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A short review of the MW1 with the Xperia Z.

I bought the MW1 last week, and I've had time to play with it, but not to fix the problems I've found, so partly to explain my problems to possible buyers, and partly to get help to fix my problems, I'm writing this review.
First of all, I listened to the headphones that came with the MW1 unit for all of ten minutes. I'm sure they were fine, wonderful and would imbue all music with a magic substance, but I already have a set of Shures, and I don't need them.
Pairing the MW1 with the phone was supposed to be a matter of NFC-touching, but that didn't work. Instead I used the "quick start guide", and it took me about three minutes to set it up once and for all, and it's automatically connected to the phone every time I've switched it on ever since. Basically, you switch it on, and all sound should output through the MW1 instead of from the phone. This is not always true, which I'll come back to.
Sound is fantastic. I can't head any difference between using my Shure through the MW1 and directly to the phone, although I've used my normal music files, which are in AAC ~192kbit VBR, so I'm sure someone with higher standards would find something to complain about. Since 90% of what I listen to is podcasts and audiobooks, we're well past my level already.
Now, the hardware: the unit itself has some pretty obvious faults, which makes it very obvious that this is 1.0 hardware. In fact, I would call it 0.5 hardware. Sony has made some very odd choices, and these are definitely the most important downsides to this unit.
First of all, both the microSD-card and the micro-USB port are inside a lid which looks so much like the lid to a USB-stick that I find myself wondering why they didn't do the obvious thing and simply add a normal USB plug so we could just charge it by sticking it into a computer/USB power adapter, instead of mucking about with a cable. The only thing they would have to move is the microSD-slot, which would fit behind the USB plug just fine.
Second, the power button. If you've seen any reviews about this unit, you'll have heard about the power button. It strikes me that whomever decided that the power button should be of the "hold in for three seconds"-type, be completely impossible to press without half-inch nails, and be located at the WORST POSSIBLE PLACE on the unit, decides ten lashes and a dishonorable discharge from the world of product design.
Now, this is about all there is to say about the actual MW1, but as promised, I'm going to try to talk about how it works with the Xperia Z.
First of all, you must understand that at least 70% of the reason I bought the MW1 in the first place is the lid over the headset-port on the phone. To have to fumble around with my nail to fit into a specific slot out of several completely identical slots around the edges of my phone was COMPLETELY out of the picture. And yes, this solves that problem.
Another problem, however, appears shortly after. I have several applications which play audio, and since I no longer pick up the phone, unlock the screen, (sometimes change application) and THEN press play in the app I want, the phone easily gets confused as to which app is to get the "play" message from the MW1. You'd think perhaps that the Walkman app would be in a default-position just like iTunes is on macs, or Windows Media Player is on Windows, but no - for some reason it just selects completely by random any old running app, and outputs the sound. For me, when pausing Pocketcasts and then pressing play again a few minutes later, it seems to be about 50% chance that Pocketcasts picks up again (which is almost always what I wanted, and ALWAYS what I want to have happen), 25% PowerAmp even though it is never loaded and just installed in case I ever want to play music from my phone at a party or something, and 25% a completely random audio player, including (but certainly not limited to) Smart Audiobook Player, Plex, Winamp, Walkman or ANY other app I have installed on my phone.
So in short: great unit, get it if you can, but if there is ever a version 2.0 of this device and they haven't fixed the power button, please apply for a position with Sony's hardware design group, cause apparently they're useless.
Also, if anyone knows of any way to permanently bind the play button to "whichever app I just paused, you nitwit", let me know.
Also, these units are pretty damn cheap these days, mine was well under 100 USD, and it's well worth it. If you need an extra pair of headphones - fantastic - but even the bluetooth unit itself is worth the price.

Hey, thanks for the short review.
I'm using a Jabra Clipper. Till now it always started the walkman app, and the buttons did what i wanted. but today i had some problems with skipping songs. gotta see if it will reoccure.
the biggest issue i have is the weak signal strength. it's definitly working better than with my old S2, but never the less, the signal is very easy interrupted. Even if the phone is in the pocket of my jeans and i slightly cover it, because my hand is in there too.
I wonder if the MW1 has the same issues.

Not really. I have a Plantronics Voyager something something, and that has horrible distortion issues if I so much as think about putting the phone in the same-side jeans pocket, but the MW1 goes strong even if I'm in another room.
Of course, that could be because the MW1 unit is much larger...
I wonder if this will help: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.harleensahni.android.mbr&hl=no

My Jabra works even in 5m distance, but loses signal as soon as the phone is behind my back.
The MW1 costs twice as much as the clipper.
Nice app, will check it out. Thanks

Hello... I'm thinking in buying the MW1 but I have a question. Currently, I have the JAYS a-JAYS One+ that comes with a microphone.
I think the device of the MW1 has a built in mic so how it would behave if I connect the JAYS to the MW1 since the two have built in microphones? Which one would work to answer calls? The one in the MW1 or the one in the JAYS One+?
Thanks in advance.

The MW1. The microphone on the headphones wouldn't be connected to anything.
Note: I am making an educated guess.

2 Tom Fagerland,
I was wondering : any improvement since firmware update?

Another thing,
About the choice of application while pressing play/pause, have you tried the "Headset Button Controller" ?
I had similar problems with normal wired headset. This app solved my problems. Good luck!
Full: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kober.headsetbutton
Trial : https://play.google.com/store/apps/...251bGwsMSwxLDEwMiwiY29tLmtvYmVyLmhlYWRzZXQiXQ..

Couldn't smart connect be used in some way?
Sent from Z Beast

Wait! Are all here talking about the same product?? MW1 Sony Wireless Headset Pro?
Then i must tell you what i think because i have both Clipper and MW1 and i can tell you whats are you doing wrong
first of all is THE ultimate headset..and if you don't use smart connect..you loose all the power of it..
link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/...NvbS5zb255ZXJpY3Nzb24uZXh0cmFzLmxpdmV3YXJlIl0.
Second, it has PERFECT range about 30-40m with out problem! (clipper works fine around 10m with no walls)
Third, connect apps on your device to make the headset works like you want!
Link:https://play.google.com/store/apps/...4uZXh0cmFzLnNtYXJ0d2lyZWxlc3NoZWFkc2V0cHJvIl0.
and something about NFC??? Jesus..read the hardware specifications..NFC no needed
My friend i think you have no idea how powerful is that headset!
IF anyone wants help here i am!

Of course I use SmartConnect
About the buttoncontroller app: Excellent tip, I have bought it now (after checking that it's compatible) and will try it out this week. Thanks for that!
Otherwise, no changes since .253, no. I still use it, though. It's still fantastic, even with having to grab the phone and making adjustments to make Walkan stop playing at the same time as Audible...

Tom Fagerland said:
About the buttoncontroller app: Excellent tip, I have bought it now (after checking that it's compatible) and will try it out this week. Thanks for that!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem! I hope it will help. Have you tried the free version first?
Tom Fagerland said:
Otherwise, no changes since .253, no.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I meant the new firmware for the MW1. There were some since you bought it right? Actually one has just been released....
hackos said:
IF anyone wants help here i am!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, could you help me here please : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=42029397&postcount=6
Thanks!

About updates: If you have smart connect on ANY android phone..then you can update the Firmware of the headset from the phone (wifi needed). the other way you use MicroSd card (about 300kb .bin file on the root of the MicroSD) or using USB (hold BACK button and plug the usb) and software FLASH the .bin file automatic for you.
SOFTWARE: http://software.sonymobile.com/update_service_setup

SuperTraxer said:
No problem! I hope it will help. Have you tried the free version first?
I meant the new firmware for the MW1. There were some since you bought it right? Actually one has just been released....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just installed the new one today, I've been sick for about a week. This is the first update I've had since I started using it, so I've not had any changes.

Thanks a lot.
I am thinking of buying the MW1 and have the Xperia Z, so this is perfectly what I needed
Just one question:
Is the XZ compatible with its other features, like the display of the caller name and song title and viewing text messages/emails?

johnson.carneiro said:
Thanks a lot.
I am thinking of buying the MW1 and have the Xperia Z, so this is perfectly what I needed
Just one question:
Is the XZ compatible with its other features, like the display of the caller name and song title and viewing text messages/emails?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the Headset displays tracknames, caller names, etc. with my Xperia Z. But I had some trouble at first that the headset was not able to skip tracks when the screen was off and the phone locked with the android pin. After the latest update of my Z and the use of sony smart connect it works fine!
Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 2

Used the headset for about a week with both headset button controller and the new firmware. No change at all, everything in the first post still stands unfortunately.
Still really like the headset, though, despite all that.

I've got a question about the mp3 player... if I pause it and turn it off... will it remember where I was the next time I turn it on.
I'm thinking of listening to audiobooks on it, but then it's very important that it remembers where it was last time when you power on the device.
Brgds... Tubgirl

What's the difference between this and sbh50? They both have similar specs right? But sbh50 costs less than MW1 and is power efficient. Any advantages of buying MW1 over sbh50?
Sent from my C6603 using xda premium

nihalvm said:
What's the difference between this and sbh50? They both have similar specs right? But sbh50 costs less than MW1 and is power efficient. Any advantages of buying MW1 over sbh50?
Sent from my C6603 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They're pretty similar... Both have 2 row displays and FM receivers but while the SBH50 has NFC capabilities which is supposed to make pairing easier, the MW1 has a microSD card slot which turns it into a standalone mp3 player as well.
Not sure where you read that the SBH50 is more power efficient? On the sony site they mention 11h for the MW1 but say nothing about the SBH50.
MW1 @ Sony.com
SBH50 @ Sony.com
Brgds... /Tubgirl

Xperia L Microphone Issue

A few days ago I discovered that people I talk to over the phone can't hear me, whether they call me or I call them, while I can hear them perfectly.
My voice if very muffled, impossible to comprehend, sometime it cuts out completely and there's also a persistent "static" noise in the background, kind of like wind blowing. I can usually make myself heard only if I raise my voice by a lot, close to yelling actually.
I tested the microphone via the service menu AND the Xperia Diagnostics app and I'm even more puzzled. Initially I'd say that about 70-80% of the time I had to raise my voice a lot so that the recorder can pick up anything and the results I got were essentially what the people I talked to reported. I looked up the issue on various forums, fiddled with the settings, disabled xLoud, noise suppression, took the SIM out and put it back in, did a repair via the PC Companion AND a factory reset later on and nothing seems to consistently work. Sometimes they can hear me, sometimes they can't. Testing results are also much better now and I'm able to clearly hear my voice most of the time, but when actually calling someone, even when they say they hear me clearly they can still hear that annoying static. I now have noise suppression turned off, since that seems to help.
To my knowledge, this started to happen after the 4.2.2 update, a very buggy update. I also had a problem with headphones (two pairs in otherwise working order) not being recognised, even though both were initially working well with the phone. Eventually I had to repair the phone twice for that (the first time it didn't fix anything) just to get the phones working again. It's after that that I noticed this mic problem.
I also found this thread and I wonder if that lil' piece of rubber can be the problem. Apparently those are Ions, but I'm thinking maybe there's enough internal commonality between that and the XL that I could actually have the same problem.
Other than that, what would you advise? Try to go back to 4.1.2?
Service is my last option due to time and distance concerns. Thanks!
Model: C2105
Android: 4.2.2
Build no.: 15.3.A.0.26

potato muncher said:
A few days ago I discovered that people I talk to over the phone can't hear me, whether they call me or I call them, while I can hear them perfectly.
My voice if very muffled, impossible to comprehend, sometime it cuts out completely and there's also a persistent "static" noise in the background, kind of like wind blowing. I can usually make myself heard only if I raise my voice by a lot, close to yelling actually.
I tested the microphone via the service menu AND the Xperia Diagnostics app and I'm even more puzzled. Initially I'd say that about 70-80% of the time I had to raise my voice a lot so that the recorder can pick up anything and the results I got were essentially what the people I talked to reported. I looked up the issue on various forums, fiddled with the settings, disabled xLoud, noise suppression, took the SIM out and put it back in, did a repair via the PC Companion AND a factory reset later on and nothing seems to consistently work. Sometimes they can hear me, sometimes they can't. Testing results are also much better now and I'm able to clearly hear my voice most of the time, but when actually calling someone, even when they say they hear me clearly they can still hear that annoying static. I now have noise suppression turned off, since that seems to help.
To my knowledge, this started to happen after the 4.2.2 update, a very buggy update. I also had a problem with headphones (two pairs in otherwise working order) not being recognised, even though both were initially working well with the phone. Eventually I had to repair the phone twice for that (the first time it didn't fix anything) just to get the phones working again. It's after that that I noticed this mic problem.
I also found this thread and I wonder if that lil' piece of rubber can be the problem. Apparently those are Ions, but I'm thinking maybe there's enough internal commonality between that and the XL that I could actually have the same problem.
Other than that, what would you advise? Try to go back to 4.1.2?
Service is my last option due to time and distance concerns. Thanks!
Model: C2105
Android: 4.2.2
Build no.: 15.3.A.0.26
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well since you said that this started happening after you've updated to 4.2.2 you have 2 options
1. Reflash the 4.2.2 update
2. Downgrade to 4.1.2
I hope that helps
Sent from my C2104 using xda app-developers app

Unfortunately, I can't be sure if it's due to 4.2.2 or just a coincidence, since it didn't start immediately after the update. Like I said, that thread about the Ion mic problem got me thinking that maybe this is what happened, in which case it's only a coincidence that I also updated to 4.2.2 a couple of days prior.
"Reflash the 4.2.2 update" - is this different from repairing it via the PC Companion? Like I said, I already did that and a factory reset later on and it didn't help with this.
In any case, thanks for your help! :good:

potato muncher said:
A few days ago I discovered that people I talk to over the phone can't hear me, whether they call me or I call them, while I can hear them perfectly.
My voice if very muffled, impossible to comprehend, sometime it cuts out completely and there's also a persistent "static" noise in the background, kind of like wind blowing. I can usually make myself heard only if I raise my voice by a lot, close to yelling actually.
I tested the microphone via the service menu AND the Xperia Diagnostics app and I'm even more puzzled. Initially I'd say that about 70-80% of the time I had to raise my voice a lot so that the recorder can pick up anything and the results I got were essentially what the people I talked to reported. I looked up the issue on various forums, fiddled with the settings, disabled xLoud, noise suppression, took the SIM out and put it back in, did a repair via the PC Companion AND a factory reset later on and nothing seems to consistently work. Sometimes they can hear me, sometimes they can't. Testing results are also much better now and I'm able to clearly hear my voice most of the time, but when actually calling someone, even when they say they hear me clearly they can still hear that annoying static. I now have noise suppression turned off, since that seems to help.
To my knowledge, this started to happen after the 4.2.2 update, a very buggy update. I also had a problem with headphones (two pairs in otherwise working order) not being recognised, even though both were initially working well with the phone. Eventually I had to repair the phone twice for that (the first time it didn't fix anything) just to get the phones working again. It's after that that I noticed this mic problem.
I also found this thread and I wonder if that lil' piece of rubber can be the problem. Apparently those are Ions, but I'm thinking maybe there's enough internal commonality between that and the XL that I could actually have the same problem.
Other than that, what would you advise? Try to go back to 4.1.2?
Service is my last option due to time and distance concerns. Thanks!
Model: C2105
Android: 4.2.2
Build no.: 15.3.A.0.26
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The ultimate method for fix this problem is send it to sony service center,,i suggest so,,i think it the best choices

potato muncher said:
"Reflash the 4.2.2 update" - is this different from repairing it via the PC Companion? Like I said, I already did that and a factory reset later on and it didn't help with this.
In any case, thanks for your help! :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can either use as you said repairing via PCC or just flash FTF.

Xperia Z5, Marshmallow, Bluetooth problems...

I've found a few similar threads but nothing that really describes my issue.
I have an LG Soundbar, model NB3540, which has bluetooth connectivity. I have an older iPhone 4S and recently had an iPhone 6, both of which connected to this soundbar without issue and played the music flawlessly. I decided to take the plunge into Android as I really don't suffer from brand loyalty and the latest iPhone, the 6S, didn't have anything new that meant I would stick to Apple. I'm now starting to regret it.
When connected to the soundbar via bluetooth the Xperia Z5 intermittently cuts out. The sound emanating from the soundbar stops for a second, but the music doesn't appear to have actually stopped playing. When the sound cuts back in the song has progressed. It did this on Lollipop, and I've tried disabling various services through ADB in an effort to resolve the issue, but now I'm on Marshmallow and the problem persists. Sony's less than useful response was "we only support using the phone with other Sony products". I challenged them on this and stated that they should support bluetooth connectivity, but the response was a stock one and simply told me to rebuild the phone using PC Companion. I'd already done so, to no avail.
Does anybody else experience this problem?
Are there any steps I can take to diagnose the issue? I am comfortable using ADB to execute shell commands, but I'm no developer. I wouldn't really have a clue what I am doing without help.
Thanks for any help.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z5/help/bluetooth-audio-issue-marshmallow-t3337313
FML, how did I miss it?

Bluetooth Audio Stutter

Please please help me - this is driving me nuts...
When playing back audio 90% of the time i will get an awful stuttering... it seems fine if i use wired audio
Sometimes it will work just fine, but most of the time it's really bad
I found somewhere online that seemed to link it to wifi scanning - i tried turning this off and it worked briefly, but then was back to how it was
Also, should probably add, it doesnt seem to matter what app I use - tried Spotify / Deezer / Google Music - all downloaded music
Any ideas?

Try to turn of bluetooth scanning. Go to Settings-> Location-> 3 dots

Furtzy said:
Try to turn of bluetooth scanning. Go to Settings-> Location-> 3 dots
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only tested for a couple of mins (as at my desk), but i think you may have solved it!!
Will update if i spot this issue again in real usage!!

vaderag said:
Only tested for a couple of mins (as at my desk), but i think you may have solved it!!
Will update if i spot this issue again in real usage!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't. My location scanning is off from day one. Bt still stutters every once in a while.
Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

millicent said:
It doesn't. My location scanning is off from day one. Bt still stutters every once in a while.
Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Darn
So guessing there isn't a solution out there then?

There is a talk.sonymobile.com z5 suite thread on this issue, you might want to follow up hoping for a permanent fix. There are several more or less temporary solutions in the vein of just rebooting, rebooting to safe mode and back, or just clear all apps cache. Few questions for you, is it only aptx headphones or speakers with this issue or even regular bt? Is the stuttering new to MM or was it already in LP too?
Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

Phone is brand new so only ever used on MM
Rebooting fixed very briefly.
Headphones are not aptx to my knowledge - they were fairly cheap from Amazon, but worked absolutely fine on my last phone, so I know it's not them...

Well, on train now and apart from some very minor stutters (which are barely noticeable) this solution has fixed the issue!
Massive thanks for the suggestion and help!

Turning off location scanning (mine was never on) doesn't help me. I thought the last MM patch fixed it, but I was wrong. Also, I'm having a problem now where devices will connect, but I will simply not get any audio through those devices. I have to reboot the phone for it to work. I've already posted in sonymobile, but this'll do it. Anyone want to buy a mint condition green Z5?

So I maybe spoke too soon. It is definitely better, but not perfect... Def got a few serious crackles on the way home. I can probably live with it if it stays like this tho

The real solution is to keep posting on that relevant sonymobile thread and thus let Sony know we're not happy with this ongoing issue.
Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

Yep, def not fixed. Certainly miles better tho.
It's weird - it sounds like it's a strain issue (I.e. too many things running)/but I can be playing Lara Croft for 20mins with music and no stutter, but be messaging on WhatsApp and have it. Very very odd.
Will def post on the Sony Forums

Xperia XZ + Bose soundsport(apple) = a problem?

Hey guys,
This is gonna be a long question because I have a very weird problem.
When I first got the phone, and plugged in the Bose soundsport earphones to see how it would sound (before even downloading any 3dr party apps), the earphones didn't work as they are supposed to.
The phone recognizes the plug in, displays it with the pop-up thing in the notification bar. And everything works perfectly, for about 5 seconds. And then, the notification disappears and the sound output switches to the main speakers of the phone.
I had this problem on the first day, for about a few hours. And then it resolved itself spontaneously, and I never had any issue again, for about two and a half weeks. Now the phone started doing the same again.
I called Xperia support, and we agreed that the problem is very weird and probably a software problem. Since I have been using the same earphones on my Xperia Z3 and also all other earphones do get recognized on the Xperia XZ. Even after doing the hard-reset with the xperia companion software, the problem still didn't resolve. Also, Xperia support tells me that since they can't reproduce this problem once i send it to them, they will even charge me for it without helping me.
And having the bad luck I always have, the policy of my provider to bring back the phone because I don't like it, is over.
Sony support tells me to ask Bose, and Bose tells me to ask Sony what I can do to solve this.
Does anyone have any experience with a problem like this.
And would it be a solution just to change some things in the software, I seriously don't know what to do anymore.....

I have the bose soundsport and no issues at all. Works perfectly fine.
Might be a rouge app causing issues?

coleburns said:
I have the bose soundsport and no issues at all. Works perfectly fine.
Might be a rouge app causing issues?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I checked if anything third party influenced it.
By removing SD and formatting phone, didnt resolve man.
I'm truly at a loss here...

Hi I have the same problem would you mind if we exchange emails so we can look for a solution together? If you agree here is my email just write me so we can talk about possible solutions for our problem : [email protected]