yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[HTC Desire X] nathb:
HTC has just gotten back to me and they advise me that there is no known issue of hiss or white noise on the Desire X and that the problem I have is isolated to my phone only.

I'm not going to comment further on this except to say that mine is going back to be swapped with another one :P

I'll update again once I get my replacement!
[HTC Desire X] ayyu3m:
Well then, they are gonna have lot of isolated DX sent back to them. Waiting for your reply. If you get a DX that is hiss free, then I will be the next to visit them...
[HTC Desire X] panos_ts:
@ayyu3m I didn't see any other volunteers about the mail, so I decided to sent one on my own.

The good thing is that they replied almost immediately and that they somehow admitted the existence of the hiss, and that they proposed me a few ways

Here's their reply

I'll test them in the next few when I'll have some free time and then report back (both to xda and htc).

If anyone else can in the meantime test it too, feel free. The more we are, the better!

Hope we'll find a solution soon.
[HTC Desire X] soberspine:
I can tell you from now that is hardware issue that can't be solved. Deal with one or get another phone.
[HTC Desire X] panos_ts:
Then why there is no hiss when using headphones?

I mean, if they had used a low end "sound card", then the noise would have been present all the time, no matter what kind of headphones you use, right?

I'm not an expert on the sound field, and I don't want to act like a smartass. I'm just asking. :)
[HTC Desire X] soberspine:
because maybe the headphones filter that hiss noise or maybe your hearing can;t detect it.
[HTC Desire X] panos_ts:
The thing about filtering sounds legit...

Doesn't matter though, Ill try what htc proposed and report back.
[HTC Desire X] ayyu3m:
okay...trying this "htc troubleshoot"..

EDIT: Updated with Findings

1. Cleared Cache:

1. DX Speaker : White Noise (Hiss) still present at volume 0 with PowerAmp, HTC Music Player [No Improvement]

2. DX HTC Headphones : White Noise (Hiss) still present at volume 0 with PowerAmp, HTC Music Player [No Improvement]

3. See note below */* for PC Headset

2. Safe Mode: (See Proof of Safe Mode)

1. DX Speaker : White Noise (Hiss) still present at volume 0 with PowerAmp, HTC Music Player [No Improvement]

2. DX HTC Headphones : White Noise (Hiss) still present at volume 0 with PowerAmp, HTC Music Player [No Improvement]

3. See note below */* for PC Headset

*/* PC Headphone (Local Unbranded Cheap Headset) : NO White Noise (Tested and Reported as Before : See pages before)

[Because PC headsets can filter enough white noise on their own with the type of magnetic / coiling / dB ratio] Thus this does NOT mean white noise is NOT present

The Sad Conclusion + Suggestion

*The problem still PERSISTS

**It apparently is hardware related. Unless HTC can prove it otherwise with a software fix. But i am happy to say panos_ts has got HTC's attention in a big way. They wouldnt have suggested this unless they know this is going on. I suggest its time we mass email them. Lets all those who have the problem email them with the troubleshoot guide they sent to panos_ts.

***Please, those who have the problem think about this problem and our suggestion to email them. This surely is present worldwide, since we are the "lucky" folks who acquired the first batch of the DX in my opinion.

**/** And nope. Booting into Safe Mode does not disable Sense UI. I just shifted to an empty screen.
[HTC Desire X] ayyu3m:
can you PM me the email you sent to htc.

:D good job on sending the first email. looks like you got their attention and they know about it which is sad actually since their isnt any fix yet.

---------- Post added at 09:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:37 PM ----------

Apparently you are correct. I thought of buying the One S, but it has a problem of its own also. Seems the One S home button presses itself. And the funny part is this happens while on EDGE network and during low signal.

http://htcsource.com/2012/06/htc-one-s-bug-causes-home-screen-helicopter-dance/

I guess i will wait a few months or so before i buy a newly released product from HTC now..
[HTC Desire X] panos_ts:
Sorry it isn't available... :( And that's because I used this form to contact them, so it hasn't been saved.

But when i referred to the hiss issue, I mentioned in my description that "it is not a isolated issue since it has been reported by other owners in many respectable forums, so my device is not the only one with this specific problem".

I had read in a previous post, that in their reply they were talking about "isolated issue", so I decided to insist on this matter.
[HTC Desire X] MongoDB:
I have the same problem. When I am using my Sennheiser cx200 the hiss is awful. With my headphones Sennheiser HD575 I don't hear it at all.
[HTC Desire X] MongoDB:
I wrote to HTC about the hiss noise. And the answer is:
[HTC Desire X] ayyu3m:
Wow. This is the best news i have all. Lets hope it does fixes the problem. Apparently all the sets i have checked around the same shop all have the hiss noise on the DX.
[HTC Desire X] panos_ts:
Indeed great news! And ayyu3m, thanks for informing me mate!

On the contrary, a few hours ago HTC replied to my ticket, asking me for my IMEI and speaking about "repair"...
[HTC Desire X] matoh88:
That is really interesting. I have asked the HTC support the same thing (I also attached a link to this thread). Today I received an answer from HTC support saying that they don't know anything about this problem and therefore there is no update coming.
[HTC Desire X] MongoDB:
Hmm.. The even stranger thing is that I replied to their answer and asked them to confirm it. I haven't heard from them since then. So I don't know maybe some idiot from support messed up. I'll try to contact them again with my ticket id.
[HTC Desire X] MongoDB:
I asked htc to confirm that they acknowledge the issue and and the future update. Their answer:

After that I told them that I find their answer stupid. On the one hand they acknowledge the issue and are in development for a fix, on the other offering me help to troubleshoot and calling the issue "your". So I received another answer.

So they obviously know about this, but the update thing is a bull****.
[HTC Desire X] soberspine:
In My Opinion

The persons from HTC customer service that answer to the emails don't have any technical knowledge (less likely to know what hiss noise is); they just give us a generic (copy/paste) answer that they consider fits best to our problem.

Maybe if they get many complains on the same topic the topic will be highlighted and get some attention.

I really doubt that HTC will do anything because the hiss noise is a hardware problem and to fix it is too complicated and costly, they have to stop the manufacturing, troubleshoot and come up with a solution that needs to be tested and implemented in mass production (all this takes a very long time) and then what would they do with the already made phones? In best case they will fix it with newer manufactured products but won't make it officially.

What bothers me most is that HTC had the stolidity to put the BEATS logo on a device with horrible sound quality. this is an insult to the customers.

"Pick up the phone that sounds every bit as good as it looks. Built-in Beats Audio™ delivers uncompromised, studio-quality sound for your music [...]" source:HTC website

I laughed myself to tears.
[HTC Desire X] matoh88:
I have already returned my phone for repair and I'm curious to see what will they do about it. I was hessitating at first, because I did not want to let go of my "new toy", but eventually I realized that it is never going to stop bothering me since the hiss/noise was pretty obvious.

I am tired of those advertising lies. They are making fools of us...and we are letting them by settling for low quality products! I am detrmined to return it over and over, if needed, until I get what I paid for - uncompromised, studio-quality sound - or, at least no hiss! And so should you.
[HTC Desire X] nlooooo:
I think you're overexagerating. The phone doesn't have more static noise from any other phone I had.
[HTC Desire X] Blauwbilgorgel:
Well, it's certainly disappointing, but I don't really think this is a DX only issue. it's certainly noisier than my previous phone.

For me, the only real implication is that I'll just keep my trusty old Sansa clip in my coat pocket, instead of using the DX as music player on my commute.
[HTC Desire X] matoh88:
I don't know...I've tried a few other phones to compare. I agree, there was some hiss on some of them (cheaper phones), but it was about 80% less noticable than my HTC Desire X. And this is not even remotely close to good sound quality.

I am not making anybody return their phone. It's up to you to consider how much is that a problem for you. I even thought that maybe I am overreacting and it's not really that bad, so I had a few oter people listen to it and they were all shocked with the bad quality. Deffinitely not what advertised.

Maybe it is really just bad luck and I got a malfunctioning piece. In that case I hope that it will be exchanged for the good one. I am just dissapointed - this was my first HTC phone ... and possibly the last one if the problem will not be resolved.
[HTC Desire X] MongoDB:
I am still wondering what to do. I really like the phone. It's my first with android. Don't know even whether I can get better phone for this money, but this hiss noise is driving me crazy sometimes especially when listen something relaxing. I have no problem returning the phone, but I'll wait for a couple of weeks to see what will happen with returned phones.
[HTC Desire X] ayyu3m:
Exaggerating? I see you have a DX also. Do couple of these things and see how much it may bother others even if not you

1. listen to relaxing, soothing music

2. listen to music on poweramp while using viber and trying scrolling the message windows, maximize minimize keypad, receive a message, send a message (constant audio pop / crack / hiccup noises on such an amusing brand device).

3. make phone calls on device on speaker phone and on headset.

We as consumers will exaggerate always when something that is so advertised to offer so much pleasure in performance and use DOES NOT contribute to any of the so called factors and features that were advertised as selling points and which caught our attention into buying the said device.

If we succumb to their relaxed, "oh its nothing" attitude its something that all of us will loose in the future, not just couple of users.

the most surprising thing of all is i can use my HD2 + android and enjoy a whole lot better music than the DX, which pisses me off. HD2 is not an android device. But is cos of the developers here with a few resources. Imagine the resources HTC has for android devices, drivers and components but still they could not monitor the audio performance of a beats branded device.

finally, this isnt a flaming on you, but you used a word "exaggerating" which i know for sure is what htc thinks of us DX or htc products users. They thing forums like XDA exaggerate the problems on their device.

Just read the articles about the HTC One S helicopter problem and how much before they admitted it was a real problem.
[HTC Desire X] nlooooo:
Tried all that but with stock music player, except Viber cause I'm not using it and got no issues you mentioned and you have to take in consideration that I'm a music freak with constant search for perfect sound.

Some thing you point to sound like a problem with lacking of ram (hickups) and static sound that generates in speakers as a result of mobile network waves passing through them.

I really don't have that issue so don't get loud on me cause I would like to help you but I don't see a problem.
[HTC Desire X] ayyu3m:
i am not an amateur when it comes to these kinda things. i tested several of the scenario just after fresh reboot and during airplane modes also.

if you dont see a problem consider yourself lucky.
[HTC Desire X] nathb:
The emails back and fourth you guys have been sending to HTC look very similar to the ones I got a few weeks ago. They went through the same troubleshooting steps (safe mode - hard reset - send back for "repair").

I think their acknowledgement of the issue may just be something to keep the customer quiet for long enough for them to get over the problem as it has been pointed out that this problem is potentially very costly to fix.

I also think its VERY interesting that some people here are 100% certain that their device does not have a hiss noise! This must be either due to bad hearing or because their device really does not have the noise. I know my phone hisses so loudly that even if you put the volume at 75% and have a phonecall with your ear a few CM away from the earpiece you can STILL hear it!

This gives me some confidence that some batches of the phones may actually be okay! My experience working with 2-way radios tells me that the difference between a clean sound and a hiss can be as simple as a slightly dry solder joint or a piece of sheilding/insulation being cut too short or at the wrong angle; to the extent that the naked eye could hardly be able to see the difference between the 2 circuit boards. Unfortunatley a surface-mounted audio chip of poor quality and design can do the same and thats impossible to fix without a complete redesign of the chip.

To update on my progress... I'm still waiting for my provider to send me the return satchel to send the phone back. I doubt I'll have an answer before the new year
[HTC Desire X] MongoDB:
Keep us posted!!! :)
[HTC Desire X] kye04:
Hi. Just got my new Desire X .

Indeed, the hiss noise is annoying. i`ve spoked with an friend (he is an electronist for the army) and confirmed the problem is 100% hardware . And no software in the world will solve this problem....

I`m really in a huge doubt... I like the phone extremely, especially the design... the slimness.... but i`ll have to return it because of this problem...

And my biggest problem: what other phone 4` display so nice, thick and slim will i get on the market ?

My sister have a samsung gs3 mini , it is nice but not so "small" as the desire x and for sure not so good looking...

:((

---------- Post added at 09:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:36 PM ----------

Also something else: DSP manager could be installed on this phone ? I wonder if from DSP`s settings we could :annulate" the noise....

Also, comparing with my old Wildfire S , the sound in the earpiece is lower, not clear anymore....
[HTC Desire X] soberspine:
the dsp won't anulate the noise, the hiss noise is "added" by the hardware.

if you intend to use the phone as mp3 player you could try some headphones that filter the hiss noise, but still the sound will suck because the sound quality of the phone sucks.

the hiss durring call abvious can't be removed.

my advice is if you can't live with the hiss noise return the phone and try another brand.

does your sisters s3mini have any hiss noise?
[HTC Desire X] MaartenXDA:
Still weird, I've never had this hiss sound, even when I'm not using my earphones, you guys should try to take it for a repair.

And by the way, the sound doesn't suck, with the right player and earphones, It's really great. Of course you need to have 320kbps music. And for even better quality, use the ACID Audio mod.

Sent from my awesome fridge
[HTC Desire X] nlooooo:
Guy's on point, both ways using it, with or without headphones it sounds great. I use stock music player with beats sound enhancer + urBeats Monster headphones and I hear no weird sounds. Plus this is my 3rd HTC phone (Desire and Incredible S were first two) and with none of them I had that problem.
[HTC Desire X] soberspine:
neither the player neither the file bitrate can replace weak harware, obvious they can improve somewhat the sound but they don't do miracles.

I had enough phones and they had way better sound quality than desire x. IMO desire x sound quality is not even decent.

anyhow the sound quality is something subjective, each person have different preferences and own opinion on what good sound quality is.

if you are satisfied with the sound quality of desire x that is great.

For me it is clear that htc desire x have a hiss noise problem.
[HTC Desire X] MaartenXDA:
Get it repaired, I'm sure It's fixable, as with me there isn't any hiss noise, so It's not on every desire x that's out there.

Sent from my awesome fridge
[HTC Desire X] kye04:
I compare it to my old wildfire s . The sound in calls is much better, more clear then the one of desire x.... apart from the hiss... wich is none existing on the wildfire.

Tonight i took all the phones in the house and checked them.... not even a 15$ nokia my mother is using is not having this issue...

I`m absolutely sure the hiss is a fabrication defect ,but not everybody could notice it...
[HTC Desire X] Samoawbc:
hey guys, i also have the desire x and also the noise problem. it's ok for me, i never use the phone as an mp3 player, so I can live with that. and if you getting older, you cant her so high noise :p

but, here comes the tricky part, when i make a phonecall with skype (going out to the same number as with normal dialer) i can't her the noise!

its strange, but i can reproduce it.

maybee anyone else can check this?
[HTC Desire X] kye04:
I`ve made several tests. Conclusion : the person on the other end of the line hears the hiss also when he speaks with me!!! I`ve changed and tested alot of phones.... they all hear my hiss , when they speak with someone else no hiss....

This is unbelivable !!! Conclusion : the phone is crap.

And it`s such a beautifull phone !!!
[HTC Desire X] MaartenXDA:
Guys! Just take it for a repair! It's not with all the Desire X's, I don't have it, and someone I know from school doesn't either!
[HTC Desire X] ayyu3m:
Do you mean to say you hear absolutely no noise when you play a song / music file and reduce the volume to zero and place your ears on the speakers on the back?

Just have a quick check MaartenXDA. There should be noise which is normal.
[HTC Desire X] MaartenXDA:
No noise at all, even let my parents and brothers check, they don't hear it either.

But I use ACID Audio mod, maybe that helps.
[HTC Desire X] nasty007:
I have phone 3 days now and i like it a lot, but noise is so strong that i cannot speak normaly.

I tried update to 1.18.401.1 but it is same so im returning phone back.

Im sad but im done with HTC
[HTC Desire X] KSKHH:
it must b a hardware issue. I do not have it. However at time, my own voice echo.
[HTC Desire X] nightcrow:
Hmm never noticed it but indeed it's there. However I really have to plug my ear to the speaker on the back to notice it. While playing music it's not bothering me.
[HTC Desire X] lazygazelle:
Like others have said, this seems very much like a hardware issue, and seeing as so many people are reporting it, you would think that it would be present on all phones. As HTC don't even properly acknowledge the issue yet, it seems weird that some would have it and others not. Which makes me think that it's just a personal thing - some people have sensitive hearing, and notice hiss like this really easily. Other people just hear nothing. We're all different.

Also remember that if you're using headphones, it seems to only be noticeable with certain headphones - some really hissy, others not noticeable at all. And it's nothing to do with how 'good' your headphones are.

Anyway, I'm just hoping that the One SV doesn't have the same problem! Going to try it in store first, but really hoping it's ok. A bit annoying that I have to spend £100 more just to get a phone that doesn't hiss though :eek:
[HTC Desire X] MaartenXDA:
Most of that is right, but I used 5 different headphones, including the ones wich came with the phone itself, and I never heard it. I asked 7 other people with the same 5 headphones and they all didn't hear it. Even did a hearing test, and me and 2 others of the testers with the noise had "extraordinary" and "magnificent" hearing, what means that It's not to blame on our hearing. I believe the noise isn't present in every HTC Desire X, that's why I recommend taking it to the store or mentioning it in an email to HTC
[HTC Desire X] nathb:
I just received my replacement from my provider today, pulled it out of the box and straight away it has the same hiss noise as before.

-Tests-

1: Press vol down button until it is muted and then immediatley place ear up against speakerphone = hiss noise present for a few seconds then stops

2: Do the same as #1 but using ok-quality Sony headphones = hiss noise present for a few seconds

3: Play FM radio with Sony headphones and put on mute = hiss noise present but not very loud, I could live with this

4: Make a phonecall with headphones and put volume down to a comfortable level for talking in a quiet office environment = hiss noise present all the time

5: Make a phonecall using earpiece with same volume as #4 = hiss noise present all the time

-Conclusion-

This phone sucks!
[HTC Desire X] lazygazelle:
For what it's worth, I went into Carphone Warehouse today, armed with my CX300 headphones, to see if their demo phone had the same problem, and see if it was limited to just the DX. I can say that the problem was exactly the same as the one I'd had. Hissy, and clicky when starting and stopping audio. Interestingly I tried out a One X too, and while this was better, a hiss on that was also noticeable - in the same way as the DX, it's apparent for a couple of seconds after stopping any sound. So, Dr. Dre should be having a few words with HTC, although I guess he's probably too busy counting his money!

While there, I tried a Nexus 4 for comparison - this had a very faint click when you started/stopped music, but there was little or no hiss. I also tried an Xperia T - this was best of all, no noticeable hiss, clicks or pops. Good ol' Sony audio :)

When approached by a member of staff, I attempted to tell him why I was testing it, as I was disappointed with the sound quality of the DX (you know, trying to pass on some useful info, maybe make them aware of it). The guy their informed me that he was ok as he had some "DJ headphones that cut out any noise" so wouldn't notice anything like that, and that HTC were the only phones that had a soundcard, so should be good quality. Insightful ;)

Anyway, hope that info is useful to a few folks!
[HTC Desire X] soberspine:
I totaly agree, all my sonyericsson had flawless sound quality. I still use one in my car as mp3 player.

I tested a HTC Sensation from a friend and it also has the hiss noise, it is less noticeable but it is there.

I doubt we both had bad luck with our phones.
[HTC Desire X] w1040:
Is it just me but I never had this hiss noise on speaker problem? Or I haven't noticed it yet
[HTC Desire X] Thyzoon:
Hi,

I have the same problem with my Desire X (Noise on earphone)

Sound is very bad with Sony MDR-EX83

Sound is very good with AKG K530 (absolutely no noise)

Strange.
[HTC Desire X] rey71ng:
I also have the same situation, with my AKG K518le and Sennheiser PX-100II, but I don't think it's worth paying attention, and, that's definitely not a hardware problem.

And 1 more: it lasts for ~6 secs
[HTC Desire X] Blauwbilgorgel:
No, it lasts "While music is playing, plus 6 seconds".
[HTC Desire X] rey71ng:
Maybe because k530 has 55 Ohm impedance and ex83 has 16 Ohm

sent from my Desire X

---------- Post added at 12:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:17 AM ----------

Never noticed that hiss during playback. Using poweramp and playing flac and wav

sent from my Desire X

UPD 21.01 : I've been recently using my friend's Xperia S - the same 6 secs of Hiss
[HTC Desire X] nlooooo:
And finally for all of you complaining about noise:

- tried a few other Android phones, some have even louder hissing sound

- playback sound on those comparing to my DesX is not even close.

So, shut up, buy another phone and complain about hissing sound, again...
[HTC Desire X] soberspine:
"Pick up the phone that sounds every bit as good as it looks. Built-in Beats Audio™ delivers uncompromised, studio-quality sound for your music, videos and gameplay." source

AND YOU GET HISS NOISE.