What causes echoes in the headset?
Many people have encountered the issue of echoing during a conversation. This not only interferes with hearing the interlocutor well, but also drives the speaker out of their mind.
In this article, we’ll try to explain the occurrence of echoes as simply as possible, as well as suggest how to solve the specific problems and causes.
How echoes arise
Usually, an echo occurs if the delay in the sound was too long, or if the sound itself is loud enough. But not every lag is perceived by the brain as an echo. The delay must be greater than 55 milliseconds. Otherwise, the volume is set too high so the microphone picks it up and sends it back to the headphones.
As a rule, the side that hears the echo is not necessarily the side that creates it.
The causes of the echo
- Speakerphone. Echoes often occur due to the proximity of the sound source to the microphone. The ‘cure’ to such a problem is quite simple: turn down the volume of the microphone or speaker.
- Slow internet. If the Internet can’t cope with the speed required for the high-quality operation of a VoIP device, there’ll be a delay in voice transmission, after which the sound will turn into an echo. A good echo cancellation system in the headset, or improving the speed of the Internet, can handle this.
- Electromagnetic interference. They usually appear after placing the VoIP device too close to other electrical appliances. In this case, move the device to a different location. P.S. Poor quality splitters can also cause interference.
- Damaged equipment. The issue is clear from the name. Damaged outlets, cords, and poor wiring can cause echoes during a call.
These are the four main causes of echoes. If the solutions to the problems don’t help, it’s better to contact a specialist for further assistance.
What if I was looking for a highly specialized, headset-only answer?
What if I was looking for a highly specialized, headset-only answer?:
1. Speakerphone. Start using the headset only.
2. Low-quality headset or audio card + speaker and microphone with the volume settings set to maximum. In this case, you should try to lower the volume of the speaker and microphone to a level that’s slightly less than half, as well as turn on the echo cancellation function.
.
3. Poor-quality analog headset (one/two 3.5 mm jacks). There are only two options. Either replace the headset with a jack connector with a better model (possibly with an external microphone), or switch to using the USB connector.
4. Low-quality audio card only. It’s found mainly in laptops with a combined 3.5 mm jack (that is, headphones + microphone). It’s ‘treated’ by switching to a USB headset, because in this case the computer's audio card is no longer in use.
