No stereo sound with headphones - Xperia Z5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So I rooted my Z5 a while ago (around 1 year ago), I can't even remember exactly how I did it. However, I recently noticed that I don't have real stereo sound. I tried out one of these YT videos testing right and left channel. But the sound always came out of both sides no matter what.
I can tell for sure that my headphones aren't the issue since I tries them out on another smartphone and the stereo functions fine. And I can also tell that the headphone jack isn't the issue either because I tried it out with Bluetooth (and cable previously).
So how can I fix it? Have I accidently deleted something or is rooting the Z5 automatically removing stereo ability? Is it tied to this DRM-key?
Please keep answers a bit noob friendly, I don't have that much experience and I'm running out of idea to fix this issue.

Same issue after rooting. Noone knows how to fix that? is that because of lost DRM keys?

Related

Speaker audio issues?

Whenever there's pressure on the back of my Transformer (e.g. laying flat on a table), the speaker audio cuts out. It's only started doing this recently but I really don't know since I mostly use it with the dock. Anyone else experience this issue?
A week ago my right speaker suddenly stopped working entirely. They both always worked just fine, never had the balance issue that others had. Then, I was watching a YouTube video one day... I hear a few quiet "pops", and ever since no Right speaker - BOO!!!
Headphones still seem to work just fine though
Haven't opened it up yet, but I'm assuming it'll just need a new speaker. This might actually give me the chance to upgrade them to some louder speakers.. hmm..

Bluetooth and Auxiliary Audio questions

o a new device ..new issues.
I have the Verizon S3, but I am not sure if this is Verizon specific or not. I drive a 2011 Kia Optima (LX, forgive me..family man) and I have the stock head unit. It has been great with EVERY phone I have had (Razr, Nexus, Bionic, Rezound, X, Thunderbolt) for streaming sound via bluetooth. I got mine Friday and just got to mess with it because my wife went into labor simultaneously
Anyway, it pops and cracks every 3 seconds to the point I thought it was going to bust my tweeters. It doesn't seem to do it during a call, only media. It doesn't matter the file type or anything. Also if I use the AUX cable it has terrible terrible feedback. I can hear it in headphones too. It's the sound like a wire is grounding out somewhere...if you've ever dealt with audio cabling before.
Is anyone else having this very issue, or did I get a dud? Also, does anyone have a suggestion on how to fix it? I tried equalizers and adjusting the volume. I also tried a JayBird stereo bluetooth headset. I tried the ol restart -- no factory reset yet though. If you have any clue, please let me know. I just don't want to waste time getting replacements if we are all experiencing it. Thanks!
(also this happens in the browser, youtube, media player, etc.)
PLEASE post who your carrier is and what you have tried to connect to. Maybe it's an isolated problem...who knows!

[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
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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

Annoying buzz or static noise when using headphones in Nexus 5

For your information.
-Unrooted, it only has the Aviate launcher but this thing has been going on weeks before it.
-No cellular service(I am using it only at WiFi. It is like as if it were an iPod touch.)
-Happens in videos, YouTube daily motion etc.
-Only when using earphones.
Hey forum! I once again bring up another problem with my Nexus 5. I had it for 60ish days, and this thing has only been occurring for a few weeks. It is this annoying sound which occurs when I plug my headphones and watch some YouTube videos. Initially I thought it was my headphones, but I used two and found that the problem was the same. I believe it is definitely my Nexus 5, but I do not know why and how. It is a pest to me which I want to exterminate, and I gladly could use some help. Is this worthy enough to send back and get a new device? If so, what do I need to be aware of (additional charges, if I can ask for a new color etc).
I found this video which has strong resemblance to my problem only his occurs on speaker. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XZSef6fuKU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Thank you for your help,
EL
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
I'm having the same issue on my N5 (stock, rooted). I've been searching online, but have yet to find an explanation or solution. I'll report back here if that changes.
Hopefully somebody else on this forum can chime in with some useful information.
I'm getting an annoying buzzing through my headphone jack as well. Noticed it more when playing through my car stereo. I'm inclined to say it's software related, not hardware. Hopefully in 4.4.3 there will be something that will take care of it. I can't see the hardware degrading that quickly, i've only had my phone for less than 4 months and this issue is just starting.
So I think I solved this problem on my phone. Before, I was having glitchy hiccups at least once per song. This hasn't happened once in the past two days since I went into the xposed module gravitybox and disabled "More music volume steps." Hopefully this helps someone else or perhaps inspires them to their own solution.
ancient light said:
So I think I solved this problem on my phone. Before, I was having glitchy hiccups at least once per song. This hasn't happened once in the past two days since I went into the xposed module gravitybox and disabled "More music volume steps." Hopefully this helps someone else or perhaps inspires them to their own solution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do have more music steps in the ROM settings I changed, but not on Gravity Box. I'll have to see if those are possibly a cause.
I have the same issue but also when playing music using the internal speakers of the phone. It happens when playing music with Spotify and YouTube but I do not think it ever happened to ingame music of any game.
I will also try the XPosed module and report back if it worked..
Edit: Using this tweak of GravityBox did not work for me. The buzzing continues
everyone with this problem
does it only happen when you have the phone plugged into a car or home charger?
i have always gotten this on all my android phones when charging and listening to music in my car or with headphones.. its just one of those things that happens because all the components inside our phones arent shielded as well as they should be
It does not has anything to do with the charger because it happens without it plugged in
Does anyone have updates on the issue? It still occurs on my phone, even on Android L. So I guess it cannot be a software issue
Mine does this all the time when I'm watching videos on YouTube on speaker or headphone... On every ROM from stock to slimkat (using now) and sometimes through the music player. I'm guessing it's some sort of WiFi interference?
My newly acquired Nexus 5 also suffers from this issue
It's exactly the same as in the video. And I don't know why, it's more apparent when watching youtube videos, and much less common when listening to music (both locally with Poweramp and while streaming with Spotify).
I also can confirm this has nothing to do with the device being in charge or not.
Help??
I'm going to buy Nexus 5 soon and that issue sounds really bad to me. Any more information about it? I listen to music on my phone every day and I'd be really disappointed if the noise happened to me.
For me that issue stills persists after over half a year of owning the Nexus 5. I tried several ROMs, some Audio Mods. Nothing helped. I guess it must be a hardware issue.
I wrote a ticket about it to LG, but never got an answer. Since there is not much discussion about it in the internet it appears like it is only an issue with a small amount of devices. So if you are going to buy one the chances are low to get this bug.
You are probably right but when I consider my luck, I still get worried. Keeping my fingers crossed though Thanks for an update.
i think all nexus 5 devices have it, but not everybody notices it.
from my experience with various brands, as much as i dislike them as a company, but samsung has the best headphone jack sound output.
rayiskon said:
i think all nexus 5 devices have it, but not everybody notices it.
from my experience with various brands, as much as i dislike them as a company, but samsung has the best headphone jack sound output.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see. I'm not a big fan of Samsung either, I had some phones from them and I didn't really like those Also for comparision, HTC Desire Z's sound that was coming from the minijack output was perfect for me on my Soundmagic PL11 buds (I'm not an audiophile).
I need to get a new phone anyway and Nexus 5 seems to be something I was looking for - cheap, powerful and comes with Full HD screen. Even if headphone jack isn't going to work well...
TheReduxPL said:
I see. I'm not a big fan of Samsung either, I had some phones from them and I didn't really like those Also for comparision, HTC Desire Z's sound that was coming from the minijack output was perfect for me on my Soundmagic PL11 buds (I'm not an audiophile).
I need to get a new phone anyway and Nexus 5 seems to be something I was looking for - cheap, powerful and comes with Full HD screen. Even if headphone jack isn't going to work well...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The headphone jack on the N5 works well, i listen to music through my phone almost on a daily basis, so you don't have to worry about that, but i've come across the glitch linked in OP several times, and it can be reproduced. it doesn't just appear out of nowhere.
i had have this issue from when i bought my device
Annoying buzz and static noise but ya live with it ,regard's joe.
since upgrading to lollipop i can notice this sound glitch (while listening to music over headphones) more often, it occurs once in every 10min for sure... it's really annoying
I hope it's not placebo, but for me, since the lollipop upgrade, I haven't noticed this noise. I've even been listening to more music than before, as this quite got on my nerves, but now it seems to be gone.

Faulty speaker or bad bluetooth connection?

Several months ago I got an Insignia Alarm Clock/Speaker from Best Buy. It was $20 bucks - a total steal! It sounded great and has been working fine.
However, in the last week, whenever I play music from my tablet or phone every the music will skip or stutter. I have not done anything new to the tablet or speaker that would cause this (that I know of). The phone seems to play the music for longer before there's an issue, but not by much. Weirdly, I've noticed it's more prone to dropping out during a quiet lull in the music. I listen to a lot of instrumental music and whenever one instrument is playing alone, like a piano, it almost seems like the speaker mutes itself inbetween notes. It's hard to explain and super bizarre.
I've tried restarting the speaker, the tablet, reconnecting the Bluetooth - nothing has worked so far. My tablet is fairly old - a Galaxy Tab S - but my phone is a brand new Pixel 3 XL. It'd be odd if the speaker was failing already, but at least it'd be some kind of explanation. It's driving me bonkers. I can post some recordings of what I'm hearing if that will help anyone understand what I mean.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
greycobalt said:
Several months ago I got an Insignia Alarm Clock/Speaker from Best Buy. It was $20 bucks - a total steal! It sounded great and has been working fine.
However, in the last week, whenever I play music from my tablet or phone every the music will skip or stutter. I have not done anything new to the tablet or speaker that would cause this (that I know of). The phone seems to play the music for longer before there's an issue, but not by much. Weirdly, I've noticed it's more prone to dropping out during a quiet lull in the music. I listen to a lot of instrumental music and whenever one instrument is playing alone, like a piano, it almost seems like the speaker mutes itself inbetween notes. It's hard to explain and super bizarre.
I've tried restarting the speaker, the tablet, reconnecting the Bluetooth - nothing has worked so far. My tablet is fairly old - a Galaxy Tab S - but my phone is a brand new Pixel 3 XL. It'd be odd if the speaker was failing already, but at least it'd be some kind of explanation. It's driving me bonkers. I can post some recordings of what I'm hearing if that will help anyone understand what I mean.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try booting to recovery and wipe the cache partition, if that doesn't solve the issue then the issue is deeper or it might be because the speaker has low quality hardware/software(doubtful, but possible). More than likely, it's something else that you have installed on the device(s) causing this. You can try booting your phone or tablet into "safe mode", this mode only loads the preinstalled app that came with the device, if the issue is not present while in safe mode, then you know it's caused by something that you installed. If it is still present while booted into safe mode, then it might be caused by something that came pre-installed on the device running in the background, youd have to start experimenting by disabling system apps until you find the culprit causing the issue.
NOTE: Disabling system apps can cause serious issues with device functionality so be careful which ones you disable.
Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk

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