S22 Ultra: Sound Issues

[RobDod]

First, let me say I'm 100% a Samsung user. I've always been impressed. But I listened to nearly 90,000 minutes of music last year and if Samsung doesn't confirm if the sound issues myself and other posters here are hardware or software I'm going to have to return my S22Ultra. Audio is my number one selling point in a new Samsung and it's the only feature that has issues.

I was expecting beautiful sound quality from the phone itself and least of all did I expect the sound to be so much quieter than my S10+ in every way. The speakers are either smaller or not pumping as loud as they should be. Also via blue-tooth (Car, Samsung Buds, Sony Speaker), the sound is translated at a drastically lower volume. My Samsung USB-C to Aux adapter also reads the phone audio as being lower than my S10+. Let me be clear. The sound is definitely lower because of the S22 Ultra in some way.

I've tried developer mode sound settings, I've tried everything. At this point, I've isolated the problem as software or hardware of the S22 Ultra itself causing every supported audio platform to be quieter. I've NEVER returned a phone. I'd hate for this to be the first time if they don't vocalize their audio problem won't need a recall. 

[Tapdnsr]

It doesn't seem to be related to any of that. It did muted all sounds at about 4pm the other day. Couldn't hear anyone on the phone or ANYTHING. It literally disables ALL sound.  I did change my sleeping routine last night just in case, and it hasn't done it again, but I don't think it's related. Seems to be something random the phone just decides to do at random times. 

[Tapdnsr]

It's an Accessibility setting that mutes literally every sound the phone might make, including the sound of someone talking on a phone call. It disables the speakers altogether. I have no idea how it's getting turned on unless it's some app malfunction that's enabling this feature. There is an app that is built into the phone that updated the same day it started happening, but it seems to be an integral system app so I don't want to delete it. Ugh. 

[GeminiJanet]

Hi there---wondering if you kept the device?

[GeminiJanet]

Hi there--did you wind up keeping your device?

[magicalfactor]

* Solution Below

I just got my S22 Ultra 2 days ago and my previous Galaxy was the note 9 and I agree the sound is much lower. I have to max out (run hot) the sound in my car using Bluetooth and my earbuds and it's still not quite loud enough. And trying to use speakerphone can be way too low.

What you need to do is go to settings> accessibility> hearing enhancements> adapt sound> then turn on for "Age 60 and over boost all frequencies". It will then give you an option to soften all frequencies or utilize the clear frequencies. I would suggest leaving it at the clear frequencies (but then again that's a preference). Just know that if you use "soften" it will use compression software applied to the sound wavelengths and change their original sound.

Make sure to set adapt sound for media and phone calls and give it permission to handle your calls if you choose that option.

This is something I just did myself and so I'm still kind of tweaking and assessing. You definitely will need to go in and do manual adjustments to your equalizer which not everyone knows how to do so I think Samsung really has messed up as far as that goes it really is better to have the native sound quality be at a certain place and not have people trying to figure out how to fix it. I will say that when I got my note 9 a similar issue was going on and an update fixed it.

If you go into your equalizer under sounds and hit custom the best way to do it is make a hammock shape of the equalizers and the lowest point should be at around 0db with 500.

I'm just an audiofile making sure other audiofiles are satisfied in the universe!

[The_Chemist]

It is a real shame that we have to use accessibility options to help the sound out to be marginally acceptable on the S22. Ultrasonic

I actually am over 60, but get my hearing tested every year at work. I have very little attenuation in the high frequency range. God blessed me with very good hearing at my age. I'm actually better than the 20 year old kids that work with me. It's fun to compare hearing graphs!  

I did try all options including the adapt sound "over 60" to try and correct the factory programmed sound on the S22 Ultra. To me, especially over Bluetooth in the car the high end is way over-boosted with the adapt sound set to over 60. Plus there is still no bass. 

I recently heard an Asus ROG 5 phone (Samsung panel).  Wow, there is the best if both worlds. You get the brilliant Samsung screen, plus the best speakers I have ever heard in a phone. I'm on a waiting list to get one. 

I kept my S22 Ultra, in the meantime, in hopes they will reprogram Bluetooth, sound, but I think there is little hope for the speakers. I don't want the hassle of setting up another phone - until of course I get my Asus. 

[The_Chemist]

Sorry, spell check changed "Ultra" to Ultrasonic in my post above. Ugh .

[GeminiJanet]

The ASUS ROG 5-is a stylus included?

The speakers are a done deal.  Thank goodness I have SIRUS in my car. 

I am just concerned if I get a SONOS/BLUETOOTH speaker that the sound will be distorted through those speakers!!  Imagine paying $400 for a speaker and then the sound is awful.

I found a base booster that seems to do something--but the speakers need help.

I still have not decided if I want to send my phone in for the trade.

[GeminiJanet]

But do you think that any updates to the software will be able to improve the speakers?

What are/is your impression of the S22u?  Worth switching to the new iphone?

[The_Chemist]

No stylus with the ROG, but the speakers are totally amazing. Possibly an aftermarket stylus would work, hey, but then you're kind of back to the S21 Ultra. 😁 Where I use a case to hold the "S" pen. 

I am an audiophile. Still have turntables and my CD player (who still uses them?) Is vacuum tube output. 

I feel the horrible compressed Bluetooth sound of the S22 Ultra can be corrected with software, but first Samsung has to admit there is a problem and address it for all of us. 

The speakers could conceivably be improved, but because of their size, I wouldn't expect a miracle. 

Samsung really dropped the ball as far as sound on their flagship model. 

Why would you have the world's best display panel and couple it with tin can sounding speakers?  Makes absolutely no sense to me.