Several iPhone X Owners Experiencing 'Crackling' or 'Buzzing' Sounds From Earpiece Speaker

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

ITT: salty people making themselves feel better about not keeping/buying a X.

I don’t have one either but it doesn’t mean I’m somehow ‘wiser’ than those who do.

It's a lot of deflecting. People that didn't get one but really wanted one using some small issues as reason to feel better for not getting one.

"Hahaha, that Porsche had a small recall on a minor part that doesn't matter. That's exactly why I didn't buy it despite the fact I couldn't afford it anyways."

 

[chekz0414]

I have the same issue I think it may be audio distortion when at such a loud volume.

 

[toneLA2]

Now that it's out in the open--finally thanks to MR for publishing, that's gonna be interesting to see whether Apple has something to say about this.

 

[ckhris1613]

Sounds like the Note7
Skip this model and bring out the iPhoneXX next year

 

[kstotlani]

It was one of many issues like flash reflecting in the glass lens and showing up in pictures.

What issue is this now?

 

[toneLA2]

This video is on point, exactly like mine.

 

[Mechinyun]

I really think this is not a hardware defect but a software issue. I usually recommend a return at the drop of a hat for apple products, but I don't think this is gonna make a difference with a swap.

I think apple is swapping out units now because 1. they don't know what the issue is yet and better to have happier customers until it moves up the chain of development....

2. There will be a software update to change the frequencies or over amplification of sound from 1 or both speakers. It is very similar issue to going above 100% volume in software movie and music players on mac or windows (VLC) - you get the same thing.

If your phone is perfect in every other way, I would hang tight for a bit.. I personally don't want to risk swapping out for something worse AND I recommend keeping your volume lower to prevent any real damage to your speakers until its sorted out.

 

[michael31986]

This video is on point, exactly like mine.

I hear no crackle at all. What am I missing.

 

[Mechinyun]

I hear no crackle at all. What am I missing.

Its a hard issue to put into words, i feel crackle is not a great description. The sound is distorted at louder volumes and nothing against you.. but like you I feel most people who say "mines fine" don't understand the problem.

 

[toneLA2]

I hear no crackle at all. What am I missing.

Turn the volume all the way up on your laptop and hear how the guy's voice in the video crackles. Sounds like the speakerphone is either shot or loose. Especially in the first seconds of said video.
[doublepost=1510538244][/doublepost]

Its a hard issue to put into words, i feel crackle is not a great description. The sound is distorted at louder volumes and nothing against you.. but like you I feel most people who say "mines fine" don't understand the problem.

And again, some people are simply not sensitive to the issue--which makes me believe that a lot more users are affected. Feels like coins in the center console of a car that buzz when driving. Drives me absolutely bonkers.

 

[Mechinyun]

Turn the volume all the way up on your laptop and hear how the guy's voice in the video crackles. Sounds like the speakerphone is either shot or loose. Especially in the first seconds of said video.
[doublepost=1510538244][/doublepost]

And again, some people are simply not sensitive to the issue--which makes me believe that a lot more users are affected. Feels like coins in the center console of a car that buzz when driving. Drives me absolutely bonkers.

Yup, I think its effects every single X out there.

 

[Cmdrx3]

Just because you can turn it up to 11 does not mean that you should turn it up to 11.

But if someone WANTS to turn it up to 11, they should be able to without issues.

 

[code-m]

Sounds similar to the Pixel 2's hissgate

https://www.androidcentral.com/google-has-fix-pixel-2-speaker-clicking-problem

iPhone 7, had a similar issue days after release. Not sure why it’s still occurring on the X and not 8.

 

[Jrshelby]

Mine sounds muffled, like the other person is talking through a sock. People also tell me I sound like I'm down a hole. I'm probably going to return it.

Mine did as well. Sounded muffled and loose with a crackle as well. I checked my earpiece and looked less shiny and not black so I took a cloth with some rubbing alcohol and held face down and cleaned the earpiece. All I s well for now.

 

[toneLA2]

Mine did as well. Sounded muffled and loose with a crackle as well. I checked my earpiece and looked less shiny and not black so I took a cloth with some rubbing alcohol and held face down and cleaned the earpiece. All I s well for now.

Wait, what? You cleaned the metal grille of the earpiece and the crackling is gone?

 

[Jrshelby]

Wait, what? You cleaned the metal grille of the earpiece and the crackling is gone?

Yes but I only noticed the crackling during phone calls. Just checked at max volume and mine seems ok there as well.

 

[graffixnyc]

Ah, I thought at first reading that the distortion was the normal kind I’ve always heard maxing out tiny speakers. But if one phone has this and another does not, it does seem to be some sort of flaw. Thanks for clarifying and best of luck to you with your replacement. And to your sister if she decides to replace hers.

My replacement device has the issue I discovered when I got home.. Great.. I think I'm just returning it.

 

[Mechinyun]

The cleaning to fix seems incredulous, but i'm will to give it a go.. will report back.

 

[meboy]

It's not an issue . Speakers hiss and distort at max volume (unless you spend mega money)

No.. you know very little about audio..

They distort when you over load them.
But apple can directly control that so there is no reason at all for it to be happening.

 

[Jrshelby]

The cleaning to fix seems incredulous, but i'm will to give it a go.. will report back.

I was freaked out when it happened to me during s phone call today. First day and kept happening all day. The Speaker grille definitely had a film on it not letting sound pass through. I think the sound being slightly trapped so to speaker is causing different degrees of vibration. At least that’s how I would describe the distortion I’ve heard.

 

[michael31986]

Its a hard issue to put into words, i feel crackle is not a great description. The sound is distorted at louder volumes and nothing against you.. but like you I feel most people who say "mines fine" don't understand the problem.

Cause the problem isn’t really a problem. Imo. Every iPhone at full volume has some distortion. It’s a phone. Not a stereo. Idk. I don’t hear anything in that cideo

 

[Mechinyun]

Ok boys and girls, after jrshelbys post above about cleaning the grill with alcohol I decided to give it a go, on my way to grab the alcohol I spy'd a can of compressed air, i thought.. hey why not.. stuck the red tube right up to the ear piece, gave it a nice long shot, moved it around in a clockwise fashion to hit it at different angles... Put a youtube song on, max volume, sprayed again same clockwise fashion.

Guess what...

The crackle is GONE!

Tested on youtube videos, music and just talking and a phone call - all at max volume.

Cheap and easy - love to know if this works for you too.

Permanent fix? I dunno.. but it worked for now!

 

[toneLA2]

I was freaked out when it happened to me during s phone call today. First day and kept happening all day. The Speaker grille definitely had a film on it not letting sound pass through. I think the sound being slightly trapped so to speaker is causing different degrees of vibration. At least that’s how I would describe the distortion I’ve heard.

Interesting point--perhaps the nano-coating used by Apple to have iPhone X IP67 water-resistant rated? The mesh that's part of the speakerphone might be treated with such coating to repel water or at least keep it out? Now this makes me want to try.
[doublepost=1510541473][/doublepost]

Ok boys and girls, after jrshelbys post above about cleaning the grill with alcohol I decided to give it a go, on my way to grab the alcohol I spy'd a can of compressed air, i thought.. hey why not.. stuck the red tube right up to the ear piece, gave it a nice long shot, moved it around in a clockwise fashion to hit it at different angles... Put a youtube song on, max volume, sprayed again same clockwise fashion.

Guess what...

The crackle is GONE!

Tested on youtube videos, music and just talking and a phone call - all at max volume.

Cheap and easy - love to know if this works for you too.

Permanent fix? I dunno.. but it worked for now!

Keep us updated on this please.

 

[5105973]

But if someone WANTS to turn it up to 11, they should be able to without issues.

I only learned you could tonight on this thread. Boy do I feel like a silly old goose, not knowing that. I just cranked up my 7 Plus and S8+ and sure enough they sound really good. It’s a shame some iPhone X owners are having problems. My husband just tested his out and it also sounds great.

To be fair, I did have a Pixel 2 and when I turned that phone up too loud, not even all the way up, it sounded kind of harsh and tinny. It has front facing speakers so it was also blasting my ears, doing that. So I thought my old fashioned idea that little speakers can’t go to full volume without sounding like poop held true for all current cellphones.

Anyway, to those saying you shouldn’t get a first generation iPhone, well I used to think that, too. But I’ve been in this forum long enough now to see problems crop up with every release on every brand. My S8+ has a significant display defect that got mitigated with software. My 7 Plus has really crappy call quality despite having the coveted Qualcomm modem. My 5s had all kinds of battery problems after awhile. Yet my first gen iPhone 4 and iPhone SE were close to flawless. My gorgeous Note 7...uh...need I say more? I think it’s a bit of a lottery no matter what brand you choose or what generation you choose.

My husband has so far been very happy with his iPhone X. Many forum members have. It’s a lovely phone if you can overlook aspects of the design that are polarizing. Again, all the 2017 phones seem to have that going on. Some have edges, some have weird looking bezels or washed out displays.

It’s a shame these flagships from the major brands all cost so danged much but the fact is they all force some sort of compromise and they all have sample defects. So go with a manufacturer you trust to give you good service if you do find a problem.

 

[Wowereit]

Turn small speakers to max volume and you will hear some distortion and/or hissing/white noise.
Don't get the fuzz about it, that's completely normal and happened with every decently loud phone I've ever owned.

The only way to prevent this is limiting max volume.
See the last steps as a sort of bonus for situations where you really need them.
They could've just lowered the max volume to prevent this issue - I'd rather decide for myself.