Develop Bugs

Speaker/headphone volume VERY low.....

I sold my HD2 on Thursday and let me say first off that I have no regrets whatsoever: I absolutely love this phone. Before I sold the HD2 I played some music tracks on both devices through the loudspeaker and headphones jack and noticed a HUGE differential in volume.....I thought the HD2 speaker was pretty tinny but it was at least audible; the Desire speaker volume is incredibly underpowered...being practically inaudible in a moderately noisy environment. This problem seems to extend even as far as the headphones socket since some of the songs I was unable to play at full volume on the HD2 for fear of bursting my eardrums are simply not loud enough for me on the Desire.
Am I the only person to think the volume levels are too low? Is there perhaps a way to increase the pre amp levels. It's as quiet as the first generation iPhone which was REALLY BAD.
Any thoughts from anyone here?

Hi there - I've been searching online to see if anyone else has been having this problem and came across your post.
Had my Desire for a week now, and I love it. But the volume via headphones is WAY too low. Stupidly too low. I can't hear it on the tube at all, for example.
I was looking forward to using it - and Spotify, in partcular - as a replacement for my aging iPod. But there's just no way.
I can't believe this is common to every phone, as surely there would be more people complaining about it. Are there different firmware versions knocking about? It's got me pretty frustrated.

Ok this is not nice, speaker volume is very important to me. This is the first time I see somebody be this negative about it though...
Damn..
Further, you coming from the HD2, any more thoughts you want to share about the switch?
How is the 4.3 inch to 3.7 inch 'jump'?
Kind regards

Screen size is not a problem for me, colours are beautiful on the Desire and the screen seems note responsive. I tried using the HD2 for a day after getting the Desire and hated it bycomparison! Only massive annoyance though is that it is nowhere near as loud.
I suspect that people are still in their honeymoon period with the phone and that complaints will start to surface about the speaker volume in time. As far as I can recall all my other Android devices were a lot louder than this.

Don't have the device yet but in a video review the guy said the speaker was pretty loud, so it's probably only a software problem
chipshop said:
Had my Desire for a week now, and I love it. But the volume via headphones is WAY too low. Stupidly too low. I can't hear it on the tube at all, for example..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Juste buy in-ear headphones ! your ear will thanks you, pushing the volume to 100db because the tube is masking noise : not a good idea believe me.

I too, coming from an iPhone, find the headphone volume painfully low.
I use an under speaker pillow to listen to podcasts without disturbing the wife, and on the iPhone she'd sometimes complain that she could hear it. Now with the Desire I find that sometimes I can't hear it and that's at full volume.

I know this is probably obvious but I take it you have gone through. Audio settings
And maxed the volume? And checked any volume controls on headphones? If both set to max
And still not loud then the handset is faulty so get it replaced
Now!!
Mine set to max would be at ear bleeding levels!!

The speaker quality isn't great, but considering I don't use them that much it is good enough for me.
Am a little surprised with the headphone issues, considering that I have my volume set just under halfway and it is more than loud enough for me.
I am using my Sennheiser earphones, but the volume is fine with the supplied HTC ones too.

what kind of bit-rates are you using for music? ... 128? or more, ... as the quality effects the loudness somehow I believe.
try experimenting with different bit rates and see how that goes

leoni1980 said:
Screen size is not a problem for me, colours are beautiful on the Desire and the screen seems note responsive. I tried using the HD2 for a day after getting the Desire and hated it bycomparison! Only massive annoyance though is that it is nowhere near as loud.
I suspect that people are still in their honeymoon period with the phone and that complaints will start to surface about the speaker volume in time. As far as I can recall all my other Android devices were a lot louder than this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think this might be due to new UE regulations about maximum volume in mobile devices, though im not 100% sure if its already in the system.
However Im pretty sure that in couple days/weeks there will be some hacks/apps/ to change that

So have I got a faulty phone?
Or are people just overly forgiving??
Everything is set to max. I've also noticed that the Mic quality in videos is also shockingly poor in terms of volume. I wonder if all of these functions are shared by the same chipset.

leoni, I'm having just the same problem. I think it must be a problem with some of these phones. I can't believe that people are just being overly forgiving.
I'm not looking to push the volume up too high, but if I can't hear it when there's a little background noise going on, then that's a serious design flaw.
I'd like to do a comparison with another Desire at some point, hopefully I'll bump into someone using one soon...

Just to answer some of the above questions/suggestions:-
I'm using MP3s in 256k bit rate format. All volume controls are set to max and there is no volume control on the headphones I am using.

I'm sending mine back. I'm due an upgrade on Monday anyway so I'll test one in the shop and see if It's the same. The headphone volume is the main issue for me; its just too low.

I also think that the volume is way too low. Just out of curiosity, could this be a Rom issue? I'm using the stock TMO Rom. To the people who think it's loud enough, which Rom are you on?

My biggest problem is with the volume through the headphones....speaker volume I can live with, though it is crap and tinny

I think this must be an issue on your phone or you expect it to be crazy loud. I swapped out my ipod for this today on a good set of headphones (AKG KE518LE's) and the volume levels seem identical. As for the speaker, i find mine is a tad on the loud side to be honest. I find myself having to knock it dont a few notches on the volume.

alex101uk said:
I think this must be an issue on your phone or you expect it to be crazy loud. I swapped out my ipod for this today on a good set of headphones (AKG KE518LE's) and the volume levels seem identical. As for the speaker, i find mine is a tad on the loud side to be honest. I find myself having to knock it dont a few notches on the volume.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
are you on TMO ROM?

Loud speaker isn't audible above the sound of my shower, which is a real shame as coming from a n95 8gb the loud speaker was great. Oh well. I'm a forgiving type!

I have found music volume to be pretty low but I'm fairly convinced it is a software/Rom issue because the volume in some applications is loud! Doesn't made much sense. Running T-mob here.

[Q] Arc volume limit

I just got the arc a few days ago, I absolutely love this phone except for one really annoying problem I have with it. The volume of music when listenning through earphones. My iphone could go much louder.
I have since tried different earphones and downloaded a few volume boosting Apps, and nothing changes. The Apps do absolutely noyhing.
I have searched to see if there are others who find this same problem. I seem to be the only one, I suppose my ears are shot. Is there any way to get the volume to go higher or am I stuck with this? Thanks.

Mate, if you actually gave the thread a proper title rather than " [Q] ", more people would be willing to help you; especially those who know the answer.
With regards to your problem, I'm sorry but I don't have the solution to that.
Cheers!

Jujuforever said:
I just got the arc a few days ago, I absolutely love this phone except for one really annoying problem I have with it. The volume of music when listenning through earphones. My iphone could go much louder.
I have since tried different earphones and downloaded a few volume boosting Apps, and nothing changes. The Apps do absolutely noyhing.
I have searched to see if there are others who find this same problem. I seem to be the only one, I suppose my ears are shot. Is there any way to get the volume to go higher or am I stuck with this? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bro, you got some problem with your ear...not with the phone or headphones . Most of the reviews I read says that Arc has one of the best volumes for music.
Checkout the gsmarena website, they have one of the cleanest I guess and change your topic.

prathaban said:
Bro, you got some problem with your ear...not with the phone or headphones . Most of the reviews I read says that Arc has one of the best volumes for music.
Checkout the gsmarena website, they have one of the cleanest I guess and change your topic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said in my original post, my Iphone could go louder and was much more enjoyable. I'm disappointed that the volume can't be increased even with the help of apps.
I've also noticed that when using PowerAMP and adjusting the EQ to a preset setting, they all lower the volume even more so. I can't even change my EQ to Dance, or Rock without losing more volume.
Thanks for the help.

Jujuforever said:
As I said in my original post, my Iphone could go louder and was much more enjoyable. I'm disappointed that the volume can't be increased even with the help of apps.
I've also noticed that when using PowerAMP and adjusting the EQ to a preset setting, they all lower the volume even more so. I can't even change my EQ to Dance, or Rock without losing more volume.
Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never used an iPhone, but I'm pretty sure that Arc has one of the best audio capabilities. I use bluetooth to listen to music (MW600) and I don't leave that in full volume sine my ear can't take it. My volume is always 1/2 to 3/4 only!
If you are experiencing issues, then I better advise you get your phone exchanged if possible or repaired. But I'm not sure how your comparison is done and not sure what will be result after you repair or get another piece.

I'm using CX300 II and my arc give me great sound quality, I have iPod nano gen 5 too for my comparison. Volume with CX300 I always set it to 1/4 as it loud enough for me.

lol i too think the problem is with your ears not the arc, or you have a faulty one? i think the arc has one of the best audio quality and i had the iphone 4 too....

Probably a faulty device. Try exchanging it and test out the audio quality at the store itself before bringing it back home.

my question is the limit !! can it be increased ? i usually like loud music and for me the limit is a bit low .

if the limit is too low then you seriously have hearing problems. Must be all the loud music

philansel7 said:
my question is the limit !! can it be increased ? i usually like loud music and for me the limit is a bit low .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're not reading the advice.. The arc volume is loud.. if your device is not loud then you have a faulty device.

I got my new ARC today, hurray (sweet silvery mist)!!
Honestly, the sound quality is very good. But it feels like that there could be one or two more steps on the volume controll to increse the loudness, atleast with the supplied in-ear headphones.

Some music plays lower and some higher i dont know maybe ur musics?
Sent from my X10x using XDA Premium App

I've noticed this too. It's kind of shocking to see the amount of people jumping to conclusions here....
I got around it by using 'PowerAmp', and using the PreAmp function located under Equalizer settings.
I'd say that it's some kind of volume limiter (I think UK commonly has some kind of Volume Limitations on devices; my device is from the UK).

SkitZaY said:
I've noticed this too. It's kind of shocking to see the amount of people jumping to conclusions here....
I got around it by using 'PowerAmp', and using the PreAmp function located under Equalizer settings.
I'd say that it's some kind of volume limiter (I think UK commonly has some kind of Volume Limitations on devices; my device is from the UK).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably a volume limiter, but its not an UK idea. What I remember from before (2007) when I had a SE P1i, it was France that had som EU regulation issues about volume on mobiles.
So SE decided to implement it on all new devices worldwide, not to get insurance "hearing problem" claims.
But its just a guess...
Ps. My SE P1i was a brown/engineer model (impossible to flash without hardware tools aka EPROM, so I bricked it totally once one day after modding too much).

just came from this thread then finally go to this page.
From GSMArena
...Plus the XPERIA Arc is reasonably loud so it's all looking pretty good...

I use Power amp to play my music. Its available on the market, you can really control the volume on your music and is much better than the music player that comes with the phone.

How is the Galaxy Nexus for call volume?

I'm not referring to the volume rocker ghost button issue. Is the phone loud enough and can people hear you? Do you find yourself asking people to repeat themselves or are people asking you to repeat yourself? How is the media volume?
I had a chance to play with the Verizon 4g galaxy nexus today at the Samsung store in NYC. I thought the phone was great. However my Droid X call volume seems a lot louder than the Nexus.
The Samsung store is not a library to be sure. It is noisy, but it's not the loudest indoor environment either. For those of you who own the phone , how is the call volume and reception, while walking down a busy street or other loud environments compared to your last phone?
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App

from what i've heard it's comparable to that of an AOSP(cyanogenmod) rom, which of course is "quieter" then a standard Sense-based phone. i'd say just root it a.s.a.p. and hopefully roms will start popping up with audio fixes.

Its just fine, no probs here.
Maybe louder than my atrix (maybe)

what about the speakerphone?

Speakerphone is extremely quiet and alarms are barely audible, but in call volume and clarity seem to be very good though not as good as any of my Motorolas.

The speakerphone is pretty quiet (the GN speaker is pretty quiet, I expect that'll get fixed in third party ROMs soon), but the in call mic has been great for me. I usually have mine up about halfway and I haven't had any issues, even in loud areas.

voxigenboy said:
from what i've heard it's comparable to that of an AOSP(cyanogenmod) rom, which of course is "quieter" then a standard Sense-based phone. i'd say just root it a.s.a.p. and hopefully roms will start popping up with audio fixes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I heard that the speaker volume is weak. At the Samsung store, the phone was only connected to wifi. I only tested the speaker volume since I couldn't use the phone. Isn't the phone's speaker a hardware issue?
When I first got my Droid X, I was disappointed in the speaker volume compared to my previous phone, which was the blackberry storm 2. The call volume and speakers were the only features of the blackberry storm that I missed from my switch.
To tell the truth, I haven't loved a phone since my palm 650/700p. At
The time it was released, it just seemed to do everything in it's class better than it's competitors of that time. I was not impressed nor troubled by the Storm. It was a good solid phone, just boring. I liked the Droid X because of the concept of an open platform and the possibilities it afforded.
The screen was hard to see on a sunny day. Speaker phone reception wasn't the best and photos came out grainy. I spent countless hours entertained by customizing my phone with roms and such.
The screen on the Nexus is an amazing up grade. I hope it holds up in sunlight. I don't think it would take much to beat the photo quality of the Droid X. Low call and media volume could be a deal breaker. At it's core a phone is supposed to be a good audio device!
I'm hoping that the Nexus can be a phone that I can love as much as I did my palm at it's peek.
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App

cellzealot said:
Speakerphone is extremely quiet and alarms are barely audible, but in call volume and clarity seem to be very good though not as good as any of my Motorolas.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, oh. I still use my blackberry storm as an alarm clock because my Droid X volume isn't as loud. I'm beginning to think a rooted Samsung galaxy 2 with ice cream sandwich or the future galaxy 3 might be the better phone. Neither option exist right now anyway.
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App

i've read a lot in this forum that Volume+ works just fine for increasing the speaker volume for rings, notifications and speakerphone. and no root is required as well.

neok44 said:
i've read a lot in this forum that Volume+ works just fine for increasing the speaker volume for rings, notifications and speakerphone. and no root is required as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is Volume+? I just checked the Android market for Volume + and Volume Plus. The only app that was remotely close in name was Volume Control +. That program appears to function as a volume equalizer of some sort.
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App

justifi said:
What is Volume+? I just checked the Android market for Volume + and Volume Plus. The only app that was remotely close in name was Volume Control +. That program appears to function as a volume equalizer of some sort.
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Volume+ (Sound Boost)
There's a paid version with more volume levels

Is this app working for you guys on ICS?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

GiancarloMorr24 said:
Is this app working for you guys on ICS?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.Just fine.Now I can hear my calls and sms.Don't go more than level 7 or 8(paid version.free version goes up to 4).
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

Volume not loud enough

Every phone I've had prior to this, all Androids and even the iPhone 4 I had for 4 weeks had a louder speaker. Is there any way to jack the speaker volume up because I can't hear ringtones or notifications for anything.
And sorry for posting this here and not Q&A, I literally just realized this wasn't Q&A.

Get Volume+ by meltus on the market. Works fantastic. The free version is crap though. It only ups it 30% of what is possible, and there's really no difference as far as I can tell.
Don't kick it up too high though. Seriously.
It was designed for GB in mind, but it still works on the GN ICS.
Here's the link:
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.TEST.android.lvh&hl=en

waylo said:
Get Volume+ by meltus on the market. Works fantastic. The free version is crap though. It only ups it 30% of what is possible, and there's really no difference as far as I can tell.
Don't kick it up too high though. Seriously.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 kicking it up too high would cause it break. Someone should really make a MOD to up the volume without this app though. Would be helpful.

I guess I should consider myself lucky. Speaker is significantly louder than my previous phone.

Thanks much guys. Oh and I definitely am aware of the too high volume, I'm a DJ and I can't stand distorted sounds, and not only that it could break the speaker.

On Market, Volume+ is described as only working with rooted phones.
Is there any way to fix this on a standard phone? I'm still in my 14 day return period. Can't root yet!

Verizon-Unlimited said:
Why do they put it on the bottom does not make sense. If you have it in your pocket and and plug in a headset for example... doesn't make very good for the cord run.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm, I always put my phone in my pocket upside down so that when I pull it out it's rightside up, so audio jack on bottom is perfect for headset plugin.
It's when I'm using nav and music in the car that's going to be tricky. Landscape ftw? Dock?

[Request] In Call volume increase?

This is something that I really mis from my s3 probably the thing I would pick if I could change one thing. The phone gets decently loud when playing music (and the quality is amazing) but in call volume I constantly wish it got louder and the same is true for the speaker phone while in call. I think even just alittle bit louder would make a huge difference since for me at max volume its right at the edge.
Anyone else feel the same? I cant be the only one and I have good hearing lol. Please someone fix this!
So far I am seeing my problems disappear one by one as mods come out (share button in blinkfeed, green battery now clear, 30 volume steps for games and music, ect)

That's odd... I find it too loud already just setting it up 2 steps below the middle level of the volume when in call.

Maybe you have a dud. I can hear mine at almost max volume just like a speakerphone on a cheap device. It really is quite amazing
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD

altimax98 said:
Maybe you have a dud. I can hear mine at almost max volume just like a speakerphone on a cheap device. It really is quite amazing
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IDK my dads HTC seems to exhibit the same behavior. I will test more to be sure but I doubt its hardware related since my speakers sounds strong with no distortion or anything.