So I am coming from a SGS4 on VZW and very excited to have my new Note 4. As I said in other threads, I really want the Seidio Surface Case with Kickstand and Holster (and that's coming by FEDEX today- yay!), but I also didn't want to be 'that guy' that scratched or dented his new Note 4 by holding out for a case.
So, a week ago or so I ordered a gun metal grey Spigen Neo Hybrid Case on Amazon and received it 2 day via Amazon Prime. It fits great....seems to be great protection...it has two layers, but no 'holster' or 'belt clip' available. In general I really like it for an open case...fits fine with the Verizon Solid/flexible screen protector on as well...cool.
The bad news is, I get really poor audio reports from people on phone calls with it installed. I tried adjusting the phone > settings but while that slightly improves it people report "..you sound really muffled..." and "...you sound like you're talking through a pillow or something..." When I switch to my Plantronics Legend + headset on BlueTooth they immediately say "...wow, you sound so much better, super clear..."
So I removed the case and called my brother who was one of the people I tested with. He operates amateur radio and is a bit of a sound buff for audio recordings and concerts and so on. His comments were "...what a difference! Now it sounds really good...like you did before (SGS4 in Seidio case).
So I did a little investigating with my reading glasses and a bright light and there are three microphones on the Note 4...two that are mostly for your spoken phone audio are at the very bottom of the device....little needle holes. When I look at the rubber case liner and the outer exo skeleton, it doesn't look like the holes line up so the mics are covered. The mics are way low on the bottom of the N4, but the case holes are kind of centered top to bottom...not going to allow audio in! :'(
It looks to me like it would be very easy and safe to mod the liner and case with a Dremel Tool or even a sharp pocket knife...May be it's just my sample...if you have that case please take a look and do a CASE OFF call and a CASE ON call with someone and see? I fully planned to keep this case as a backup but am rethinking.
I will drop an email to Spigen if there is an address...mine will go back by Amazon since the Seidio Surface is en route anyway and I will leave them a note there too.
So, a week ago or so I ordered a gun metal grey Spigen Neo Hybrid Case on Amazon and received it 2 day via Amazon Prime. It fits great....seems to be great protection...it has two layers, but no 'holster' or 'belt clip' available. In general I really like it for an open case...fits fine with the Verizon Solid/flexible screen protector on as well...cool.
The bad news is, I get really poor audio reports from people on phone calls with it installed. I tried adjusting the phone > settings but while that slightly improves it people report "..you sound really muffled..." and "...you sound like you're talking through a pillow or something..." When I switch to my Plantronics Legend + headset on BlueTooth they immediately say "...wow, you sound so much better, super clear..."
So I removed the case and called my brother who was one of the people I tested with. He operates amateur radio and is a bit of a sound buff for audio recordings and concerts and so on. His comments were "...what a difference! Now it sounds really good...like you did before (SGS4 in Seidio case).
So I did a little investigating with my reading glasses and a bright light and there are three microphones on the Note 4...two that are mostly for your spoken phone audio are at the very bottom of the device....little needle holes. When I look at the rubber case liner and the outer exo skeleton, it doesn't look like the holes line up so the mics are covered. The mics are way low on the bottom of the N4, but the case holes are kind of centered top to bottom...not going to allow audio in! :'(
It looks to me like it would be very easy and safe to mod the liner and case with a Dremel Tool or even a sharp pocket knife...May be it's just my sample...if you have that case please take a look and do a CASE OFF call and a CASE ON call with someone and see? I fully planned to keep this case as a backup but am rethinking.
I will drop an email to Spigen if there is an address...mine will go back by Amazon since the Seidio Surface is en route anyway and I will leave them a note there too.