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Help HTC One M8 In call volume issues

M

Magical Reef

Lurker
Does anyone else have issues with the in call volume? If it's absolutely quiet around me then it's fine, but if there's any background noise at all (like when I'm driving on the highway) then I can barely hear what the person on the phone is saying. I called Verizon and HTC to see if they had a solution. They were no help and told me to swap the phone. I know 2 other people with the same phone and they have the same issue so swapping it will do nothing. Does anyone know how I can boost the maximum volume. I couldn't find any apps in the play store
 
No app can make the amplifier put out more power than maximum - that's a hardware issue. Try using a small handheld vacuum cleaner and cleaning out the earpiece grille. If that doesn't do it, swap phones in the store and have them call you. If that phone doesn't work, swap again. Keep swapping phones until they find you one that works. (The manager will probably get involved at some point, because the salesdroids can't just activate all the M8s in the store. Then the repair people might get involved. Then something might actually be done. [Let us know if HTC is leaving packing tape on some of their speakers or something.)
 
You could give HAC mode a try. It boosts the volume in the earpiece a little bit, but it is meant for use with hearing aids so it often distorts the sound at certain frequencies that a hearing aid or T-Coil would be trying to pick up.
Settings -> Call -> 'Hearing Aids' check box
(this is obviously not a long term solution - just something to give a try)

I'd be interested if you were able to compare the earpiece volume levels of the M8 on all the big U.S. carriers. You might find that the Verizon software/network has the earpiece configured at a lower volume than the rest.
Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile all have the M8 too and might have different earpiece volumes. If this is something that could be proven there might be a case to present to Verizon for fixing their software.
 
hi
i had to swap my first m8 due to incall sound issue - was very poor - current one is defo better - but call qual isnt always the best for me - seems that incoming calls are worse than outgoing ones...maybe
 
Do you have the phone to your ear when you increase the volume?

I learned the ear piece volume will not increase when the phone is against your face. I have to pull the phone away from my face, increase the volume and the return the phone to my ear.

It's very bizarre. Hopefully there's a simple fix.
 
Well, I swapped out the phone and this one has the same issue. Maybe I'm one of the last few people that still talks on the phone. I have to say that other than the in call volume the phone is fantastic. On the other hand this is by far the worst in call volume I've ever experience on a cell phone .....let alone a smartphone. HTC and Verizon seem very uninterested in dealing with the issue.
 
The earpiece definitely is directional. The left side sounds stronger than the right side. I noticed this early on when I got the phone.

The in call volume change is an issue we need to bring to HTC's attention. It's also something that I noticed . It drives me crazy since I work in construction. One minute I'm in a quiet area, the next it's deafening.
 
I've had my phone since Friday and already I've noticed how little volume there is. The Moto G I had was way louder. I have the Magicapp from Magicjack, and when I check the voice mail in that app, the volume is about 30 - 40% louder, so I don't get why its so low in regular calls.
 
Everyone that is having poor call volume. Look closely at the speaker grill. You will notice that the right 1/3rd of the grill assembly is there for show only and has plastic behind it. The left side holds the speaker. So if you hold it at the wrong angle you will have a terrible call experience,
 
I did the customer service chat with HTC about the call volume. They had me install and run a diagnostic tool that has an Audio Test. During the test, the ear volume was significantly louder than during a call. They said the phone was fine and I needed to talk to my carrier. So I'm going to my T Mobile store after work today to talk to them.

To access the diagnostic tool, go to the phone keypad and enter *#*#3424#*#*. Follow the prompts and select the test you want to perform. I used the Audio Test.
 
I need to turn up the volume all the way to hear audiobooks or calls. This is using headset or car sterio turned up all the way. But when a notification comes through it about blows my speakers and eardrums! Several calls to verizon has been no help. All I need is more volume controls, I think. Do I need to root to get this?
 
mudobber said:
I need to turn up the volume all the way to hear audiobooks or calls. This is using headset or car sterio turned up all the way. But when a notification comes through it about blows my speakers and eardrums! Several calls to verizon has been no help. All I need is more volume controls, I think. Do I need to root to get this?
Click to expand...

When you press the volume control you will see a "gear" on the right side of the volume level notification. Press it, uncheck use ringtone volume for notifications and you will have direct control over the notification level
 
SolApathy said:
When you press the volume control you will see a "gear" on the right side of the volume level notification. Press it, uncheck use ringtone volume for notifications and you will have direct control over the notification level
Click to expand...

Yes, I have been all over that. A volume control for ringtones and another for notifications... How about a volume control for calls. Using the up/down volume buttons during a call adjusts the ringtone slider but in bluetooth, full volume is too quiet to be able to carry on a conversation.
 
Make sure both your bluetooth headset (which unit are you using?) and the in call volume on the phone is up. It is possible on some headsets to max the volume from the phone, and still not have a maxed out volume on the BT headset internal volume.
 
SolApathy said:
Make sure both your bluetooth headset (which unit are you using?) and the in call volume on the phone is up. It is possible on some headsets to max the volume from the phone, and still not have a maxed out volume on the BT headset internal volume.
Click to expand...

Oh its up alright. About blew my speakers, and my eardrums out when the phone "hang-up" tone came through.

I downloaded a slider widget ap. Looks like all the sliders are there and it seems like it might work. Once I test it out I'll report back.
 
had an incoming call today from a land line and it wasn't great..I could hear them but the sound wasn't pleasant...I could tell they could hear me fine..so must just have been my end...speaker or signal I wonder :-\
 
Hi,
I have the exact same issue as posted by 'Magical Reef'. I feel that since the call volume is normal under regular circumstances but only drop in noisy circumstances, the issue probably has to do with Noise cancellation wherein instead of cancelling out the noise, the device/software does something resulting in low volume?
Is there any way to turn the noise cancellation off so we try and see if that is the issue?
If there is no option to turn the noise cancellation off, then does anyone know where the noise cancellation microphone is, so can try to physically block it(with a small tape or so) and see if there is any improvement?
 
I'm glad I'm not the only one experiencing this low audio problem. I have superb hearing--it's probably my best of the 5 senses. However, I am having major problems being able to hear probably 90% of my handset calls. I really love this phone, but unless a solution can be found, I may have to convince Verizon to let me switch it out.
 
hi,
if it is that bad, can you get it replaced? i had my first one replaced and 2nd device is much better
 
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