Bluetooth headset crackling

CyrilRoll Posted messages 10 Status Membre -  
luckydu43 Posted messages 4525 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention   -
Hello,

I recently bought a Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC headset.
The headset works quite well, but I suffer from crackling when using Bluetooth.

This is where it gets complicated: I use the headset via Bluetooth in 5 different configurations:
- Connected to the Android phone (Infinix x454) => Crackling
- Connected to my MSI PC running Windows 7 (Bluetooth 4.0) => Crackling
- Connected to my Thinkpad PC running Windows 7 (Bluetooth 3.0) => Crackling
- Connected to my MSI PC running Ubuntu => No crackling. Perfect sound
- Connected to my Thinkpad PC running Ubuntu => No crackling. Perfect sound

The problem seems to depend more on the OS than on the hardware. I have made sure to keep the same testing conditions (same location, same music).

The crackling is quite faint, but enough to ruin certain songs. It is particularly noticeable on high-pitched voices.

I have tried disabling secondary services like hands-free telephony... with no success.

I would like to resolve the issue on Windows first, as I can accept that my phone may be of insufficient quality for such a headset.

Do you have any ideas?

Cyril

2 réponses

jeannets Posted messages 28325 Registration date   Status Contributeur Last intervention   Ambassadeur 6 595
 
Good evening,

obviously, I would have the headset on, it would be easier to diagnose... But your issue seems to resemble a saturation of levels, especially in the highs... probably related to the driver management.

So if I were in front of this PC on Windows, I would look for an equalizer or a band filter that can be adjusted or configured in your PC's audio settings.

There are of course the Windows settings... but not only... right-click on the small speaker at the bottom of the screen, you will find equalizer menus either for playback or recording... Properties... settings... etc.

There is often a manufacturer software installed on the PC that is designed for the audio circuits of the motherboard... you can adjust everything with that, including generating a cathedral sound effect... it's often called "Vdeck".

These manufacturer utilities often disappear when the user changes the OS, or even with Microsoft updates...

go read this https://answers.microsoft.com/fr-fr/windows/forum/windows_10-update/hd-vdeck-ne-va-plus-avec-windows-10-r%C3%A9solu/111b9d4c-6db0-4fb2-baf9-036e4c0b9955

but I would need more details about your machine...

The exact model of the PC??
Your Windows OS version... 32 or 64 bits
and the version of your audio chipset.
2
luckydu43 Posted messages 4525 Registration date   Status Membre Last intervention   1 175
 
Well spotted about the pre-installed software that literally ruins the sound... hence the use of an audio driver like ASIO that bypasses all that "by default". Even if it's installed, it goes through. I recommend taking a look at it in passing, it's still something gained ;-)
0
CyrilRoll Posted messages 10 Status Membre 1
 
Let's simplify things by focusing on just one machine.

I'm using an MSI GT70-2PE, running Windows 7 SP1 64-bit.

The Bluetooth chipset is a Qualcomm Atheros AR3012.

The audio chipset is... unknown? The manufacturer is very vague on the subject.
The device manager indicates
- Realtek High Definition Audio
- NVIDIA Virtual Audio Device (Wave Extensible) "WDM"
- Bluetooth Audio Device

In my case, I can disable the first two devices. I mute the sound from the speakers, but the BT headset still plays... with crackling.

I assume that the infamous VDeck of my PC is the Realtek audio manager. Problem: My headset is connected via Bluetooth, so this manager doesn't see my headset.
But then: Which device manages the sound transmitted via Bluetooth? The Bluetooth chipset? The processor?

I admit I'm getting more and more lost. I still find it hard to believe that the generic open-source drivers from Ubuntu handle it better than the manufacturer's driver on Windows. Although...
1