If there is one thing I truly find horrible about the N900 (apart from the Modest, very modest, e-mail client and lack of something like Maps on the iPhone), its the phone speaker sound quality. Its unbelievable. I am finding it hard to pick a ringtone because the sound is so distorted and ugly. The sound is of such low quality. Does anyone have a workaround? Perhaps a way to adjust the Equalizer and get decent sound out of these speakers?

It almost sounds like you have a defective unit. The speakers on my n900 are certainly above average for a smartphone.

They're definitely loud enough but the sound quality isn't upto par and I don't think its a defect. Its just how it is. I could listen to music on it and it sounds ok but the quality seems to be very plain, mono-like, raw, noisy.

I use one of the default ringtones on highest volume in settings and it sound great. Playing music / Youtube vids on highest volume is no problem either.

Btw, the effect is more pronounced on loud rock or metal songs. It sounds like the speakers are bursting. The sound isn't neat.

i like the soundquality its sounds a little bit like surround
but it could be louder

Sound quality is normal for a smartphone instead respect the N810 is very low.

I guess I'll just use one of the default ringtones by Nokia too then.

jeah i use the nokia tone,...
rofl

sound quality is awesome if you ask me. Definitely better than my previous phones.