Interesting speaker quirk I discovered today - Essential Phone Guides, News, & Discussion

I run my phone on the latest stock Android update and noticed something interesting with Spotify today. I had my volume turned all the way off but my speakers were still outputting music very quietly.
Thought about it some and realized that I had adjusted the equalizer settings in Spotify. When I turned the settings back to normal the issue went away.
Not sure if this actually matters to anyone, just thought it was an interesting bug. Seems weird to me that Android must leave the speakers always on and never actually shuts them off just silences them.

I guess it makes more sense to reduce the voltage of the speakers to 0 V, rather than using a relay. Movable parts are - usually - the first thing to break. Imagine avoid muting your phone just so it can live longer.
Also, a switch uses more space than just a connection and devs are doing everything to reduce size.

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Audio Crackling/Audio stutter when screen off after 3.1 Update

All,
I noticed a couple possible defects after upgrading to 3.1 manually.
1. When playing audio from certain applications (XMP for Android for instance) The Audio cuts out shortly after the screen turns off, and then halts for a period of time before coming back shortly, then cuts out again.
2. Once you turn the screen back on, there is a distinct crackling in the audio.
Workaround:
1. Turn screen back on (get the crackling)
2. Unplug the 3.5mm audio jack
3. Play music from the speakers
4. Plug back in the 3.5mm audio jack
Anyone else seeing these issues with other audio applications?
Yep, I had the crackling and long pauses start happening today after the FOTA update.
Seems to happen (more often?) when applications interrupt an audio stream. For instance, listening to music and get an IM or email.
Yeah I had issues with this as well afer updating to 3.1...I saw in another thread that doing a "hard reboot" will fix the issue and has seemed to work for me so far. Hold the power button down for 10-15 sec until the unit reboots.
same problem
I have the same problem as well. The audio stops functioning properly when the screen times out or when I lock the device with the power button. The weird thing is that this behaviour is not consistent for all apps.
For example, "Music" stops only at the end of the song. From the "3.1 ROM issues" thread, other users are experiencing this as well. In contrast, in the apps "Listen" and "Audible", almost as soon as the screen goes off or I lock it, the audio stops, starting after some 30 seconds, halting again after 10 seconds. It repeats this cycle a few times and then stops completely. If I lit the screen by hitting the power button, the audio resumes with crackling noises as mentioned in the original posts.
Also, hard reset didn't work. I am tempted to do a factory reset except that I don't really know what's going on and I don't know if that'd fix it!
UPDATE: I found the following workaround solutions:
1- Winamp works flawlessly for songs, not a peep or hitch!
2- BeyondPod is working fairly well for podcasts. (It has paused once after 11 minutes so far.)
I did the fota update.
and I've the the crackling. Sucky.
me too. Hope they get an update out to fix this asap. Extremely annoying bug.
Would like to add I am also experiencing this issue although mine didn't start till a couple days after the update to 3.1. A hard reset works for a little while but the issue eventually presents itself again. Might be due to a caching issue with the music player?
Anyone try another music player?
I discovered the crackling noise problem last night.
At first I thought the FLAC songs were recorded from a dirty vinyl record.
I also discovered the problem where the Music app does not continue to the next song when listening with the screen turned off. How stupid is that.
These are two big problems that ASUS needs to address ASAP.
I am already annoyed by the pop sound when turning the Transformer on and whenever any sound to the speaker (Headphones are fine) is played after a long pause.
They must have used a really cheap sound chip in the Transformer.
Yes I can confirm the same problems with google listen. Have tried the hard reset but it doesn't really help very much. Things worked fine after the restart, but as soon as the screen turned off, then the audio paused, and began to crackle, then more pauses. It is almost as if some part of the system is in some sort of low power mode and is not able to feed the data at the required data rate...
gloomyandy said:
... It is almost as if some part of the system is in some sort of low power mode and is not able to feed the data at the required data rate...
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I believe this could be exactly the problem. I have not yet gotten my TF, but looking forward to one greatly. However, I get exactly this problem on my Galaxy Tab 7" WHEN using setCPU to add a profile that scales the CPU down when screen is off. It sounds to me as if ASUS has added some sort of governer/scaling that does this. I could be wrong of course This is just based on reading, and personal experience
corodius said:
I believe this could be exactly the problem. I have not yet gotten my TF, but looking forward to one greatly. However, I get exactly this problem on my Galaxy Tab 7" WHEN using setCPU to add a profile that scales the CPU down when screen is off. It sounds to me as if ASUS has added some sort of governer/scaling that does this. I could be wrong of course This is just based on reading, and personal experience
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Yes. I get a lot of weird little problems with the Tab 7'' when setCPU scales clock speed down too far, including random reboots. I guess that's the sacrifice Asus made to give the TF such a tremendous battery life.
grainysand said:
I guess that's the sacrifice Asus made to give the TF such a tremendous battery life.
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Click to collapse
I don't know about "tremendous"
More like pretty good...
i can confirm that i have this issue using google music app. I previously purchased PowerAMP (arguably the best android music app) and no problems whatsoever when the screen goes off.
I do like the google music app as it seems like a truly lightweight player but its still in beta stage and needs a bit of work.
I just discovered something. The problem does not occur for my Transformer when the unit is plugged in!
So it must be power management problem, the question is how to fix it?
Hey guys, loving the xda forums btw, much love. I have a acer iconia a500 16gb, and same problem here:
Using Acer_a500_4.010.13_com_gen2
The default Music player is buggy and crashed fairly often, the audio stopping when screen turns off and stopping intermittently is also present on iconia with the default music player and the others as well.
The audio crackling is also present under same conditions.
To add insult to injury, sometimes when i connect a headphones the speakers dont turn off. And if i play with he "dolby mobile" settings, the sound on my headphones get really tinny untill i unplug the headphones and plug them back in, or i reboot the sys in some cases.
I just thought I should add to this thread that I have the same problems on my Acer Iconia A500. It consistently only finishes the song after I turn the screen off then it waits MINUTES to start the next song. I only occasionally have problems with the crackle sound. I had the crackling a lot when I first got it but it doesn't seem to happen as often any more. It doesn't seem to happen when I use doubleTwist but I really wish that the STOCK APPLICATION (which I like the best) would work...
Is there ANY way to fix this stuff? I mean even downgrading to like 3.0 or something. I like to use my tablet to play on my stereo system and I don't enjoy having to effing go back every time I want to play the next song. I also don't want to leave the screen on all the time and murder the battery.
I have the same thing happening on my A500 (running the ASUS PRIME ROM, though). When the screen turns off, anything audio related gets really skippy.
apparently there's some sort of setting build in for the cpu to underclock to the point of not being able to continue running the music application when the screen turns off. (that's me guessing it could be wrong) It always happens with stock music app though it didnt happen when in 3.0.
I installed winamp and doubletwist and both played nonstop.
Also i noticed that if you had music in your external sd and you open music app (also happened with winamp) and remove the sd the applications wont work anymore (thy always fc)unless you install the sd back (that is if you had your music library in the sd even if you also have it internally)
I tried moving the music to the internal storage but the error persist. the only way to get rid of it is formatting the tablet and passing the music to the tablet before running the apps. However if you install the sd and you happen to have music and music app open, youre screw again.
thats the error ive been having and im stuck with a 16gb sd in the tablet to hear music, (which i find it sucking cause my tablet is 32gb)
any suggestions?

[Q] Audio characteristics changed; can't revert

Hi folks. I have a 16GB US GSM Moto G, and yesterday, the character of my device's external speaker changed.
Formerly, to get a good average sound level in apps, the volume needed to be near the high end, I'd say about 60-80% of max. Now, that same volume level corresponds to about 20-40% on the slider. At the same time, I started to get weird sound artefacts in one app (Tiny Death Star). I hear a light popping sound in the speaker about once per second, and every couple of seconds the sound stutters. Not terrible, but enough to be distracting. It doesn't affect all apps, but I haven't tested extensively to see if it's the only app affected.
There are a couple of variables:
1. Yesterday I installed the KitKat OTA update. I'm about 80% sure that the issue didn't start immediately after that, but I can't be positive.
2. I played with a couple of music player apps: WinAmp and PowerAmp. In the latter, I did mess around with some EQ/volume/balance settings, but I left everything where I found it. Once I noticed the new issue, I uninstalled both and rebooted the device, but the problem persists.
I also noticed the "Audio Effects" setting in the Sound settings. Tried turning that off, but it didn't change anything. I also tried wiping the cache partition; no change.
Anyone have any idea what may have caused this (and more importantly, how to fix it)? I could live with the volume range change, but not so much the stutter/pop.

Activate all JBL audio effects stopped working...

Been testing the Idol 3 for the past 2 days. Yesterday the audio effects (which is on by default) worked splendidly, I especially like it for use with the built in speakers and the ear buds. Point being, I could hear a pronounced difference between the on and off position.
However, ever since I turned it off last night (to feed my stereo) I can no longer hear it switching on or off. I have restarted the phone and the apps effected. I heard it working through Google play music before, and now this feature seems to be broken.
Just wondering if anyone else is experiencing this. The only major change I've made to the phone at this point would be installing the Action Launcher.
Yeah mine doesn't work anymore either
nwskier said:
Been testing the Idol 3 for the past 2 days. Yesterday the audio effects (which is on by default) worked splendidly, I especially like it for use with the built in speakers and the ear buds. Point being, I could hear a pronounced difference between the on and off position.
However, ever since I turned it off last night (to feed my stereo) I can no longer hear it switching on or off. I have restarted the phone and the apps effected. I heard it working through Google play music before, and now this feature seems to be broken.
Just wondering if anyone else is experiencing this. The only major change I've made to the phone at this point would be installing the Action Launcher.
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If you have dj mode on, try turning it off.

Odd Sound Settings Behavior

Hi - wanted to share my experience with the s7, particularly the sound (media) performance.
Got the S7 (duos) last week, rooted, and pretty much happy with the snappy device (and I like the camera much).
What I've noticed so far (and not happy with these) are: bluetooth connection issues (too many related posts here and everywhere else so I won't add my rant) and the sound settings not staying put.
Here's my sound settings experience -
1. If I set up (Settings/Sounds and Vibration/Sound Quality and effects) and tweak the settings to my liking - equalizer custom, surround on, concert hall on, and adapt sound personalized, the resulting output to my bluetooth and wired speakers are acceptable (lower volume than I prefer but I can manage)
2. That sound set up will mysteriously disappear although the settings do not change (i.e. the switches and equalizer settings are as I've set them) and the only way I get them back is to toggle the settings.
Very odd. I've never experienced this before (I've had a GS2, GS4, a note 8) and a Sony Z5 (selling).
Has anyone else experienced this and what was your fix?
wujae said:
Hi - wanted to share my experience with the s7, particularly the sound (media) performance.
Got the S7 (duos) last week, rooted, and pretty much happy with the snappy device (and I like the camera much).
What I've noticed so far (and not happy with these) are: bluetooth connection issues (too many related posts here and everywhere else so I won't add my rant) and the sound settings not staying put.
Here's my sound settings experience -
1. If I set up (Settings/Sounds and Vibration/Sound Quality and effects) and tweak the settings to my liking - equalizer custom, surround on, concert hall on, and adapt sound personalized, the resulting output to my bluetooth and wired speakers are acceptable (lower volume than I prefer but I can manage)
2. That sound set up will mysteriously disappear although the settings do not change (i.e. the switches and equalizer settings are as I've set them) and the only way I get them back is to toggle the settings.
Very odd. I've never experienced this before (I've had a GS2, GS4, a note 8) and a Sony Z5 (selling).
Has anyone else experienced this and what was your fix?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not experience the same but there is another thing that is bothering me.
Sometimes Notification and System Volume gets changed with the same volume level whenever I change the Ringtone Volume level by pressing the volume buttons. it's like all these are stuck together.
I found that this issue is due to rooting the device. Some settings gets weird after rooting.
If i don't root, the phone works fine. No issues.
And if I increase the volume, we get a popup like "Listening at a high volume for a long time may damage your hearing". Upto this point the Sound will be minimum. If i increase just a bit more from that level, suddenly the Sound increases massively.
I have an issue with bluetooth as well. Not sure if it's related but I bluetooth Pandora through my truck, and I have my media volume turned all the way up so that I can just control it through the player installed in my vehicle. If I'm listening to music when I turn off my truck but leave Pandora open on my phone, paused of course, then start up the truck again the volume level is low as if it turns itself down to the "safe hearing level" setting, but when I go to raise the volume it tells me it's all the way up. This won't go away until Pandora moves on to the next song. It's kind of annoying because I don't want to blast my speakers when the song changes but I haven't found a solution. Maybe these are related because this only happens with bluetooth for me.
I think I may have had the problems before I rooted.
Anyone not rooted having similar issues on the sound settings changing?
(please, not don't post bluetooth issues here. There are many threads about that already)

Semi-Perm fix (no patch) for random sound change from clear to muffled/bass and back.

Thanks to @cstark27 for the Magisk Mod, and @S8rooted&tooted for troubleshooting a non-patch fix.
So there's an issue with our phones that makes the sound either sound clear, muffled (some call it bass heavy), and then it changes back and forth seemingly randomly. There are three things you can try without using the Magisk Mod, and all three seem to work with one that I personally found to work the best.
1. If you're playing YouTube videos you can pause/play the video. This seems to change the sound either way depending on how it sounds before pausing.
2. Raise volume to 100%, and then back down to where you want it. This seems to be consistent to have the sound be clear without the muffled bass sound.
3. (This is the best for me) Turn off any equalizers any apps have, and only have Google Play Music's equalizer on, and set to Normal without Bass boost or Surround sound on (as in the screenshot). There is a chance something starts the randomness again, and I found the best solution is to reboot, and then it will be good again for a good while (hence the title "Semi-Perm").
I've been using number 3 testing it in all apps I can think of that has sound/music from games to YouTube to simple apps that just make a click (even clicks can be different when the sound changes overall). I have yet to hear any sound change to muffled/bass, and even the top and bottom speakers seem even again. Pausing/playing, raising sound to 100% then back down, the sound is consistently clear.
Here's two links to the other thread with the Magisk Mod, so you can try either of these three methods, or try the Magisk Mod. Hopefully Google will sort it out when they release next months update/fixes.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pi...agisk-mod-pixel-3-xl-muffled-speaker-t3911970
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=79294970&postcount=15
PS - Another great step to take is to submit feedback through your phone if you have this issue. I've done it myself, so if Google keeps getting feedback, hopefully they will take quicker action.
I think I found the main trigger. It may be known already, but I just put the pieces together. Since if the sound gets muffled, and turning the volume to 100% then back down via the physical volume buttons, and the sound gets clear again, I decided to test how long the volume stays clear after a reboot since a reboot always seemed to produce clear sounds every time. It seems to be steady clear through all apps, videos, and sounds as long as I don't touch the physical volume buttons. The moment I change the volume via the physical buttons my sound starts acting up. Say I'm in an app, and I want to change the media volume. Well if I use the physical buttons of course the volume changes, but like I said the sound suddenly becomes unstable, and I notice the change from clear to muffled soon after, but if I use the volume sliders through the settings section I never have an issue. I did it a couple of times, and it's been very consistent, so now I just use a shortcut on my homescreen to adjust the volumes, and never touch the physical keys. For those having this issue please report back if you try these methods, so hopefully Google can patch it sooner rather than later.
https://support.google.com/pixelphone/thread/3551881
Found another trigger. All was fine for over a day without touching the physical volume buttons, and then I received a call. Took the call (didn't touch volume), and once the call was complete the next app I opened had he muffled sound. Same app I used tens of times since last rebooting. Rebooted again, and all is good again.
So far: Physical volume buttons, and voice calls are two triggers.
bobbyphoenix said:
https://support.google.com/pixelphone/thread/3551881
.
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I've been keeping my eye on this thread, and came across a poster who said they "fixed" the issue by uninstalling the Phone app updates, and then reinstalling it. I've tried so many things that I almost gave up, but for three days now I haven't had the issue even after several calls. I haven't rebooted yet, so I don't know if it will stay "fixed" (I'm using quotes since I don't really know if it truly is fixed for good). The funny thing is I went to say thank you to the poster, but their post somehow is now gone. I don't know if they removed it, or a mod did, but the "fix" seems to work.
bobbyphoenix said:
I've been keeping my eye on this thread, and came across a poster who said they "fixed" the issue by uninstalling the Phone app updates, and then reinstalling it. I've tried so many things that I almost gave up, but for three days now I haven't had the issue even after several calls. I haven't rebooted yet, so I don't know if it will stay "fixed" (I'm using quotes since I don't really know if it truly is fixed for good). The funny thing is I went to say thank you to the poster, but their post somehow is now gone. I don't know if they removed it, or a mod did, but the "fix" seems to work.
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Well this worked for several day, but I was watching YouTube, and had a phone call come in, and the issue came back. Retrying the "fix" didn't seem to work again. I deleted updates from Phone and YouTube, but I still get the issue. The only reliable temp fix is to reboot, and it seems good until a call comes in. Luckily I don't have that many calls, so sometimes I can go a day or so with good sound all around.
On a positive note I tweeted at Made by Google about this, and they replied saying that's not what they want users to have, and to DM them, so hopefully it will lead to a real fix by Google.
I think the random sound change isnt a bug, its automatic presets based on what type of sound it is, like sound for phone, sound notifications, different types of music etc etc.
boe323 said:
I think the random sound change isnt a bug, its automatic presets based on what type of sound it is, like sound for phone, sound notifications, different types of music etc etc.
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Right, but there is a bug because the phone will apply the Phone app sound/bass to YouTube, but if you pause/play it, or turn the volume up to 100%, and then back down, the bass goes away. I agree with having presets, but they shouldn't mix/match when they feel like.
Since Google doesn't seem to care about this phone, or this issue, or their customers who bought it, as they haven't even bothered to acknowledge that it is happening I've trying all kinds of things, and keeping track of when it happens most. The latest "fix" that seems to be consistent is keep the in-call volume at 100%. Usually I keep it one notch down, but I was on a call two days ago, and had to turn up the sound to 100%. I forgot to turn it back down after the call, but ever since I haven't had the issue where the sound randomly changes from clear to muffled/bass. I've had sever calls since, and all is still good. I know when none of the volume controls are at 100%, and you get the issue, you can "fix" it by turning the regular volume to 100%, and then back down. So my theory is since the call volume is always at 100%, it is keeping the sound switching at bay.
I still can't believe after more than six months Google treats their customers so badly after paying $1000 (I did since I pre-ordered it). "Here buy our over priced phone now that will soon be half the cost, and then don't expect fixes for issues." Thanks Google.
bobbyphoenix said:
Right, but there is a bug because the phone will apply the Phone app sound/bass to YouTube, but if you pause/play it, or turn the volume up to 100%, and then back down, the bass goes away. I agree with having presets, but they shouldn't mix/match when they feel like.
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I see what you mean, kind of gets tangled up in itself as it doesnt switch fast enough between the presets, when i get notification after notification really fast the phone the phone gets confused.
Its defo googles ai, i remember this bug from way back.

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