WI-H700 microphone muffled?

[Tocoro]

Hello All,

This is my first post!

I have just received the WI-H700 wireless headset. Operation seems OK, but when I use it in conjunction with my iPhone 6S to make phone calls the receipient tells me my voice is muffled, not clear. I can't find any specific information about the microphone, can anyone help?

Thank you!

[Pascale_F]

Hi Tocoro,

Welcome to the community.

I'm not too sure what to suggest here, so I will pass this on to the team to look into and someone will update this thread. 

Thanks,
Pascale

[Almou_10]

Hi Tocoro,

I suggest resetting the headset first to eliminate the possibility of any software glitches. I've checked the help guide and here is how to reset it: https://bit.ly/2Gh9xge.

Also, try connecting the cable during the call and talk from the phone's microphone to make sure it's an issue with the mic not the signal.

I hope this helps,

Almou_10

[Tocoro]

Hello Almou_10,

Thank you for your reply, it is much appreciated.

I have reset the headphones as you suggested. It hasn't improved the quality of the received sound, still muffled, as perhaps if the higher frequencies are missing? My wife used my i-phone with the headphones and called me so I could hear what the headphone mic sounded like. The sound is not clear. Using the i-phone's mic the sound is much clearer and distinct.

Is there a way to check/verify the performance of the headphone microphone?

[Almou_10]

Hi Tocoro,

Non that I know of.

I guess at this point you can contact the Sony centre for help with this here: http://bit.ly/2xDiL4G.

Cheers,

Almou_10

[r.bambridge]

Hi everyone!

I am experiencing this exact issue, and I wonder if anyone else has found a solution to it yet?

I purchased a pair of Sony WI-H700 Bluetooth headphones to use with my Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra phone. I experienced no issues with connecting via Bluetooth, or listening to music. However, when it comes to calls, I am heard with a muffled voice on the other end.

I do not experience this issue if speaking directly into the phone's own microphone, or if using a wired headset. The issue is only with these Bluetooth headphones.

I do not think the issue is with Bluetooth connectivity either, because I experience this same problem with using the WI-H700 using the supplied Micro USB to 3.5mm jack wire (the headphones themselves turned off). 

But when using the WI-H700 to record my voice on say a voice note, then my voice sounds OK, not muffled. Truly bizarre. 

I have tried hearing my own voice over a call by recording a voicemail greeting for myself and hearing myself back. My voice definitely sounds very muffled.

I am lost as to solutions. The only thing I can think it could be is a setting on the phone itself. I have tried the Sony Headphone Connect app also. It connects to the headphones, but I cannot see any settings that could improve voice calls.

Anyone with any ideas please? I think I will have to return these headphones otherwise.

Thank you.

Rebecca. 

[Tocoro]

Hello Rebecca,

Interesting test you did recording on voice note. I also tried the Headphone app with no improvement.

In my case I contacted the supplier, who asked me to return the headphones. This done I was sent a replacement, the same model.

I'm told that my received voice is clearer than before, this from someone who heard me via the original 'phones. 

(I've also tried cheap (£15) bluetooth phones and been told the quality of my received voice is similar to the new WI-H700).

So the only thing I can suggest is you return them and see if the replacement is better.

Please let me know what transpires.

[r.bambridge]

Hi Tocoro!

Thank you kindly for your reply. I tried calling Sony customer support about this issue today. They could only suggest factory resetting the headphones, which I have already tried three times to no avail. So the only thing left would be to return them.

I was planning to return them for a different model, perhaps not Sony, but on the basis of your advice, I will go into the store tomorrow and exchange this WI-H700 for exactly the same model, because your experience sounds better with the second headphones of the same model.

Will keep you informed!

Thanks again!

Rebecca. 

[r.bambridge]

Hi Tocoro!

An update for you. I exchanged the pair of WI-H700 headphones for another of the same model. Unfortunately I still experienced exactly the same problem. A muffled voice to a call recipient. 

I wish I had a different mobile phone to try them with. But I actually think the fault could be with my Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra, not the headphones themselves. There must be a setting somewhere that's not right. But I've tried so many different things, including enabling the developer options on my XA1 Ultra and altering the Bluetooth settings. Nothing worked.

I will have to return these for a full refund. I'm very disappointed because the headphones themselves sound great. I haven't experienced great service from Sony either. Their technical support over the phone was not helpful. Other than factory resetting the headphones, there was nothing else they could suggest. The product knowledge didn't seem to be there.

Shame really, have been a lifelong Sony fan. Have Sony products all over the house - televisions, Bluetooth speakers, Playstation, Xperia phones, Vaio laptop, amonst others. But I think after this headphones issue, I'll be looking elsewhere. Their products don't work straight out of the box I don't feel. Whether the issue is with the phone or the headphones, both are relatively new products, they should just work together.

Anyway, thank you for your time.

All the best,

Rebecca. 

[Andyroby2001]

Hi Rebecca,

I have had the same problem and really cannot use the headphones for calls unless I am just listening in.  This is extremely disappointing as the listening sound quality is excellent.  I will not be buying Sony headphones again until they fix this problem.  

Andy