Low Earpiece Volume - Nexus 6 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi all, I know that I mentioned this in my other thread, but I thought that it should get more visibility. In short, my earpiece volume is extremely low, even when in-call volume is at maximum. It's almost inaudible, even in a quiet room.
I recently found an open tracker for this Issue:
https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=80817
I'd recommend that anyone affected star this, so it gets addressed pronto.

dabomb224 said:
Hi all, I know that I mentioned this in my other thread, but I thought that it should get more visibility. In short, my earpiece volume is extremely low, even when in-call volume is at maximum. It's almost inaudible, even in a quiet room.
I recently found an open tracker for this Issue:
https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=80817
I'd recommend that anyone affected star this, so it gets addressed pronto.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FWIW, my ear speaker actually seems loud. Had to turn it down. Never had a Nexus device that had to be turned down. I'm still on LNX07M.

Interesting. I don't know if it's related, but I updated to the latest OTA. Hope it's not a hardware issue, as this is definitely not just a little low. It's like a whisper.
Speakerphone is booming though, so hurray for front facing speakers, I guess.

Thank you for sharing the open tracker

Mine was doing this also. What fixed it for me (not sure if this was a coincidence or not) but I turned on the speakerphone will in a call turned volume all the way down, turned off speaker phone and turned phone all the way down then up. Works loud and clear now. Strange though

add my feedback as well.

added feedback too

Bump for other experiencing this.

jmill75 said:
Mine was doing this also. What fixed it for me (not sure if this was a coincidence or not) but I turned on the speakerphone will in a call turned volume all the way down, turned off speaker phone and turned phone all the way down then up. Works loud and clear now. Strange though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While the speakers are insanely loud which is good! I am having the same issue with the low volume while in call. I'll give this a try and report back.

Any luck with this working? And if so, is it a permanent fix?

dabomb224 said:
Any luck with this working? And if so, is it a permanent fix?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 I hope this issue get fixed asap

dabomb224 said:
Hi all, I know that I mentioned this in my other thread, but I thought that it should get more visibility. In short, my earpiece volume is extremely low, even when in-call volume is at maximum. It's almost inaudible, even in a quiet room.
I recently found an open tracker for this Issue:
https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=80817
I'd recommend that anyone affected star this, so it gets addressed pronto.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought I had this issue until I realized I was not putting my ear over the speaker correctly. I'm coming from the N5 so with this larger phone you have to slide it closer out to your forehead. Try again to align it better.

Similar issue here.
Though in my case, the earpiece is lower in all situations. When watching a video the earpiece will be lower than the bottom speaker. Testing each one individually yields the same results no matter which orientation of the device (left channel right channel test).
Sent from my Nexus 6

Same problem here on a 64 gb from T-Mobile.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app

I find the volume on the earpiece best when you treat the front facing camera as the earpiece.
Use it on my right ear and it feels weird, use it on the left ear, then it's perfect.
I know this isn't a solution, but if this helps, why not.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app

After reading this post I realized after having my Nexus 6 almost two weeks, I've still haven't used the phone...
I made a test call, and my earpiece is of adequate volume I actually had to turn it down a little.

BAD MOTO!!
first , its the most expensive nexus device and now the bug is in the MAIN reason phones exist!!
VERY Low ear piece volume, i gifted this phone to my dad and now i am getting it back coz he cant hear a thing, and is fed up of this phone :/ ... this has got to be the priority... i am side loading the OTA and updating to 5.0.1, will let you know if this fixes anything but just wanted to BUMP this tread its a major problem:crying:

I'm on 5.01 and the volume in the earpiece is still low. I mean I can hear it but if I turn it down past half you don't hear anything.

Same problem. Pretty ridiculous.

Just checking in, same issue here. I've tried to make sure I have the earpiece centered over my ear but I have to have the volume on MAX to hear it and even then, it's just not loud enough.
In fact, I've been putting the phone on speaker and turning it down and using it like the if I have any background noise in the room because I just can't hear on it.
My Samsung Galaxy S3 was MUCH louder.

Related

Speakerphone SOFTWARE "Issue?"

Hey guys, I've noticed a weird bug with stock 4.2.1 on my Nexus 4, and was wondering if anyone is experiencing the same thing. If not, then perhaps it is the hardware and not the software, but the nature of this bug has lead me to believe it is software-related.
Let me first say, right off the bat, that I have had no other issues with my phone, and that when I play games or watch movies, the volume is loud, clear, crisp--just all around excellent. However, when I use the speakerphone on a call, it seems to be... quieter than everything else. So I tried playing around with it, and discovered something interesting.
The next time you're in a call, put it on speakerphone. Note how loud it sounds to you. Then, turn the volume down one notch, and then put it back up to the max volume again (I've only experimented with it being at max already, then turning it down one notch, and then back up).
Does it sound WAY louder? And does it sound distorted, almost overblown? Why would it be like that during a call, and why would adjusting the volume down and then back up again have such a result if it was NOT software related? And, furthermore, why would it be blown out and distorted here where as for everything else it sounds superb?
Let me know your thoughts--maybe I need to RMA? I got this one at T-Mobile (I didn't have to pay the equipment installment due to my current plan, so it was cheaper to buy it @ $200 from them).
Thanks!
Same Here .. I believed it was the only with this problem since no one had said.
I think is Software Issue.
Yeah I noticed that no one had mentioned this, but I believe if it's software then it must be affecting everyone. At least, it should be affecting stock users. I guess I noticed this sooner because I use speaker phone when I'm driving in the car, since my ragtag bluetooth receiver that outputs through a tape that's plugged into it and inserted into the tape deck only transmits music and notifications, not calls--for some reason--over the car speakers. Just got sick of plugging into the phones headphone jack every time I got in and out of the car! lol
Check this out
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2024226
munchy_cool said:
Check this out
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2024226
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See but mine doesn't crackle or do any of that stuff during calls or anything else. And it's not blown out sounding during anything other than calls where I have lowered the volume and then put it back up to max right after. I don't think the problem is the same as it is here, it just seems similar, for sure.
Also, when not on speaker phone, the in call volume is perfect and without issue. It's limited to specifically what I mentioned in the original post.
Thanks for the reply, but I'm talking about it being overtly loud and only being so when adjusting the volume down and back up to max, and that prior to that, the volume is just a bit on the quiet side at the maximum. Not crackling/popping/etc!
cool..sorry about that.
Exact same situation with me.little buzz while on call nothing else.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
[delete]
munchy_cool said:
cool..sorry about that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem! Appreciate the attempted help =]

Phone speaker

Does anyone else think that the phone speaker is quiet when you're talking to someone? Is plenty loud on speaker phone and during a movie but the in call volume is really quiet even at the max.
I noticed this too. I was wondering if maybe I was just holding it wrong because I noticed that if I held the phone a tad lower on my ear than normal, it was louder. I might just not be used to the premium size yet.
Any idea if this is software or hardware related? I'm thinking software because the music/video volume works just fine.
I'm having the same issue as well. I can barely hear people on the phone an ng i have to use speaker phone to hear them.
It's software. You can adjust the volumes accordingly in mixer_path.xml in /etc/
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
I think it gets loud and I'm a musician (aka deaf to a degree). I did notice the speaker phone only uses the top speaker though. Though it's plenty loud too
Anyone else with this problem. Mine is less than normal at the highest volume. Not sure if I should replace, my x2014 is loud! Have to have decent volume at my age
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
HD Voice
People still make phone calls?
Is this a case of HD Voice?
zephiK said:
It's software. You can adjust the volumes accordingly in mixer_path.xml in /etc/
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never modified the volume before, are there specific values I need to use? Also I'm guessing I need root to do this?
I actually factory reset mine/unencrypted it and the sound in call actually sounds normal. Kinda odd.
Me either! my phone speaker is so low when start calling someone even in highest volume. Any possible fix ??
goal139 said:
Me either! my phone speaker is so low when start calling someone even in highest volume. Any possible fix ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would also like to know if this is possible to fix this issue.
i'm experiencing the same behaviors on my AT&T N6 (rooted/decrypted). i'm waiting for my 64GB version from T-Mobile to see if it's my phone. it would be nice if this could be addressed via updates to the mixer_path.xml.
I have the T-Mobile 64GB (Root/Encrypted), volume low as well,
I use volume+ (pay version), still low.
32 gb Google Play version here, and I can confirm that my earpiece volume is extremely low on max.
IIRC this should be fixable via a custom kernel.
My At&t version is very low as well. I thought it would be loud considering the speakers. I hope there is a update soon.

Speaker volume much softer than it was when I first got the phone

When I first got my phone music and youtube videos were really loud with the built in speakers. So much so that I had to turn the volume down a little bit for comfort. Now when I make sound it starts out very loud but quickly softens drastically. Like something is trying to auto normalize the sound to a much lower volume.
What bugs me is it used to work great. I'm on the same firmware version and such that I was on before.
Is anyone else having volume issues with their built in speakers?
youngm77 said:
When I first got my phone music and youtube videos were really loud with the built in speakers. So much so that I had to turn the volume down a little bit for comfort. Now when I make sound it starts out very loud but quickly softens drastically. Like something is trying to auto normalize the sound to a much lower volume.
What bugs me is it used to work great. I'm on the same firmware version and such that I was on before.
Is anyone else having volume issues with their built in speakers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm experiencing this too. I feel like it was designed this way. But I want to see some documentation.
Maybe you're just adjusting to the volume?? Kind of like when a fast car doesn't feel fast anymore.
Are you on a custom rom?
I'm on Stock ROM.
I know it isn't me just getting used to it. When I play some music it is really loud and vibrates my phone noticeably. After about 1 or 2 seconds though it quiets and my phone stops vibrating as much and I have a hard time discerning voices in the sound.
If I pause the video for a few seconds and start again the same thing happens. really loud then quieting.
If I turn down the video all the way then turn it up all the way fast the same things happens. I can feel the vibrations of the sound then they lessen and quiet down.
Interesting. I tried it this morning after a fresh charge and it works great now. I wonder if previously I was always testing at night when my battery was low. Perhaps this is some kind of built in battery savings scheme? When I was experiencing the issue I verified that Battery Savings mode was turned off. But perhaps this is something that auto happens when the battery is low?
I'll have to try again tonight.
I'm starting to have the same issue. Posting here for any updates, and I'll update as well if I figure out what's going on.
Me to guys....I thought I was going nuts today... Every roms got quiet audio and I'm just like wtf...so I flash stock images and STILL its quiet...I'm just wondering if its some kinda power save feature.
i've been looking through the mixer_paths.xml file to see if i can find headphones and speaker values to increase to increase volume and this mixer_paths file is different than what i'm used to with samsung and LG phones. i'm probably missing some values to see because i normally use 920 text editor but that app currently isnt working with android 5.0. has anyone found the values to change the increase volume?
I have the same issue. If i reboot the phone everything sounds great then shortly after the volume drops and its difficult to hear things. This happens evem during calls while using speaker phone. I've looked in all the settings and can not find anything to do with this. Any help would be much appreciated.
Thank goodness I'm not the only one! I have this exact issue as well.
So this actually worked on my N6 maybe it will work for yours. After a reboot problem remains. I applied small pressure evenly to the speakers with my fingers and bam problem gone. I seriously hope we don't have bad hardware. Hope this helps you guys as well.
https://forums.motorola.com/posts/add203215b?commentId=837982 If you see Moto's Official forum lot of other people are having this same Issue
Add me to the list thought I was going crazy too
I'm pretty sure it's a software issue. On mine, the volume does the normalization thing, but if I switch orientations it goes back to full volume before dying down again. Hopefully it gets fixed soon.
Same issue here. Thought I was loosing my mind. The volume goes down tremendously after starting music via the speakerphone after about 1 or 2 seconds. I have completely reset my phone and toggled the power saving setting and I'm still having this issue. Getting very annoyed.
Same issue here. My battery was down to 4% and the volume started getting lower some times.
Also it seemed like turning the device (display rotation?, gyro sensor?) had to do with it.
I also hear some noise (crackling) when the phone is at full volume and it's not playing music.
IndoorSnowStorm said:
I'm pretty sure it's a software issue. On mine, the volume does the normalization thing, but if I switch orientations it goes back to full volume before dying down again. Hopefully it gets fixed soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here with the normalize issue...tempted to send my nexus 6 back to motorola but it was so hard to get this phone
Cant believe google has yet to address this... I hope its a software fix coming.. I cant even really judge the audio bc i cant play anything at max volume smfh
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
I think it's a software issue. Whenever I notice the phone's volume is lower than it should be, I press volume up and down repeatedly then it goes back to normal. Gets annoying though.
Anyone found a solution for this or it just is what it is? Also notice the volume increases when I rotate the landscape view..then normalizes lower after a few seconds...
I've hard reset....flashed a fresh copy of 5.0.1 still no solution? Could this be a hardware issue?
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app

Call volume too low?

Hi, I just got my Nexus 6 that I purchased from eBay, everything is ok but the call volume, while it's pretty clear, I think it's too low compared to other phones, I'm not sure if I'm crazy or someone else has noticed that? I tried the speakers for music and they are loud, again, it might just me, but I wanted to double check if someone has noticed that, and if it's something normal for this phone, thanks!
saman0suke1 said:
Hi, I just got my Nexus 6 that I purchased from eBay, everything is ok but the call volume, while it's pretty clear, I think it's too low compared to other phones, I'm not sure if I'm crazy or someone else has noticed that? I tried the speakers for music and they are loud, again, it might just me, but I wanted to double check if someone has noticed that, and if it's something normal for this phone, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this.
1. Make sure the system volume is all the way up as well as the phone earpiece volume.
Get an app the controls all volumes and you'll see it there along with media , alarm etc.
This happened to me but once i raised system and phone it was fine.
Also note that you must practice placing ear in perfect earpiece speaker position lol.
Let me know if it worked that was my problem.
saman0suke1 said:
Hi, I just got my Nexus 6 that I purchased from eBay, everything is ok but the call volume, while it's pretty clear, I think it's too low compared to other phones, I'm not sure if I'm crazy or someone else has noticed that? I tried the speakers for music and they are loud, again, it might just me, but I wanted to double check if someone has noticed that, and if it's something normal for this phone, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ditto. My phone volume way too low for in call - either with built-in earpiece or a wired headset.
Nothing I've found brings it up.
Speakers for media/notification is very good&loud, but speaker for in-call (using as a true speakerphone, not trying to use speakerphone mode as earpiece) and ringing is inadequate.
relaxable said:
Ditto. My phone volume way too low for in call - either with built-in earpiece or a wired headset.
Nothing I've found brings it up.
Speakers for media/notification is very good&loud, but speaker for in-call (using as a true speakerphone, not trying to use speakerphone mode as earpiece) and ringing is inadequate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Believe that with update to 5.01 that is going to fix the problem, hope so, I believe that I read it somewhere. I really want to know what are all the fixes for the new version 5.01
BTW, I have Volume Ace download it from play store and see if you got all volume up
Good luck !

The Speakers Megathread

How is everyones speakers holding up? I dont always get a distortion at max volume but there are specific tones where I can hear them. The one specific example I can think of is the default alarm tone (I think its oxygen). Anyone else have a similar experience? Or is the phone supposed to be distortion free for all tones at max volume?
Thanks!
I sometimes get crackling/distortion from the top speaker but I noticed a new issue with mine last night.
I had my handset on silent and pulled down to my quick settings/tiles I switched WiFi on and held the device close to my ear, I could hear a few seconds of a 'buzzing clicking' noise then it stopped, I turned the WiFi off and the same thing again.
It happens on both the top and lower speaker and makes this noise whenever I turn on or off the wiFi or Mobile Data. It also doesn't matter if it's on silent or active notifications.
Is it just the radio being activated/turned off?
Does it happen to anyone else?
l also got my first random shutdown last night too.
DroidBee said:
How is everyones speakers holding up? I dont always get a distortion at max volume but there are specific tones where I can hear them. The one specific example I can think of is the default alarm tone (I think its oxygen). Anyone else have a similar experience? Or is the phone supposed to be distortion free for all tones at max volume?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The speaker issue is not actually a hardware issue It's actually a bug. Some people get panicked and apply for a replacement but there is a high chance to face the same issue on the replaced device too. But on some device it's a hardware issue which can be evident in ANY volume not in the specifically the HIGHEST volume
How can distortion be a software issue though?
DroidBee said:
How can distortion be a software issue though?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The sound issue can easily be a software issue, it does not necessarily have to be distortion coming from the speaker. That word is being thrown around too easily. But the OS could be sending bad code to the speaker, which comes out sounding like distortion. With the vast amount of people claiming to have this, I am more inclined to think it is more of a software bug.
PS - How is this a "mega" thread'? Just because the OP wants it to sound like an 80's hair metal concert title?
The-Last-Hylian said:
I sometimes get crackling/distortion from the top speaker but I noticed a new issue with mine last night.
I had my handset on silent and pulled down to my quick settings/tiles I switched WiFi on and held the device close to my ear, I could hear a few seconds of a 'buzzing clicking' noise then it stopped, I turned the WiFi off and the same thing again.
It happens on both the top and lower speaker and makes this noise whenever I turn on or off the wiFi or Mobile Data. It also doesn't matter if it's on silent or active notifications.
Is it just the radio being activated/turned off?
Does it happen to anyone else?
l also got my first random shutdown last night too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I get a crackle when I go into airplane mode or when I come out of it,apparently its a common issue
Sent from my A0001 using XDA Free mobile app

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