He blamed Apple for the bad audio quality for a decade, not knowing it was his fault.
A revelation that spanned nearly a decade unfolded when the Reddit user, Different-Swimmer-64, shared his experience of discovering that his iPhone had been set to mono audio for 10 years. This hidden setting had significantly limited his experience, making the switch to stereo sound an overwhelming and transformative moment.
From Mono to Stereo: A Redditor’s Eye-Opening Experience
The story begins with a simple admission: the user, in his younger years, had fiddled with his iPhone’s settings, inadvertently enabling mono audio.
This small change remained unnoticed even as he upgraded through several iPhones. Apparently, the OP claims the settings from older iPhones get transferred to the next upgrade. This preserved the mono experience across all connected devices, including headphones and Bluetooth speakers.
For years, all devices he connected to his iPhone, including speakers and headphones, operated in mono sound.
It wasn’t until the OP explored ways to enhance his iPhone’s audio quality that he discovered the mono setting.
The impact of this discovery was profound for the OP, who described the transition to stereo sound as an awakening.
This realization prompted a mix of emotions, from astonishment to a reflective amusement over the years spent in an unintended audio setting.
How the Setting Remained Hidden for 10 Years
Curiosity about why the phone was set to mono in the first place led to an insightful exchange in the comments.
The OP speculated that his 12-year-old self was likely the culprit. He says he might have adjusted settings for a more discreet music listening experience in school. This theory was further supported when he recalled the specific habit of sneaking music through one earphone.
Despite the oversight, the OP had grown accustomed to the mono setting, convincing himsef it wasn’t a significant loss. His reasoning was rooted in a combination of adaptation and a misunderstanding of his iPhone’s capabilities.
“My phone is where I have all my music. So, I just got used to it, and my headphones still sound pretty decent, even with mono on.
My conclusion for the longest time was just that iPhones didn’t have the processing power for it as it had been the case with every phone I ever had and every device I ever connected it with.” he says.
The Ripple Effect
The thread quickly became a hub for shared experiences and advice. Many users expressed shock, empathy, and sometimes amusement at the OP’s decade-long audio oversight.
Some users shared their own stories of similar discoveries.
Others also shared similar experiences, but with different devices.
Notably, the discussion took a turn towards technical support.
Some users inquired about the location of the mono setting and the longevity of phone usage. This prompted the OP to guide others through navigating iPhone settings to correct similar issues.
There are also some Redditors who shared gratitude over the OP’s post.
According to them, the post prompted them to check their own settings, uncovering that they, too, had been listening in mono for years.
The thread also featured anecdotes of users nearly making unnecessary purchases due to overlooked settings.