Pre-echo on Audible Book

[kschonha]

I recently purchased a copy of James Herriot's 'All Things Bright and Beautiful'. While I haven't had any problem with my other book purchases, I find with this book (format '4') I hear lots of crosstalk or pre-echo.

It sounds like faint voices in the background at a much lower volume than the narrator -- almost like crossed telephone wires.

I'm sure that those who have spent time listening to cassette tapes (remember those?) have heard the same sort of background voices caused by magnetism from one layer of tape transfering to the adjacent layer.

I suppose the original source for the Audible book was a tape. The problem is enhanced further by listening with a good pair of headphones (Etymotic 4P). I can't help trying to focus in on the background voices and it is so distracting to me that it is severely hampering my ability to enjoy the book. This book should have been a great reading experience and I was looking forward to enjoying it, but it has been ruined for me.

Has anyone else noticed this problem with books they have downloaded from Audible?

[arsolot]

I've been a Audible user since the early part of this year. I've listened to about one book per month (I usually listen during my workouts, or during my rather short commute). I've never had any pre-echo, so I believe this is unique to the book you've got.

Have you complained to Audible? While the customer service there is quite low-grade and can be frustrating, once you finally get across your issue to them, I'd bet they'd offer to resolve the issue by giving you a credit on your account for another book.

[kschonha]

I sent Audible an e-mail message describing the problem on 12/2, but have not received a response so far. I haven't had time to call but I will try again soon to contact them.

[Podunk]

Kschonda,
I would just use the Live Chat on the website. Its a lot faster and a lot more efficient method of support, especially for technical issues.

In fact, you can go there and get help in the time it takes to post a message here. :D

[arsolot]

When I've sent Audible emails about problems, it usually takes more than day to get a reply. Then, on more that one occcasion, the reply was useless because, it appeared to me, the person replying hadn't really read my message or didn't understand it.

[Podunk]

Arsolot,
Yes, I agree with that.

Email is okay for account type issues but it is an inefficent way to diagnose technical problems because often insufficent or incorrect information may be involved from either end. Then it just takes forever to go back and forth. Of course, most companies don't offer anything beyond email support.

Fortunately, Audible offers Live Chat and is very accessible by phone (except maybe Monday's). With live support, if you know something doesn't apply or is wrong, you can immediately get to the bottom of it. And you can try possible solutions and see if they work right away.

I highly reccomend using either of these two options instead of email. From my experience using either of these two, I have had very good service from Audible's customers support.

:P

[kschonha]

When I called Audible's Customer Service Department, they were very cooperative. They advised me to delete the book from my library and download a fresh copy. They also gave me credit to download an additional book for my trouble.

The new copy of 'All Things Bright And Beautiful' seems to have the same problem during the first seven chapters, but about two hours into the book, the faint voices are no longer apparent.

Maybe some time later, I will try downloading the book in format '3' to see if that makes a difference.

[lmac39139]

Other than the pre-echo, how do you like the book? We really liked the PBS series, and have "Dog Stories" (or something like that - just stories picked from the full books) on cassette and like it (although Christopher Timothy sounds like he had a cold when he recorded it).

[kschonha]

I had never read the Herriot books before. I purchased the first DVD box set of the BBC TV series 'All Creatures Great and Small' and thoroughly enjoyed the episodes. In addition to 'All Things Bright and Beautiful', I have downloaded 'All Things Wise and Wonderful', but I haven't listened to it yet. Without a doubt, I will soon download the other Herriot titles.

I have enjoyed every moment spent with these stories and characters. I consider these books to be essential reading and would recommend them to anyone. The short chapters and episodic nature of the book lend themselves very well to the aubible book format. Especially since I tend to listen to audible books in short bursts.

The narrator's voice is a bit thicker than I remember it from the TV series, but his voice is clear and easily understood.