[SOLVED] Bluetooth speaker works poorly with Mint 20

[dadepini]

Total newbie here!
I'm taking my first steps in Linux and lovin every moment of it, but i've found a little problem that I just can't understand how to solve.
I'm using a thinkpad t450s and when I try to connect it to my ULTIMATE EARS MINI BOOM external speaker via bluetooth the sound of the speaker is disturbed, not only poor in volume, but distorted in a weird, "digital way".
The update manager says that my pc is up to date, but this is the only source that gives me this trouble with this speaker.

Can anyone help me to hear music properly???

Thanks

[MrEen]

Hi dadepini, and welcome to the forum.

I'm not great at BT issues, but let's make sure it's in the A2DP mode by checking the output of this command:

Code: Select all

pacmd list-sinks

[dadepini]

Hi there, this is what comes out
(by the way, this is the first time I use terminal, so I hope this is what you asked for...

Thank you!

Code: Select all

1 sink(s) available.
  * index: 0
	name: <alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1b.0.analog-stereo>
	driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
	flags: HARDWARE HW_MUTE_CTRL HW_VOLUME_CTRL DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY DYNAMIC_LATENCY
	state: SUSPENDED
	suspend cause: IDLE
	priority: 9039
	volume: front-left: 13104 /  20% / -41,94 dB,   front-right: 13104 /  20% / -41,94 dB
	        balance 0,00
	base volume: 65536 / 100% / 0,00 dB
	volume steps: 65537
	muted: no
	current latency: 0,00 ms
	max request: 0 KiB
	max rewind: 0 KiB
	monitor source: 0
	sample spec: s16le 2ch 48000Hz
	channel map: front-left,front-right
	             Stereo
	used by: 0
	linked by: 0
	configured latency: 0,00 ms; range is 0,50 .. 341,33 ms
	card: 1 <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_1b.0>
	module: 8
	properties:
		alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
		device.api = "alsa"
		device.class = "sound"
		alsa.class = "generic"
		alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
		alsa.name = "ALC3232 Analog"
		alsa.id = "ALC3232 Analog"
		alsa.subdevice = "0"
		alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
		alsa.device = "0"
		alsa.card = "1"
		alsa.card_name = "HDA Intel PCH"
		alsa.long_card_name = "HDA Intel PCH at 0xe1234000 irq 57"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_hda_intel"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:1b.0"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1b.0/sound/card1"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.vendor.id = "8086"
		device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
		device.product.id = "9ca0"
		device.product.name = "Wildcat Point-LP High Definition Audio Controller"
		device.form_factor = "internal"
		device.string = "front:1"
		device.buffering.buffer_size = "65536"
		device.buffering.fragment_size = "32768"
		device.access_mode = "mmap+timer"
		device.profile.name = "analog-stereo"
		device.profile.description = "Analog Stereo"
		device.description = "Built-in Audio Analog Stereo"
		module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
	ports:
		analog-output-speaker: Speakers (priority 10000, latency offset 0 usec, available: unknown)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "audio-speakers"
		analog-output-headphones: Headphones (priority 9900, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "audio-headphones"
	active port: <analog-output-speaker>[code]

[MrEen]

That's exactly what I needed so you did just fine.

The Bluetooth isn't showing there. Can you please try to play something through the speaker and then run the command again while it's playing?

[dadepini]

Code: Select all

davide@ThinkPad-T450s:~$ pacmd list-sinks
2 sink(s) available.
    index: 0
	name: <alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1b.0.analog-stereo>
	driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
	flags: HARDWARE HW_MUTE_CTRL HW_VOLUME_CTRL DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY DYNAMIC_LATENCY
	state: SUSPENDED
	suspend cause: IDLE
	priority: 9039
	volume: front-left: 0 /   0% / -inf dB,   front-right: 0 /   0% / -inf dB
	        balance 0,00
	base volume: 65536 / 100% / 0,00 dB
	volume steps: 65537
	muted: yes
	current latency: 0,00 ms
	max request: 0 KiB
	max rewind: 0 KiB
	monitor source: 0
	sample spec: s16le 2ch 44100Hz
	channel map: front-left,front-right
	             Stereo
	used by: 0
	linked by: 0
	configured latency: 0,00 ms; range is 0,50 .. 371,52 ms
	card: 1 <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_1b.0>
	module: 8
	properties:
		alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
		device.api = "alsa"
		device.class = "sound"
		alsa.class = "generic"
		alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
		alsa.name = "ALC3232 Analog"
		alsa.id = "ALC3232 Analog"
		alsa.subdevice = "0"
		alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
		alsa.device = "0"
		alsa.card = "1"
		alsa.card_name = "HDA Intel PCH"
		alsa.long_card_name = "HDA Intel PCH at 0xe1234000 irq 57"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_hda_intel"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:1b.0"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1b.0/sound/card1"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.vendor.id = "8086"
		device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
		device.product.id = "9ca0"
		device.product.name = "Wildcat Point-LP High Definition Audio Controller"
		device.form_factor = "internal"
		device.string = "front:1"
		device.buffering.buffer_size = "65536"
		device.buffering.fragment_size = "32768"
		device.access_mode = "mmap+timer"
		device.profile.name = "analog-stereo"
		device.profile.description = "Analog Stereo"
		device.description = "Built-in Audio Analog Stereo"
		module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
	ports:
		analog-output-speaker: Speakers (priority 10000, latency offset 0 usec, available: unknown)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "audio-speakers"
		analog-output-headphones: Headphones (priority 9900, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "audio-headphones"
	active port: <analog-output-speaker>
  * index: 2
	name: <bluez_sink.88_C6_26_22_2F_56.a2dp_sink>
	driver: <module-bluez5-device.c>
	flags: HARDWARE DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY 
	state: RUNNING
	suspend cause: (none)
	priority: 9050
	volume: front-left: 0 /   0% / -inf dB,   front-right: 0 /   0% / -inf dB
	        balance 0,00
	base volume: 65536 / 100% / 0,00 dB
	volume steps: 65537
	muted: yes
	current latency: 6,08 ms
	max request: 5 KiB
	max rewind: 0 KiB
	monitor source: 3
	sample spec: s16le 2ch 44100Hz
	channel map: front-left,front-right
	             Stereo
	used by: 1
	linked by: 1
	fixed latency: 56,93 ms
	card: 3 <bluez_card.88_C6_26_22_2F_56>
	module: 29
	properties:
		bluetooth.protocol = "a2dp_sink"
		device.description = "UE MINI BOOM"
		device.string = "88:C6:26:22:2F:56"
		device.api = "bluez"
		device.class = "sound"
		device.bus = "bluetooth"
		device.form_factor = "headset"
		bluez.path = "/org/bluez/hci0/dev_88_C6_26_22_2F_56"
		bluez.class = "0x240404"
		bluez.alias = "UE MINI BOOM"
		device.icon_name = "audio-headset-bluetooth"
		device.intended_roles = "phone"
	ports:
		headset-output: Headset (priority 0, latency offset 0 usec, available: yes)
			properties:
				
	active port: <headset-output>
davide@ThinkPad-T450s:~$ 

[MrEen]

You're catching on quick! Even used the code box this time.

I suggest you install (if necessary) and run PulseAudio Volume Control (pavucontrol) and play with the volume sliders on the Output Devices tab. Your output looked good except for this:

Code: Select all

	volume: front-left: 0 /   0% / -inf dB,   front-right: 0 /   0% / -inf dB

You might also look at the Playback tab. It has per-application volume controls. Maybe something in those will get this sounding decent.

If the above makes no difference, try deleting the files in /home/YourUserName/.config/pulse then running pulseaudio -k in the terminal. If you don't see the .config folder, click on View > Show Hidden Files... in your File Manager.

[dadepini]

yes I' m trying to learn

The volume is at 0 because my son is sleeping, that's why you see those numbers, but I tried to use the speakers all day long and it was always as I described in the first post.
I'll try all the things you said and hope it'll fix it.

Thanks!!!

[MrEen]

If the above doesn't help, we might as well take a look at your sound settings, even though there won't be much related to Bluetooth. This command will create a link to the info:

Code: Select all

curl https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/pulseaudio/pulseaudio/raw/master/src/utils/pa-info?inline=false | bash | nc termbin.com 9999

EDIT: Also, if there are any USB things being used that you don't need to use at the moment, unplug whatever is plugged in, then test the sound. Sometimes these things cause interference.

[Kendoori]

I realize this was asked earlier in the thread, but what "Profile" is the Bluetooth speaker using? here are my settings.



Does yours say "headset" or "high fidelity playback"?

[MrEen]

Does yours say "headset" or "high fidelity playback"?

It should have the latter based on this:

Code: Select all

  * index: 2
	name: <bluez_sink.88_C6_26_22_2F_56.a2dp_sink>

[dadepini]

Unfortunately i'll have to check on all of this tomorrow, but let me say in the meantime that I'm overwhelmed by the kindness of this forum, I've spent years in MacOS and Windows, but this amount of help is a first to me, thanks again.

[MrEen]

You're quite welcome, and good luck.

I do have other ideas if the other stuff doesn't help.

[dadepini]

You're quite welcome, and good luck.

I do have other ideas if the other stuff doesn't help.

Unfortunately none of this is working, the speaker goes on with that weird sound. What were the other ideas?

[JerryF]

Have you used the mini boom with something else such as your tablet or phone's Bluetooth?

Just checking to see if it might be the speaker itself that is having the problem.

[MrEen]

What were the other ideas?

My next step would be to uninstall the default Blueberry and install Blueman in it's place. This act alone seems to cure BT issues for many.

[dadepini]

Have you used the mini boom with something else such as your tablet or phone's Bluetooth?

Just checking to see if it might be the speaker itself that is having the problem.

Yes, I've been using it for years now with a moltitude of sources, and it has always worked flawlessly

[dadepini]

What were the other ideas?

My next step would be to uninstall the default Blueberry and install Blueman in it's place. This act alone seems to cure BT issues for many.

Great, I'll try that. Thanks!

[dadepini]

What were the other ideas?

My next step would be to uninstall the default Blueberry and install Blueman in it's place. This act alone seems to cure BT issues for many.

It worked!
Blueman connected instantly and all the weird stuff about the sound is gone.

Tkank you very much!!!

[MrEen]

Fantastic!

I'm so glad that was all that was needed, as I was pretty much out of other ideas I was confident might help.

[dadepini]

So that was the last chance? great
I'm just a little bit sad because the interface of blueberry was much nicer, but i'll trade nice with usable without a doubt...

Thanks again