Audiovox CDM-9900
Hello, this is Darth Vader calling .....
Yesterday, I was so excited after I swapped out my LG-6100 for this phone, but it looks as if I might have sung its praises too soon.
I use my phone primarily as a business phone, and yesterday I made a call from my apartment to someone senior at my company, and he said to me, "Kevin, do you mind taking me off speakerphone -- I can barely make out what you're saying." The problem was that I wasn't using the speakerphone -- I was using the phone normally, speaking directly into the mouthpiece. I didn't panic just yet, since the call on my end sounded crystal clear. I just figured that the problem was entirely on his end. But I made several other calls after that, and THREE PEOPLE said that I sounded like Darth Vader, with a considerable amount of reverb. I traded phones with a neighbor of mine to do some experimenting at different locations, and it seems as if the problem is most pronounced if we both attempt to speak at the same time. (Granted, this is never a good practice, but let’s face it –- it’s unavoidable, especially on telephones.)
Those of you who’ve endured my posts and helped me where possible can appreciate that I’m in a real quandary here. I’ve already returned four LG-6100’s in the last two weeks (whose only problems, for me, was the “volume bug”) to Verizon stores who couldn’t have been more understanding and eager to accommodate me. Given that this Audiovox is my fifth phone, I cannot expect Verizon’s largesse to continue indefinitely -- and I wouldn’t be surprised that if I attempt to resolve the issue with this phone that Verizon politely tells me to consider another service provider since I’m obvioulsy having such a difficult time finding a reliable tri-mode speakerphone that meets my needs.
I was nervous about purchasing this phone (and the Motorola v60s, another highly recommended phone, which is available via Verizon Telesales) because it’s tecnically “discontinued” –- which I guess means that once supplies are exhausted, that’s it. There’ll be no additional firmware upgrades, and finding replacement parts and accessories could be very difficult. This is why I so desperately tried to make the LG-6100 work for me –- it’s a new phone that will probably be very well supported over the next year at least. For example, both Verizon and LG are aware of the “volume bug” issue and are currently working hard to release a firmware upgrade. If the Audiovox had a similar issue, according to Verizon, owners would just be out of luck.
Back to the drawing board ... or, dare I say it, back to Cingular.
- Kevin
I use my phone primarily as a business phone, and yesterday I made a call from my apartment to someone senior at my company, and he said to me, "Kevin, do you mind taking me off speakerphone -- I can barely make out what you're saying." The problem was that I wasn't using the speakerphone -- I was using the phone normally, speaking directly into the mouthpiece. I didn't panic just yet, since the call on my end sounded crystal clear. I just figured that the problem was entirely on his end. But I made several other calls after that, and THREE PEOPLE said that I sounded like Darth Vader, with a considerable amount of reverb. I traded phones with a neighbor of mine to do some experimenting at different locations, and it seems as if the problem is most pronounced if we both attempt to speak at the same time. (Granted, this is never a good practice, but let’s face it –- it’s unavoidable, especially on telephones.)
Those of you who’ve endured my posts and helped me where possible can appreciate that I’m in a real quandary here. I’ve already returned four LG-6100’s in the last two weeks (whose only problems, for me, was the “volume bug”) to Verizon stores who couldn’t have been more understanding and eager to accommodate me. Given that this Audiovox is my fifth phone, I cannot expect Verizon’s largesse to continue indefinitely -- and I wouldn’t be surprised that if I attempt to resolve the issue with this phone that Verizon politely tells me to consider another service provider since I’m obvioulsy having such a difficult time finding a reliable tri-mode speakerphone that meets my needs.
I was nervous about purchasing this phone (and the Motorola v60s, another highly recommended phone, which is available via Verizon Telesales) because it’s tecnically “discontinued” –- which I guess means that once supplies are exhausted, that’s it. There’ll be no additional firmware upgrades, and finding replacement parts and accessories could be very difficult. This is why I so desperately tried to make the LG-6100 work for me –- it’s a new phone that will probably be very well supported over the next year at least. For example, both Verizon and LG are aware of the “volume bug” issue and are currently working hard to release a firmware upgrade. If the Audiovox had a similar issue, according to Verizon, owners would just be out of luck.
Back to the drawing board ... or, dare I say it, back to Cingular.
- Kevin
...
Not heard of that problem from anyone. I have two 9900s and both are crystal clear on both ends, just like a land line! Even the speaker phone people say they can not tell the difference and is still clear.
Does it do it on all calls? If so, just return it and try one in the store before you leave.
This is a great phone and Audiovox and Verizon will be supporting it with parts and service for the next few years. You will change phones again before the support ends!! 🤣
Does it do it on all calls? If so, just return it and try one in the store before you leave.
This is a great phone and Audiovox and Verizon will be supporting it with parts and service for the next few years. You will change phones again before the support ends!! 🤣
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Not everyone who has called me has mentioned it, but when I started asking people to comment on how I sounded to them, everyone thought I sounded "echo-y" with a lot of reverb.
It's funny, but one colleague after talking to me for a few minutes even asked me midway through the conversation, "Did you get another new cell phone?" He told me that this one (the Audiovox) sounded much worse to him than the others (which were all LG-6100's). The problem with the LG's was never call clarity on either end -- it was just a small volume delay on incoming calls. Since this delay is imperceptible to the caller, I guess I could live with it for the time being -- especially since after the volume shoots up to normal, the reception is very, very good...
(continues)
It's funny, but one colleague after talking to me for a few minutes even asked me midway through the conversation, "Did you get another new cell phone?" He told me that this one (the Audiovox) sounded much worse to him than the others (which were all LG-6100's). The problem with the LG's was never call clarity on either end -- it was just a small volume delay on incoming calls. Since this delay is imperceptible to the caller, I guess I could live with it for the time being -- especially since after the volume shoots up to normal, the reception is very, very good...
(continues)
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I believe the problem you are desribing is with the specfic phone you have, not the entire CDM-9900 model line.
I have had my phone since 10/2, and I've made similar calls to business contacts that I have frequently called from several different cell phones over the past couple years.
They have all said this phone was absolutely clear. Even while driving and using a cheap earbud heaset with inline mic, they said they coudn't tell it was a cell phone, or that I was driving. They heard no backgroudn noise, and it sounded clearer than my home phone.
The salesman shouldn't be the one upset at you because they keeping giving you an incapable or defective product. They should be hoping you don't decide to switch to a different carrier ...
(continues)
I have had my phone since 10/2, and I've made similar calls to business contacts that I have frequently called from several different cell phones over the past couple years.
They have all said this phone was absolutely clear. Even while driving and using a cheap earbud heaset with inline mic, they said they coudn't tell it was a cell phone, or that I was driving. They heard no backgroudn noise, and it sounded clearer than my home phone.
The salesman shouldn't be the one upset at you because they keeping giving you an incapable or defective product. They should be hoping you don't decide to switch to a different carrier ...
(continues)
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Vegainey, thank you for your reply. And in the abstract, I agree with you entirely. I guess at this point, I'm just, well, embarrassed, and I'm afraid that I'll be forever labeled as a "problem customer" by the folks I deal with at my local Verizon store. I mean, already I find myself seeking out Verizon stores that are not exactly easy for me to get to so that new salespeople who are unfamiliar with me can process my exchanges. I know that I probably shouldn't be afraid to march back into store where I purchased those phones and either (1) demand my money back or (2) demand a replacement unit, but I often am. And at this point, I'm just frustrated ... very frustrated. I'm going to have to think about this for a bit.
- Kevin
- Kevin
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kevinbos said:...
Vegainey, thank you for your reply. And in the abstract, I agree with you entirely. I guess at this point, I'm just, well, embarrassed, and I'm afraid that I'll be forever labeled as a "problem customer" by the folks I deal with at my local Verizon store. I mean, already I find myself seeking out Verizon stores that are not exactly easy for me to get to so that new salespeople who are unfamiliar with me can process my exchanges. I know that I probably shouldn't be afraid to march back into store where I purchased those phones and either (1) demand my money back or (2) demand a replacement unit, but I often am. And at this point, I'm just frustrated ... very frustrated. I'm going to have to think about
(continues)
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