Noticeable distortion in the speakers on the highest setting? - Nexus 7 General

Does anyone hear the same distortion I'm hearing or is my N7 defective? If its only me I'll send it back (reluctantly) but if its just cheap speakers to keep down the price, I don't mind.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Highest volume and boosting it by 20% i do get distortion sometimes watching top gear. The speaker is just pretty bad.
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda app-developers app

The speakers stink.

There is some distortion at high volume on mine, but I still find the sound quality to be extremely good.

Mine cracks and breaks up so I requested a new one.

OK so its not just me. Thanks
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

It is the same on mine...is it a defect or the way it is?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

I get some nasty noise when moving my finger around on the screen randomly, and the WiFi animation even makes clicking noises. This is with headphones on full.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

NO! This is NOT normal...why? Because my first Nexus didn't do this..
Okay, I was quite happy with my first Nexus, but the screen separation issue (still present on my replacement device btw), but at least the speakers didn't distort and sound like sh*t!
If you were to hold the device in front of you, right side up in portrait (ie normal), and you play some songs, the one on your left will sound distorted.
For those of you that did the screen separation fix (those who haven't, the easiest way I've found to get the back off is to shove either a guitar pick, plastic opener tool etc. in the top right corner, just above the power button. The sweet spot is just between the volume up and power button. It'll come off like butter once you get it to open right there. Easiest spot for it to separate. Just Don't be afraid to push hard, you won't scratch it, as long as you're using a plastic tool).
Anyway, use this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8ODm-F9-IM
..and then with your fingers once the back is off, and the audio on high, feel the speakers vibrate.
If the left one vibrates a lot more and sounds way more distorted than the right (or the other way around), it is a defect. My first Nexus did not distort my music at all like this.
ARGH!

Thinking of getting mine replaced due to distortion at high volume
Noticeable just cycling through the notification sounds in settings at maximum volume, particularly on the 'pollux' notification sound.
Be interested if a few people could try this and let me know if you think this level of distortion is a) normal and b) acceptable!
Cheers, dave
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

froggy666uk said:
Thinking of getting mine replaced due to distortion at high volume
Noticeable just cycling through the notification sounds in settings at maximum volume, particularly on the 'pollux' notification sound.
Be interested if a few people could try this and let me know if you think this level of distortion is a) normal and b) acceptable!
Cheers, dave
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
mine is real distorted at that setting on that tone as well. I don't think it should be normal. I'm going to Sam's today to see if they have another I can exchange.

hmm, mine was fine on day 1. now its distorting at less than half volume. from testing on poweramp, any sounds with a frequency lower than 500hz are fine... but anything with frequencies higher than 500z with 40-100% volume will distort the speakers. its frustrating that i now need to RMA this unit since i didnt have any of the other reported issues.

Souai said:
hmm, mine was fine on day 1. now its distorting at less than half volume. from testing on poweramp, any sounds with a frequency lower than 500hz are fine... but anything with frequencies higher than 500z with 40-100% volume will distort the speakers. its frustrating that i now need to RMA this unit since i didnt have any of the other reported issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I exchanged my first one for a new unit from Sam's Club. Doesn't seem too bad now. Not to say the speakers are great, but no real bad distortion anyway. I'll keep you posted later today.

tarusdg said:
Does anyone hear the same distortion I'm hearing or is my N7 defective? If its only me I'll send it back (reluctantly) but if its just cheap speakers to keep down the price, I don't mind.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
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I've recorded an audio clip in m4a format demonstrating the problem. I have two Nexus 7 tablets. One is fine and one is obviously bad. The recording is me alternating between the two devices, pressing the "Proxima" system notification sound in the sound chooser. They're both set to the same volume (one notch below maximum). The problem begins around 30% volume and gets worse as it gets louder. Music is unbearable to listen to.
Update: I tested with headphones; each device sounds normal. That makes it more likely that it's indeed a problem with the physical speaker, though it's still possible that the two sound outputs use different DACs and that the problem could somehow be fixed in firmware (doubtful).

This was also noted on theverge podcast this week!

Related

Interesting built in speaker behavior

I was listening to some music while using the NC and I happen to notice something. Whenever I would press the home button the music would get louder. Presses on both sides of the button, same thing. Maybe a manufacturing defect? Jt seemsvtbe speaker isnt fully attached to the case.
Sent from my LogicPD Zoom2 using Tapatalk
I wonder who will upgrade the speaker first? The stock speaker is extreme suckage.. Come to think of it..... I would buy a case that has some speakers built in... There is a product that is called Imaingo who has some thumpin mini speakers, but would require extreme hackage to house the battery and bass ports without chunking up the NC thin appearance... hmmmmm

buzzing coming from nc

just wanted to see if anyone is hearing what i am hearing on my 1 year old nook color running cm9.. if you listen to the speaker and usb socket area, there is a faint buzzing noise kinda like how lcds buzz... it only happens when the screen is active...
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA
yanger said:
just wanted to see if anyone is hearing what i am hearing on my 1 year old nook color running cm9.. if you listen to the speaker and usb socket area, there is a faint buzzing noise kinda like how lcds buzz... it only happens when the screen is active...
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA
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Click to collapse
Mine is totally quiet, but I'd guess this is associated with the backlight for the screen. These have transformers to step up the voltage to the higher volts needed by the the lamps used and it is possible the windings or cores are loose and rattling.

Google, turn the speaker around!

The speaker is decent. It even has good volume.
Iff you've got the tablet facing away from you!
This is really terrible placement of the speaker on this device. It's not a speaker for ringing as on a phone. It's a speaker that's meant to be heard when the tablet is in use with the display facing you. Cupping my hand over the speaker slit and extending that beyond the edge of the tablet works ... but isn't something you can really expect or want to do.
That's probably my biggest gripe with the tablet.
The screen isn't the best but.. I'll take it for the money.
Really, you don't like the screen? I think it has a better color tone than the iPad 3 honestly. Didn't really notice much of a difference in the resolution either.
The external sound's not too bad. If you put it on a surface then it helps amplify it, just like with a phone. The headphone sound quality on the other hand is outstanding! :good:
I wish manufacturers would figure out a way to have forward-facing speakers... my G2x has a speaker on the bottom. Better, but seriously... watching a YouTube clip without cupping my hand around the device to reflect the sound to my face would be a nice change. Meh... not that big of a deal to me but I do agree with your frustration.
It seems simple to me, there is already a bevel on these devices. They just need to make the bevel a little bit larger on the side to let the sound out. This is what my TV does and it works very well.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk 2
I was looking at the design and from a "why did they do it that way?" perspective and two things are clear.
1. they want to present the face of the tablet as an unbroken sheet of glass (ohh, ahh!)
2. they don't want to incur the cost of putting a slit in the glass
They could reduce the size of the glass and have a very narrow molded plastic border on the top and bottom for stereo speakers. Would work a heck of a lot better but violate #1...
I really think they're destroying functionality for aesthetics.
Playbook (though bigger) does have forward facing speakers, and are probably the best sound that I've heard on a tablet mainly due to the placement.
its more so because on most phones, the microphone is at the bottom. putting a speaker next to a microphone never ends well. mainly because on calls where you use loud speaker, you'd get the endless loop/echo where the speaker feeds their audio back into the microphone. noise cancelling mics are useless for cancelling the audio since the noise cancelling mic is too far away from the speaker, so the latency doesnt help.
I somehow think putting a magnet aka speaker on the screen would cause problems with the capacitive touch.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
It sucks when you put the 7 on a stand and it is blocking the speaker and muffing the sound. But what can you do? Plug in some headphones that's what.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Hexdecimal said:
Really, you don't like the screen? I think it has a better color tone than the iPad 3 honestly. Didn't really notice much of a difference in the resolution either.
The external sound's not too bad. If you put it on a surface then it helps amplify it, just like with a phone. The headphone sound quality on the other hand is outstanding! :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait. What?! Can you provide a photo comparison of your device next to a iPad. This display has hardly any saturation or contrast compared to the iPad. The DAC in this thing is also horrid; audio sounds extremely bad with headphones. A world away from the Galaxy S III DAC.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Hexdecimal said:
Really, you don't like the screen? I think it has a better color tone than the iPad 3 honestly. Didn't really notice much of a difference in the resolution either.
The external sound's not too bad. If you put it on a surface then it helps amplify it, just like with a phone. The headphone sound quality on the other hand is outstanding! :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I have both an iPad 3 and a Nexus 7, and while I like the Nexus 7 screen well enough, it doesn't really compare to the iPad's. Colors and saturation aren't even close, and nothing has text as good as the iPad (I think it's as much to do with how Android renders text as the resolution of the LCD). Don't get me wrong, text on the Nexus 7 is plenty good enough, but you can't say it's nearly as good as on the iPad.
My biggest problem with audio on the Nexus 7, both external and via headphones, is volume. It just doesn't get very loud. That's a complaint with the iPad 3, however, and really I have yet to come across a tablet with decent sound. So, that's not a fair knock against the Nexus 7.

[REF][POLL] Nexus 4 Issues [UPDATED 11/30/12]

Here's a place to gather issues as you come across. Comment with additional issues as needed.
If you're happy, vote here.
Buzz from earphone speaker
- May be due to poor shielding. Some may be able to hear the frequency, some may not. 666FFF summed it up the best "...It's such a low crackle/hiss sound. You really need to press the phone against your head and be in a quiet room to hear it. Ambient sound is much louder. My only worry is if it is using battery constantly..."
Tell Google about it here. LEDs tend to produce a lot of noise, and with such a high density battery in the device, there could be some resonance occurring (since it buzzes/crackles all the time, but seems less so when in deep sleep).
[UPDATE] Seems it is a mfg. defect. Some people with their replacement phone/friend's phone have commented on it being fixed. However, others have reported the replacement is worse. So...buyer beware. If anyone knows how to figure out the batch number of our phones, maybe we could track it that way?
"Unreasonably" hot device
- The thermal conductivity is much higher in glass than plastic. I wouldn't worry about it.
Poor battery performance
- Give it a few charge cycles...Got 5 hours screen on, 20 hrs on, 5% left yesterday on first charge! Also disable location tracking via WiFi, and disable Google Currents auto-update.
Poor touchscreen sensitivity
- Not sure. Screen protector?
Feedback when plugged in.
- It's a ground loop. Google it and fix it.
Easy scratching/cracking
- Doesn't make much technical sense (http://www.corninggorillaglass.com/sites/all/files/GG2 PI Sheet Rev b_050912.pdf), but perhaps things are cracking due to high thermal gradients (GG2 has a lower coef of expansion than GG1, so not sure why that would be the case...perhaps the thinner material?).
When has an Android phone gotten more than a day with moderate use? RAZR Maxx doesn't count.
But yes, I have noticed it getting very hot especially when charging. Probably because it is glass.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
kangxi said:
When has an Android phone gotten more than a day with moderate use? RAZR Maxx doesn't count.
But yes, I have noticed it getting very hot especially when charging. Probably because it is glass.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
I get 2 with a crappy myTouch Q.
The thermal conductivity of glass is 5-10x greater than plastic, so I would think glass is the culprit.
Add rattle and yellow tint.
And touchscreen unresponsiveness.
The speaker make some noises - also if it is not in use. Hold it near to your ear and you can hear it. (pls test it). It crackle low.
Is there a bug report or something?
If your going to make an issues list please make sure you take into account how many phones have this issue.
I dont have any of these issues, and the battery 'issue' is not an issue at all. I am waiting for someone to pipe up about a rattle:laugh: that can only be heard when shaking to phone near your ear!
Also take into account some issues phone may have will be faulty devices. A standard manufacturing fault rate is <3% however most are happy with <5%.
Hexxer said:
The speaker make some noises - also if it is not in use. Hold it near to your ear and you can hear it. (pls test it). It crackle low.
Is there a bug report or something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The speaker (like to play music) or the earphone speaker (to listen to someone talk).
I already have the latter.
ace7196 said:
The speaker (like to play music) or the earphone speaker (to listen to someone talk).
I already have the latter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The earphone speaker
I have an issue to add: Not everyone has a Nexus 4 yet, that's a HUGE issue!!
karendar said:
I have an issue to add: Not everyone has a Nexus 4 yet, that's a HUGE issue!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Usefull posting. Go to your mum and cry
My N4 seems to be getting pretty hot. Battery life could be better (it probably will). Rattling can only be heard shaking it quite violently next to my ear and even then it is quiet.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Experiencing none of the aforementioned issues. Only thing is my volume rocker is barely squeaky. Guessing I got lucky.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
1. Rattling part inside.
2. Clicking USB port: when you plug it in - slight motion of the phone makes a CLICK noise.
3. Camera on the back is not aligned in the the center.
Hexxer said:
Usefull posting. Go to your mum and cry
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's called a joke, buddy. Laugh a little.
AntonJart said:
1. Rattling part inside.
2. Clicking USB port: when you plug it in - slight motion of the phone makes a CLICK noise.
3. Camera on the back is not aligned in the the center.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Barely noticeable on my device unless I shake it like a maniac next to my ear.
2. Don't have this
3. Mine is centered perfect. Keep in mind production is never 100% perfect so there's bound to be misalignment on occasion.
I also have yet to experience any warming and I've been messing around with it since early this morning.
Sent from my Nexus 4
I just got mine today no issues other than i ran benchmarks test did heat up a little, I could feal the warmth but just barley wasn't hot burn me or uncomfortable to hold. i got it charged about 60% lasted 7hr of medium use, On first charge now let know tomorrow how i fair post screen shots of battery.
my only complaint is youtube HD video buffering alot. , i know its not my internet because my nexus 7 play video just fine..any body else have that kind of problem?
Mine hasn't showed up is my issue.
...
I actually managed to hear the rattling when talking on the phone by turning my body/head a bit quickly.
However, I don't care at all that it makes this noise.
Nitemare3219 said:
I actually managed to hear the rattling when talking on the phone by turning my body/head a bit quickly.
However, I don't care at all that it makes this noise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should be noted that the most typical reason for a slight rattling in a smart phone is an auto-focus camera sensor/lens. This is an "issue" that seems to plague all smart phones with auto-focus cameras.

Speakerphone (loudness, clarity)

Proper etiquette aside (hint: don't use speakerphone while doing your "business" in a public bathroom), rate this thread to express how you think the Google Pixel 2's speakerphone performs. A higher rating indicates that you love it: it's loud and it's clear.
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
I was astonished when I heard the speakers for myself, they are really loud but clear!
they're good, but not great.
I like the speakers, but they need some tweaking, the sound isn't as full bodied as my HTC One M7 was. They're clear sounding, but a bit tinny for my taste. I'll be happy when some eq mods get implemented.
I was really pleasantly surprised by them. They are just as loud as my Nexus 6P WITH the Viper4Android soundboost all the way up. Once I get V4A on the Pixel 2 I wonder just how loud it will actually get. Sounds amazing for such a small phone too, wow.
Got mine in yesterday. nice crisp clear sound... but the earpiece speaker is treble biased, and the bottom speaker is bass biased...
Makes things sound really weird when listening to music or watching movies in landscape...
I am getting an exchange unit and will update when that unit comes in.
Update: Exchange unit came in... I've been using it for a few days now, and I have noticed no difference from my last unit... an hour on the phone with google device engineers got me the response that this is by design to increase the frequency range... I still don"t like it as it bothers me..
who wants to buy a gently used pixel2?
ApoKyla said:
Got mine in yesterday. nice crisp clear sound... but the earpiece speaker is treble biased, and the bottom speaker is bass biased...
Makes things sound really weird when listening to music or watching movies in landscape...
I am getting an exchange unit and will update when that unit comes in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The same situation. Is it feature or defect? Can anybody confirm it? Thanks.
Anyone's speakers distorting or crackling? Coming from iPhone 7. Speakers on iphone are not loud, but they do sound good. Pixel 2 by comparison is tinny and crackle at higher volumes.
Coincidentally, I'm RMAing the Pixel 2 right now for ticking noise in earpiece and constant high frequency emission. Wondering if maybe my speakers are no bueno too. No one else seems to have the speaker distortion or at least too early.
Edit: I was playing "Bridge Burn" by little comets when i noticed. Then played thievery corporation's "Culture of Fear". Maybe someone else can compare?
Elvis_Stojko said:
Anyone's speakers distorting or crackling? Coming from iPhone 7. Speakers on iphone are not loud, but they do sound good. Pixel 2 by comparison is tinny and crackle at higher volumes.
Coincidentally, I'm RMAing the Pixel 2 right now for ticking noise in earpiece and constant high frequency emission. Wondering if maybe my speakers are no bueno too. No one else seems to have the speaker distortion or at least too early.
Edit: I was playing "Bridge Burn" by little comets when i noticed. Then played thievery corporation's "Culture of Fear". Maybe someone else can compare?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just got mine today I do not have the sound in the ear piece and also my forward face speakers are crisp loud and clear with just a slight thumping for base it amazing to my ears but what do I know I came from a s6 ?
xstokerx said:
I just got mine today I do not have the sound in the ear piece and also my forward face speakers are crisp loud and clear with just a slight thumping for base it amazing to my ears but what do I know I came from a s6 ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you sir. New phone will be here Wednesday. We shall see.
Elvis_Stojko said:
Thank you sir. New phone will be here Wednesday. We shall see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hope u get one without issues
Elvis_Stojko said:
Anyone's speakers distorting or crackling? Coming from iPhone 7. Speakers on iphone are not loud, but they do sound good. Pixel 2 by comparison is tinny and crackle at higher volumes.
Coincidentally, I'm RMAing the Pixel 2 right now for ticking noise in earpiece and constant high frequency emission. Wondering if maybe my speakers are no bueno too. No one else seems to have the speaker distortion or at least too early.
Edit: I was playing "Bridge Burn" by little comets when i noticed. Then played thievery corporation's "Culture of Fear". Maybe someone else can compare?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My speakers seem to rattle a little at max volume, even just with Google Assistant or navigating. Haven't noticed any issues on calls though I haven't made a lot since I got my Pixel 2.
Overall quality seems all right a few notches down from max, but is quite noticeably worse than my nexus 6.
Speakers
Could anybody check if speakers are producing the same sound (you can cover it by finger). My unit's top speaker has more hights, bottom one has more mids and bass. Maybe it's by design. I am not sure. Thank you.
ales005 said:
Could anybody check if speakers are producing the same sound (you can cover it by finger). My unit's top speaker has more hights, bottom one has more mids and bass. Maybe it's by design. I am not sure. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, absolutely agree with you. Bottom is far better at base and mids. Top speaker is opposite.
ales005 said:
The same situation. Is it feature or defect? Can anybody confirm it? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It could be related to separate dedicated drivers in each speaker (Allowing for larger respective drivers), or simply an equalization software aspect.
The Dark Knight Patriot said:
It could be related to separate dedicated drivers in each speaker (Allowing for larger respective drivers), or simply an equalization software aspect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ditto here. Noticed it right out of the box. Top is treble biased, bottom is bass. It seems design derivative. Also possible too because the top speaker is also used for earpiece/speakerphone?
Waiting for more confirmation from google whether this is real or defect. Good to hear from here I'm not the only one.
No issue though with the phone so far.
https://9to5google.com/2017/10/24/t...2-sound-completely-different-heres-why-video/
The are crystal clear but when I compare them to my nexus 6, the bass is better on the nexus
Elvis_Stojko said:
Anyone's speakers distorting or crackling? Coming from iPhone 7. Speakers on iphone are not loud, but they do sound good. Pixel 2 by comparison is tinny and crackle at higher volumes.
Coincidentally, I'm RMAing the Pixel 2 right now for ticking noise in earpiece and constant high frequency emission. Wondering if maybe my speakers are no bueno too. No one else seems to have the speaker distortion or at least too early.
Edit: I was playing "Bridge Burn" by little comets when i noticed. Then played thievery corporation's "Culture of Fear". Maybe someone else can compare?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also have the ticking sound, and so so sounding speakers. Trying to RMA. Apparently turning off NFC is supposed to help with the ticking sound. Haven't done it myself....too many digital reward cards
Noticed quite a bit of distortion when navigating at max volume. The voice is full bodied and, combined with the software EQ choice, I think it hits that perfect low-mid tone and overpowers the speakers. Stepping it down two notches basically eliminates it. Also noticed that the speakers are very directional compared to the OG pixel XL. Had both devices playing the same music and Pixel 2 audio disappears when faced away compared to the OG pixel which was much more audible when the speaker was pointed away. I think the amount of bass they are trying to offer is lofty and unattainable and the device would sound better with a bit more mid and less extreme treble and bass. If I decide to keep this device I'll be praying for the dev community to offer up some display and audio tweaks. P.S. I haven't noticed the ticking/noise from the speakers on my device but I think if they dropped this ultra hifi EQ choice, a slight drop in highs would probably make it much less noticeable or might make it disappear completely if the frequency could be isolated and cut (I'm looking at you 6kHz and above).
Can anyone get me /etc, /lib & /bin folders? I might take a look if there is any ways to improve your device's speakers

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