Sidetone / Echo / Buzzing / In-call Audio Feedback: What's the Fix?

[swenpro]

Well I did some searching on this subject, and I could not find anything conclusive. Most posts were complaints from 6 months ago, with no apparent fixes at the time.

I have had my new Fascinate for 4 days now, it came pre-loaded with Froyo 2.2, and yesterday I had success in rooting the phone with su-2.3.6.1+busybox1.19.zip .

Today when talking on the phone I noticed very clearly an echo of myself coming through the speaker of the phone. It was terribly distracting.

What is the fix-all for the excessive sidetone / echo / buzzing / in-call audio feedback? Since I didn't find any discussion on the subject in recent posts, I am hoping that there is a definitive answer that I just couldn't find. Some special number punching or custom ROM that does the trick?

My research thus far has given me this post by egg_head of secret phone codes, and also this post over at fascinateforums about switching to EVRC-B. Also some just recommended updating cell towers, but I can hardly believe that's the fix for what I'm experiencing. Oh yeah, and some recommended to talk more softly, ha!

Thanks in advance for your advice...
Greg

 

[NickA]

When I first got my Fascinate (the week it came out) I read all the posts on sidetone, and fixes that would work for some but not all. I never had the issue and had great sound quality.

Skip forward about 4 months and had to swap my phone because it was defective. So I got a refurbished unit. This one has terrible sidetone. Yes, talking softly works, but then no one can hear you on the other end.

I thought about taking it back, but don't really feel like dealing with the reps ignorance (no offense to those reps who aren't, but you are few and far between). So I'll just live with it. It's going to become an extra phone when I pick up something new in the next couple of months.

So if you just got the phone, and you swap it, you'll get a new one. But if you are outside your 14 days then you'll get a refurb.

 

[swenpro]

So that's it, no way to fix it, just exchange for a new one?

I guess I'll have to figure out how to unroot now

 

[swenpro]

Thanks, NickA for your response.

So, I unrooted my phone by following the instructions thread to return to stock DI01, and that worked like magic, ready to go back in the box.

Brought the phone into Best Buy today (where I bought the phone) and they were very helpful. Gave me another Fascinate no questions asked, no receipt requested.

As for the sidetone... so far, it does seem better on this phone. Is it gone? No, I wish it was. Still hearing some occasional buzzing though the speaker when I talk in the phone. Fortunately, everyone on the other end of the line has said I sound fine.

If anyone else has some input on improving call quality, please chime in!

 

[NickA]

I might try and swap mine for another again to see if it improves. My first one had none. I was hoping some of the other original Fascinate owners would chime in that had the same issue with their thoughts.

People tell me I sound find on the other end too, but it's so annoying. Especially if you are outside and it's a little windy. It's like there is no noise cancelling.