Database Info

[Fix] Raphael speaker volume hard mod (+pics&vids)

Hi, i've seen a lot of request for a raphael speaker hardmod and also tried to find one myself, well.. As you thought, no luck.
So I decided to make one of my own, and yes, it works!
So here's what i've done (every piece makes it a bit better, so, choose the ones you wish to do, or do all of them like i did!):
1. Cut the back cover to look similiar to the original desing from htc (Picture 1)
Just throw the first metal grill (the one on the back cover) to garbage, that's what i did As the speaker has a cloth on it, you don't need those grills.
2. Make some room for sound to echo inside the back cover (Picture 2)
I did 1. and 2. with normal household scissors.
3. Prevent the sound from the front of the speaker going to the back of the speaker and thus undoing some sound. Try to insulate the back a bit (Picture 3) I did it with 2-sided 1mm thick tape and left the protecting layer on the tape (green) so it doesn't stick to the back cover.
4. Open up the phone (Help to disassembly here), lift the speaker and the.. uh.. thing on top of the speaker off from the back housing carefully (2-sided tape keeping it in place) so you wont break it. Time to throw away the second metallic speaker grill! Use scissors to carve the speaker hole bigger (see speaker in picture 3), use the tape that kept the speaker in it's place as a guide to how big to carve the hole, but don't cut any tape off, the hole becomes too big if you do that!
Video 1 : Results of the mod, you should hear the difference clearly! Too bad i didn't have a video of an original Raphael, but i think you do have one there as you're reading this.
Video 2 : Comparing the results with and without the back cover. This shows how big difference does the "sound echoing space" inside the back cover (Whatever) do!
And last side note before you begin, i will not take responsibility of ANY damage etc you manage to do to your precious phone. I've broken one already, did the mistake to grab the speaker wires and the speaker stopped working as the wires cut off.
Also, be VERY careful with this mod, you're working with the interior of the phone! Please don't do this if you don't have any experience disassembling/reassembling mobile phones.
Hope this helps you as much as it did me! It actually sound better live than on the vid, too bad my camcorder saves the vid to some ****ty format when recording to SD.
(Did i rickroll you btw? )

My apologies to the OP, I inadvertently merged this thread with my Q&A's thread. Enjoy this speaker fix.

is it just me or am i not hearing any sounds at all in those videos? (unless it uses a special type of codec..)
id love to hear the difference

Is the speaker volume really to quiet to justify a hardCORE mod that could ruin your phone?

Rottis said:
Hi, i've seen a lot of request for a raphael speaker hardmod and also tried to find one myself, well.. As you thought, no luck.
......format when recording to SD.
(Did i rickroll you btw? )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GR8 work!
it's nice to see you can fix the very low system volume.
I was especially amazed from the echo box effect on the rear housing.
thanks!

ndda said:
Is the speaker volume really to quiet to justify a hardCORE mod that could ruin your phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Initially, I was not going to reply to this, but it seems to me that you may be in the process of buying a Fuze and this may be very important for you to know.
No, the system volume is not that low, and frankly speaking, it is an issue which exists in some phones, not all. And, if it's possible for you to take a look at the phone at an AT&T store, do so, and decide for yourself (take a look at more than one Fuze).
@Rottis: Would you disagree that the low volume problem does not exist on all phones?

incisivekeith said:
Initially, I was not going to reply to this, but it seems to me that you may be in the process of buying a Fuze and this may be very important for you to know.
No, the system volume is not that low, and frankly speaking, it is an issue which exists in some phones, not all. And, if it's possible for you to take a look at the phone at an AT&T store, do so, and decide for yourself (take a look at more than one Fuze).
@Rottis: Would you disagree that the low volume problem does not exist on all phones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't know that the volume problem exists on some phones. I own a HTC Touch Pro by Vodafone with no issues related to the volume (other annoying issues though).
I thought that the phones should be technically similar only with different brandings.
Do they use different hardware?

incisivekeith said:
Initially, I was not going to reply to this, but it seems to me that you may be in the process of buying a Fuze and this may be very important for you to know.
No, the system volume is not that low, and frankly speaking, it is an issue which exists in some phones, not all. And, if it's possible for you to take a look at the phone at an AT&T store, do so, and decide for yourself (take a look at more than one Fuze).
@Rottis: Would you disagree that the low volume problem does not exist on all phones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, not all phones have the problem. I had an Sony Ericsson P1i before this raphael, and its speaker was truely amazing! And you could make it even better with a softmod.
That's the main reason i did this mod, as I have gotten used to a good quality speaker.
@Giannis86: try to install FFDSHOW (google for it) and it should work. Do not use Windows Media Player though. Sorry, i don't know the codec it uses for sound, but it should be some popular one, i didn't have to install any codecs for it (Using ubuntu btw).
@ndda: Yes it is, have you ever heard it? Or if you have, have you ever compared it to, for example the P1i?
If you ask me, the mod was worth it!

@ndda: Sorry, i missed a part in your message, yeah, i think they DO use the same hardware, it wouldn't make any sense if they didn't.
Well, the sprint version is different, but that does make sense.

I've done something similar to this with my old Dell Axim x5 to fix a touch-screen issue, but I did this knowing my Axim was worth only $50. I think it would have been more helpful if you showed a picture of the speaker wire and the connector, because I had to deal with that with my Dell and it wasn't as delicate as you describe the one on the Raphael.

Here's some pics of the speaker, it's wire and connector as requested.
The pics I took from the Raphael service manual, sorry for low quality.
Pic 1 (MB Connector)
Pic 2 (Speaker connected)
Pic 3 (Speaker + wire)

Btw, as said here earlier, the service manual can be easily found from the internet

None of your links go through any more... could you post new links for the mod pics & vids please?

gdbnet said:
None of your links go through any more... could you post new links for the mod pics & vids please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That must have been a temporary problem, as they all work perfectly fine at the moment. Please try again

[Q] Nexus One main microphone repair/replacement?

Hi all,
I've recently had a crash - my N1 fell out from my pocket while climbing (stupid, I know..) - cracked screen, all that.. I've managed to replace the digitizer without big problems, but I have a more serious issue: the main (built-in) microphone stopped working and now I have to use the headset for every call
I've sent it to HTC service and they said the motherboard needs replacing and wanted me to pay 300$ for it..
Since it's quite a lot for a microphone, before buying the new one (at least 200$ for tho mobo alone) or sending it again to the HTC guys for repair, I'd like to ask you if there is anybody who had anything to do with those microphones or issues similar to mine.
The microphone itself is a small gold rectangle-shaped thing glued to the motherboard, but I cannot make out any markings on it (there seems to be something written on it, it's just not readable any more). It seems to be exactly the same as the noise-cancelling one near in the upper part of the phone. Of course, before cutting or soldering anything I'd like to know as much as I can..
So.. the questions are:
Has anyone repaired a thing like that or managed to replace a microphone on Nexus One motherboard? How could this be done?
Does anybody know where I could buy a microphone that would match?
I know it's a long shot (and a long post ), but I figured it's worth a try to look for somebody who might have some insight.
Thanks in advance,
Kuba
P.S. Could anyone move this question to Q&A, please?..first post gone wrong..

you could just buy a new one for under 300$ on ebay or a used one for less than 220 for everything new If something like that is messed up its not worth fixing, too much work

hitmanre,
thanks for the reply, but...
As I said, I figured the part on buying another mobo (or a broken N1 for parts) on my own.
I was just curious - from a DYI perspective - what's going on on the board and what's actually broken around the microphone.. If it was only the microphone then it should be easy enough to replace - but if it's a crack somewhere in the inner layers of the board, then bummer..
In fact, I opened my N1 again yesterday and cut the mic out...curious thing is that there seem to be only one connected soldered part between mobo ant the mic.. Could anyone explain how a microphone could work with a single connector? there doesn't seem to be any ground connection anywhere..
If I have some time, I'll post photos - but no sooner than in a week - going on vacation
See you,
Kuba

I have the same problem, and I live outside the service coverage area. I've had my Nexus One since May 2010, so it was more than one year old. It's really sad to quit such a really nice phone just because it can't make phone calls. It seems that nobody here in Lima know how to repair a N1. And I'm so afraid to open it...

I have seen 2 of these phones with the same issue. one mine and second a customers. and I have tried replacing the mic headset jack (headset jack can short out audio) and still nothing. mic works with loudspeaker but not in normal mode with earspeaker.

ok today I was able to get my hands on a working nexus. and swapped the upper flex and that fixed it.
the only thing is that we ordered this part from one of our sources to fix a power button (which is on the same part) and it had this issue. so I had to replace it again

blevinski said:
ok today I was able to get my hands on a working nexus. and swapped the upper flex and that fixed it.
the only thing is that we ordered this part from one of our sources to fix a power button (which is on the same part) and it had this issue. so I had to replace it again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also have a problem with the mic suddenly not working and working again suddenly. So it must be a damaged flex since the phone has a dent on the upper left part of it.

[Q] Headphone/aux jack sad trombone

Looks like this is just not such a prominent issue (but may be related to the 'headphone jack buzz') but here it is - even when positively connected, movement of the headphone connector causes the signal to either crackle or the headphones icon to disappear completely, as if I had removed the headphones. I initially thought that perhaps the 3.5mm jack I was using was not seating deep enough into the phone, but after taking the top cover off to make sure that was not the case, it seems to happen anyway.
Previous to this phone, I had an HTC EVO 4G, in which case some of those phones had a similar problem. There was a fix however, where you could dig into the phone a little and find a small copper flap that needed to be bent so that the connection between it and the plug itself was much more secure. Does such a surgery exist for the One S? I searched here but nothing much came up, except for the buzz issue with would seem to be more of an HTC screwup with grounding than something to do with the connection.

FightingChance said:
Looks like this is just not such a prominent issue (but may be related to the 'headphone jack buzz') but here it is - even when positively connected, movement of the headphone connector causes the signal to either crackle or the headphones icon to disappear completely, as if I had removed the headphones. I initially thought that perhaps the 3.5mm jack I was using was not seating deep enough into the phone, but after taking the top cover off to make sure that was not the case, it seems to happen anyway.
Previous to this phone, I had an HTC EVO 4G, in which case some of those phones had a similar problem. There was a fix however, where you could dig into the phone a little and find a small copper flap that needed to be bent so that the connection between it and the plug itself was much more secure. Does such a surgery exist for the One S? I searched here but nothing much came up, except for the buzz issue with would seem to be more of an HTC screwup with grounding than something to do with the connection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very nice, allready thought only I had the problem :-x
Gonna send my phone to HTC soon anyway, lets see if they can fix it...

It burns me that stuff like this, which I would consider very important, never seems to come out in the 40 or so 'FIRST REVIEW's all over the web when the device is handed out to reviewers.

FightingChance said:
It burns me that stuff like this, which I would consider very important, never seems to come out in the 40 or so 'FIRST REVIEW's all over the web when the device is handed out to reviewers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We'll, the phone has been out for months and this is the first I've heard of this. I've had problems with some super cheap headphones, but reasonably quality jacks always work. Don't extrapolate from small samples.

FightingChance said:
It burns me that stuff like this, which I would consider very important, never seems to come out in the 40 or so 'FIRST REVIEW's all over the web when the device is handed out to reviewers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure manufacturers try hard to cherry pick the best of the bunch when sending out review units. Look at reviews for the lg g2x. Look how that turned out when consumers finally got their hands on it

el_smurfo said:
We'll, the phone has been out for months and this is the first I've heard of this. I've had problems with some super cheap headphones, but reasonably quality jacks always work. Don't extrapolate from small samples.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You call Sennheiser-Headphones cheap ?
I tested 6 different ones and the problem persists on all of them

Bottom speaker defect

Yeah well, was very happy with the device until today.
Bottom speaker produces horrible crackling sound when playing any sound. It's just defect from now to then.
Thanks to Amazon i can now send it for repair and am already sure that there will be anything like scratches, bad gaps or whatever...
Not even speaking of IP rating.
Did anyone else have a defect speaker? Because after that short time and rarely using it this is rather strange.
Actually i'm pretty pissed about Sonys quality. Always thought it was good, but some days ago my wife's X compact got a defect on screen and now this. Used htc since the original Desire and never had anything. Seems switching manufacturer is a bad idea

ALL manufacturers have defects. Getting my XZ2C next week, but issues like this are standard for any manufacturer and shouldn't put you off any brand. Either get your phone repaired, or deal with the crackling.
My HTC M7 failed once. My HTC M9 failed twice. My HTC 10 has also failed twice and on the second repair they scratched the backlight on the Recents button. Their quality control is the same. Such is life. Getting worked up about it won't solve anything.

Flynnchen82 said:
Yeah well, was very happy with the device until today.
Bottom speaker produces horrible crackling sound when playing any sound. It's just defect from now to then.
Thanks to Amazon i can now send it for repair and am already sure that there will be anything like scratches, bad gaps or whatever...
Not even speaking of IP rating.
Did anyone else have a defect speaker? Because after that short time and rarely using it this is rather strange.
Actually i'm pretty pissed about Sonys quality. Always thought it was good, but some days ago my wife's X compact got a defect on screen and now this. Used htc since the original Desire and never had anything. Seems switching manufacturer is a bad idea
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I also have a defect bottom speaker. Severe crackling above about 75% volume in the mid-ranges frequency-wise. I've owned it maybe three or four weeks? I'm thinking I may have to return the phone. I think you're perfectly justified in being pissed - I'm a bit pissed too - this is a $600 phone and getting speaker crackling this early in is pretty ridiculous. Maybe it's just a particle of dust/debris that's made it into the speaker but nevertheless there seems to be an issue with this phone's design and/or manufacturing as I've seen a couple other posts about this problem on Sony's site.
My Axon 7 had this issue as well but the speaker grill could be pretty easily cleaned with a sim ejector and that always resolved it. But the XZ2c seems to have a bit more of a tight area around the speaker which might be nearly impossible to clean without removing the screen assembly.

flyer_andy said:
Yes I also have a defect bottom speaker. Severe crackling above about 75% volume in the mid-ranges frequency-wise. I've owned it maybe three or four weeks? I'm thinking I may have to return the phone. I think you're perfectly justified in being pissed - I'm a bit pissed too - this is a $600 phone and getting speaker crackling this early in is pretty ridiculous. Maybe it's just a particle of dust/debris that's made it into the speaker but nevertheless there seems to be an issue with this phone's design and/or manufacturing as I've seen a couple other posts about this problem on Sony's site.
My Axon 7 had this issue as well but the speaker grill could be pretty easily cleaned with a sim ejector and that always resolved it. But the XZ2c seems to have a bit more of a tight area around the speaker which might be nearly impossible to clean without removing the screen assembly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can watch the xz2c teardown video on yt where you can see the internals. You can also see why they have to disassemble half of the phone for repair. There is a channel leading from the "gap" outside to the speaker inside. Regarding it is ip68 no piece of dust should make its way inside the speaker itself.
Apart from that i know how a broken speaker sounds and this one is broken. So either it is just a piece of s*** or they are powering it wrong. Can't remember ever having used it at 100% and even if it should be able to deal with it.
I bought a LG G6 as temporary replacement because it is ridicously cheap (paid 315€) and will send in my XZ2c tomorrow.
And while it is bigger and SD821 is noticeable after 835/845 you know what? It is also a good device...
Haven't decided yet if i'll keep the Sony after repair. Well first it has to be repaired (without damage).

Main microphone not working

Hello, hope everyone is doing well.
So all of the sudden the main microphone on the bottom of the phone stopped working. So I can only talk now using earbuds or on speakerphone, and ran the diagnostics which said contact samsung, who put me in touch with some third party.
Does anyone know if it's something I could repair myself or do I have to take it in to be fixed and about how much would each cost.
The only phones I have repaired before ha a straight class no curve. And no longer have a precise digital hotplate.
Or are there a another things I should be considering here? I have tried to look to see if there is dirt or anything but even using a jewelers loupe I couldn't really see anything.
Thanks in advance!

SpectraSoul said:
Spoiler: Post
Hello, hope everyone is doing well.
So all of the sudden the main microphone on the bottom of the phone stopped working. So I can only talk now using earbuds or on speakerphone, and ran the diagnostics which said contact samsung, who put me in touch with some third party.
Does anyone know if it's something I could repair myself or do I have to take it in to be fixed and about how much would each cost.
The only phones I have repaired before ha a straight class no curve. And no longer have a precise digital hotplate.
Or are there a another things I should be considering here? I have tried to look to see if there is dirt or anything but even using a jewelers loupe I couldn't really see anything.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What happened before the "all of the sudden"?
If there was dirt in the inlet channel to the microphone, the microphone should pick up muffled sounds during the propagation of a strong acoustic wave.
What produced the message on the screen you attached?
If it's a hardware defect in the phone then you won't fix it yourself cheaper than at a service center, because you don't have spare parts and experience.
Usually immediately before the repair you should be informed of the cost. Calculate if it is cost-effective for you. Sometimes after such repairs there are further problems, because the main cause has not been removed

If it was blown or had a puncture, deformation or dirt then yes there would be some distorted sounds but I have tried recording audio in other apps.
There is a very short like disconnection click when recording out of that mic. Doesn't happen when I record from the other mic. But does make the same click of I start voice recorder but then no voice.
Didn't drop it or get it or get it dirty. Maybe I got a little moisture on it whenever I take a shower, but really not much, and the mic sealed. If it was the pcb board for the mic, that's like 15-20 on eBay, and if it's the actual mic like wiring, or driver I would just need the part number for the mic.
The image on the screen is from when you go through: Device care, then diagnostics. It gives the options to test all the functions that make your phone usable. I did then I reformatted. Did the tests again.
Yes you are right they said they couldn't give a price but maybe around 150.
I just sort of like fixing things yet have never attempted removing curved screen and without precise temp control I would worry about the battery.
I have most the tools and have removed flat screen glass on a 3d printers base hot plate. But because of the curve I wonder if it would need something to hear the edge at the same time.
I'm also on workers comp right now trying to save some money and curious if anyone has had a similar experience or at least had success fixing hardware problems or curved glass phones

Also just figured out that I can use my earbuds with bixby but can not get bixby or google to do voice to text through my Galaxy buds

Oops sorry last night I changed pages to check something and thought my post was deleted