Bluetooth Quality

[mtiker]

I have a 2011 Nav Z. The other day I finally decided to try the hands free bluetooth phone connection. My caller tells me it is pretty awful compared to just using the phone. He could hear me overall but had trouble understanding me and I kept having to repeat myself.

Any insight into this?

Is there a firmware update? If yes, can I do it myself?

Is there any optimization I can do?

Phone is a Samsung Galaxy S2.

[Zaggeron]

Could it be the road noise? I've used it with my droid a few times and it sounded fine, but they were short calls ...

[iSteve370]

Most likely road noise or a signal strength issue. Try using it parked or at low speed to see if it's better, you can always turn your volume up to hear them but they're going to have a limit to their volume.

[mtiker]

Is there a firmware update for the system?

[Zaggeron]

Not for the bluetooth -- at least none that I know of

[ocfoilist]

Road noise definitely has something to do with it and aftermarket parts like an exhaust will certainly make it harder. The sound quality goes down dramatically for me at highway speeds but I think that is due to the relatively load tire roar and low levels of insulation in the car. I also had people saying that it is harder to hear me now with the Stillen exhaust. It sounds quite reasonable in the car but it adds enough ambient noise to degrade the sound quality.

But even at low speeds I find the bluetooth quality to be very low. Most people I talk with can barely understand me, although it does seem to depend a bit on what phone both parties are using. Based on the number of other people who have complained about the same thing over the years it does not seem to be a one-off situation, either.

There was an update to the 2010 firmware to address, among other things, bluetooth quality. Since you have a 2011 you probably have the latest update. But you could certainly check your firmware revision and compare it against the latest rev.

[BigNismo10]

I have same exact phone and a Kenwood DDX719 head unit...bluetooth sounds terrible ...when I took it back to installed...they called Kenwood and they had no answer....when I look up phone on my radio model ....galaxy 2 is not on the list...it's works...phone book ect..just people say it sounds terrible. I am hoping Kenwood has an update for phone...it's not like that's an uncommon phone. Let me know if u find any answers.

[John Oliveira]

2010 roadster.....people cant hear me without the sound breaking up ....using a verizon LG or my wifes I phone. Anyone know where the microphone is located? Thought I'd check for dust or ask the dealer to replace it.

[ocfoilist]

Originally Posted by John Oliveira

2010 roadster.....people cant hear me without the sound breaking up ....using a verizon LG or my wifes I phone. Anyone know where the microphone is located? Thought I'd check for dust or ask the dealer to replace it.

The mic is located in the cabin light structure inside the roof lining. Be careful - you can't snap out the light enclosure without taking the roof liner off first. In order to take off the roof liner, you will need to remove the side pillar covers as well. If you don't do this, you won't be able to put the enclosure back on. Ironically, this is because of the mic wiring.

According to Nissan, bluetooth quality will improve if you turn down the mic input. You can't access the mic level through the front end of the nav system but there is a hidden menu that allows you to make the adjustment. You can try turning down the microphone input level through this menu and see if it helps:

Krowten-Dog posted a useful tip on this a while back. There is a system menu and there are a number of things you can adjust with it, including the bluetooth volume (which I found useful):

1) Turn the car to "ON" or "ACCESSORY"
2) Turn Audio off by pressing the volume knob in (only necessary if it is on)
3)Press and hold the SETTINGS button
(If the safety acknowledgment screen comes up, press enter to get past it, then press and hold the SETTINGS button)
4) While still holding down the SETTINGS button, turn VOLUME KNOB approximately 20 clicks in either direction but do not press the knob (i.e. don't turn on the audio)

This gives you several menus for checking a variety of diagnostic functions, including a system self-test. You can also reset and control a number of bluetooth, speaking and other features.

Hope that helps...

[Zaggeron]

Originally Posted by ocfoilist

The mic is located in the cabin light structure inside the roof lining. Be careful - you can't snap out the light enclosure without taking the roof liner off first. ...

The poster you quoted was talking about the roadster. The microphone isn't in the roof lining in the roadster.

[ocfoilist]

Oops...I didn't notice that. You're right - the post only applies to the coupe. Not having owned a roadster, I can't speak to where the mic is on in.

[Armhunter]

I have worried about Blue Tooth quality as well. I have been lucky with the two last decks I have owned. I have had several people say that cant tell I am using hands free.

I am sorry you are having problems. It just might be the mic, is there a way to change it out? See if your phone has a update or maybe the deck. I would try everything!

Is this the original Deck? If so, then it has to be the phone. Try to find if there is a software update for the phone.

[Powder370]

I called Nissan USA and they mentioned if you don't have the Navigation screen (no nav) the ONLY was is to bring the car in where they can adjust the mic sensitivity through their shop computer with the Obd2 port, Which is my case.

[kenchan]

wow, that sucks. i run aftermarket pioneer HU's in my cars and the mics are located either in the a-pillar to windsheild corner, or near the rear view mirror ceiling where it meets the windsheild.

no issue with calls even with my loud exhaust and window open.

[tWeEzY]

oem mic is located here. Not too hard to get to. If you can take apart the dash to switch out headunits then you can access it. I only relocated my aftermarket mic there because people had trouble hearing me due to road noise. Haven't had any issues since.