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[HARDWARE MOD] Volume Increase for Nexus 5 (13 db increase)
- Thread starterAdamOutler
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- 78Introduction:
So the LG Nexus 5 speaker seems to be low volume for some people and not so much others. I spoke to@supercurio and he says that his device is as loud as a Galaxy S 4 and the volume appears normal. My device suffers from low volume. I fear that this is due to the construction process and the glue used to assemble the device may have leaked into areas which it obstructs the speaker port. It appears to be a manufacturer defect.
But, this is XDA, so rather than complain, here is a fix. We aren't just talking about a little bit of an increase though, Senior Member@Oli1122 measureda 13dB increase using this method with just one additional hole on the front and one on the rear. That's well over double sound volume!
Note: Only do this if your volume seems oddly low or risk damaging components for no reason
You will need:
Phillips #0 screwdriver
needle
lighter
guitar pick
case opener tool
Performing the mod
1. Remove back panel from device (case opener tool/gitaur pick).
2. Heat up the needle with the lighter.
3. Stick needle through plastic until you feel no resistance in one of the locations shown in picture below.
4. Wait 1 second
5. Move needle around to slightly widen the hole after it loses some heat to the housing
6. Once needle has cooled, twist and remove.
7. You can remove the speaker assembly by removing four screws , then pick a new location and perform steps 2-6 on the other areas of the assembly shown in the pictures below.
8. Reassemble device.
Reference pictures:
Theory behind it:
If you ask an audiophile, they will tell you that free-air speakers are louder than sealed or ported speakers. This works because the device has an almost sealed speaker and the intended ported output of the sealed speaker chamber is much smaller than the primary speaker output.
Further testing is required
Considering this, it may benefit unaffected users to perform this modification. I intend to feature this on XDATV in two weeks. I would appreciate assistance with quantifiable measurements. So, if you perform this mod, please get a video showing your desktop's sound-level input meter with a microphone positioned at a known distance from the Nexus5 speaker (located on the left side as viewed from the front). Windows Sound Level Mixer will work just as Ubuntu or Mac's will too.
Conclusion:
Your results may vary. If you try this, share your results and let people know if you tested before/after with a microphone, which locations you used, pictures, or if it just plain sounds louder. This issue affects several users and now at least I can watch YouTube videos comfortably now, without cupping the speaker or holding it closely outside.12since, well, would it work? i haven't torn my device up to see what it looks like inside but maybe it is the same?
Instead of assuming it is the same, just Google the ifixit tear down & you will know for certain.
TO the others, those whining & the naysayers, this is XDA. My three month Nexus 7 died during the 4.4 update, as you can see in the pic.
Even though it is covered by warranty & I have a valid RMA, I opend the device, found a bad clip on the display ribbon cable, reattached & reinforced it & voila... a working Nexus 7 without paying postage or waiting weeks for Asus to get around to fixing it. If it weren't for risk takers, you all might as well be using feature phones, iPhones or Blackberries. Finding new ways to destroy & then fix devices is what XDA is, why it was created & what makes it more that another useless Android blog.11
what's this? I do a video every two weeks. This isn't a hard concept and I'm not advertising for XDATV. Its going to be a mention after I edit the teardown footage and give my hardware review as I always do for XDA UnboxingsSo all this thread is about some support to advertise it in xda tv? Kinda lame. But I guess that is how low some people can go. Also have fun ruinning forever your 2 week old phone's warranty.
parts are available right now from UK.The idea behind this mod actually has been around for a long time. When you go back to the OG iPhone 4 they sometimes had problems with this, and a similar fix was issued. Great find adam!!!
For those of you who are scared of doing this, I would wait for a couple of months until the replacement parts are readily available, and usually run 20-30$ for a new speaker if you bouch yours.
Again, I do a video once every two weeks. It takes me about 8 hours to edit. I'm busy with other projects like CASUAL.https://code.google.com/p/android-casual/source/listI read it and I hit thanks because I appreciate his effort but not clearly stating in the op that this forever and definitely voids your warranty is sketchy. Also saying wait 2 weeks to see how you do it just because I am desperate for some visibility and have to post it on xdatv is kinda lame too as I previously mentioned. I mean it is 2013 there is youtube google+ facebook and everything why be so desperate about some xdatv visibility. If your intention was to help the community just do it as soon as it came to your mind instead of holding a video for that long for lame intentions and hope android press talks about some adam guy fixing the speakers of the giant tech company google hahahaahaha...some people....
This mod should not affect your warranty except for the speaker module. If you need to send it in you shouldn't bave any problems. If it is found that there are problems, I will recommend buying a new $12 speaker module or a new , more undetectable way of performing the mod.
This IS XDA-Developers though. First thing we do around here is void our warranties. If I got a nickel for each method of voiding your warranty I come up with, I'd be a rich man.11I've recorded a video with the process, easy way and posted it in YouTube:
More info:http://www.xatakandroid.com/tutoriales/mod-del-altavoz-de-nexus-5-para-conseguir-mas-volumen-video
What the hell? You wrote two articles, made a video, used my ideas, instructions and pictures but you didn't mention me once..... Seriously? I get paid absolutely nothing for this. You should really, give a bit of credit where it is due.
