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[Q] Hiss / Static in headphones on Nook Color

Alternate title: Why does my new eReader not make a great audio player too?
So, I went out and bought a Nook Color on Friday. I bought it for the Android hacking fun and doubt that I'll ever use it for its B&N "intended purpose". With that being said, I've noted that there is a hiss / static in the headphones any time the audio is enabled. There appears to be some self-muting going on on the device itself almost as if it is completely disabling the bias to the audio output transistors after some seconds wherein the hiss goes away but, any time there is active sound going on, the hiss and associated noise (likely RFI getting into poorly designed/shielded audio circuitry) is very clearly and annoyingly there.
I'm using very good headphones (Bose QC-3's) which sound wonderful on everything else I plug them into including my Droid and Milestone phones.
Has anyone else noted this very annoying audio issue on the NC? If I don't figure out some way to get rid of it, it's going to put a serious damper on using the NC to watch videos when I fly. (LONG trans-oceanic flights!)

I noticed a slight static noise from the built in speaker on my NC. I've not listened that much with headphones - and it was in a noisy environment.

johnopsec said:
Alternate title: Why does my new eReader not make a great audio player too?
So, I went out and bought a Nook Color on Friday. I bought it for the Android hacking fun and doubt that I'll ever use it for its B&N "intended purpose". With that being said, I've noted that there is a hiss / static in the headphones any time the audio is enabled. There appears to be some self-muting going on on the device itself almost as if it is completely disabling the bias to the audio output transistors after some seconds wherein the hiss goes away but, any time there is active sound going on, the hiss and associated noise (likely RFI getting into poorly designed/shielded audio circuitry) is very clearly and annoyingly there.
I'm using very good headphones (Bose QC-3's) which sound wonderful on everything else I plug them into including my Droid and Milestone phones.
Has anyone else noted this very annoying audio issue on the NC? If I don't figure out some way to get rid of it, it's going to put a serious damper on using the NC to watch videos when I fly. (LONG trans-oceanic flights!)
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Click to collapse
Usually portable audio front ends include a mute circuit to suppress the pop when the power for the amp turns on and off to save power. But that's besides the point...
My ATH-M50s give a lot of hiss when plugged into the NC, and at 38 ohms are somewhat less sensitive than most cheapie headphones that these amps are usually designed to. When I get a chance I'll try some higher impedance phones.

johnopsec said:
Alternate title: Why does my new eReader not make a great audio player too?
So, I went out and bought a Nook Color on Friday. I bought it for the Android hacking fun and doubt that I'll ever use it for its B&N "intended purpose". With that being said, I've noted that there is a hiss / static in the headphones any time the audio is enabled. There appears to be some self-muting going on on the device itself almost as if it is completely disabling the bias to the audio output transistors after some seconds wherein the hiss goes away but, any time there is active sound going on, the hiss and associated noise (likely RFI getting into poorly designed/shielded audio circuitry) is very clearly and annoyingly there.
I'm using very good headphones (Bose QC-3's) which sound wonderful on everything else I plug them into including my Droid and Milestone phones.
Has anyone else noted this very annoying audio issue on the NC? If I don't figure out some way to get rid of it, it's going to put a serious damper on using the NC to watch videos when I fly. (LONG trans-oceanic flights!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Might be worth taking your headphones into a B&N store and trying another NC out to confirm its not just an issue with your unit.

Have the same issue with the NC and bose QC3 head phones. Plugged in a cheap pair of ear buds from the airlines and no hiss.

The amp is definitely noisy-- the worst I've heard since my 1st Gen iPhone. I guess they had to skimp somewhere.

Yes, pretty hissy sound. I can live with it, I think, but it's bit disappointing.

Ditto. The hiss using my Ultimate Ears makes the Nook Color unusable for audio or video in a quiet or normal environment.
It might work on a plane where the ambient noise is so high.

Pretty loud hissing sound with both apple earbuds and image s4's.

I noticed this too the first time I used Pandora...
Typically, for me and I assume it's the same for most pepole...
A reader likes to read in a quiet environment and therefore when they do decided they want to use the audio on their nook it is for music at a lower volume in a quiet setting. So this static / auto shutoff problem is blaringly obvious.
Any chance this will/could be fixed with an update?
If not then the audio feature will be useless for me
*edit*
Also... the static only gets worse (louder) as you up the volume. So listening to the music at a higher volume doesnt mask the static it only makes it worse

I have the same noisy audio. I am very serious about my audio equipment, but I don't put the NC in that category. Yeah, it would be nice if it sounded great, but the hiss would not bother me for video & I prefer to listen to a quality MP3 player if I listen to music. I would actually rather make adjustments to a dedicated player, while reading, than use my ereader to change screens & make adjustments. The other factor is the impact on the battery life. I guess maybe not a big deal on the NC?, but surely with an eInk reader. I hope you can find a way to live happily with yours.
Cheers,
kev

Ditto for me too. Hiss makes Pandora unusable when using my ultimate ears. I'm definitely disappointed, and a little less eager for flash support now.
Sent from my Nook Color using XDA App

I have no problems at all with audio on my nc. In fact i haven't had any of the problems i've heard on the forums as yet. Hope i never do
Sent from my LogicPD Zoom2 using XDA App

I think there might just be inconsistency in the NCs, neither mine nor my brothers have this audio hissing problem, or the problems with the bezel/frame, or any of the other problems the have come up on the forums. Maybe they are being built at multiple factories and some just suck? or maybe they just don't do any quality control? Who knows, I would check out the NCs with other headphones (although it sounds like you use these headphones all the time, so it's unlikely that they are the problem) and your headphones with other NCs.

OMG... the nook color sucks at playing music when using the Panasonic RP-HC700 Noise Cancelling headphones. The static is almost unbearable. I posted a recording of it on youtube under the user name MilkManMOM. (I can't post links and be helpful yet) Grrrr...I'm angry now at B&N.

No audio hiss from headphones on mine. If yours does, it's defective. It's also still under warranty. Stop just complaining to us about it and have B&N fix it.

MilkManTech said:
OMG... the nook color sucks at playing music when using the Panasonic RP-HC700 Noise Cancelling headphones. The static is almost unbearable. I posted a recording of it on youtube under the user name MilkManMOM. (I can't post links and be helpful yet) Grrrr...I'm angry now at B&N.
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Try a different set of headphones. My Bose IE2s are fine, but my Senhiessers have a lot of hiss, especially when I use an inline amp.
My quick test leads me to belive that earbuds meant for mp3 players work fine, but head phones have issues. This might be an impedence issue.
sent from my NC

jerrykur said:
Try a different set of headphones. My Bose IE2s are fine, but my Senhiessers have a lot of hiss, especially when I use an inline amp.
My quick tests hav led me to belive that earbuds meant for mp3 players work fine, but head phones have issues. Perhaps this is an impedence issue.
sent from my NC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sent from my NC

jerrykur said:
Try a different set of headphones. My Bose IE2s are fine, but my Senhiessers have a lot of hiss, especially when I use an inline amp.
My quick test leads me to belive that earbuds meant for mp3 players work fine, but head phones have issues. This might be an impedence issue.
sent from my NC
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Click to collapse
Its either a Impedance issue or Frequency issue. When using my good Sony Headphones which are Frequency Response : 5-24,000Hz I get a Ton of Hiss, but when I'm using my Crappy Work Speakers which are Dell 215, which has a Frequency Response of 100 - 20000 Hz I get No hiss at all.
I have not tried the Official Nook head phones but they are Frequency response: 20 Hz-18,000 Hz
My guess is that our Head phones are just too good for the Nook and we are hearing the Hiss in the Higher Frequency Range that "Normal" Headphones often can't reproduce. I have had the same issue with cheaper MP3 players you end up hearing the electronics in the device working. Good MP3 players and other media device normally have this sound filtered out or have things shielded in such a way that it minimized the effect.

therealguppy said:
Its either a Impedance issue or Frequency issue. When using my good Sony Headphones which are Frequency Response : 5-24,000Hz I get a Ton of Hiss, but when I'm using my Crappy Work Speakers which are Dell 215, which has a Frequency Response of 100 - 20000 Hz I get No hiss at all.
I have not tried the Official Nook head phones but they are Frequency response: 20 Hz-18,000 Hz
My guess is that our Head phones are just too good for the Nook and we are hearing the Hiss in the Higher Frequency Range that "Normal" Headphones often can't reproduce.
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Click to collapse
Ummm, no. First, anything above 20kHz is inaudible. Second, if you do have extraordinarily rare "miracle ears" and can hear slightly above the normal range, nothing above 20kHz would sound like a hiss... it would be an incredibly high-pitched whistle. Try playing around with a tone generator and see for yourself what extreme high-frequency sounds are like.
Oh, and I assure you that your Sony headphones cannot produce 5Hz and 24kHz tones, no matter what their marketing department claims.

[Q] Whats up with the headphone jack?

So I have looked everywhere and havent really found the answer im looking for. First of all my headphones, also others i have tried including an aux cable dont seem to fit into the nook color headphone jack all the way. This is causing problems hearing sound in both ears, or getting any sound at all. I have to fidget to get it just right. Does anyone have any solution or similar problems? A specific pair that work?

ajd88 said:
So I have looked everywhere and havent really found the answer im looking for. First of all my headphones, also others i have tried including an aux cable dont seem to fit into the nook color headphone jack all the way. This is causing problems hearing sound in both ears, or getting any sound at all. I have to fidget to get it just right. Does anyone have any solution or similar problems? A specific pair that work?
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Click to collapse
It isn't broken. Just stick the headphone jack in and when it gets stuck just push on it until it goes in
My nook is like that and doing what I stated above will not break your nook or headphones
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App

Mine works fine with three sets of headphones and an Aux cable.

RoboRay said:
Mine works fine with three sets of headphones and an Aux cable.
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really?
i found mine to be a bit hard to plug in and unplug but im kind of use to it now, i just thought all nooks were like that

It requires a bit more force to insert and remove than other devices I have, but that also makes them harder to disconnect by accident. /shrug
They do work fine if you insert them all the way rather than stopping at the first click, as the tip slides past the ring contact, which may be what the OP is doing.

Wow... im a crackhead lol. Anyways thanks guys, sorry for wasting your time.
Sent from my LogicPD Zoom2 using XDA App

ajd88 said:
Wow... im a crackhead lol. Anyways thanks guys, sorry for wasting your time.
Sent from my LogicPD Zoom2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol no problem it was a valid question and i was wondering the same thing when i first got my nook color, i just accidentally ran into the solution like 1 hour later lol

Yes, the headphone jack is extremely tight on the NC. I feel like I am going to break something every time I am plugging in the headphones. I am sure that they inserted completely. However, out of 5 "plug in and out" cycles, only 1 will yield the full spectrum of the frequencies for me. Specifically, there is no bass, all mids and highs. I have to plug and unplug few times to get sound with bass+the rest. I am not complaining that the bass is weak, there is simply no bass at all until you get a right "fit". I tried 5 different headphones (ranging from cheap iPod headphones to UE TripleFi 10) and different sources (e.g., Pandora, music player, etc), and the result was always the same.
Anybody else with this problem (i.e., complete lack of bass until you find the right "fit")?

3.5mm TRS audio jacks have three contacts, one each for the Right and Left stereo channels and one for ground. A channel is either present or absent. Any bass issues you are experiencing are not due to the jack; it simply is not wired that way.

tenderidol said:
Yes, the headphone jack is extremely tight on the NC. I feel like I am going to break something every time I am plugging in the headphones. I am sure that they inserted completely. However, out of 5 "plug in and out" cycles, only 1 will yield the full spectrum of the frequencies for me. Specifically, there is no bass, all mids and highs. I have to plug and unplug few times to get sound with bass+the rest. I am not complaining that the bass is weak, there is simply no bass at all until you get a right "fit". I tried 5 different headphones (ranging from cheap iPod headphones to UE TripleFi 10) and different sources (e.g., Pandora, music player, etc), and the result was always the same.
Anybody else with this problem (i.e., complete lack of bass until you find the right "fit")?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"However, out of 5 "plug in and out" cycles, only 1 will yield the full spectrum of the frequencies for me. "
I am certainly experiencing this issue as well. I've found a way to reproduce it. If you push the plug in fast enough all the way, you can get the plug to produce full sound, but if you push it half way in and wait for NC to change the sound from speakers to headphones you'll be missing some spectrum, after you're hearing broken sound coming out of your headphones, even if you completely push in the rest of the jack, the final results will be missing some spectrum. So the only way to get complete sound is to push the plug in before the NC switches to the headphone output.

Wonder what a pair of the little powered external speakers would sound like?

Car Chargers / Headphones

Hey Guys,
Mentioned this on a couple of other threads, but I feel it needs a dedicated one.
Firstly, the output from the headphone jack to the line in on my car is poor, the level is so low i'm cranking it up to 20 just to get a decent listenable volume level, my previous phones (Atrix, Nokia N900) didn't require this.
Secondly, if I use my car charger with the phone and try and use the line in, there is massive interference that is louder than the output its self making it impossible to listen to music. Again another issue not present on my previous phones using the same charger.
I am going to attempt to make a recording of the noise, and I'll upload this later.
Can a few other people test this out and see if you get the same result please?
Cheers
Andy

Just get a ground loop filter for $5 and you are golden.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

I have noticed low headphone output also. I use a ground loop filter so I haven't noticed too much white noise but having to turn up the volume louder than normal to make up for the low output makes it worse. I only hear it in-between songs.

Hmm I'll try and find a ground loop isolator and see if that makes any improvement.
Just don't understand why it is such an issue on the Nexus 4.
The noise for me is louder than the audio that is being output rendering it useless. Going to upgrade my car with bluetooth at some point so that will solve all the problems.

Extremely low headphone volume

This phone has the absolute worst headphone output. It is SO low. Plugging the device into my car through an auxiliary port is horrible. I can't believe Samsung makes the headphone output so incredibly low on a flagship device. How can they get away with this? It's almost half of the iPhone 5S?

Care to explain a little more in detail? Why 'slow'? Do you mean the sound quality coming through the headphone jack of the headphone jack itself?

I am simply referring to the fact that when you plug in a pair of headphones the output volume is extremely low, compared to the HTC M9, or iPhone. I have tried several headphones and even plugged a pair into a demo unit at best buy. Turn up the volume all the way and it's simply not loud enough. Plug the same pair of headphones into an iPhone or HTC One M9 and the volume output is much louder. I do not understand how Samsung can get away with making the volume so loud. Defeats the purpose of having the phone play music.
Now I have used many many Galaxy smartphones, and while I have complained of this issue before, the S6 by far as the absolute lowest volume. Wouldn't be an issue if a volume mod could be flashed. But we need the boot loader unlocked first.

That's weird, maybe since it's a demo unit, my gs6 gets uncomfortably loud and it's almost on pair with my ipad.

vontokkerths said:
That's weird, maybe since it's a demo unit, my gs6 gets uncomfortably loud and it's almost on pair with my ipad.
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To each their own with sound, I guess. It was enough for me to return the phone.

So this can't just be bothering me.

Once you plug it in, make sure to turn the volume up on the phone. By default, the headphone jack is set very low so you dont blow the external speakers.
Also, try a headset and see if its still low for you. If it is, then its a bad port... if it isnt, then something is up with your aux port or car unit.

Red5 said:
Once you plug it in, make sure to turn the volume up on the phone. By default, the headphone jack is set very low so you dont blow the external speakers.
Also, try a headset and see if its still low for you. If it is, then its a bad port... if it isnt, then something is up with your aux port or car unit.
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Click to collapse
I have tried many headphones. It gets loud, but nothing like the iPhone. Very difficult to hear your music in the gym. Samsung should not make the headphone volume this low. It's beyond frustrating for us audiophiles. FWIW, I don't think my phone is defective, I just think its me. Either way, I returned it.

MattMJB0188 said:
I have tried many headphones. It gets loud, but nothing like the iPhone. Very difficult to hear your music in the gym. Samsung should not make the headphone volume this low. It's beyond frustrating for us audiophiles. FWIW, I don't think my phone is defective, I just think its me. Either way, I returned it.
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I can understand where you're coming from. I was quite frustrated at first until I started playing with the equalizer and adapt sound. Now it's much better. I've plugged my headphones into the iPhone and while it does get louder it also gets more distoreted.

Have you gone into settings / sounds / sound quality and effects.
The tinkered around with the SoundAlive+ & Tube Amp? Also try using adapt sound to really tailor your sound.
Maybe one of those needs to be enabled to increase the output of the volume, not sure..

There's a post in general secton to increase the volume of the phone. It requires root tbough so be aware.

MattMJB0188 said:
I have tried many headphones. It gets loud, but nothing like the iPhone. Very difficult to hear your music in the gym. Samsung should not make the headphone volume this low. It's beyond frustrating for us audiophiles. FWIW, I don't think my phone is defective, I just think its me. Either way, I returned it.
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Click to collapse
Dude seriously,, Thank you. I thought i have started having issues with my hearing. The output is so low that when in the subway, there is no way for me to hear my music. Only when i rotate the earpeace in an unusuall position, i am able to hear what i am actually listening to. The worst thing is that it seems to be recognized by u and me only... I don't know what to do and i for sure don't want an iphone..

Yep, ridiculously low volume output from the headphone jack. Compared to an LG G4 on the same speaker set to the same volume level, the S6 output is almost inaudible over background noise in the kitchen. Only way to get any usably loud audio from it is Bluetooth, which has its own set of problems with this phone.

Yes the sound from ear phones is too low. With my previous I9070 my ears used to bleed at 3 with Poweramp but now ven with the Volume turned upto 5 I can barely hear them..!

badmanog said:
Dude seriously,, Thank you. I thought i have started having issues with my hearing. The output is so low that when in the subway, there is no way for me to hear my music. Only when i rotate the earpeace in an unusuall position, i am able to hear what i am actually listening to. The worst thing is that it seems to be recognized by u and me only... I don't know what to do and i for sure don't want an iphone..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, i had same problem but when i did the adapt sound tune, i did it at home without surrounding noises and heard all the beeps.. I redid it while on the train and heard aboit 30 % of the beeps and now i have a loud volume also disablwd the effects..

My headphones were also not working well. I thought to try some other brands. I searched alot but all were very expensive. Then my gym trainer suggested me to look for SoundMAGIC. I got affordable audiophile headphones online at exclussive offer. The sound is fantastic. I am very happy with it now.

Low volume listening to music on headphones

Just got my OP3T yesterday, and absolutely love it...EXCEPT that when I listen to music on (wired) headphones the volume does not go very loud. Even when I turn it up to the highest setting, just not that loud. And the headphones are plugged in all the way, they work with other phones, etc., etc. Anyone else having this issue?

You gotta plug it in properly, that was the issue with mine. It almost requires an unreasonable amount of force to plug it in or plug it out.

I use wireless bt headphone, and the sound is pretty loud, compare with the droid turbo, will try the wired headphone later
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using XDA-Developers mobile app

No problem with mine, turning it up more than halfway is way too loud. Best sound I've ever had from a phone.

stevemass said:
Just got my OP3T yesterday, and absolutely love it...EXCEPT that when I listen to music on (wired) headphones the volume does not go very loud. Even when I turn it up to the highest setting, just not that loud. And the headphones are plugged in all the way, they work with other phones, etc., etc. Anyone else having this issue?
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Click to collapse
What's is the impedance of your headphones? The higher the impedance the lower the volume, usually higher end/better quality use high impedance 32 ohm's+. My Sony's are 32 and are reasonable but still use my Fiio A1 for some extra umph! Might get the Fiio k1 and see what USB audio is like and get another pair of AKG's as they are my favourite sound signature.

ExjeetzZ said:
You gotta plug it in properly, that was the issue with mine. It almost requires an unreasonable amount of force to plug it in or plug it out.
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Yes, I'm aware of this. Mine have been plugged in fully.

LMcR92 said:
What's is the impedance of your headphones? The higher the impedance the lower the volume, usually higher end/better quality use high impedance 32 ohm's+. My Sony's are 32 and are reasonable but still use my Fiio A1 for some extra umph! Might get the Fiio k1 and see what USB audio is like and get another pair of AKG's as they are my favourite sound signature.
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Click to collapse
The impedance is 16, so that shouldn't be the issue.

stevemass said:
The impedance is 16, so that shouldn't be the issue.
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Click to collapse
Strange I get decent sound out the jack alone. What is the make and model of your headphones?

LMcR92 said:
Strange I get decent sound out the jack alone. What is the make and model of your headphones?
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Have tried it with both Sony MDR-EX58V earbuds and Sony MDR-V8 over-the-ears.

stevemass said:
Have tried it with both Sony MDR-EX58V earbuds and Sony MDR-V8 over-the-ears.
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Weird why not invest in a Fiio A1 or USB variant K1, I'm thinking of jumping on the USB audio to see how it is. I know that "it's not the point" but a worthwhile purchase if you enjoy music.

Mine is plenty loud. Used my Xiaomi Piston 3's all day with it.

Higher impedance means more control over your volume because you're basically forced to use an external amp/dac, doesn't necessarily mean better quality.

Same issue, loudest volume is about right for me, still, does not go as loud as my Nexus 5 did.

More than loud enough at 65% volume with my Audio Technica and Shure headphones. I ended up lowering the max volume with custom kernel.

You can always try the "Increased Headset Volume"-magisk module if you want louder headset volume.