[Q] Low Volume on headset Mics - Nexus 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

This happened on the N4 as well.
**UPDATE** Google has reproduced and recognized the issue, and will be issuing a software fix. No ETR yet.
The same headset (with inline mic) works very well (loud and clear in calls and sound tests) with my S2 and S4. The N5 is barely picking up audio; I have to hold the mic directly at my mouth to be audible. Ug, I had this issue with two S3's before I gave up. What is it with phone manufacturers and headphones with inline mics? The S2 and S4 were the only phones that never gave me an issue on any of my headsets. Glad I didn't get an N4 from swappa; almost did but decided on the N5. Really nice phone, really annoying quirk.
Any ideas? I presume I'm gonna have to RMA it. Does anybody else have this issue?
Edit: Here is another "low mic gain" N4 posting
and here
The N4 and N5 are made by LG. Here is an excerpt from what I found; maybe it really is my headphones. I'm gonna check tonight and edit this post later.
#69 [email protected]
#68 I tried my wife's iPhone 5 headphones this weekend and all the low mic issues were gone. I did some research and found out the Nexus 4 is only compatible with CTIA headsets. To find out if your headset is CTIA look at the rings on the jack and if they are grey then you are good. If they are black or any other color it is OMAP and incompatible. I know Sony, Apple, LG, and Samsung all make CTIA headsets.
Apr 28, 2013 #70 [email protected]
I meant OMTP not OMAP.
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Click to collapse

Great.. this is the same issue that N4 had.. not a defect.. it's a software issue.. that's never been amended.. clearly..

THE_KINGDOM said:
Great.. this is the same issue that N4 had.. not a defect.. it's a software issue.. that's never been amended.. clearly..
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Sigh. ****. I'm sending it back, if that's the case. I'll keep trying to find an 32gb dev version of the moto x or a used Google play S4. I don't understand how little things like this can whiz by product testing. It's not like it's hard to catch.

heroisnotdead said:
Sigh. ****. I'm sending it back, if that's the case. I'll keep trying to find an 32gb dev version of the moto x or a used Google play S4. I don't understand how little things like this can whiz by product testing. It's not like it's hard to catch.
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hold on.. are you meaning in the inline mic on the actual headphones or the mic on the phone?
because the mic on the phone on the N4 is what I'm referring too, sensitivity doesn't increase with aux connection..

THE_KINGDOM said:
hold on.. are you meaning in the inline mic on the actual headphones or the mic on the phone?
because the mic on the phone on the N4 is what I'm referring too, sensitivity doesn't increase with aux connection..
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Click to collapse
I'm referring to the in-line mic. The mic on the phone is fine. The speaker gets a bit crackly and distorted during certain sounds; like when I called google. I use JVC headphones with in-line MIC; worked fine on the S2 and S4.

heroisnotdead said:
I'm referring to the in-line mic. The mic on the phone is fine. The speaker gets a bit crackly and distorted during certain sounds; like when I called google. I use JVC headphones with in-line MIC; worked fine on the S2 and S4.
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Yeah my speaker gets often crackly and distorted when I talk to other people or call my voice mail.. So annoying.. Started RMA. Hope next one else will be ok..
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Mine will be on its way back to Google by this time tomorrow. Loved the phone but I won't live with the distorted speaker and the nonfunctional in line mic issue.
I'll try again next year. Damn, I was really excited to use this phone for a long while to come. Oh well.

There are two type of headset with mic. The mic and the gnd pin are swaped. I have a nokia hadset with mic i can use it my lg optimus 2x but the volume is low and the mic not working, because the gnd and the mic pins swapped. If you have a button on your headset, then hold it and the volume will be normal.
Sent from my LG-P990 using xda app-developers app

Yeah, I have buttons on my jvc set. Holding it will correct the issue? I'll try this evening, if that works then I shall worship you.
Are you holding it while talking?

Setting the gain in ASR for 2x allows me to make an audible recording. But the gain is still too low for calls. Oddly, Google now can hear me fine with any headset or ear buds with in line mic. What the hell?
Didn't have thus issue on the moto X either. I'm thinking I may go with the moto X if I can find a Development version decently priced.
Used an audio level app to see what's up there. The handset mic is perfectly fine but records crap quality with ASR relative to the galaxy phones I've used. The earbuds and headphones with in line mics all work but with significant reduction in gain. So, is this a hardware issue or software?
Sounds like I'm Sol in either case.

Bump. Who else is having this issue? If so, are you keeping the N5? Did you find a work around? This was the only reason I returned my N5. I use my phone alot for skype calls and calls using grooveIP. I can't be having low gain issues with an inline mic. I'll try calling google to see if anybody else reported it.

Mic gain issue on Nexus 5
I'm having the same issue on my new Nexus 5 I received on Monday. I tested the following headsets which all replicate the issue of low mic gain on headsets plugged into the Nexus 5. Please see the attached jpg I created to visually explain this test with a noise meter app.
Samsung Galaxy S3 headset
HTC EVO 4G headset
Yurbuds Focus Talk headset

I do have the same issue.
I tried two different headsets.
1. a headset with a single button inline control
2. a headset with an iphone compatible three button inline control
Both of them have a much lower mic volume on the nexus 5, compared to galaxy nexus. ( I playback recorded audio on a PC to confirm this)
OP, i saw your G+ post, do you mean you have to hold the play/pause button while you are talking, in order to work around the issue?

osmium2 said:
I do have the same issue.
I tried two different headsets.
1. a headset with a single button inline control
2. a headset with an iphone compatible three button inline control
Both of them have a much lower mic volume on the nexus 5, compared to galaxy nexus. ( I playback recorded audio on a PC to confirm this)
OP, i saw your G+ post, do you mean you have to hold the play/pause button while you are talking, in order to work around the issue?
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Click to collapse
No, I had to hold the play/pause button while I was connecting the headset. I made a final update to the google product thread:
****FINAL UPDATE**** WTF, google, seriously. Holding the play/pause button on my headset (and connecting my other set with the mic muted) seems to correct the low input volume issue -- it doesn't. It merely enables a sort of "speaker phone mode" where the audio is being inputted from the phone's mic, not the inline mic. Test it yourself. When you connect an inline mic as you normally would (not pressing any buttons, just plug that bith right in there), the nexus 5 switches to the inline mic input and it sounds too low to be functional (that's the problem). Disconnect the same headset and connect it while holding the play/pause button and you'll find it sounds much better. Tap on the phone, put your mouth right next to the phones mic, then listen to your recording. You'll see what I mean.
The better sounding audio isn't coming from the inline mic, it's coming from the mic built into the nexus 5 because it thinks you've connected earbuds with no inline mic. The nexus 5 (much like the N4) has a glitch with most inline mics. I'm done testing. Sending it back this week and requesting a full refund. I talk on skype and GrooveIP far too much to tolerate. such a pity. Perhaps I'll try again next year when there has been a patch or two out. Maybe a developer can find a fix. Good job LG and Google, you've created a phone that is perfect for folks who don't use earbuds or headphones with inline mics. I guess we'll just have to stick with samsung phones or get a moto X. Geeez.

How do you contact google? I think I have to try to force them to realize this is a widespread issue by submitting a long list of link containing mic volume complains. I found over 10 different forums discussing this issue.
I will also be visiting a headphone specialist store here in town, there are over 50 headsets available to test. I will try every one and ensure this is not a headset related issue, but a phone issue.
Just don't understand why there is so few people complaining in this thread, no one talk on phone anymore?

osmium2 said:
How do you contact google? I think I have to try to force them to realize this is a widespread issue by submitting a long list of link containing mic volume complains. I found over 10 different forums discussing this issue.
I will also be visiting a headphone specialist store here in town, there are over 50 headsets available to test. I will try every one and ensure this is not a headset related issue, but a phone issue.
Just don't understand why there is so few people complaining in this thread, no one talk on phone anymore?
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Click to collapse
There are more people complaining here: https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!msg/nexus/DbvPiXcyhi4/AKAMH6SykloJ
I would suggest adding your findings to that product support ticket I have created. It's already being referenced by the support folks with which I've been dealing, as well as showing up on search results.
Of course, you could call Google and report your experiences directly. Whatever you do, please add your findings to my original support ticket to ensure continuity. This thread was buried in XDA because last week was sofaking crazy with new nexus 5 threads popping up every where. I haven't yet heard back from the two media outlets I contacted. Nobody in any major review has mentioned this issue -- I think it really needs to be mentioned.

Same issue N5 16 black. Both headset mics work with the GNex. None with the N5.

I'm having this issue too. The inline mic has terrible gain. I used Smart Voice Recorder app and disabled automatic gain control and calibrated mic gain. The difference between a voice recording before and after the tweak is day and night. Unfortunately I don't know if there is a way to alter this system wide but right now it's pitiful.

delete

Headset mic gain solution for rooted Nexus 4
bladehelix said:
Unfortunately I don't know if there is a way to alter this system wide but right now it's pitiful.
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Click to collapse
Hi!
If your phone is rooted, you can modify the headset microphone volume in the file /system/etc/mixer_paths.xml (see below).
I've done that on my Nexus 4 and it's working great.
If your phone is not rooted, I've published a patch on android source : https://android-review.googlesource.com/#/c/73711/
Hopefully someone at Google will see it and merge it for the next release => vote/comment it so that it gets attention!
/system/etc/mixer_paths.xml - before modification
<path name="headset-mic">
<path name="adc2" />
<ctl name="ADC2 Volume" value="2" />
</path>
/system/etc/mixer_paths.xml - after modification
<path name="headset-mic">
<path name="adc2" />
<ctl name="ADC2 Volume" value="2" />
<ctl name="DEC8 Volume" value="99" />
</path>
Cheers,
--
Steph

Related

Warning: iPhone Headsets(mic) does not work with the Z;(

Found this out today;(
Gonna look a right pleb walking around with 4 speakers coming out my jacket, lollol
oh the things i do for android;P
JD
JupiterDroid said:
Found this out today;(
Gonna look a right pleb walking around with 4 speakers coming out my jacket, lollol
oh the things i do for android;P
JD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only tried my Apple inear buds for music/podcast and unlike with the Samsung SGS, it worked just fine. Mind you, didn't try for actual calls tho. What doesn't work with it?
daft.71 said:
I only tried my Apple inear buds for music/podcast and unlike with the Samsung SGS, it worked just fine. Mind you, didn't try for actual calls tho. What doesn't work with it?
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Click to collapse
The mic does not work when making a call;(
JD
JupiterDroid said:
The mic does not work when making a call;(
JD
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That kind of sucks.
daft.71 said:
That kind of sucks.
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Click to collapse
Big time, its probably HTC's response to getting sue'd
JD
Darn. I found out that the sony MDR-EX38iP are only partially compatible. Not sure about it's mic, but the volume controls don't seem to do anything.
I'll be testing Wal-Mart's no hassle return policy in the morning.
I'm having some trouble finding a hands free solution that's got music, and volume controls, a mic and stereo in earbuds. Anybody know of such an animal?
There's two other's that I've yet to try: the Skullcandy Titan headset, and the one's from JVC with the marshmallow earbuds.
The headset earphones that came with my DZ are better than the ones that came with my Dream, at least they stay in my ears, but I sure miss having volume controls as part of the remote.
walmart took them back, plus i tried and returned the scosche tapline headset because it didn't work either. well, at least the volume controls didn't work.
Has anyone got the SonyEricsson MH-810 Stereo Headset for Xperia? these might work since they're made for the android platform, not iOS.
Might be an app
I had trouble getting a headset with a mic to work at first. I thought the jack might be defective, but regular earbuds worked. I also noticed that it detected if I had a headset with or without a microphone. (the icon on top would change)
Then my husband told me he saw on some forum, that there's a known problem with headphones with a mics, if you have another music app installed other then the native one.
I had previously installed Winamp, so I uninstalled it and now both the HTC & the Apple headset with mic work fine.
Might be worth it to give it a try, if you have a another music player installed.
Milady_Odessa said:
I had trouble getting a headset with a mic to work at first. I thought the jack might be defective, but regular earbuds worked. I also noticed that it detected if I had a headset with or without a microphone. (the icon on top would change)
Then my husband told me he saw on some forum, that there's a known problem with headphones with a mics, if you have another music app installed other then the native one.
I had previously installed Winamp, so I uninstalled it and now both the HTC & the Apple headset with mic work fine.
Might be worth it to give it a try, if you have a another music player installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the music player works fine, its just the mic will not work, i have no other player installed;(
Milady_Odessa said:
I had trouble getting a headset with a mic to work at first. I thought the jack might be defective, but regular earbuds worked. I also noticed that it detected if I had a headset with or without a microphone. (the icon on top would change)
Then my husband told me he saw on some forum, that there's a known problem with headphones with a mics, if you have another music app installed other then the native one.
I had previously installed Winamp, so I uninstalled it and now both the HTC & the Apple headset with mic work fine.
Might be worth it to give it a try, if you have a another music player installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so @Milady_Odessa, with your apple headset, you can:
*answer & initiate calls
*change volume up and down
can you be more specific regarding which apple headset you are using, or possibly a picture?
Sorry I should have specified, it's the regular earbud/mic combo that came with the iPhone. It essentially does the same thing as the headset that came with my Z phone.
It can answer & adjust volume, turn on your media player. It can't initiate calls, but it can dial/call back the last number that called you by double-clicking on the middle button.
droidsmith said:
so @Milady_Odessa, with your apple headset, you can:
*answer & initiate calls
*change volume up and down
can you be more specific regarding which apple headset you are using, or possibly a picture?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you cant talk on the mic, its not compatible;(
JD
Thanks for elaborating, and the picture! hmmm, still not idea.
I would like to have the same functionality I have with the headset that I got for my Dream.
I thinking of getting a set of sony ericsson mh810 off ebay for about thirty dollars, but I would like to confirm that that the voice dialer / search feature works first.
droidsmith said:
Darn. I found out that the sony MDR-EX38iP are only partially compatible. Not sure about it's mic, but the volume controls don't seem to do anything.
I'll be testing Wal-Mart's no hassle return policy in the morning.
I'm having some trouble finding a hands free solution that's got music, and volume controls, a mic and stereo in earbuds. Anybody know of such an animal?
There's two other's that I've yet to try: the Skullcandy Titan headset, and the one's from JVC with the marshmallow earbuds.
The headset earphones that came with my DZ are better than the ones that came with my Dream, at least they stay in my ears, but I sure miss having volume controls as part of the remote.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about the volume control at the point where the cord splits?
John
I bought the HTC HS U350. This allows you to plug in your own earphones in to the mic piece. So far it works great but i do miss having controls for skipping music and also volume. I guess it will do until i find something better
I have the G2 with the Desire Z ROM and the iPhone headset that came with my 2G iPhone and the replacement one I bought about a year after are both working. After plugging them in I see a headset icon, and I tested using the Voice Recorder app and on a phone call, mic was working fine. As far as I know nothing was touched on the ROM from the shipped other than pre-rooted things like busybox, superuser, etc.
I've just tested Skullcandy Full Metal Jacket headset which is designed to work specially with iPhone - music sounds good, stop-play button works (with 1 second lag though), calls are good as well - mic works fine, you can answer and stop the call by pressing the button on the remote.
I tested with Desire Z and Desire.
I was hoping to get Klipsch S4i to use as headset, hopefully they will work with Desire Z
chewy106 said:
I have the G2 with the Desire Z ROM and the iPhone headset that came with my 2G iPhone and the replacement one I bought about a year after are both working. After plugging them in I see a headset icon, and I tested using the Voice Recorder app and on a phone call, mic was working fine. As far as I know nothing was touched on the ROM from the shipped other than pre-rooted things like busybox, superuser, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, the 2g iphone headset is different to the iphone headset yo buy in the shop, for a star the 2g headset has no volume up and down i dont think...
JD
Anyone tried Griffin Smarttalk mic adaptor?
Hi,
Has anyone tried the Griffin Smarttalk adapter?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Griffin-Sma...LBEG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1291378019&sr=8-2
I'm particularly interested to see if the skip functionality works with HTC's music player?
Thanks,
Ash
Hi all
Anyone thought of using Sony mw600?
I only had this little marvel for 3 days (fone only 10 days) and I dare say it works beautiful.
It takes/makes calls without a glitch. It even displays the callers number ( didn't manage to make it display contact name yet, though)
Also it controls nicely my poweramp app, does prev/next, play/pause, and volume. It's got in ear detachable headphones, and it uses same microusb interface for charging as our lovely phones
All of this for around £30 of eBay!
It's not bad, is it?
sent from htc desire Z stockRom

[Q] Does nexus s work with iphone-compatible 3-button headset?

Today I happen to know that Nexus s supports 3-button headset while I was reading the kernel source code of Nexus. And I also found MEDIA_NEXT/MEDIA_PREVIOUS keys in keylayout.
I don't have a 3-button headphone now, but I'm very interested in whether the keys on 3-button iphone compatible headsets actually works with Nexus S and whether I have to use some particular music player to benefit from these keys.
Have anyone tried 3-button headset with Nexus S? How does it work?
Thanks,
cyaniris said:
Have anyone tried 3-button headset with Nexus S? How does it work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I've used the HTC headset that comes with the Desire and it works (but doesn't anywhere near as good). The controller pauses/plays, skips forward and back. I haven't tested it, but I suppose it would work fine for answering calls too.
I don't know if iPhone headsets work although they should, and I could try my daughter's iPod Touch headset tonight, if no one else replies before then.
i dont know about the iphone specific headset. but it will work with 3 button headset in general, it should use standard ff/rw/pause and mic line, etc.
Thanks, I just see so many 3-button earphones that advertise themselves as "iphone-compabible", so I am wondering if there's some Apple standard and non-apple setup.
I use the Bose MIE2 mobile phone headset. In line mic with button control, works great. Costs 145 bucks but sounds superb. Its specific for mobile phones, follows the standard. A near identical iPhone version exists.
the iphone headset will only answer calls and the mic works, the volume does not work.
as for HTC, I have posted this somewhere else, everything works, although the volume up/down button is replaced by previous/forward, but reversed (- being forward and + being previous), but you can pull the buttons off with little force and correct it.
please note, before anyone goes out and buy the HTC headset, the headset has no bass if you dont use the ear muffs, and only a little bass with them on.
kms
I can confirm what kms108 says about the Apple headphones. The call answer button also works as play/pause for media.
What about skip / rewind?
I know this has been asked elsewhere in these forums, but none of the threads have been active within the past few months.
Does anyone know if there are any headsets or control software that allows you to use your remote button to skip forward, or rewind backwards on the Nexus S?
On the N1, PowerAMP added the option for two clicks to skip forward, three clicks to rewind back by a track. However, my same headphones (Zagg Smartbuds, if it matters) no longer do so on my NS.
Does anyone have any insight as to how I might be able to get that functionality back? It's pretty important to me, and presumably many others on these here forums :]
if you read up a few post, you have your answer, or get a BT headset.
Whoops. My wording was terrible. I was looking mainly at iPhone compatible headsets. It's nice to know that the HTC remote controls work properly, but as I recall the stock earbuds that came with my N1 were godawful :]
For now, I remembered an app called Headset Button Controller which does pretty much exactly what it says. The only problem is that I'm having trouble getting my NS to recognize any kind of triple click. I can only do single, double, and long clicks. Luckily, I guess that's all I really need?
sosquidtaste said:
Whoops. My wording was terrible. I was looking mainly at iPhone compatible headsets. It's nice to know that the HTC remote controls work properly, but as I recall the stock earbuds that came with my N1 were godawful :]
For now, I remembered an app called Headset Button Controller which does pretty much exactly what it says. The only problem is that I'm having trouble getting my NS to recognize any kind of triple click. I can only do single, double, and long clicks. Luckily, I guess that's all I really need?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the double or triple click does'nt work well, i prefer a dedicated button.

Headphones with inline controls

Since this is my first android phone I'm not sure which earbuds or headphones to pick up that I can use with inline controls for it? Thanks for the help
of the few headphones ive tried, they were all designed for iphones, so the mic would work, but none of the other controls.
only way is to test it and return it, or read reviews.
There have been a few other threads about bluetooth headsets and voice control. I think there is a missing app on this phone that would handle the incoming bluetooth controls. Currently when i push mine, nothing happens. Found a possible fix for this today. When i get home, i will try it out and post confirmation.
I have a pair of Beats Tour with ControlTalk built inline (not my normal choice of earphones... but bought them for very cheap off a friend who didn't want them!).
It seems they are primarily designed for the iPhone. There is a rocker switch (possibly for volume on the iPhone?) and also a button in the middle. There's also a microphone on the inline switches.
The microphone works fine, as does the one middle button. There is no response from the rocker (I have tried headphone keymapping apps available on the Market, to no joy). It's not such a big deal though as my primary music player is PlayerPro, which you can asign multiple clicks or click and hold etc. to do different functions. For example, one click pauses, another single click unpauses, double click skips track, triple click skips one back, press and hold to cycle through volume etc. - it's not ideal, and I'd love to have that rocker switch working, but I think it's the best it can do.
The single button works fine for accepting and ending calls, too.
I assume this setup would be the same for 3-button iPhone headset, and any of them would work in a similar way to the Beats Tour.
Try the Klipsch S4a's. I had the S4i's for my iPhone that I just replaced today (battery was unbearable after 3 years of use). The difference between the two is the microchip in the inline controller. Otherwise they have the same driver (and same good sound). I'm just upset I'll have to break a new set in
ZombieLinux said:
Try the Klipsch S4a's. I had the S4i's for my iPhone that I just replaced today (battery was unbearable after 3 years of use). The difference between the two is the microchip in the inline controller. Otherwise they have the same driver (and same good sound). I'm just upset I'll have to break a new set in
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't tried the Klipsch S4a's myself, but I have a friend who swears by them. I've just never wanted to spend the $$ because I beat up my headphones commuting on the train everyday, plus I need something loud and tinny so I can hear podcasts over the train noise (and I wont do over-the-ears). ironically, crappy phones work fro me so I just use a pair of $6 HTC phones from amazon that were marketed for the vivid and thunderbolt (and probably every other HTC phone popular at the time prior to those two...)

[Q] Nexus 5 Bluetooth and wired headset problems

Hello,
Pardon if this has been answered already, I simply did not find my exact question answered.
I am using my unmodified Nexus 5 (not even rooted), with the latest KitKat (v.4.4.2 build KOT49H) with quite a few wired and wireless headsets and people always complain they cannot hear me. Eventually I got my hands on an old Samsung Galaxy S2 and tried my best bluetooth headset with it: Imagine my surprise, I could hear myself quite clearly even when I was talking really really softly, barely above a whisper. My headset is excellent. My phone is not.
My questions revolve around what to do about it.
Nothing in KitKat allows me to adjust the bluetooth microphone gain, nor does it let me use an equalizer on my microphone. I can adjust the volume of the headset, but this does not do anything to the microphone gain.
So...
Question 1: am I the only person with this problem?
Question 2: what do you people do about it?
Question 3: are there any mods / custom ROMs out there that attempt to fix this problem? Google does not appear to be interested in doing so.
Thanks in advance!
*bump*
Any ideas? I have tried re-pairing my bluetooth headset - no go. I have tried flashing custom ROMs and kernels - no go again. It seems to be a problem with the phone, but I have no idea how to fix it. And Google searches always return other people having this problem. Noone with solutions, though.
Using a wired headset results in even worse results, if that were at all possible.
Has anyone tried to replace the bluetooth stack or driver with something that works?
Thanks!
*bump*
Yesterday I spent quite a few hours tinkering with my phone. I tried every last radio out there for the Nexus 5 and none had any effect on bluetooth microphone levels. Then I tried a few AOSP ROMs: CM11 and Omni. They turned out to be so closely related I might as well have just tried one. None had any effect on bluetooth microphone. Heck if CM11 doesn't do it, there really are no alternatives out there! I tried the FauxAudio tweak, even paid $2 to Faux, which successfully managed to do nothing: app didn't was written badly. Finally, I tried a bunch of volume boost tweaks. That worked, actually. That is, it boosted the wrong volume. Finally, in a moment of true and utter desperation, I opened an ADB shell and edited that mixer file by hand. I then discovered that microphone gain on bluetooth is not controlled there.
I tried all my wired headsets again: Etymotic HF3's microphone produces such an atrocious sound, if I am to rely on it I need to seriously consider becoming a mime. Then there were my Bose QC15 headphones with a remote cable for Android by some off-brand company: that was terrible, the cable is useless. Heck, not even mime lessons can help me there.
Eventually I chanced upon an old microphone cable for my QC15 headphones. Just microphone, no remote. Surprisingly, this one is loud and clear! That after being anything but loud or clear on my old cell phone. Interesting. Unfortunately, it's been out of production for a few years. My working theory is that Bose realized putting a decent microphone on expensive headphones gives people real value, makes them spend money, and that way lies madness. We can't have that, can we. So when that cable starts cutting, so does my use of this cell phone.
I am screwed.
In any case, I will stop bumping my own thread, you guys obviously don't know a solution or there would have been a lively conversation right now. And I am pretty sure there is a moderator or two frowning right now, possibly getting ready to throw an encyclopedia at me. My only hope is that Google is going to do something about that pesky Broadcom driver that doesn't work sometime before the mass exodus to the iPhone. And before my precious microphone cable stops working, or I will be leading the way for that exodus. It's a phone, damnit, if it doesn't work like one it's no good.
Hmmm.... it should be possible to wire a good lavalier mike on a cell phone cable... maybe I can get an op-amp from an old tape recorder to get decent amplification... When attaching a 9V battery on my headphone cable begins to look appealing, we really have a problem.
Yes, if nobody reply you is because no one can help u.
But for what it's worth, i had an Xperia Play for 2 years. Using an Motorola Bluetooth Headset H350 while driving and a MW600 Sony Ericsson Stereo Bluetooth Headset, both never had a problem.
Now from 2013 Christmas both headsets with my new N5: still never a problem and not noticing any low volume or mic. Sorry
same issue
Dany XP said:
Yes, if nobody reply you is because no one can help u.
But for what it's worth, i had an Xperia Play for 2 years. Using an Motorola Bluetooth Headset H350 while driving and a MW600 Sony Ericsson Stereo Bluetooth Headset, both never had a problem.
Now from 2013 Christmas both headsets with my new N5: still never a problem and not noticing any low volume or mic. Sorry
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Click to collapse
hi,
i am having the same issue with my Nexus 5 in combination with my Logitech H800 Wireless headset (people can`t hear me).
Anybody who did find a solution for this?
Thx
pitchdown said:
hi,
i am having the same issue with my Nexus 5 in combination with my Logitech H800 Wireless headset (people can`t hear me).
Anybody who did find a solution for this?
Thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No solution. I tried everything, everything I could think of. I got FauxAudio to work eventually and that did nothing for Bluetooth performance (and it said it wouldn't, but I was desperate).
I returned a lot of high end bluetooth headsets over this issue. Eventually I came upon the Plantronics Voyager Legend. I would like to tell you this really expensive headset works fine, but no - microphone gain is still low, though this time around people can hear me okay. Not great, just okay. I am using that now. It's not perfect, it's far from perfect, but finally usable. Sort of. If I speak loudly.
For what it is worth, the ElementalX kernel improves Bluetooth stability on the N5 quite a bit. Microphone gain is still low, though. Another thing that sometimes helps a little is turning off the multimedia profile on the headset, though why THAT would make a difference is beyond me.
All we can do is wait, watch the Samsung Galaxy S5 get released and wonder if we should switch.
kangelov said:
No solution. I tried everything, everything I could think of. I got FauxAudio to work eventually and that did nothing for Bluetooth performance (and it said it wouldn't, but I was desperate).
I returned a lot of high end bluetooth headsets over this issue. Eventually I came upon the Plantronics Voyager Legend. I would like to tell you this really expensive headset works fine, but no - microphone gain is still low, though this time around people can hear me okay. Not great, just okay. I am using that now. It's not perfect, it's far from perfect, but finally usable. Sort of. If I speak loudly.
For what it is worth, the ElementalX kernel improves Bluetooth stability on the N5 quite a bit. Microphone gain is still low, though. Another thing that sometimes helps a little is turning off the multimedia profile on the headset, though why THAT would make a difference is beyond me.
All we can do is wait, watch the Samsung Galaxy S5 get released and wonder if we should switch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Somebody advised me to download the app "persist"
This is free from the playstore.
Can you try this and let me know this is working for you?
Thx
pitchdown said:
Somebody advised me to download the app "persist"
This is free from the playstore.
Can you try this and let me know this is working for you?
Thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This app controls the bluetooth volume, not the bluetooth gain. The bluetooth volume was never a problem.
kangelov said:
This app controls the bluetooth volume, not the bluetooth gain. The bluetooth volume was never a problem.
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Click to collapse
Ok,
i am having the problem with my Logitech H800 headset with the nexus 5.
So this is a android kitkiat 4.4 issue?
Or is this problem only on several Nexus 5-devices?
pitchdown said:
Ok,
i am having the problem with my Logitech H800 headset with the nexus 5.
So this is a android kitkiat 4.4 issue?
Or is this problem only on several Nexus 5-devices?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My guess is either the bluetooth baseband or the bluetooth kernel driver used in the N5 is flaky. This is why I think so:
Problem does not exist on my old Samsung Galaxy S2, including when it runs the same nightly of CM11, nor does it exist on my computer or my desk phone. All the headsets I've owned performed admirably there, so the headsets are not directly the cause. From what I've seen no ROM and no kernel out there seem to be making a difference as far as Bluetooth gain is concerned, the problem is persistently there and the same. Best I could tell it's just the N5 with a problem and it's just for the phone profile. I've tried the Bose headset (the worst performer headset with the N5 of the lot) on a colleague's N5 and his phone was just as bad with it as mine. I am not sure if it's a small batch of N5s having a problem, I don't own lots and lots of N5 phones to try on, but I doubt it: with anything digital things are usually all-or-nothing and the N5 has an off-the-shelf Bluetooth chip, which is not unique to the N5. My guess is it's the entire model, but having only tried on 2 N5 phones, this is no more than a guess.
From what I saw online, the entire Nexus line has poor Bluetooth performance, not just the 5, and Google changed the Bluetooth stack with KitKat besides possibly introducing more problems. If you have a non-Nexus phone, the manufacturer most certainly replaced the Bluetooth driver and radio with one of their own, so problem goes away, but the Nexus line does not enjoy such attention.
An interesting thing to try would be for someone to put the LG G2 Bluetooth driver on a N5 kernel and try it out. I don't have the time or the expertise to do that, but there are plenty of people who do. Assuming the G2 does not have problems with bluetooth gain, if the problem still persists it will tell us if it's the N5 baseband or hardware doing it, and noone can help us there if that's the case.
I have this problem too, using my Nexus5 with iphone headsets. Peoples told me in skype and hangouts, that they hear me bad...
Shiver2005 said:
I have this problem too, using my Nexus5 with iphone headsets. Peoples told me in skype and hangouts, that they hear me bad...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a different problem. The wired headset problem is easily solvable with FauxAudio and a supported kernel.
This maybe realted to the changes Google made to the core Bluetooth stack as of Android 4.3+ I know they made adjustments for the BLE [low poer Bluetooth devices like pedometers and other senor type crap]. It is BEYOND me as to why Google keeps adding functionality ot the core Bluetooth stack when it is GLARINGLY OBVIOUS they have real problems with Bluetooth as a whole. WHY NOT fix the core issues so Bluetooth is much better at the basics before trying to add functionality or more complex?
I know they complained it would cost a bit for a different newer Bluetooth license but I mean in my personal experience with many different phones Bluetooth is SUPER flaky even at it's best in Android, and does not even work the same way across devices [I have used 3 different Jabra speakerphones on my bosses Galaxy 3 recently and they all worked to varying degrees even though they all use the same version of Bluetooth protocol], but my T989 [Galaxy 2 T-mobile], my parents G2s My bosses older Bionic, My fathers new Droid X, etc. all have random problems. You can usually find one device that works well with a certain phone/ROM, but that can change between ROM versions and devices so it is like you need to go and buy 1 of everything every time there is an update and go crazy finding the ONE that works [and as noted on page 1 with the gentleman using the same Platronics Voyager Platinum as I have it is a super expensive very nice device that worked BEAUTIFULLY in ICS, but now in 4.1 + you can not get more than 1 or 2 words across the mic unless you are YELLING at it like a crazy person on the SAME device].
So all that to say I think it is prolly related to changes Android made in 4.3+ flipped the Bluetooth operability on it's head.
Mic Volume OK with KitKat 4.4.4 and cheap "HB-800" headset
there've been no posts for a while so maybe the problem has gone away with the KitKat updates.
But anyway:-
I have a Nexus 5 and recently bought a cheap generic stereo earbud headset with mic from eBay .... $14.82 Ozzie including delivery to Western Australia.
I've actually asked the other party whether they can hear me (specifically "am I loud enough?") because I read this thread and have been assured that it's all good.
In fact it's a pity the sound quality at MY end isn't better, but that's probably the low quality ear buds rather than electronics / firmware reasons.
Of course, ymmv.
Here's the ebay item title in case anyone wants to look it up or I can pm the item number if it helps.
"Headphones Earphones with MIC 1st Stereo Bluetooth Hands-Free Wireless HV/HB-800"
No, the problem is still there. Reason there are no posts is that no one has a solution. Nothing has changed since March. I am somewhat controlling it with CM11 running on the ElementalX kernel. Without this kernel Bluetooth performance is unbearable. With it it is barely adequate.
It's funny that a cheap headset would work okay while multiple top-of-the-line everything-but-the-kitchen-sink models like the Plantronics Voyager Pro would still be having problems.
I was seriously considering getting the OnePlus One, the Nexus 6 and even the iPhone 6 hoping the issue would finally be fixed. It's ridiculous that a phone commonly accepted as the measuring stick of the Android world would be having problems with simple tasks like driving a bluetooth headset. *very disappointed*
Me too. Two days with my new N5 and when I use my Sony SBH20 people hear me bad... With my N4 no problem. Its annoying! Ive to speak with headset because Ive problems with my left arm and legs, I only have the right to hold the phone, I cant do anyhing more and when I walk I need that arm to hold my cane.
I dont see a real solution, I will have to return the N5

[Q] Need confirmation on headset call performance

If you use a headset/earbuds with an in-line mic to handle calls, I would appreciate it if you could confirm one thing for me.
During a call, do you hear your own voice (and surrounding noise) through your own headset?
I've never had a smartphone send the audio picked up by my own mic straight back to my own ears during calls. I'm trying to figure out if this is normal behavior for this device or if I have a problem.
u can try turning on microphone noise suppression... i bet its the other side using hands free where his/her mic picks up the loudspeaker and sends it back to you... did happen to me a couple of times and was fixed by the other side switching back to earpiece/headset instead of handsfree loudspeaker.. anyways if the problem still exists try upgrading/downgrading F/W .. if that didnt help simply take it back using the warranty
o and might wanna try a different headset if yours could be the culprit
mazroui said:
u can try turning on microphone noise suppression... i bet its the other side using hands free where his/her mic picks up the loudspeaker and sends it back to you... did happen to me a couple of times and was fixed by the other side switching back to earpiece/headset instead of handsfree loudspeaker.. anyways if the problem still exists try upgrading/downgrading F/W .. if that didnt help simply take it back using the warranty
o and might wanna try a different headset if yours could be the culprit
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Mazroui, thanks for the response. I'm certain it's my own mic and not the other end. Here's how I tested - Bring up dialer, dial any number, hit call. As soon as I hit call, I can hear all the noise coming in from my own mic into my ears, no one is even on the other end of the line yet as the phone is still ringing. If I rub my finger across the in-line mic of my headset, all the rustling noise is sent right back to myself.
I wish I could say it was the other person on the other end of the line, but I'm definitely hearing the noise from my own mic during calls for some reason.
So I take it your phone doesn't do this?
whoaboy said:
Hi Mazroui, thanks for the response. I'm certain it's my own mic and not the other end. Here's how I tested - Bring up dialer, dial any number, hit call. As soon as I hit call, I can hear all the noise coming in from my own mic into my ears, no one is even on the other end of the line yet as the phone is still ringing. If I rub my finger across the in-line mic of my headset, all the rustling noise is sent right back to myself.
I wish I could say it was the other person on the other end of the line, but I'm definitely hearing the noise from my own mic during calls for some reason.
So I take it your phone doesn't do this?
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Click to collapse
wow.. definitely not... im using my dead lg g2 headset with 2 in ear plugs.. did u test with a different headset ? im guessing yours is a mono headset like my old blackberry phone 1 ear style... i remember it did that a lot.. although was very clear and loud but simply too irritating
I don't hear my own voice through the microphone on my Bower & Wilkins p5.
mazroui said:
wow.. definitely not... im using my dead lg g2 headset with 2 in ear plugs.. did u test with a different headset ? im guessing yours is a mono headset like my old blackberry phone 1 ear style... i remember it did that a lot.. although was very clear and loud but simply too irritating
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I tested with 4 or 5 different headsets, all stereo. A basic Panasonic set, Apple EarPods, Bose QC20 (Android version), Bose QC25, and I even have the Sony Active Noise Cancelling earbuds which only function with the Xperia devices, and even those send the audio from the mics back into my ears.
Each of these headsets work perfectly fine in other devices I have such as Google Nexus 5, Motorola Moto X 2014, iPhone 5S, and others.
whoaboy said:
Yeah, I tested with 4 or 5 different headsets, all stereo. A basic Panasonic set, Apple EarPods, Bose QC20 (Android version), Bose QC25, and I even have the Sony Active Noise Cancelling earbuds which only function with the Xperia devices, and even those send the audio from the mics back into my ears.
Each of these headsets work perfectly fine in other devices I have such as Google Nexus 5, Motorola Moto X 2014, iPhone 5S, and others.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did u test if the phone was water proof XD maybe got something in the jack ? anyways with a problem like that id definitely use that warranty and save my self the hassle..
phone isn't supposed to do such a thing and with that many headsets tested u can prove it to the service center and ask for a replacement with no questions asked
Android404 - Thank you for the confirmation!
mazroui said:
did u test if the phone was water proof XD maybe got something in the jack ? anyways with a problem like that id definitely use that warranty and save my self the hassle
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I did a check to make sure the phone was waterproof using the service menu to test the phone pressure. It's never been in any water at all, closest it has ever been is on the bathroom sink while I'm taking a shower.
Yeah, I'm going to have to go down the warranty route I think.
wish u all the best
Thank you sir!

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