yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] RCJ89:
I tried the beats mixrs today on my S4 down tottenham court road/warren street in the pc world store, they are the best headphones to work with my s4 in terms of loudness/bass so far but in some songs there is crackling, which is annoying.

Samsung really need to fix these two issues as it is driving me mad, especially knowing that the demo units of the S4 is much louder
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DevilzGtr:
So my CX-400 II crackles when the built in volume control is on max (bottom picture).

Slightly off max (top picture) and there is no crackle even when my phone is playing at 15/15.

I find this quite interesting as an inline volume cable (link below) might solve the problem with all headphones? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Headphone-Earphone-In-Line-Volume-Control-Cable-27cm-/221236410746?pt=UK_Computing_Sound_Vision_Audio_Cables_Adapters&hash=item3382b7b97a
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jensigner:
That will probably work. It is probably a dual analog variable-resistor type volume control so depending on its exact value, it will modify the tone balance quite a bit for low impedance buds. I bet that type of inline volume control is designed for 32 ohm or higher buds (in terms of sensitivity to rotation etc).
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] BlueEyes99:
has anybody tried yet, if the new firmware I9505XXUBMEA fixed that problem?
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] vick33:
Can someone with problems try with the new MEA firmware?

edit: lol same question same minute
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Yuriy.Samorodov:
No one reported yet in my survey
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] trenzterra:
Which carrier did you go to? I went SingTel and they 1-1 me the first time but the replacement unit had the same problem and they said they were out of stock. But now my 7 day 1-1 period is over :/
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] provokedone:
Just posting here to mention I'm also having problems with my FXZ100s. Very audible crackle and popping at medium to high volumes. My Vsonic GR07s are fine however. This problem is extremely frustrating.

What's also confusing is my wife's s4 exhibits the same issue, however not add bad as mine.

I'm also from Melbourne and might stop by jaben audio to try that online amp.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] nicekit:
if i bought it off the shelf then how to 1 to 1 exchange?
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mo_mail:
If they have 1-1 you on a phone and the new one has the same problem, surely you can get another.

I dont understand why anyone can sell you a faulty product and then make you go and get it repaired. Not like any other business operates that way.

---------- Post added at 08:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:51 PM ----------

Off the shelf should be the same, nonetheless it depends on what country you purchased the phone and what their consumer/retail rights/laws are like.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] trenzterra:
They had no stock for the Black version, or so they claimed. And they said it's a 'third-party accessory'. Oh well. Samsung better do a good job repairing it anyway.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mo_mail:
I must correct for this Forum, mine exhibits very mild distortion when at maximum volume, if I turn down to 14 it goes away.

Conclusion is that I am lucky my replacement doesn't do it as bad as the first handset.

Perhaps I just need to invest in different headphones, given a new phone will cost me more.

Disappointing that the DAC/Audio is so crap on the S4
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] RealEvil_UK:
My S4 has same issue - crackling, distorted audio in my Car (a BMW X5 from late 2007) and with my new Sony XBA-30iP headphones. I am getting a refund, this is beyond pathetic and has made me really angry. Otherwise its a nice phone.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] spacetribe99:
I have a weird crackling while on a call in the earpiece. Very random and not with every call.

Way to go SAMSUNG!
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] RealEvil_UK:
Something slightly interesting.

In my car I had worse crackling than via the XBA-30iP headphones. Its not a after market system - its the inbuilt BMW system with a Aux port built into the glovebox which works with other phones.

I just bought a "Ground Loop isolating" cable and it fixed the issue in the car. No crackles, noises etc at any volume.

Problem still persists with my XBA headphones but I have now also tested the following and they work:

Klipsxh X10i

Dr Dre Studio

Both work fine... weird.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] olaf63:
I have too the crackling problem with my new italian S4 black using my Sennheiser CX300. The earbuds that came with the phone work fine but not as loud. Now I don't know what to do, if retourning the phone for a replacement or buy a new earbud with the risk of finding a new incompatible.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tango280581:
It seems to be a widespread issue so I dont think a handset replacement will make a difference but until we find out exactly what the issue is I wouldnt go forking out for some new buds.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] trza2k:
Well i didn't have much hope in Samsung fixing the issue so bought some rockit sounds r-50's which don't have any issues.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] olaf63:
Well, also a replacement is risky as QC is very unstable nowadays. But i'll do a run to the shop, let's see what goes on.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] trenzterra:
A friend of mine got back his phone today from the service centre for the same issue. They 'upgraded' the software and replaced the earphone jack but the problem persists.

The positive is that the manager told him that Samsung is 'aware of the problem'. But whether they will actually do anything about it, I guess that remains to be seen...

BTW, it seems that on certain demo units this problem isn't apparent. Could be a production issue.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] cosinav:
I'm sure samsung's aware of the issue but its a matter of whether they will want to come out in the open and admit the problem. If they do, then a recall and replacement on affected handsets will cost them a fortune and also screw up the whole flagship's reputation. I think we need the media to push them, i might just go and have a chat with some of my friend in the business.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] trenzterra:
It would be great if you could do that. I could supply information about what I think to be the problem too.

So far I've asked GSMArena, Neowin and AnandTech but disappointingly I've received no replies from them at all.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] donovan2123:
Im also having issues when using my Soundmagic E10 headphones which are fine on computer and other devies including HS3000 bluetooth connected to s4. But when connected directly via aux port it crackles and distorts.

I spoke to vodafone who agreed to do a swap however there was no black in stock so i went for white instead. The issue is still present on replacment handset although not as bad as it was on first handset.

I also think it may be a powering issue as if you install power amp app then play a song when volume is at max crackle is there but if you fade to either left or right side channel via app crackle completly goes.

Im in two minds if i should send back for 3rd replacment(risk it being worse) or maybe buy new headphones(which could have same issue).

Im hoping its firmware issue but im not holding out much hope for samsung to fix issue.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rc0310:
I am having crackling/static noise with my JVC HA-FXZ200 too..

Tried my friend's GS4 and the crackling is still there. .

Thinking of letting more tech sites know about this problem so that Samsung would solve thr problem

I called Samsung Canada support and ask for a solution. They told me to use Samsung headphones and that some headphones might not be compatible..

That is just like Apple saying "you are holding it wrong" !!!
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] kevlarman:
Is there perhaps a standard test tone and procedure to see if we are experiencing the issue?

My Korean 9505 does not seem to exhibit any crackling with any headphones I plug into it (Sennheiser CX500, MM450 in wired mode, etc).
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] trenzterra:
I think you could try playing a bass-heavy track. Standard test tones don't seem to work that well; I believe the problem is when there is a change in frequencies.

If you have PowerAMP, try turning the bass control slider to the max, you will most definitely experience the crackling if you're facing the issue.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] RCJ89:
I have formally lodged a complaint with samsung regarding audio volume issue and the distortion with headphones
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] StuartTheFish:
Some of you may have seen my post several pages back about mine distorting when plugged into my van stereo while charging. Just tried again today, and it only gets distorted for me when charging and while the engine is actually running, so it's just my van or my vehicle charger at fault. When the engine is off it's fine even though it's still charging the phone. This was at full volume on the phone too, so I guess I'm not experiencing the same issue you guys are having. If it matters, I'm on XXUAME2, hardware revision 0.900.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] NineToTheSky:
I have SoundMagic E10, Yamaha EPH100, Phonak PFE112, and Unique Melody Miracle. I am not technical, but I think all are around 15/16 ohms. I have no crackles on the first three (I know this is contrary to some other posters). The UMs start crackling at about 75% volume. Using a Fii0 E11 on them, there is no crackling.

I am surprised that no one has responded to this as, using my UM Miracle, there is no crackle. I would love to know why.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Yuriy.Samorodov:
Thank you!

Would you mind to complete a survey in my signature?
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jensigner:
I didn't quite know what the op meant. I think I already mentioned that there is no problem with the speaker (it is difficult to tell using that factory keys speaker test). I think the ramped sine wave test file I posted provides a much more sensitive test of headphone or speaker distortion.

---------- Post added at 12:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:21 PM ----------

I'll be looking for an official firmware update, hopefully soon. According to this article the current firmware release for Canadian S4 is JDQ39 which I mentioned earlier. Kies indicates this is the current official version. I don't plan on installing any 3rd party firmware updates. Does anyone in USA have any info on new firmware updates for the SGH-I337 and if that changes the audio problem?
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] NineToTheSky:
Sorry if I didn't make it clear. I was listening through my Unique Melody Miracle, not through the S4 speaker. Listening to a music player (I have several - it doesn't matter which) results in crackles. Going via the *#0*# results in no crackling.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] NineToTheSky:
I'd love to, but I can't see how to enter data.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Yuriy.Samorodov:
Just go here and answer questions =)
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Perle:
Crackling has gone!!!!!

I had VERY BAD CRACKLING on my 9505 with my AKG K350, Q350, K321. I've just flashed the new german firmware I9505XXUBMEA and the distorsion has COMPLETLY GONE AWAY even at volume 15!!!!!!!!! So I think Samsung has done it!!!!!!!!
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jensigner:
OK thanks for clarifying that. In fact those system "speaker" tests are mono tests (left or right channels driven only). I did a quick check and find exactly what you find. There is no instability (crackle) in using the speaker pattern test! I checked and the levels certainly are high enough in the test pattern. So this reminded me that I had forgotten to sine sine-tests with ONLY ONE CHANNEL driven. I created ramped (in volume) sine waves at 250 Hz with only L, R and both channels. My results shown below agree with the *#0*# mono channel tests. THERE IS NO BUZZ WHEN ONLY ONE CHANNEL IS DRIVEN. So again it could still be an audio output issue, maybe a some weird L/R channel interference effect at high drive current/low-headphone impedance, or some weird kernel audio driver instability:

---------- Post added at 02:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:39 PM ----------

Fantastic! hopefully others can confirm that and we see new firmware for other versions of the S4 affected. Thanks!
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] RCJ89:
Hopefully they will sort out the audio volume next
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Yuriy.Samorodov:
All fingers crossed. Even thumbs =)
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jensigner:
are there any release notes with that German firmware update describing the changes?
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Yuriy.Samorodov:
The only thing that I have found so far is that the changelog of the new XXUBMEA to XXUAME2 is significantly higher, so they can make a few changes have been introduced . Changelog XXUBMEA : 768 421 XXUAME2 Changelog: 526204
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jensigner:
I saw that changelog info. If the audio problem really has been fixed, it would be comforting to know that it was intentional and based on some reports from disgruntled i9505 owners, but maybe we'll never really know.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Yuriy.Samorodov:
Maybe it's possible to request this from Samsung?
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] XatroX:
Hello,

I'm also on the new german firmware XUBMEA and can confirm the crackling is gone. I use the shure se215 and the crackling was at level 8 and above before the update.

Gesendet von meinem GT-I9505 mit Tapatalk 2
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] RCJ89:
Hopefully the Uk will get that update soon, as I really need better headsets at the moment to make my phone louder but at the moment I am restricted
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] RHAZ3R:
I can confirm that the new Firmware Version solved the problem (germany). I can now use my Brainwavz M5 without crackling at any volume.

Gesendet von meinem GT-I9505 mit Tapatalk 2
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ipmanwck:
Wooooo. They fixed it? How is that possible then as we were sure it was hardware related
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] StuartTheFish:
Someone showed it was an issue introduced with the 3.4 kernel.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] BlueEyes99:
I have the new german firmware but havent found the time to test the issue, but to those wondering how samsung fixed it. I think a couple of pages back it was determined that it might be indeed a linux kernel problem and the new firmware as far as i know is using a newer kernel. So there might lie the truth to the matter.

Gesendet von meinem GT-I9505 mit Tapatalk 2
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] owgees:
Hmm, post count 1's and 2's.... Hi Samsung!

J/K, hope this turns out to be accurate for all iem affected. And props to Sammy for fixing it before xda-ers since looks like it was software related (not taking anything away from the hard work of many in this thread). Time to be re-ordering another s4, fingers crossed this truly is solved.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jensigner:
Actually I think it was "I" that really thought that it was "hardware related". The audio problem certainly had a lot of the signatures of a classic hardware "fuzzies" issue. But since more reports are coming in that the German firmware update on i9505 fixes the problem, this appears to be proof that it is NOT a hardware issue but a driver issue. Cool! I can hardly wait 'til this comes to NA and I can update my S4 and verify this for the SGH-I337. I'll test it down to 8 ohm loads or lower! I hope Samsung puts up a blurb in the release notes about how/why they fixed the audio issue :laugh:

But I enjoyed the journey on this and learnt a lot myself. Fingers and toes crossed ... pouring that martini now.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ipmanwck:
I was also convinced it's wasn't hardware... yes you have been a star on this forum matey. Real great knowledge and interesting to hear what you have been saying regarding the subject. Glad I didn't sell my eph100s now ;)

Can't wait for the update.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] trenzterra:
It's great news if the issue was solved through firmware! Let's just hope that they didn't resort to software tricks like EQing the lower frequencies down :)
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Imixsan:
SGH-i337

So if I flash the the new German Rom in my SGH-i337 should I expect to fix the problem?

I'm asking because immediately after flashing the I9505 German i will have to flash the KT-SGS4 - MDM - LOKI'd - KTweaker Kernell so I won't brick my phone.

What do you say? To give it a try or to wait for an AT&T kernel fix?

Regards.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jensigner:
Agreed and that can/will be verified quickly.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] KinetiClutch:
Thanks for all the hard work you put into this thread. Guess we got the best outcome possible!
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] stud_phys:
GOOD NEWS

Hey Guys!

GOOD NEWS!!!!

The crackling is over!!

I have installed the brand new Firmware XXUBMEA with Kernel 3.4 from 30th May and TADA -- no crackling.

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2250824

I couldnt believe my ears. I have Sennheiser CX200 II and they are crackled a lot about 50 % volume at the Firmware before ( I think XXAUME2)

And NOW -> Nothing at 75 %.

Samsung: Great Work!

Greetings Chris
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tazztone:
confirmed. the crackling is over. time to go forward in life.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Yuriy.Samorodov:
And what about 100%? =)
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Beefheart:
Indeed. I have just spent 10 minutes listening to music at maximum volume on my Soundmagic E10s and didn't have a single issue. Previously they popped like mad constantly.

Thumbs up Samsung, for a change they have come good. Also, there are numerous other fixes with this firmware, including the smearing. A very good update. :good:
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] NineToTheSky:
Let's hope it comes to the UK soon.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Yuriy.Samorodov:
Just cross English Channel and you are good to go ;)
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Beefheart:
It already has. You just download it and flash it with Odin like I have. Why would you need to wait for the official KIES release?
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] StuartTheFish:
I think what he's worrying about is if it'd affect his radio for reception in the uk. Depends on what is actually included in the firmware package though I think, if you only flash as pda in Odin it leaves the radio alone. If it has a modem file on the other hand it'd change his radio to one which may not be any good to him.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Beefheart:
I see. Well, I have had no issues with reception myself, it's just as good now as it was previously, both for voice and data.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] StuartTheFish:
When you flashed it with Odin, did it include a modem file, or was it just PDA? If it was just PDA then it should have left your radio alone anyway as far as I understand it.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Beefheart:
It does contain a modem.bin, but it appears to have had no effect on signal quality. Besides, I would take the chance anyway given the fixes the update brings.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] StuartTheFish:
So you're in the uk with no change in signal strength?
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] IakobosJ:
I've just flashed this modem and all is fine with the signal here in the UK :)
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Imixsan:
Well, I hate to be a party pooper but I have just finished flashing this new i9505 ROM in my SGH-i337 and after testing i have to say that the crackling is still there.

I seems to me that it has been reduced dramatically, but for sure i can still hear it.

I bet they did some EQ work and that's all. I'm using a brand new of Beats Tour so bass should not be problem here.The player is the default media player that comes with the ROM and no EQ of any kind.

sorry....sammy keep trying...
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Beefheart:
Be a party pooper if you like, but the bottom line for me is that I had the issue constantly with my Soundmagic E10s before the update at all volume levels above 50% and it's not there now regardless of the type of music, the player that is used (tested with stock, Winamp and Poweramp) or the volume level, all the way up to max. Not once. And I have now listened to a good two hours of music to test it out. As such there is only one conclusion as a result of that, it's fixed the issue on my phone.

Dare I say it but perhaps the fact you have installed it on a SGH-i337 rather than it's intended I9505 has made the difference, despite the fact they're meant to be identical?
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jensigner:
thanks .. we need more stats .. objective measurements :)
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] StuartTheFish:
Cheers. I've not had the spare time to read the thread for it yet, but is it a stock rom or a custom one?
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] IakobosJ:
Both, I have used it on CM10.1 and Stock :)
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] StuartTheFish:
There's two roms in that thread then?
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] IakobosJ:
No, I extracted the modem and flashed it separately.

I have used JUST the Modem on CM10.1 and on stock.

The modem works fine with both Roms I have tried it on :)

About to try the audio, I get distortion at level 9, will try it with the latest and see what happens then report .
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jensigner:
Final work from Samsung

My final call to Samsung Mobile support today about this audio issue:

After talking with an apparently senior person in support, their official final response to me is:

- "We haven't determined there to be any issue with audio headphone output of any S4 model"

- "We only support Samsung provided accessories (headphones)"

So either they have inadvertently or quietly fixed it in that new ROM reported above. I also asked about firmware updates for NA SGH-I337 and they didn't know about any such update and that if it was forthcoming it would be months.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] IakobosJ:
Right I have loaded the latest firmware on my phone.

Previously I had distortion at Volume Level 9

Now, I have increased volume to full 15 and I have no distortion/crackling at all :)
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] teq1lla:
Wooohooo,

BMEA solved a problem

Sony XBA3 12 O
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] M@ssy:
So I have a no brand italy with I9505XXUAMDM, can I update to I9505XXUBMEA wirth no problem? There is a way to install just the update? I'm still new to the android/galaxy world, tnx for the reply :D
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DevilzGtr:
MEA has also fixed the crackling with my Beats Mixr.

However I'm

still having an issues

when connecting the phone to my car via AUX (jack input).

The issue is constant interference noise through the car speakers. I've tried cheap thin and good quality thick jack to jack cables.
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] M@ssy:
Maybe you need a shielded audio cable. Have you tried with the engine shut down?
[Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] StuartTheFish:
I mentioned this a while ago. I only have that while charging it at the same time when the engine is running. Try turning the engine off, or not charge the phone at the same time.