ROM - curious to try out ICS. I load up the new ROM and a while later, accidentally forgot to put a call I was making onto speakerphone and suddenly the receiver is working again - JOY!
Now, two days later, the receiver is not working again.
I have pry tools now and would happily change the receiver, but this recurring trend of it working for a spell after a new ROM is flashed leads me to believe this is more software related than hardware.
If anyone has ANY ideas or thinks they could help (if I provide a logcat to them or something) then please PM me or respond to this thread.

Everything works fine for me...never experienced this .....check your audio settings....and why you running such an old version??
Sent from my Desire HD using xda premium

harshrocsu;20112881why you running such an old version??[/QUOTE said:
The last time I changed to that radio, my audio bug was fixed (temporarily).
I will update to the new radio (12.65.60.29_26.14.04.28) I saw mentioned a few days ago and see if it changes anything - though I doubt it.
I have done a fair bit of research on this and it is not as uncommon as I thought it was a few months ago. It seems to have happened to the HTC Desire, Desire S and Desire HD - but not en mass. In every case, the phone was working fine, then came intermittent receiver audio, then receiver audio gone altogether.
I have not heard of one working solution, though I have had some helpful people lend an ear!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

You say the problem is solved for a while when you flash a new ROM. Is there a possibility that a certain app that you install/restore that maybe messes with the speaker?
Just a thought..

if4ct0r said:
You say the problem is solved for a while when you flash a new ROM. Is there a possibility that a certain app that you install/restore that maybe messes with the speaker?
Just a thought..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
An avenue I had not gone down. I have been restoring mostly the same apps for ages.
Thanks for the idea. I will do a backup and then a fresh install tomorrow (I'm at work) and check. Will report back afterwards.

Ongoing audio issue
I have fully wiped the phone and re-installed a ROM twice now (ICS both times, I know this problem acts the same with GB). I didn't install any apps for a while and had audio in the receiver for phone calls.
The first time I wiped it, I had audio back so decided to install apps from the market - one at a time and test the receiver by ringing the house number after each is installed. I got distracted (it was late) and when I next picked up the phone, audio was gone.
Second attempt, this time stay vigilant. I fully wiped the phone, installed a ROM, and got to work on installing the apps again. I installed a few apps, which I will list here, and audio disappears again.
Installed apps:-
Dictionary.com
Dropbox
Earth
Es File Explorer
Facebook
Goggles (I dunno why, the camera isn't even working - habit maybe)
Google Sky Map
Google+
Messenger
Moon+ Reader Pro
MX Video Player
Streetview For Google Maps
Sugarsync
Tumblr
Twitter
XDA
To my knowledge, apart from MX Video Player, none of the rest these apps should have any effect on the audio.
Today I am going to wipe it and not install any apps for the next 24-48 hours and see if the audio still disappears.
Tune in next time to see if the problem makes my brain crack in two.

Max-E-Moose said:
I have fully wiped the phone and re-installed a ROM twice now (ICS both times, I know this problem acts the same with GB). I didn't install any apps for a while and had audio in the receiver for phone calls.
The first time I wiped it, I had audio back so decided to install apps from the market - one at a time and test the receiver by ringing the house number after each is installed. I got distracted (it was late) and when I next picked up the phone, audio was gone.
Second attempt, this time stay vigilant. I fully wiped the phone, installed a ROM, and got to work on installing the apps again. I installed a few apps, which I will list here, and audio disappears again.
Installed apps:-
Dictionary.com
Dropbox
Earth
Es File Explorer
Facebook
Goggles (I dunno why, the camera isn't even working - habit maybe)
Google Sky Map
Google+
Messenger
Moon+ Reader Pro
MX Video Player
Streetview For Google Maps
Sugarsync
Tumblr
Twitter
XDA
To my knowledge, apart from MX Video Player, none of the rest these apps should have any effect on the audio.
Today I am going to wipe it and not install any apps for the next 24-48 hours and see if the audio still disappears.
Tune in next time to see if the problem makes my brain crack in two.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had exactly the same issue. After rooting my desire HD I installed ARHD 6.3.1 and it was working very fine until I installed the ICE HD theme for ARHD 6.3.1. Sorry, no disrespect to the theme author but I was not able to hear anything through Phone speakers after installing this theme. This is what I did to solve this issue,
1- Use Superwipe to clear everything using ClockworkMod recovery.
2- Install the STOCK 1.32 PD98IMG.zip from here. Put it in your SD card, Flash is using the HTC Stock Recovery (It will detect it automatically). Remember that the Kernel and Radio are inside this ZIP file so you need not to install anything else.
That's it. you are back to old stock ROM and now you must be able to hear you phone speakers. If not, switch off your phone for few hours and then turn on. (I know switching off and on sounds silly but it worked for me). You can install any custom ROM after that rooting again.

kaydee7902 said:
I had exactly the same issue. After rooting my desire HD I installed ARHD 6.3.1 and it was working very fine until I installed the ICE HD theme for ARHD 6.3.1. Sorry, no disrespect to the theme author but I was not able to hear anything through Phone speakers after installing this theme. This is what I did to solve this issue,
1- Use Superwipe to clear everything using ClockworkMod recovery.
2- Install the STOCK 1.32 PD98IMG.zip from here. Put it in your SD card, Flash is using the HTC Stock Recovery (It will detect it automatically). Remember that the Kernel and Radio are inside this ZIP file so you need not to install anything else.
That's it. you are back to old stock ROM and now you must be able to hear you phone speakers. If not, switch off your phone for few hours and then turn on. (I know switching off and on sounds silly but it worked for me). You can install any custom ROM after that rooting again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for getting on to me, I have been hoping that someone out there solved this issue and might read this little thread!
I will be following your advice today and will report back.

Solution seems good so far!
I'm not going to jump the gun again and say that it is definitely solved but my audio came back!
I did what you said, reverted everything back to stock. When it loaded up Froyo and for the first while, the receiver wasn't working. I set about rooting, Radio S-Off, ENG S-Off, adding CWM etc.
About three hours later (I didn't actually leave the phone off, I reset it a lot though) the audio returned to the receiver!
I'm delighted but remain skeptical as it has come back to life and then died again so many times before.
I want to believe!!!... So I remain hopeful. Time will tell.

It fixed itself...(!)
See post below

Absolutely positively finally fixed.
Thanks to everyone for their help in trying to solve this issue.
I replaced the broken receiver with a new one I got from eBay (along with prytools for under €10) and this issue is completely fixed.
What had happened, if anyone is interested, was that the inside of receiver housing and the output on the receiver itself had been clogged with dust, tiny hairs and the like. That must have shorted the tiny thing.
Lesson learned. Get stuck in.

TP2 Buzzing Noise

I'm pretty sure I saw this discussed somewhere but ... My TP2 is making a very annoying buzzing noise from the speaker, or from what ever is plugged into the ext2 connector.
It does it almost all the time and it's getting worse.
This is the stock ROM.
Is this a known problem or is there a fix?

That almost sounds like a hardware problem...
I guess for fun, have you tried doing a hard reset? Basically reflashing the stock ROM if you will. Obviously this will cause you to lose everything, so backup anything important.
I assume you rebooted, but you really didn't detail what you've tried (if anything).

arrrghhh said:
That almost sounds like a hardware problem...
I guess for fun, have you tried doing a hard reset? Basically reflashing the stock ROM if you will. Obviously this will cause you to lose everything, so backup anything important.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm trying to stay away from a Hard Reset - for now, I've got a Tilt/2 coming this week, so that way I'll be able to get that working BEFORE I do that and give this to the wife.
arrrghhh said:
I assume you rebooted, but you really didn't detail what you've tried (if anything).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah,I did miss a lot; rebooted several times, have noticed that if I play a mp3 it will slowly go away - as opposed to streaming via data connection. Both Coreplayer and TCPMP cause the problem, in fact when I boot, not doing anything it's there.
It's getting worse, so short of a hard reset, I'm just trying to see if it could be anything else.
I do believe you're right though - it being hardware - as it's there with Froyo 7.x.
It's actually getting worse.
------------------------------------
It's coming from the data connection. When on, it buzzes, when off, not. Using WiFi and it's fine.

No Speaker sound (speaker phone, ringer, etc.)

Hey people,
I'm having an issue with the large speaker on my E4GT.
It was working when I received it and here's what I've done since...
Factory Reset via settings
Flashed it to Boost Mobile w/stock ROM no sound
Rooted stock ROM via ODIN no sound
Flashed to Calk's 3.0 via SD and Rouge CWM no sound
Flashed Calk's bare ROM converter via SD & Rouge CWM no sound
To fix I have tried
Viciously banging my headphone jack w/ Beats Studios
Apks such as Volume+
Wiping everything via Rouge CWM & Reflashing ROM
Can someone please help me out?

Great me too
I just had this happen on my phone, and I'm not sure I know exactly when it started because I put my phone in vibrate mode quite often. I believe I last heard sound from my speaker on Monday. Now I hear nothing, be it phone calls, texts, or music. Sound from the earpiece is fine. Sound also works with headphones.
I was using ParanoidAndroid when I noticed the problem. A factory reset didn't help, nor did a revert to stock or CM9.
Any suggestions? I don't have insurance so I'm guessing a trip to the Sprint store is not an option.

I would say take it into a full service sprint store and have them have a go at it (flash stock rom prior). my guess is the speaker itself may be blown. the speaker for the E4GT is real easy to remove and replace and is a normal repair part kept in stock.
accrajoe said:
Any suggestions? I don't have insurance so I'm guessing a trip to the Sprint store is not an option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still take it to a sprint store ( find a corporate full service store, if you need help locating one send me a pm ) . As long as the phone isn't damaged beyond economical repair ( broken screen, liquid damaged, run over by a car), the repair will cost you 35$.

Thanks for the recommendation Rossk. However, seeing as the disassembly of the phone seems easy enough, I was thinking of switching out the speaker myself.
I didn't bother though, as I never believed it was a hardware issue. I had been trying to fix it by flashing only ICS and JB roms, so I figured I'd try a stock GB rom, and now it works.
What a relief. I would have hated to have some repair guy bust open my phone unnecessarily and fail to fix the problem.

Only works when on speaker phone

Hello,
My phone is running the darthstalker rom. For a few weeks now when I talk on it, I have to put it on speaker phone or no one can hear me talk.
I thought maybe some app screwed it up so I went into recovery, deleted cache and user data, deleted all apps and restarted with the darthstalker. I had to enter my gmail again and set it up. Then I made a call and the same thing happened.
What could be wrong with this phone? I am about to try a different rom but I am now thinking the mic is messed up. Is the mic the same for the speaker phone as normal conversation?
Does anyone now how I can fix this phone? I wanted to put it on ebay since I could use the money but I would like to fix this problem so I can get maximum $ from it. It is in mint condition otherwise.

buyslake said:
Hello,
My phone is running the darthstalker rom. For a few weeks now when I talk on it, I have to put it on speaker phone or no one can hear me talk.
I thought maybe some app screwed it up so I went into recovery, deleted cache and user data, deleted all apps and restarted with the darthstalker. I had to enter my gmail again and set it up. Then I made a call and the same thing happened.
What could be wrong with this phone? I am about to try a different rom but I am now thinking the mic is messed up. Is the mic the same for the speaker phone as normal conversation?
Does anyone now how I can fix this phone? I wanted to put it on ebay since I could use the money but I would like to fix this problem so I can get maximum $ from it. It is in mint condition otherwise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First try to figure out if it is a h/w or s/w problem. Try different ROM, voice/call recording app. If that doesn't fix, means it is a hardware problem.
Get it replaced if under warranty. Otherwise, it may be a mic problem.
When on speakerphone, the phone actually uses another microphone. this may be a problem with your call mic. Does it give no sound at all? or is it just too low? Check this link: http://blog.brokenlcds.com/samsung-galaxy-note-mic-problem/
This is for note 2, but the idea is same. It may require cleaning or replacing.
Now, I can't say about replacing it on the Note 3, but n my HTC one x+, I fixed it myself. $8 microphone and capacitive touch strip, very easy DIY fix. I've heard Samsung is simpler (can't say for sure, never tried it on Samsung).

There should be a tiny hole at the bottom to the left or right of the charging port. That`s where the mic listens from, so it may just be clogged with dirt. Carefully poke a needle inside the hole and it should work!
---------- Post added at 02:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:51 AM ----------
buyslake said:
Hello,
My phone is running the darthstalker rom. For a few weeks now when I talk on it, I have to put it on speaker phone or no one can hear me talk.
I thought maybe some app screwed it up so I went into recovery, deleted cache and user data, deleted all apps and restarted with the darthstalker. I had to enter my gmail again and set it up. Then I made a call and the same thing happened.
What could be wrong with this phone? I am about to try a different rom but I am now thinking the mic is messed up. Is the mic the same for the speaker phone as normal conversation?
Does anyone now how I can fix this phone? I wanted to put it on ebay since I could use the money but I would like to fix this problem so I can get maximum $ from it. It is in mint condition otherwise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There should be a tiny hole at the bottom to the left or right of the charging port. That`s where the mic listens from, so it may just be clogged with dirt. Carefully poke a needle inside the hole and it should work!

Distorted & Crackling audio from speaker - LineageOS OFFICIAL ROM [Redmi Note 8]

Hi! I'm new here and to the XDA community in general, so apologies if this isn't the perfect place to post it here, or if this should've been posted in the ROM thread- I'll probably post in both, anyways :b
I installed the latest firmware of my phone, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8, and flashed both the latest Lineage Recovery and LOS Rom, as of March 28th 2021, so the latest version seems to be March 15.
Everything seems to be working fine, except for ONE thing- and that is the speaker. The speaker sounds HORRID right now. Putting it at a max volume makes the sound so crackly and distorted. Especially when listening to music- voices sound fine, but the instrumental is so blown up. The best analogy would be if all music sounded like earrape. That's what music on my phone sounds like right now.
I've been researching and researching, and this issue with audio seems to be a common problem with LineageOS users. However, as of 2021, it seems like no one has found a fix? I've tried disabling audiofx, messing with the system, EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING that I could find online. And it still sounds terrible!
The only solution according to people was to fully reset your phone through the recovery, which I kind of doubt will fix things in my situation, plus it would be a pain to move all the files from this phone to the new reformat. I wanted to explore my options and if there was any- ANY fix. It's seriouslyy bugging me.
I hope that the problem is easily solved and I can have normal sounding music back again! (I've had normal music on an older build of LOS, It was just this time that really triggered this awful bug)

bump? (is bumping allowed)

It seems the RN8 forums are seeing very little traffic lately.
The only thing that occurs to me is changing the audio processor; do you have Magisk?

pnin said:
It seems the RN8 forums are seeing very little traffic lately.
The only thing that occurs to me is changing the audio processor; do you have Magisk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aw. That sucks.
Unfortunately no, I don't have this phone rooted as I don't really need rooting for a particular reason. Some people have pointed this audio issue on AudioFX, some people have said it only got fixed by reflashing their rom, which kinda sucks as I'd basically have to do the whole setup all over again
Will changing the audio processor fix the speakers? How do I do that?

redandvidya said:
Will changing the audio processor fix the speakers? How do I do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know how frustrating it is to try to solve a problem by getting into another so I totally understand your being wary -- I suggest you educate yourself thoroughly on the caveats implied.
I can't guarantee anything (plus my 2nd RN8 is still awaiting unlocking) but I am a fan of Viper4Android -- available as standalone but much easier to setup as a Magisk module, hence my question.
Usually, the built-in processor is disabled during V4A setup and while this can be tricky at times, I have nothing but praise for V4A (I get it in all devices I have ever owned).

pnin said:
I know how frustrating it is to try to solve a problem by getting into another so I totally understand your being wary -- I suggest you educate yourself thoroughly on the caveats implied.
I can't guarantee anything (plus my 2nd RN8 is still awaiting unlocking) but I am a fan of Viper4Android -- available as standalone but much easier to setup as a Magisk module, hence my question.
Usually, the built-in processor is disabled during V4A setup and while this can be tricky at times, I have nothing but praise for V4A (I get it in all devices I have ever owned).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay so, after some research and testing, I am 99% sure that the problem is with AudioFX. I found out how to mess with the confusing UI and was able to drag the stuff up and down, and it CONSIDERABLY made an impact. The bug was still there though, no matter what settings I dragged up and down I'd still have terrible audio. BUT switching between the presets made an impact on the audio. Hundo P. I lowered the bass so much that for like 5 minutes I had okay (bassless) audio, then it came back. So it is a software issue.
Would factory resetting and reflashing the rom fix it? I dunno. I really don't have a need or want for rooting my phone to fix this bug as I am content with default audio apps. I might consider it though, especially because I used a "volume booster" app I found on the play store a few times.
But yes, I am just asking if formatting everything on the phone and reflashing the rom would fix it.

redandvidya said:
Hi! I'm new here and to the XDA community in general, so apologies if this isn't the perfect place to post it here, or if this should've been posted in the ROM thread- I'll probably post in both, anyways :b
I installed the latest firmware of my phone, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8, and flashed both the latest Lineage Recovery and LOS Rom, as of March 28th 2021, so the latest version seems to be March 15.
Everything seems to be working fine, except for ONE thing- and that is the speaker. The speaker sounds HORRID right now. Putting it at a max volume makes the sound so crackly and distorted. Especially when listening to music- voices sound fine, but the instrumental is so blown up. The best analogy would be if all music sounded like earrape. That's what music on my phone sounds like right now.
I've been researching and researching, and this issue with audio seems to be a common problem with LineageOS users. However, as of 2021, it seems like no one has found a fix? I've tried disabling audiofx, messing with the system, EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING that I could find online. And it still sounds terrible!
The only solution according to people was to fully reset your phone through the recovery, which I kind of doubt will fix things in my situation, plus it would be a pain to move all the files from this phone to the new reformat. I wanted to explore my options and if there was any- ANY fix. It's seriouslyy bugging me.
I hope that the problem is easily solved and I can have normal sounding music back again! (I've had normal music on an older build of LOS, It was just this time that really triggered this awful bug)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try force stop and freez "AudioFX"
you can also delete it with recovery file manager

loopypalm said:
try force stop and freez "AudioFX"
you can also delete it with recovery file manager
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disabled the AudioFX app, that did nothing. How would deleting it make it any better? Please elaborate, bc if this could be fixed by just deleting AudioFX that'd be great

redandvidya said:
I disabled the AudioFX app, that did nothing. How would deleting it make it any better? Please elaborate, bc if this could be fixed by just deleting AudioFX that'd be great
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i said "delete" because i was not sure you can disable it
but since you disable it and that fix nothing i suggest doing a full backup (boot/dtbo/system/vendor/data/persist)
(i don't think your current recovery will do it, use OrangeFox)
try another rom (RRos) and check the sound
if the problem still there that means it's a hardware problem

loopypalm said:
i said "delete" because i was not sure you can disable it
but since you disable it and that fix nothing i suggest doing a full backup (boot/dtbo/system/vendor/data/persist)
(i don't think your current recovery will do it, use OrangeFox)
try another rom (RRos) and check the sound
if the problem still there that means it's a hardware problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welp! After hours and hours of what is essentially torture, it's sadly not a software problem This goddamn terrible issue exists on all the multiple roms I've tried flashing and reflashing. Pixel Experience, RR, I EVEN FLASHED THE ORIGINAL MIUI ON IT AND ITS STILL BROKEN. I am so tired!
So now there's only two possible culprits:
1. Hardware problem - I really really don't want it to be this one, with the state of the pandemic I can't easily go to a repair shop right now, and dealing with this broken speaker sucks! It's even worse once I realized that it could just be a dust issue.
When I blow using my mouth into the speaker, I get normal sound for 2 seconds until the crappy earkiller terrible music is back. So it's definitely fixable!! Some way. The only solution I have seen so far is that you take the phone apart and wipe the "grill" of the speaker with a Q-Tip. Another idea in my head is to use compressed air and blow it into the grills so that I don't have to take it apart. However, I am doubting the long term use of this solution, I'm not sure if it'll work.
I even goddamned flashed MI UI back on my phone even though I extremely hate it JUST to use the clean speaker feature, which didn't work. The only thing that works for a SECOND is blowing with my mouth into the speaker.
2. Firmware problem - To be fair, the terrible music only started happening shortly after I flashed the latest firmware (v.12.0.4) + latest build of LineageOS 17.1 (March 15) + latest LOS Recovery, same date.
I have used this phone for several months now, (since May 2020?) and for 95% of the time have worn a case. I have a tempered glass screen protector, and I'm not sure how I could've possibly dropped my phone that could have broken the speaker. However, it has been in some quite dusty places, so that's the ONLY thing that could make it a hardware problem- but why now? Why now only when I flash a new firmware? Why not a week before I flashed it? Or a day or two? So that's also sus as heck.
So here are the solutions, from best to absolute worst for me:
1. It is simply a firmware problem. I don't know if I'm allowed to do this, because I really don't want any potential of bricking this phone, but I'd simply "flash" an older version that doesn't have this bug (specifically, v12.0.3, but if that one has this bug too I am going to) Please let me know if I could do this though, I don't wanna brick this phone. Alternatively I could root it and edit the file that it "changed" that caused this, however because I don't know which file causes the bass to sound this terrible, that could be another challenge in it of itself.
2. It is simply a small dust problem. I can buy a can of compressed air with a straw online, and clean out those speakers, and it will be fixed permanently.
3. It is a hardware problem that can only be fixed by taking apart the phone and cleaning the dust with a Q Tip. This is the one I hate the most as it requires me to go to a store which is impossible during the pandemic. I use my speaker for a LOT of things, so I can't handle not having one right now.
Alternatively, an option that I could use is switching to Viper and tweaking it so that the BASS (which seems to be the main culprit right now for the broken audio, as voices in songs mostly sound fine?) is low as heck. That might ruin the sound of the speaker, but it's a crappy workaround that could just work for now.
This thread about the Redmi Note 7 Pro could give some final hope for me. It described "bad audio distortion", however it is about when you're RECORDING VIDEO, not SPEAKERS. However, it is the closest I have to what I have right now. All the other threads I found on google seemed to only happen in certain apps, which is NOT the audio that I have.
Still, if this theory could prove that all I need to do to fix this overblown bass / distorted audio is to edit a config file in the vendor firmware, it'd be golden!
I really just need help fixing this phone's speakers omg ;-;

Bump, anyone know if flashing older firmware is okay and won't brick my phone? Would compressed air damage my phone? I really don't know what to do at this point.

If you're willing to risk it, my bet would be on (very careful) disassembly and cleaning the speaker with a photography compressed air can/pump. Might be worth having professionals do it, though.