335 bluetooth sound quality issues

snareman · 05-08-2007, 02:03 PM

I love the hands free bluetooth phone features. From my side of the call things sound great, but I've had people on the other end complain that I sound like I'm talking on a CB or that the call quality isn't very clear. Anyone else noticed or had this issue?

Kimo · 05-08-2007, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snareman

I love the hands free bluetooth phone features. From my side of the call things sound great, but I've had people on the other end complain that I sound like I'm talking on a CB or that the call quality isn't very clear. Anyone else noticed or had this issue?

Yep. I notice it every time my wife calls from her car, and brought this issue up with the group way back in Aug 2005 when we took delivery. The majority of the responders thought that the sound quality was just fine. I disagree. My aftermarket add-on Motorola HF850 is MUCH clearer.
Mike

txusa03 · 05-08-2007, 02:41 PM

My friend said that it is so loud(or maybe clear) that my friend can hear road noises from that crazy RFT. On my end, I can hear my friend loud and clear.

I have 330i with tmobile phones.

Sea2Ski · 05-08-2007, 02:52 PM

Recieving calls, it is great, as long as the windows and sunroof are closed.

Calling, I sometime get complaints that all they hear is static and can not hear a word from me.

txusa03 · 05-08-2007, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sea2Ski

Recieving calls, it is great, as long as the windows and sunroof are closed.

Calling, I sometime get complaints that all they hear is static and can not hear a word from me.

No static complaints yet (knock on wood).

snareman · 05-08-2007, 04:00 PM

Now, I'm assuming that the call quality on their end is based on the car and not the particular cell phone each of us has? I would think it is the microphone in the car that determines the quality of the received sound from my voice and ambient noise.

Kimo · 05-08-2007, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snareman

Now, I'm assuming that the call quality on their end is based on the car and not the particular cell phone each of us has? I would think it is the microphone in the car that determines the quality of the received sound from my voice and ambient noise.

You would think so, but it seems that some are quite happy with the performance of their system. We use Moto E815s and the sound quality is not so good.

snareman · 05-08-2007, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimo

You would think so, but it seems that some are quite happy with the performance of their system. We use Moto E815s and the sound quality is not so good.

You'd think that if some have good quality and others bad, that there should be something BMW can do for those of us with the "bad" quality.

tintivilus · 05-08-2007, 05:17 PM

The TCU does its own echo cancellation and noise suppression. Some phones don't like it when bluetooth devices do their own audio processing, and those will have weird audio quality issues. For the most part, though, audio quality will be consistent across phones because the carkit's doing the heavy lifting.

An E46 trick to get clearer uplink speech for the driver was to swap the sunroof button and the microphone in the ceiling trim panel. I haven't tried it, but some swore by it.

Kimo · 05-08-2007, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tintivilus

An E46 trick to get clearer uplink speech for the driver was to swap the sunroof button and the microphone in the ceiling trim panel. I haven't tried it, but some swore by it.

Interesting. If I could swap out the mic in my wife's E90 for a mic similar to that in my aftermarket Motorola kit (in my E46), I do it in a heartbeat. That one is as clear as a bell, and the whole KIT was only about $100. It also allows pauses, etc. for entering passwords (which the E90 system does not) but that's a separate gripe.

JSpira · 05-08-2007, 07:50 PM

Having probably tried over 30 phones with several E90s, I can attest that the sound quality that the other party hears is related to the phone.

Some phones sound crystal clear and others sound dreadful.

And they were very consistent in retesting.

The results of the test will be up in a week or two.

snareman · 05-08-2007, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSpira

Having probably tried over 30 phones with several E90s, I can attest that the sound quality that the other party hears is related to the phone.

Some phones sound crystal clear and others sound dreadful.

And they were very consistent in retesting.

The results of the test will be up in a week or two.

Can you at least give us the top 2-3? I only have 2 weeks to bring my phone back for a "better/clearer" one.

JSpira · 05-08-2007, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snareman

Can you at least give us the top 2-3? I only have 2 weeks to bring my phone back for a "better/clearer" one.

I found the BB Pearl one of the best.

snareman · 05-08-2007, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSpira

I found the BB Pearl one of the best.

Well, if I could make a more specific request... a non-PDA Verizon phone?

JSpira · 05-08-2007, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snareman

Well, if I could make a more specific request... a non-PDA Verizon phone?

The KRZR sounded decent but the Verizon phones sounded worse as a lot than others. I didn´t really like the phone as a phone however.

We tested more GSM phones and were overall happier with how the GSM phones sounded with the system.

The Moto Q (yes, it´s a PDA) sounded good, in fact. I liked it more than some of the others.

P.S. We drove friends and family crazy with "how does this one sound?"

snareman · 05-08-2007, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSpira

The KRZR sounded decent but the Verizon phones sounded worse as a lot than others. I didn´t really like the phone as a phone however.

We tested more GSM phones and were overall happier with how the GSM phones sounded with the system.

The Moto Q (yes, it´s a PDA) sounded good, in fact. We drove friends and family crazy with "how does this one sound?"

Any chance you tested the new LG VX8700?

hannibal1209b · 05-08-2007, 10:12 PM

Did you try the Treo 750?

snareman · 05-08-2007, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hannibal1209b

Did you try the Treo 750?

No, I'm looking for a non-PDA phone. I don't really need all functions or size of a PDA phone. My life isn't that complicated and I'd be checking my email far too often. I'm looking for small and pocket sized (and sounds clear with my car).

Edit: Oh, sorry, you're talking to JSpira not me. Oops...

hannibal1209b · 05-08-2007, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snareman

No, I'm looking for a non-PDA phone. I don't really need all functions or size of a PDA phone. My life isn't that complicated and I'd be checking my email far too often. I'm looking for small and pocket sized (and sounds clear with my car).

Edit: Oh, sorry, you're talking to JSpira not me. Oops...

Yeah, I was asking JSpira. My bad. Should have been more specific.

eshoukry93 · 05-09-2007, 11:11 AM

Yes! I have the Q.

jasper · 05-09-2007, 11:36 AM

It would be interesting to see how they compare when plugged into the cradle-thingy in the arm rest since it's supposed to tie the phone into the car shark-fin.

But I suppose that would be too involved to test because you'd need all the different connectors...

highlander777 · 05-09-2007, 04:04 PM

I have owned a number of Smartphones. What is interesting is that the newer the phone, the more features I get. So my latest phone has the lastest Microsoft OS V6.

The one thing that has not changed is that everyone who calls can hear me talk because of the all the background noise. I can hear everyone OK.

The issue has to be linked to either the car software or the MIC. BMW have replaced my MIC twice, so they say.

Has anyone had their software in the upgraded and if so did that make any difference?

05-08-2007, 02:03 PM	#1
snareman Leave the gun. Take the Canoli. 9052 Rep 7,621 Posts Drives: ///M8 & X3 ///M40 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	335 bluetooth sound quality issues I love the hands free bluetooth phone features. From my side of the call things sound great, but I've had people on the other end complain that I sound like I'm talking on a CB or that the call quality isn't very clear. Anyone else noticed or had this issue? __________________ Current: 2023 Santorini Blue ///M8 \|\|\| 2023 X3 M40 Retired: 2021 Enzian Blue ///M4 \|\|\| 2018 ///M4 \|\|\| 2017 ///M4 \|\|\| 2014 435i \|\|\| 2009 335i Coupe \|\|\| 2007 335i Coupe
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05-08-2007, 02:41 PM	#3
txusa03 Major General 550 Rep 6,563 Posts Drives: TS330iPPSP6MT Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Planet Earth iTrader: (3)	My friend said that it is so loud(or maybe clear) that my friend can hear road noises from that crazy RFT. On my end, I can hear my friend loud and clear. I have 330i with tmobile phones. __________________ under construction!
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05-08-2007, 02:52 PM	#4
Sea2Ski Lieutenant 31 Rep 574 Posts Drives: 335 i SG, 6MT, CWP, BT, NAVI Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Downingtown, PA iTrader: (1)	Recieving calls, it is great, as long as the windows and sunroof are closed. Calling, I sometime get complaints that all they hear is static and can not hear a word from me.
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05-08-2007, 04:00 PM	#6
snareman Leave the gun. Take the Canoli. 9052 Rep 7,621 Posts Drives: ///M8 & X3 ///M40 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	Now, I'm assuming that the call quality on their end is based on the car and not the particular cell phone each of us has? I would think it is the microphone in the car that determines the quality of the received sound from my voice and ambient noise. __________________ Current: 2023 Santorini Blue ///M8 \|\|\| 2023 X3 M40 Retired: 2021 Enzian Blue ///M4 \|\|\| 2018 ///M4 \|\|\| 2017 ///M4 \|\|\| 2014 435i \|\|\| 2009 335i Coupe \|\|\| 2007 335i Coupe
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05-08-2007, 05:17 PM	#9
tintivilus Lieutenant Colonel 26 Rep 1,826 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lake County, IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [0.00] 2003 325i [0.00]	The TCU does its own echo cancellation and noise suppression. Some phones don't like it when bluetooth devices do their own audio processing, and those will have weird audio quality issues. For the most part, though, audio quality will be consistent across phones because the carkit's doing the heavy lifting. An E46 trick to get clearer uplink speech for the driver was to swap the sunroof button and the microphone in the ceiling trim panel. I haven't tried it, but some swore by it.
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05-08-2007, 07:50 PM	#11
JSpira Freude am Fahren 336 Rep 5,254 Posts Drives: Fünfer, Dreier, + Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York, München, Wien iTrader: (1)	Having probably tried over 30 phones with several E90s, I can attest that the sound quality that the other party hears is related to the phone. Some phones sound crystal clear and others sound dreadful. And they were very consistent in retesting. The results of the test will be up in a week or two. __________________ Freude am Fahren. Jonathan E90 2006 330xi E90 2006 325i E39 2003 530i Sport* E46 2000 328Ci* E36 1996 328iS* E36 1992 325i* E30 1991 318is E21 1982 320iS* E21 1979 320 (6-Zyl)* *retired Nominated: Most Contributing Member
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05-08-2007, 10:12 PM	#17
hannibal1209b Private First Class 1 Rep 135 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i (On Order) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Virginia Beach, VA iTrader: (0)	Did you try the Treo 750? __________________ On Order E92 335i Black Sapphire - Black Dakota Leather - Dark Burl Walnut (supposed to be Brushed Aluminum) - 6MT - ZSP - ZPP - ZCW - 6FL - Ordered 2/16/07 - Production Number Rec'd 3/14/07 -Entered Production 4/20/07 - Production Complete 4/27/07 - In Transit (Freedom) 5/08/07 - Delivered to PC 5/31/07 -Confirmed PCD 6/14/07
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05-09-2007, 11:11 AM	#20
eshoukry93 e92 Arrived 5/12 6 Rep 86 Posts Drives: e92 BS 335i Join Date: May 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	Yes! I have the Q.
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05-09-2007, 11:36 AM	#21
jasper Private First Class 21 Rep 106 Posts Drives: 2002 325i Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Ramon, CA iTrader: (0)	It would be interesting to see how they compare when plugged into the cradle-thingy in the arm rest since it's supposed to tie the phone into the car shark-fin. But I suppose that would be too involved to test because you'd need all the different connectors...
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05-09-2007, 04:04 PM	#22
highlander777 Private 7 Rep 58 Posts Drives: BMW 330D M Touring (62) Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Herts, UK iTrader: (0)	New SPV E650 Smartphone I have owned a number of Smartphones. What is interesting is that the newer the phone, the more features I get. So my latest phone has the lastest Microsoft OS V6. The one thing that has not changed is that everyone who calls can hear me talk because of the all the background noise. I can hear everyone OK. The issue has to be linked to either the car software or the MIC. BMW have replaced my MIC twice, so they say. Has anyone had their software in the upgraded and if so did that make any difference?
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