[Q] Sound when speaker is closed?

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Hey guys i'm thinking of getting the surround and wanted to ask people who already have it what happens when you play music/phone rings when the phone is closed? Does the sound come from the hidden speakers? won't that sound muffled? or what? thx!

From what I can tell, even when the phone is closed the sound still comes from the same speakers. So the sound does seem muffled by the front plate of the phone. However, the quality of the sound is still great for a phone even with the speaker closed. If I'm listening to something, I usually leave the speaker slid out though.

Originally Posted by frejos

From what I can tell, even when the phone is closed the sound still comes from the same speakers. So the sound does seem muffled by the front plate of the phone. However, the quality of the sound is still great for a phone even with the speaker closed. If I'm listening to something, I usually leave the speaker slid out though.

So it sounds like you like your phone! would you recommend it?

and on a related note, why is there a speaker grill on the back of the phone too? (see attached pic)

I like the weight and feel of the phone compared to the other thiner/lighter models. It feels like a solid well made phone. I definitely use my phone more for music now and really like the Zune integration. The large speaker bar provides crisp clear sound that remains clear at the highest volume. There are three different sound modes (changed by pressing the silver square button on the speaker bar): Normal, Dolby Mobile, and SRS Enhanced.

Overall I like the Surround, I'm a bit disappointed in the lack of customization (true for all WP7 devices) but I expect that will improve over time. I'm also looking forward to some more great apps.

As for the back cover, that appears to be a vent hole as there is no speaker (at least visibly) behind it.

If you are going to get a WP7 and enjoy using your phone for music/media then I think the Surround is a great choice.

Also found this review which has some good pictures of the back cover removed.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4015/h...pocket-boombox

Hey there,

You don't really notice any muffling of the sound until you slide the speaker out, and even though, I wouldn't say it makes a HUGE difference - a difference yes. I think the phone, while it has a nice solid quality feel, is a bit thick for my liking. Coming from an iPhone 4, then Samsung Galaxy S (super thin), and now this, the Surround almost feels like the Tilt 2. I just ordered the Samsung Focus (I think the HD7 is awesome, but I wouldn't be able to enjoy 3G since I'm on AT&T). I hope the Focus is thinner.

That speaker looking grill is just that, it allows the sound to have an alternative venue to escape in the event that the speakers are covered. Thats what helps keep the sound crisp and clear when the phone is in the closed position. Think if it as a ported sub-woofer box... Well at least thats what the HTC rep told me

Originally Posted by CyK1

So it sounds like you like your phone! would you recommend it?

and on a related note, why is there a speaker grill on the back of the phone too? (see attached pic)

I thought that's what it was for too, but I don't know if it's very helpful.

If you get this phone and use the alarm like me, just get use to leaving the speaker open. It's not really a big deal.

speaker sound

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The speakers sound FINE whether open or closed. There is a grill on the back that helps when the case is closed. I think all this stems from a couple of dim witted no talent reviewers who trashed the entire phone on this one caveat.
Despeite what a few of them say, the phone has great audio, great video, great everything, the phone is NOT bulky, the screen is plenty bright with good saturation, the zune software does a great job of converting videos.
The only limitations of the phone are those of the OS and that will certainly improve over time. In fact there are already 2500 apps available, many for free, that extend the abilities of the phone and you can bet your whiskers MS is working on upgrades right now. Someone just put out an app where you can vote on what improvements you want to see next. There are new apps appearing every day so having the phone is fun....that's what we do here...tinker and maximize our toys until the next one comes out ))))

Originally Posted by panflute

The speakers sound FINE whether open or closed. There is a grill on the back that helps when the case is closed. I think all this stems from a couple of dim witted no talent reviewers who trashed the entire phone on this one caveat.
Despeite what a few of them say, the phone has great audio, great video, great everything, the phone is NOT bulky, the screen is plenty bright with good saturation, the zune software does a great job of converting videos.
The only limitations of the phone are those of the OS and that will certainly improve over time. In fact there are already 2500 apps available, many for free, that extend the abilities of the phone and you can bet your whiskers MS is working on upgrades right now. Someone just put out an app where you can vote on what improvements you want to see next. There are new apps appearing every day so having the phone is fun....that's what we do here...tinker and maximize our toys until the next one comes out ))))

Not to be a pain, but can you stay on topic? We are talking about the sound when you do not slide the speaker out. No offense intended, just saying...

I failed to mention that the sound is definitely muffled when closed. Is it still loud? Yes, it's fine, but definitely better when slid out.