Help Is the volume too low hearing someone on the DHD?

[alextheslave]

Hi Guys,

My volume is high....the highest node, but still on a high street when I ring someone or someone rings me I find it hard hearing them (although at home the sound is not too bad). I didnt have this prob even on a cheap handset I was using previously....is the volume genuinely low or is it a prob with my handset?

 

[john_g]

I agree... even at the highest ring level, I keep missing calls because, even when there isn't an unreasonable level of noise around me, I just don't hear the phone ring. Every phone I've ever owned has had a few quirks and the Desire HD is no exception, but this is really, really irritating - especially as there doesn't seem to be any way around it. The internal speaker is absolutely useless - even listening to a speech podcast in a silent room shows how poor it is.

 

[CheesyPeteza]

I just complained to HTC about the phone volume. I suggest others do too and hopefully they will fix it via an update to the software.

I suspect nobody wants to be sued for damaging our ears in the future and HTC are being overzealous with limiting the volume.

You can contact them here:
HTC - Support - Customer Service - Support via e-Mail

 

[alextheslave]

I just complained to HTC about the phone volume. I suggest others do too and hopefully they will fix it via an update to the software.

I suspect nobody wants to be sued for damaging our ears in the future and HTC are being overzealous with limiting the volume.

You can contact them here:
HTC - Support - Customer Service - Support via e-Mail

Excellent. Will email. Maybe I can call them too?....is it an issue by which you can download software for? If the speaker and earphone are designed not to go over specific volumes then would it matter if you downloaded software or not?

 

[CheesyPeteza]

We might get a hacked ROM which fixes it in the future, but it'd be nice if HTC actually sorted it out themselves.

 

[sonesh]

Its not just in call volume either.

When on Maximum volume, the speakerphone, music/video playback, and even the ringtone volume are too quiet

 

[Artaq]

Compaired the the HTC Hero (my old phone) the speaker on the DHD does seem to sound tin like, while with a lower sound volume than the Hero.

I would say the speaker on the Hero is much better. However far to loud for me when using headphones on min volume. So the DHD is better for me when using headphones.

As to the ringtone I can see it being a problem for some. I mostly have the phone right next to me, on a belt case. So will mostly feel and hear it.

 

[john_g]

I wanted to be sure I'm getting the maximum possible ringtone volume, so I selected a traditional phone bell ringtone which has a lot of treble in it - I've noticed that the HD's speaker sounds very toppy and sibilant, so I thought this might help. I then used Audacity on my PC to boost the volume until it was clipping, thereby making sure more of the ring sound was at maximum volume. Despite all this, it hasn't really improved things to any noticeable degree.

I don't think there's going to be a firmware fix for this - I think it more likely that HTC will change the hardware in future production, and we, the early-adopters, will be left to regret rushing in.

 

[Pothers]

Has anyone who emailed HTC about the low ringer volume heared back.

I got this reply a couple of days ago

Thank you for contacting HTC regarding the volume ringer fix.
currently there are a small number of devices that carry this fault and we are working down the line to rectify the problem. However the reason why we cannot do it sooner is ther massive success of the device and we are under pressure from the mobile networks to make more devices. Once this has passed in 4/5 months parts for the device will be back in supply. We can only merely apolgise for the current incovince caused.

I was really hoping this would be a firmware fix and not a hardware issue. I'm not sure it's bad enough to be without for several weeks while it's being sorted.

I've just ordered and received a DHD for my wife, she didn't know I was ordering one so I have to see if she wants to keep it, so I'll be able to compare them before I send it off.

 

[john_g]

I've just re-started my Desire HD and it's made me realise that HTC have taken steps to ensure that they can reject any complaints regarding the low volume level.

We can't claim we weren't told about it!

 

[Klynx]

I've just submitted a ticket via HTC website for this volume issue. My volume returns to normal setting upon restart. I have been restarting my phone at least twice a day since getting it and it is really bugging me!!

Given that restarting fixes the volume, albeit temporarily, wouldn't it be more of a firmware fix instead of hardware?

 

[shine-on2]

I'm also having problems, tried downloading some aps with no joy ... so I've submitted a ticket too. Perhaps if enough of us do it, it will move up the list to be done.

Tis a shame because I love this phone!

If I hear back I'll post a reply!

Fingers crossed.

 

[Tiny65]

Has anyone who emailed HTC about the low ringer volume heared back.

I got this reply a couple of days ago

Thank you for contacting HTC regarding the volume ringer fix.
currently there are a small number of devices that carry this fault and we are working down the line to rectify the problem. However the reason why we cannot do it sooner is ther massive success of the device and we are under pressure from the mobile networks to make more devices. Once this has passed in 4/5 months parts for the device will be back in supply. We can only merely apolgise for the current incovince caused.

I was really hoping this would be a firmware fix and not a hardware issue. I'm not sure it's bad enough to be without for several weeks while it's being sorted.

I've just ordered and received a DHD for my wife, she didn't know I was ordering one so I have to see if she wants to keep it, so I'll be able to compare them before I send it off.

How did this turn out? Did your wifes phone sound any different....

I've been going back and forth with HTC for this very same issue....

 

[ADTC]

EDIT: FIX FOUND! See post below.

ORIGINAL:
I'm having the very same problem!

Sometimes the volume of my Desire HD becomes very low (both on speaker and on earphone), even though the volume sliders (Ringer Volume, Media Volume, etc) are set to full. Only a complete restart helps restore it to proper functioning.

Does anyone know what's the cause? Could it be an application? I am using Brightness Rocker which lets me control brightness by pressing the volume rocker (and then sliding the on-screen slider).

I emailed HTC about this problem (via the given link) and specifically warned them NOT to treat me like a noob by giving me instructions how to adjust volume settings. I'm pretty sure a firmware patch can easily solve the problem, because it seems firmware related and not hardware-related.

Let's see what their reply will be.

 

[ADTC]

I FOUND A FIX!!!! YAY!!!

Go to the Gallery (or Videos, which is quicker) and play any video with sound in it. Tap on the screen to bring up the on-screen slider if it's not visible. Tap the left-most button to toggle between Dolby Mobile, SRS, and back to "Audio effects off". (You can also leave it at Dolby or SRS. Read below.)

This worked like a charm for me and brought the sound back to normal volume level! You can test the fix by going to Sound Settings > Volume and adjust the Ringtone (just tap where it is already or bring it to maximum). You'll immediately hear a demo sounding of the ringtone.

By the way the problem occurs whenever FM Radio is used. After you use Radio you have to redo the procedure. There is no permanent fix, but you can leave your Gallery/Videos' video player in Dolby Mobile or SRS, so whenever a video is played, the problem is fixed immediately without toggling between the sound enhancements (this doesn't work when audio effects are off).

Yea it maybe annoying to go to Gallery/Videos and play a video everytime you quit the FM Radio, but hey it's quicker than a restart!

This has to be a firmware issue. Basically FM Radio screws up speaker volume and it happens because of some form of conflict with the sound enhancements (Dolby Mobile and SRS). The older Desire doesn't have the problem because there is no sound enhancement in that phone. Ironically the solution to the problem is the problem itself. LOL.

The problem occurs only either when you exit from the FM Radio application (by pressing its on-screen power button on top right) or when you unplug your earphones/headphones (Radio turns off immediately). Leaving the Radio app running in the background (with radio station streaming) does not cause the problem.

 

[Tiny65]

Used the speaker when talking to a friend the other day and had to go back to normal use because I couldn't hear him at all. Tried different volume settings with no luck.

Never ran the radio, never played any music or video so don't think that is the issue. Either the speaker is trash or a firmware update is due....

Emailed HTC about my issues and will see how they respond....

 

[ADTC]

Used the speaker when talking to a friend the other day and had to go back to normal use because I couldn't hear him at all. Tried different volume settings with no luck.

Never ran the radio, never played any music or video so don't think that is the issue. Either the speaker is trash or a firmware update is due....

Emailed HTC about my issues and will see how they respond....

Have you tried playing a video in Dolby or SRS and checking whether it fixes the problem? Try it and let us know what happens. Radio is only one known cause. Maybe there are other causes too.

PS: Playing the video in Dolby or SRS is a quick solution to the problem, and is not supposed to create the problem itself.

 

[A5J4DX]

yh i tried it on video and normal music player yesterday when i received my phone and now just realised that when FM Radio is on its got no dolby or anything just plain crap!

 

[ADTC]

yh i tried it on video and normal music player yesterday when i received my phone and now just realised that when FM Radio is on its got no dolby or anything just plain crap!

Uh.. Dolby & SRS are only for video playing (not sure about music). It obviously doesn't work for FM Radio because it's a pre-processor of audio. Audio from FM Radio is not pre-processed.

 

[maniamsq]

Im planning to get the desire hd next week. Now reading about the volume problem, I have become hesitant. I like almost all other features of the phone. Should I go ahead anyway. MM

 

[A5J4DX]

Uh.. Dolby & SRS are only for video playing (not sure about music). It obviously doesn't work for FM Radio because it's a pre-processor of audio. Audio from FM Radio is not pre-processed.

yeah your right and if i go into my music player i can choose the dolby option when i go to menu > sound enhancer

oh and i emailed htc last night and i got this:

Thank you for contacting HTC Support. It is not possible to add this functionality as the media is being streamed live and does not support Dolby surround sound. I hope that this solves your issue, please don

 

[Pothers]

I tried ADTC's fix and it seems to work. I answered a call on load speaker while in my van today and could actually hear without have to lean to within a inches of the phone.

Tiny65, No sorry I still haven't got round to testing, to be honest since I've changed my ring tone I don't think I've missed a call from not being able to hear it ring. The only real issue I've had was not being able to hear on load speaker in the car.

 

[ADTC]

Im planning to get the desire hd next week. Now reading about the volume problem, I have become hesitant. I like almost all other features of the phone. Should I go ahead anyway. MM

I'd say yes. It's still a great phone. The volume problem is a minor glitch but I'm sure HTC will fix it in the near future via a firmware update.

I tried ADTC's fix and it seems to work. I answered a call on load speaker while in my van today and could actually hear without have to lean to within a inches of the phone.

Great to hear that! You can test the fix by going to Sound Settings > Volume and adjust the Ringtone (just tap where it is already or bring it to maximum). You'll immediately hear a demo sounding of the ringtone.

 

[ADTC]

I managed to get HTC to test the problem and they replied back stating that running and exiting FM Radio does cause the overall system volume to become decreased. They are forwarding the results to their technical department (while still pushing me to unnecessarily hard-reset my phone). Let's see what their next step will be.

Off-topic, I started using chompSMS btw. Saw some reviews of chompSMS vs Handcent, seems like chompSMS has more positive reviews. And for those who don't want a third-party SMS management app, u can try "SMS Popup"

 

[glasgowguy]

I've just got a Desire HD and the sound from the external speaker sucks. I've got a 50p radio that sounds better than this thing. I'm especially annoyed as the publicity made much of the the great sound that it could produce. The HD is a replacement for my Nokia 5800 music express, (a victim of being run over by a taxi) and the sound is hugely inferior to that. Not only that I have read quite extensively about this phone and its only now that when I buy it I find this problem, none of the many reviews I read mentioned anything about it. Mind you one review used a