I understand how to adjust the volume of what I hear when I am making a handsfree call via bluetooth.

When I am speaking, however, I'm told that I sound far away. I would like to adjust the volume of what the person I am conversing with hears. Is this possible in the e60?

Incidentally, I have looked at the owners' manual, and am still unsure of the proper method, or if one exists at all.

I would appreciate some guidance.

 

I dont think we can ourselves... might have to be a dealer setting or unless someone knows some hidden menus... I dont remember one for the E60.

 

Not satisfactory but just be aware of the location of the mic.

ABC

 

The volume control controls both the speakers and the microphone. It works best to turn the volume down in general. If the volume is set low for the car driver, it will sound fine for the person at the end of the call. The hollow sound comes from the poor acoustic environment in the car. Set the volume as low as you tolerate. It also helps to speak toward the microphone. Phone reception itself can be improved by using a cradle and connecting the cell phone to the car which will the use the shark fin antenna. Also Verizon works better Cingular in most places.

Cell phone reception in general works much better in Europe so moving to Europe might be another option for some for better cell phone audio quality.

 

If that were the case why have an adjustment at all? That would be CRAZY design since you can't provide an input/output "sweet spot" for each individual.

ABC

 

The microphone and software have been updated since the first version. My 545i and Phardings were one of the first BT implementations on an E60 3 years ago. Since then several SW updates and hardware changes to auto adjusting (gain) mics made the implementation better. I'm am sure it's as good as it gets now. Which would the the same quality you get with noise at 75 mph and holding the cell phone 18 inches from your mouth.

 

Are you all having the same issue I am?

 

I'm not convinced that the volume control does anything to the microphone gain. It's clear that improvements were made through the years either via software and/or via hardware (I remember hearing something about an updated microphone...)

Speaking clearly and towards the microphone will always help (as well as keeping the ambient noise down by keeping the windows closed, etc.) but one thing I've noticed is that some BT phones simply work better than others given the same E60 configuration. Without making any changes to the car, my Nokia 6230 had decent sound quality, my Treo 650 had horrible sound quality, and my current BlackBerry 8700c has great sound quality so finding the "sweet spot" is pretty tricky.

I'd complain to the dealer about the issue so that they will attempt to update the car with as much of the new stuff as possible. After that, you might try playing with different phones (if possible) to see if you find that sweet spot...

 

I wonder if using a phone cradle with direct plumbing to the sharkfin may help.

ABC

 

I see many posts about cradles improving sound quaity, but this is not logical to me. The reception of a digital phone, a bar here and there does not improve the sound quality of the handset. Since the cradle only improves reception, how and why would it improve the sound quality. My phone (an old CDMA RAZR) stays in my pocket all the time. If the battery is running low I just plug it into a a phone charger in the glove box. IMHO a cradle defeats the purpose and functionality of BT.

Per my previous post, A newer (gain) microphone and the latest Progman will solve the problems of echo, and hollow sound.