Samsung SGH-D407 / D347

I'm looking to upgrade at some point.

How loud is the ring at its loudest setting? Reason why I ask is cause I have an LG 4050. It's highest setting isn't that loud. It's strange, it'll ring very low at first, then get louder on each ring until it gets to its loudest. Then usually by then its too late.

How is the reception?
My LG used to be great, always 5 bars or 4. Sometimes 3 at is lowest (from home). right now, ever since a few months ago the highest it'll get is 3. Rarely 4, and if it does it'll jump back down to 2 or 1. Sometimes while i'm on a call I lose all reception and drop the call. This never happened until 2 years after I get the phone! Any idea whats up? Think Cingular took down some towers or is my phone busting?

Lastly...since some have had some concerns and didn't get much answers. When you are on the phone, and not speaker, how loud and clear is it? I have noticed some complaints on previous phones that it was rather low.

Thanks