I discussed this in another post that contained a multiple of items recently.
I'd like to start a specific thread about sound issues relative to the headphone jack.
There's a significant audio problem with the G3 (and I think it's been verified in almost every G3 variant).
Playing music through headphones is generally not an issue.
There is a problem with how the G3 "views" an external connection to an AUX IN. (connection to car or home stereo/computer speakers).
From my experience, there are three distinct main issues, although they are all probably related.
1. When plugging in the G3 to a car or home stereo using a double-male 3.5mm plug audio connection cord, the LG really struggles.
Generally it has significant problems recognizing that it's getting plugged into a stereo and refuses to make the connection. Despite a good cord being firmly connected, it only plays music through its internal speaker. Sometimes after repeated attempts, it will mysteriously "connect" and audio comes out the speakers. sometimes after the connection has been established, it will "drop it" and sound comes out only the G3 internal speaker again. It's highly-frustrating and apparently difficult to solve. It's also intermittent. Many users report having everything be well with their new G3 for a week and then having significant problems connecting to an audio system.
Some users have no problem whatsoever. Some have tested the G3 on one model of a particular manufacturer's sound system and in another similar one, with differing results.
The G3 ahs a cute little algorithm that tries to let the internals know if it is being connected to a headphones or an auxiliary input. It displays a cute little headphones or cord/plug graphic in the notification bar. Pretty silly, because it's very obvious to the user if they plugged in a headphones, or plugged into their car stereo; the whole setup is right there in front of them! (why even have the notification symbols?) And, the little cutsy mechanism does not work. It senses headphones pretty well but has a hard time recognizing (and maintaining) an AUX connection. Apparently the AUX circuitry is very finicky and rejects minor differences in impedance/resistance created by either the cord or the front end of the stereo itself. Some have claimed that cheap cords, with high resistance (normally not a good thing for audio) work well. Others claim this does not solve the issue. Connecting is accompanied by a loud electrical "pop!" I can sense that it's not the actual electrical plug connection that is makine the loud audio noise (like plugging in a guitar to an amp wioth the amp turned up). although it sounds like that, it's being made by the internals of the phone.
2. Between every track played on the music player, there's a loud electrical-sounding
"POP!" Some have called it a "sound explosion". It's extremely unpleasant. It occurs all the time between each audio track. Some claim that they have solved the AUX connection problem but that they cannot solve the audio "explosions" between tracks. This , for me an others, seems to be mainly a problem in the LEFT channel.
3. When the player is playing quiet passages, or if it is idle, weird random electronic noises can be heard emanating from only the left channel. Typically what I am hearing varies. But depending on unknown factors, I will hear a mid-frequency "motor-boating" sound, a VERY high-frequency (17-19 kHz?) fairly continuous constant-pitch noise, and, various high-frequency multi-pitched "computer sounds", and, a" tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick" sound about 3-4x per second. Also I have noticed that the odd chatter and fairly constant noises VARY DIRECTLY to manipulation of the DISPLAY! If the noises are making some pattern with the display off and I wake the display, or if I start moving on the display- scrolling albums, etc, the noise will vary directly with the activity on the display. Also, this problem seems to be limited to the LEFT channel. To me this indicates physically a bad shielding from some high-frequency signals between drivers for the display and the low-level signal conductors going to the output jack.
\When you are a music lover and experience all of this together on a brand new $600 premium flagship phone, it's maddening to say the least.
Some claim that they are solving the problem by connecting the G3 to a charging USB when playing music in the car. Others take an audio cable-splitter and connect a crappy pair of headphones to the splitter along with plugging into the stereo.
"G3 see nice headphone- G3 much happy"
Some people say "buy a Bluetooth adapter for the car". which all seem to have mixed success and avoid the issue.
Some say that KitKat (our wonderful little KitKat?) has an audio bug that's manifesting in many phones, the Sony Xperia X2 for one. So PERHAPS an android update to their crappy KitKat could fix some of this?
I have gone through complete setup and investigation of one G3, returned it to AT&T, and completely setup a new G3, to no avail. Exact same issues. I now have five days to decide if I am going to return it for credit. LG refuses to acknowledge the issue according to posters on other sites who have had direct communication with LG.
If it's exclusively a software problem (android OR LG), there is some remote chance that they will admit a problem and fix via some far-distant OTA. If it's a physical (shielding or construction) problem, well I'd guess we are SOL. This is otherwise a great phone, but for a music lover, this is utter garbage. Headphones and AUX inputs have been around a long, long time, and this should not be some great mystery that ruins an otherwise great device. LG should take immediate responsibility and notify carriers that this is an issue. So far the kids in the AT&T store are clueless as usual.
Please check out the 12-page thread over at xda:
Aux cable problem | LG G3 | XDA Forum
Many people I know do not use the music player and only use streaming service. Some who DO use the player will be using Bluetooth. So those users are probably unaware of the issues. Highly disappointing for such a high-end phone that I have been waiting so long for.
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