Sound on my new radio is muffled.

In alt.home.repair, on Sun, 24 Sep 2023 06:40:44 -0400, Retirednoguilt
<HapilyRetired@fakeaddress.com> wrote:

>
>> I like the onse with a yoke, so when they fall out of my ears as they
>> often do, I don't lose them.   None of the high quality hearing aids
>> like yours or the Otikon that Clare mentinoed come in yoke form, do
>> they?     
>I don't know.  Mine have never fallen out.

That's great!

One of the questions I posed elswhere in this thread is whether, if I
connected the stereo line in (or headphone jack) to the Aux input pf my
Sangean wr-22, which only has one speaker, would the radio merge the L
and R channels.   Then I thought to ask on Amazon, on the page that
sells that radio.  And I already got two answers that both say Yes. 

"Yes, it will. If you later add external powered stereo speakers, the
output will be in stereo."

I only mention this in such detail because that answer was from Bob F.
!!!!


In alt.home.repair, on Fri, 22 Sep 2023 15:08:54 -0700, Bob F
<bobnospam@gmail.com> wrote:

>On 9/22/2023 1:57 PM, micky wrote:
>> In alt.home.repair, on Fri, 22 Sep 2023 12:58:26 -0700, Bob F
>> <bobnospam@gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> On 9/22/2023 10:42 AM, micky wrote:
>>>> I bought a $230 wifi radio that is impressive in many ways, but the
>>>> problem I have is that the sound sounds muffled
>>>>
>>>> Maybe it's okay for music.  I haven't listened to much music, but for
>>>> talk it sounds muffled.  Like literally they are talking through some
>>>> sort of muffle.  I don't have this problem with 5 other table radios.
>>>>
>>>> Is the problem that there is too much bass?   If not that, what?
>>>>
>>>> It has equalizer settings so I changed from default and various kinds of
>>>> music to "talk".   I didnt' hear any change.
>>>>
>>>> So I went to custom, which has 6 frequency ranges, and over time, I've
>>>> lowered the lowest 4 ranges to the minimum and raised the top one to the
>>>> max, and the one in between almost to the max.   This helped at first,
>>>> but future changes were smaller and I didn't see addtional help.
>>>>
>>>> I can still understand if I make the sound one or two steps louder, but
>>>> then it's louder than I want.
>>>>
>>>> Is there an audio ng that's not dormant that I can post too.   alt.audio
>>>> and alt.audio.pro had gone 3 years without posts.
>>>

In alt.home.repair, on Sat, 23 Sep 2023 12:22:46 -0400, legg
<legg@nospam.magma.ca> wrote:

>On Fri, 22 Sep 2023 18:33:25 -0400, micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com>
>wrote:
>
>
>>In sci.electronics.repair, on Fri, 22 Sep 2023 18:01:01 -0400, legg
>><legg@nospam.magma.ca> wrote:
>>
>>>On Fri, 22 Sep 2023 13:42:01 -0400, micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com>
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>>I bought a $230 wifi radio that is impressive in many ways, but the
>>>>problem I have is that the sound sounds muffled
>>>>
><snip>
>>>
>>>Make and model number.
>>>
>>
>>
>>https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BG67YH18/
>>

For another subthread, I foudn the right cable and connected the
headphone jack of the radio in question to the AUX in of the other
radio.  The sound stopped from  the speakers but didnt' show up in the
other radio.  I'm sure I tested if I could play my phone that way and it
worked for that.. Just checked again and it still does, the phone plays
through AUX, but the radio headphone jack does not.  Unlike the
bluetooth thing which is inconsistent, this could be a clear problem
with the headphone jack. (I'll try to find some headphones just to make
sure.  They're in a suitcase somewhere.) 

[answer to your post below]

>>
>Suggest you scroll through the various equalizer presets 
>available, to see if a usable difference is noted.

Good idea. 

>A factory default is offered.

Yes, it comes set that way, and I've tried "talk" and I've tried various
settings for custom.  Since hearing people talk is the problem, I looked
up what frequency we talk at and it is for the most part 80 - 250 Hz.
That was the bass range that I had lessened.  But when I turned it up it
made it worse. 

>It's possible that there's harness error/damage off 
>the production floor.

Harness error?  What is that?  Something that could be fixed? 

>Return it if not satisfied.

I assumed I only had the month Amazon gives but your post and others
inspired me to check and it has a 1 year Warranty.  And I saved the box
it was shipped in. 

Still, I want to ask them if they have a solution,  and before that, I
still haven't gotten around to directly comparing the same station on
both radios.  Won't take that much time, just play C-span radio or WAMU
on the PC which has an FM transmitter to the FM radio on the shelf above
the radio in question.  So I can go back and forth several times.  Maybe
I'll even come up with better words to describe the problem. 

I'll write them about it this week but if I have a year, I can take
another month. 


And also, the bluetooth and ambient hearing amplifer by Malhear
Technology I bought just under 2 months ago broke 3 days ago too.  It
has left and right microphones and the right stopped working.  I've
always been genlte with it, there's no apparent damage, and tapping on
the little thing (that looks like in inline log) doesn't help.  But
their warranty is also one year. 

Still, I'd have been happier to return something to Amazon, which last
time credited me without looking at what I returned an hour after I
dropped it in a bin at Whole Foods, than Malhear that I've never heard
of.  OTOH for the radio that is the theme of this thread, by Grace, they
seem like a big, reliable company that makes a variety of fancy
products, some of which wikip says without footnote got CES Innovations
Awards. Goes bacfk to 2007 and actually based in San Diego. 

I hate doing returns, even when it's easy, but if I must, maybe I must. 

>RL

On 9/24/2023 8:11 AM, micky wrote:
> In alt.home.repair, on Sun, 24 Sep 2023 07:44:48 -0700, Bob F
> <bobnospam@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> On 9/23/2023 11:44 PM, micky wrote:
>>> In sci.electronics.repair, on Sat, 23 Sep 2023 23:43:05 -0400, micky
>>> <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> In sci.electronics.repair, on Fri, 22 Sep 2023 13:42:01 -0400, micky
>>>> <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I bought a $230 wifi radio that is impressive in many ways, but the
>>>>> problem I have is that the sound sounds muffled
>>>>>
>>>>> Maybe it's okay for music.  I haven't listened to much music, but for
>>>>> talk it sounds muffled.  Like literally they are talking through some
>>>>> sort of muffle.  I don't have this problem with 5 other table radios.
>>>>>
>>>>> Is the problem that there is too much bass?   If not that, what?
>>>>>
>>>>> It has equalizer settings so I changed from default and various kinds of
>>>>> music to "talk".   I didnt' hear any change.
>>>>>
>>>>> So I went to custom, which has 6 frequency ranges, and over time, I've
>>>>> lowered the lowest 4 ranges to the minimum and raised the top one to the
>>>>> max, and the one in between almost to the max.   This helped at first,
>>>>> but future changes were smaller and I didn't see addtional help.
>>>>>
>>>>> I can still understand if I make the sound one or two steps louder, but
>>>>> then it's louder than I want.
>>>>>
>>>> Is there an audio ng that's not dormant that I can post too.   alt.audio
>>>> and alt.audio.pro had gone 3 years without posts.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I'm trying to connect my wifi radio to a regular radio with bluetooth.
>>>> The Grace wifi radio doesn't find the Sangrean wr-22, even though it has
>>>> found my laptop, even though the laptop has never been on and closer
>>>> than 40+ feet from the Wifi radio.   And it later found something called
>>>> [LG]webOSnnnnnnn which must be in my neighbor's house.
>>>>
>>>> But not the Sangrean which only 12 inches above the Wifi.
>>>
>>> I let it try for hours, but the Grace wifi never found the Sangrean.
>>>
>>>> Is there any chance Grace wifi radio knows how to find headphones, but
>>>> not another wifi radio????
>>>>
>>>> The owners manual only mentions headphones but I took that to be becuase
>>>> that's the standard device and my problem was not foreseen.   The
>>>> Sangrean works fine when receiving audio from Alexa. Connects very
>>>> easily and quickly.
>>>
>>> If I can't connect by bluetooth, there is a Line Out on the Grace and a
>>> Aux In on the Sangrean.  Both Stereo**.   Are those of the same
>>> amplitude?  Will that work?   The Aux In says connect, for example, an
>>> iPod, MP3 or CD player.  Are their outputs like Line Out would be?
>>
>> Line out outputs tend to be a fixed output level, not affected by the
>> volume control. The volume resulting at the receiving device may be at a
>> different level than the receiving device default, but the volume
>> control should adjust for that unless the receiving device expects a
>> significantly different level. The headphone output would allow the
>> outputting device volume to be adjusted if the line outs are not
>> compatible for some reason. If the output is too high for the inputting
>> device, distortion will result.
>>
>> I would use the line out as my first choice.
> 
> OKay.   I like that better because the jacks are in the back.
> 
> Even though the fidelity of $8 earbuds can't be that good, I tried them
> last night in the headphone jack, but they have a 2.5mm plug to fit a
> cell phone and it's a 3.5 mm jack.   Plus it's TRRR instead of TRR,
> because of the mike it has.  Iirc that is still supposed to work if the
> plug fit.
>>
>> You really should talk to the seller of your device about replacing it
>> with one that actually works or refunding your money..
> 
> I guess I'm afraid they'll send me another one that's no better than
> this.

If you keep interacting with them, and don't bother to say they sound 
like crap so they can actually help you with the problem, then that 
would probably be an appropriate response.

> 
> After I've gone to the work of shipping the first one back and putting
> the new one in its place, both of which would have been pretty easy 2
> years ago but now seem like tiring acts.
> 
> Also I think it would be easier to get them to send a new one after I
> tell them how much effort I put in to get this one to work.  This stuff
> doesn't seem tiring because it fulfills my curiosity too.
> 
>>> There also a 3.5mm mini headphone jack on the sending radio.  Would that
>>> be better than Line Out.
>>>
>>> **Even though the Sangrean has only one speaker, it has a stereo Aux In
>>> jack. Do you think that means L and R are merged in the radio?
>>
>> Probably.
> 
> I hope so.
> 
> BTW, I remembered last night that I have another bluetooth radio, also
> by Sangean, in the bathroom, and I tried to pair it with the Grace radio
> this morning and it was easy.    So I don't know why I can't pair the
> bedroom Sangean, especially since I can easily with Alexa, and I
> unplugged Alexa.  It's not just that I can't pair it, the bedroom
> Sangrean doesn't even show up on the Grace wifi list of bluetooth
> sources.
>>
>>>
>>> Or can I merge the left and right channels just by buying the right
>>> Y-cable?  Is there a name for that?

On 09/22/2023 01:42 PM, micky wrote:

> Is there an audio ng that's not dormant that I can post too.   alt.audio
> and alt.audio.pro had gone 3 years without posts.
> 

rec.audio.tech and rec.audio.pro still exist, but the traffic is pretty low.

micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote in
news:8durgihoqkktuof85dojqv66g7k2bs1mlt@4ax.com: 

> In alt.home.repair, on Fri, 22 Sep 2023 15:10:51 -0400, Retirednoguilt
> <HapilyRetired@fakeaddress.com> wrote:
> 
>>On 9/22/2023 1:42 PM, micky wrote:
>>> I bought a $230 wifi radio that is impressive in many ways, but the
>>> problem I have is that the sound sounds muffled
>>> 
>>> Maybe it's okay for music.  I haven't listened to much music, but
>>> for talk it sounds muffled.  Like literally they are talking through
>>> some sort of muffle.  I don't have this problem with 5 other table
>>> radios. 
>>> 
>>> Is the problem that there is too much bass?   If not that, what? 
>>> 
>>> It has equalizer settings so I changed from default and various
>>> kinds of music to "talk".   I didnt' hear any change. 
>>> 
>>> So I went to custom, which has 6 frequency ranges, and over time,
>>> I've lowered the lowest 4 ranges to the minimum and raised the top
>>> one to the max, and the one in between almost to the max.   This
>>> helped at first, but future changes were smaller and I didn't see
>>> addtional help. 
>>> 
>>> I can still understand if I make the sound one or two steps louder,
>>> but then it's louder than I want. 
>>> 
>>> Is there an audio ng that's not dormant that I can post too.  
>>> alt.audio and alt.audio.pro had gone 3 years without posts. 
>>
>>Time for a visit to an audiologist.  If you don't use hearing aids,
>>you may need them.  If you use them, the settings may need to be
>>tweaked.  A few years ago, I thought something had gone wrong with my
>>stereo equipment, either the speakers or the receiver.  I also noticed
>>I was having problems understanding dialog on the TV and in face to
>>face conversations.  Turns out I have typical "mild-moderate"
>>age-related hearing loss.  Hearing aids made a big difference in what
>>I hear and almost completely "repaired" my stereo system.  If you will
>>be getting your first set, make sure they come with a 100% money-back
>>guarantee if not satisfied, for at least 45-60 days as it takes a
>>little while for your brain to adjust.  Much longer than it takes to
>>adjust to a new eyeglasses prescription.
> 
> What brand did you get and about how much were they? 
> 
> Do you have to have them "tuned" by the audiologist?  Just once or
> every year or something? 
> 
> Do you sleep with them? 
> 

I've used hearig aids for years.  The central bands where human speach is 
are not coming through.  Definitely visit an audiologist to verify what 
needs to be fixed.  They will have a variety of brands.  I've used aids 
that were covered by insurance.  Very litte out of pocket.  You will 
initially visit the audiologist every few weeks as you report what works 
for you and what does not.  They can tune them to correct most problems.  
I have four channels, but moslty prefer my 'music' setting as I prefer to 
hear background noise.  I don't sleep with mine but some people can.  My 
audiologist checks out my aids every 6 months or so for the full 
warranty.  It is well worth it if your hearing changes or you find 
situations where you cannot hear right and need adjustments.

Good luck,

David

On a sunny day (Sun, 24 Sep 2023 14:54:41 -0400) it happened micky
<NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote in
<2mv0hil62uis9o8g6qnam5dotujh5n09gv@4ax.com>:

>Yes, it comes set that way, and I've tried "talk" and I've tried various
>settings for custom.  Since hearing people talk is the problem, I looked
>up what frequency we talk at and it is for the most part 80 - 250 Hz.


Speech is between about 300 to 3400 Hz (old telephone).

On 9/24/2023 11:54 AM, micky wrote:
> In alt.home.repair, on Sat, 23 Sep 2023 12:22:46 -0400, legg
> <legg@nospam.magma.ca> wrote:
> 
>> On Fri, 22 Sep 2023 18:33:25 -0400, micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>> In sci.electronics.repair, on Fri, 22 Sep 2023 18:01:01 -0400, legg
>>> <legg@nospam.magma.ca> wrote:
>>>
>>>> On Fri, 22 Sep 2023 13:42:01 -0400, micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I bought a $230 wifi radio that is impressive in many ways, but the
>>>>> problem I have is that the sound sounds muffled
>>>>>
>> <snip>
>>>>
>>>> Make and model number.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BG67YH18/
>>>
> 
> For another subthread, I foudn the right cable and connected the
> headphone jack of the radio in question to the AUX in of the other
> radio.  The sound stopped from  the speakers but didnt' show up in the
> other radio.  I'm sure I tested if I could play my phone that way and it
> worked for that.. Just checked again and it still does, the phone plays
> through AUX, but the radio headphone jack does not.  Unlike the
> bluetooth thing which is inconsistent, this could be a clear problem
> with the headphone jack. (I'll try to find some headphones just to make
> sure.  They're in a suitcase somewhere.)
>

Headphone jack outputs on a lot of audio equipment physically breaks the 
internal connection to the internal speakers when you plug in 
headphones. The aux output will not do that.

On 22/09/2023 18:42, micky wrote:
> I bought a $230 wifi radio that is impressive in many ways, but the
> problem I have is that the sound sounds muffled
> 
> Maybe it's okay for music.  I haven't listened to much music, but for
> talk it sounds muffled.  Like literally they are talking through some
> sort of muffle.  I don't have this problem with 5 other table radios.
> 
> Is the problem that there is too much bass?   If not that, what?

Possibly. Is there a reflex port on it somewhere?
Stuffing that with foam might improve things a bit. Somehow 
extra/excessive  bass seems to be a selling point for radios in that 
sort of price range. It does nothing for intelligibility.

> It has equalizer settings so I changed from default and various kinds of
> music to "talk".   I didnt' hear any change.

Depending on how badly their equalizer mangles the sound you might be on 
a no win battle with this thing.
> 
> So I went to custom, which has 6 frequency ranges, and over time, I've
> lowered the lowest 4 ranges to the minimum and raised the top one to the
> max, and the one in between almost to the max.   This helped at first,
> but future changes were smaller and I didn't see addtional help.
> 
> I can still understand if I make the sound one or two steps louder, but
> then it's louder than I want.
> 
> Is there an audio ng that's not dormant that I can post too.   alt.audio
> and alt.audio.pro had gone 3 years without posts.

-- 
Martin Brown

On 9/24/2023 11:14 AM, micky wrote:
> In alt.home.repair, on Sun, 24 Sep 2023 06:40:44 -0400, Retirednoguilt
> <HapilyRetired@fakeaddress.com> wrote:
> 
>>
>>> I like the onse with a yoke, so when they fall out of my ears as they
>>> often do, I don't lose them.   None of the high quality hearing aids
>>> like yours or the Otikon that Clare mentinoed come in yoke form, do
>>> they?     
>> I don't know.  Mine have never fallen out.
> 
> That's great

On the web, I see that a little attachment, Resound calls a "sports
lock", can be attached which is supposed to keep the hearing aid in
place during physical activity.  They appear to be only about $13 (US)
per pair.  Can't vouch for their comfort, ease of use, or effectiveness.