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I was wondering if there is any way to tweak the audio quality of the Magic?
..it has cut-off bass frequencies, have a look at gsmarena.com review, I'm sure there's some way to tickle more performace out of it! Of course I've changed the headphones already
I too am interested in a volume increase or overall quality hack. was advised the g1 hack by meltus does not work on mytouch... Any info or suggestions to increase volume
I have the same question. Actually, it's stopping me from buying one and I will get Diamond2 instead, if no solution comes up soon...
Here is a link to the page of the review which criticizes the sound quality:
http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_magic-review-377p7.php
Here is a link to frequency responce graph from that review:
http://pic.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/htc-magic/gsmarena_a001.png
Here is a quote of what they say about it:
It has cut-off bass frequencies, probably due to some kind of high-pass filter meant to improve sound on small size headphones.
I'm planning to use high-end headphones which don't need any bass cut-offs and I'm wondering if this is a software thing, or a hardware low-pass filter?
For comparison, here's a link to Diamond2's frequency response graph:
http://pic.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/htc-touch-diamond2/gsmarena_a001.png
As you can see, even though lower frequencies are lowered a bit, it's not drastic by any means and is perfectly equaliseable.
Here is a quote of what they say about Diamond2 audio quality:
With the introduction of the Diamond2 HTC are making a huge step forward in matching the music phones' audio quality.
Please help us on this! I'm really sold to Android's UI philosophy and I'm ready to sacrifice 800x480 screen, better browsing experience with flash, exhange, wmp, etc. for it, but not audio quality..it's a deal breaker for me.
From personal test I found that the Hero sounds better than the Magic or Diamond2, a wider sound somehow with more "umpf", but if you're picky with sound-quality like me there's still no smart-phone around with Windows Mobile or Android which comares to the excellent sound-quality of the iphone 3gs or others..it's sad but true..
I'm not sure about the Samsung Galaxy sound quality, somehow I don't like the sound..like the extreme highs are missing..there's no EQ in Android, sadly, because I think upping the highs would improve the Galaxy with (my head phones at least)
I'm just talking about high pass filter, which cuts off bass.
I don't know if the high-pass-filter is hardware or software..
but I know that if you really have high-end head phones for 250€ or something..you're never going to be happy with any of the smartphones around right now..except the iPhone, the sad truth, I'm sorry..
I'm just talking about bass-cutting low pass filter (either software or hardware), which just removes any basses.
Diamond2 quality is more than decent for me.
yea, nobody seems to know if this is possible..it can't be very hard to hack! I know that Samsung improved their Omnia sound quality through a firmware update..so I hoped it was possible on any of the HTC devices..I'd be happy to have some improvement on a Diamond1, or a HTC Magic..
An EQ widget or app would be a gold mine in the market
phatmanxxl said:
An EQ widget or app would be a gold mine in the market
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt that EQ is enough. You would have to turn up lows on EQ to the maximum just to get a straight frequency responce graph, which is still not possible, because 20hz is just infinitely too low. And extreme EQ settings ALWAYS cause distortion...
I think the sound quality of this phone is just adaquete for use on the go. I am currently feeding a head-direct re2 (bass light) through a fiio e5 and I am fairly happy with the sound quality. Of course it can never compare to my home headphone set up with delicated DAC and a tube amp, but when you use those on the road there will always be enough noise leaking in to cover the lower spectrum. I do find it to have enough mid bass to make none analytical listening to be pretty enjoyable.
Adequate. It can be a lot better on other devices - be good.
If someone can get true line out in this phone, which should bypass any of the nonsense, I bet people will rejoice. Optical out would be nice too.
I'd say streaming over bluetooth will give you the best quality out of these phones right now..not sure if this is true though
emugpp said:
I'd say streaming over bluetooth will give you the best quality out of these phones right now..not sure if this is true though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not.
I've tried this with my super old hermes, once i tweaked up the bluetooth and get rid of the skipping I had much better quality music through my Sony-Erricson Stereo-Bluetooth headset..
EQ and Audio Hack
Check these out.
http://forums.androidclubhouse.com/showthread.php?t=30
http://forums.androidclubhouse.com/showthread.php?t=82
These threads are basically for G1/Dream. I'm pretty sure it would work with Magic.
I'm very disappointed with my Magic audio, despite the audio quality, the Magic produces noise and interference. Using earphones like sennheiser cx-300 for example, at lower sounds and when the music stop, I can distinctly hear noise, and some sort of interference, like I hear when I plug the earphones to my old computer.
using my nokia device with same earphones and same mp3 the sound is perfect!
I'm using original HTC accessory (YC A300) to convert to 3.5mm and have original firmware version, android 1.5.
Anyone with same problem? I don't know if this is hardware problem or not.
hi all!
some of you are happy to have DHD already.
Tell me please how does it work as music player? Is it better than older HTC phones? (or generally phones) Can it play music as good as mid level mp3 players like iPOD, Creative, Sony etc.?
I mean with headphones, not stock off course.
best regards, Wojtek
I recall clock saying the sound was great using earphones. not sure if its the stock tho
The DHD has a good ADSP unit and as such, you should experience a good multimedia experience. This is of course dependant on other addons (DSPManager works great, but that requires modifying the framework) as well as upon the quality of your hardware (earphones - wired ones like Sennheinser and Bose work great).
You SHOULD bear in mind, that this is primarily a phone, NOT a multimedia unit.
Pozdrawiam ;]
I am listening to music on my HD right now!
It sounds incredible, awesome quality from the phone when using some quality earbuds. Sounds just like my iPod Video.
There is also the option of enabling Dolby Mobile, or SRS, or other EQ presets.
What's really nice is that you can scan the network for UPnP servers with the built-in Music app (eg. Windows Media, TVersity, XBMC and many more - I use foobar2000) and access music libraries stored on computers or NAS drives etc. Very handy! I think it works for pictures and videos too. Looks like part of HTC's DLNA implementation.
FM radio also sounds alright too. Haven't moved into a location where I could get full FM strength yet, but indoors on my headphones it's nice enough.
Can you tell me what are the settings available in dolby and SRS ?
Thanks
thanks guys, that was really helpful!
I was worried, because most phones sounds very flat. Mostly I listen to rock music so powerful low and dynamic high frequencies is a must have.
Now I use Nokia E65 with 3,5mm adaptor and KOSS earbuds. I hope there will be an major upgrade between E65 and DHD in case of sound + might consider changing earphones to AKG's.
is music and media playback can be enhanced with the dolby (via speaker) ?
The music quality is a way better than the desire. I would say it is on par with the iphone.
Is there any ex Galaxy S owners here who could provide an 'HONEST' opinion please.
The SGS is known as having an excellent Music App and delivers excellent quality audio.
It will be great to hear the DHD can achieve a similar result.
Thanks.
vicedens2002 said:
Can you tell me what are the settings available in dolby and SRS ?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the Music app (at least; haven't looked at any video playback yet) there's a button at the top right and an item on the Menu button called Sound Enhancer.
On there, you have "No effects", "Dolby Mobile", "SRS enhancement", and "Equalizer (headphones only)". Next to Equalizer, there's a variety of presets like Pop, Rock, Bass boost, Treble boost, Vocal boost, and a few more. I haven't found any means of actually adjusting the Dolby or SRS - it just seems to be an on/off thing - same with the EQ, there's no manual band control that I can see. It's either Nothing, Dolby, SRS, or EQ+a preset.
override182 said:
is music and media playback can be enhanced with the dolby (via speaker) ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dolby mobile and SRS makes a difference to the music being played in both the headphones, and out of the phone's speaker. Dolby seems to push more bass and adds a mild surround-like feeling. SRS seems to boost the bass and treble and make the sound "stand out" more. Both nice effects, worth playing with on various kinds of headphone. It's a preferential thing - the sound is fantastic even with no effects. They seem to make the external speaker a little louder (perhaps as a result of extra treble?) which, I must admit, is tinny and a little quiet, but I was expecting that.
Demiourgos said:
thanks guys, that was really helpful!
I was worried, because most phones sounds very flat. Mostly I listen to rock music so powerful low and dynamic high frequencies is a must have.
Now I use Nokia E65 with 3,5mm adaptor and KOSS earbuds. I hope there will be an major upgrade between E65 and DHD in case of sound + might consider changing earphones to AKG's.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used to have some KOSS The Plugs, and I miss them like hell, great earphones especially at the price. I lost mine It's a pity I don't have them any more to test on the DHD, but I'm certain you will find them to sound fantastic on this phone.
I'm using some generic Sony-Ericsson Walkman headphones with some custom earplugs, and they sound brilliant on this phone, so I can only imagine better headphones would sound... well, let's use some Apple lingo - "magical".
The bass is certainly powerful and upper frequencies are crisp. Hopefully you'll find it the same... I appreciate listening experience is a very subjective thing.
Demiourgos said:
thanks guys, that was really helpful!
I was worried, because most phones sounds very flat. Mostly I listen to rock music so powerful low and dynamic high frequencies is a must have.
Now I use Nokia E65 with 3,5mm adaptor and KOSS earbuds. I hope there will be an major upgrade between E65 and DHD in case of sound + might consider changing earphones to AKG's.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I listen to deathcore and metalcore stuffs, having a low and dynamic Hi-F would indeed be superb with the open triplets, massive double paddle bass and all the squeaking pinching.. goes sexy on the distortion sound too
d0pefish said:
In the Music app (at least; haven't looked at any video playback yet) there's a button at the top right and an item on the Menu button called Sound Enhancer.
On there, you have "No effects", "Dolby Mobile", "SRS enhancement", and "Equalizer (headphones only)". Next to Equalizer, there's a variety of presets like Pop, Rock, Bass boost, Treble boost, Vocal boost, and a few more. I haven't found any means of actually adjusting the Dolby or SRS - it just seems to be an on/off thing - same with the EQ, there's no manual band control that I can see. It's either Nothing, Dolby, SRS, or EQ+a preset.
Dolby mobile and SRS makes a difference to the music being played in both the headphones, and out of the phone's speaker. Dolby seems to push more bass and adds a mild surround-like feeling. SRS seems to boost the bass and treble and make the sound "stand out" more. Both nice effects, worth playing with on various kinds of headphone. It's a preferential thing - the sound is fantastic even with no effects. They seem to make the external speaker a little louder (perhaps as a result of extra treble?) which, I must admit, is tinny and a little quiet, but I was expecting that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sweet, i love to hear that SRS and DOLBY makes media playback via the internal speaker a lil bit louder.. cuz it has been metallic and empty for the HTC Desire. Yes we all know that people dont enjoy music via the speakers but it would be handy sometime to have at least a decent one.. just for shortplaybacks or watching video with buddies..
does it work for youtube perhaps? cuz i see people tend to watch youtube vids with friends.. that is where a decent speaker goes along well or does it work only with the music player
override182 said:
I listen to deathcore and metalcore stuffs, having a low and dynamic Hi-F would indeed be superb with the open triplets, massive double paddle bass and all the squeaking pinching.. goes sexy on the distortion sound too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no deathcore to hand at the moment, but can give it a shot when I get home and report back, ahhaha
override182 said:
does it work for youtube perhaps? cuz i see people tend to watch youtube vids with friends.. that is where a decent speaker goes along well or does it work only with the music player
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since the sound enhancement settings are only accessible from within the Music application, I don't know whether these enhancements only affect the music played in this app, or if the settings "stick" and apply to all media. I have no data or Wifi available at the moment to test out YouTube, but will report back tonight unless someone else would like to try.
I wonder if the Dolby/SRS/EQ stuff is done in software, or in the DAC/audio chip. Would be nice if it was the latter, as in the future we may end up with an external app that may offer more control over it, like some older HTC phones used to have.
Thought id post some screen shots of the music player and settings and what have you.
d0pefish said:
I have no deathcore to hand at the moment, but can give it a shot when I get home and report back, ahhaha
Since the sound enhancement settings are only accessible from within the Music application, I don't know whether these enhancements only affect the music played in this app, or if the settings "stick" and apply to all media. I have no data or Wifi available at the moment to test out YouTube, but will report back tonight unless someone else would like to try.
I wonder if the Dolby/SRS/EQ stuff is done in software, or in the DAC/audio chip. Would be nice if it was the latter, as in the future we may end up with an external app that may offer more control over it, like some older HTC phones used to have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try Bring Me The Horizon : Visions and Asking Alexandria : The Final Episode.. tell me if it sounds awesome! Both songs have quite a dynamic range of tunes and even very low ones too
Beards said:
Is there any ex Galaxy S owners here who could provide an 'HONEST' opinion please.
The SGS is known as having an excellent Music App and delivers excellent quality audio.
It will be great to hear the DHD can achieve a similar result.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I can help, my friend is here with her HD and I had a galaxy s not long back..(sold this week)
Galaxy s vs Desire HD - music through loud speaker - Galaxy S kicks its butt.
Galaxy S vs Desire HD - music through standard supplied earphones - Galaxy S again sound better.
Galaxy S vs Desire HD - music with a set of sennheiser cx500 in the DHD (ebay £10, best earphones for the price, trust me) WOW, what a difference, lovely sound and good bass, on par with Galaxy S id say..
Basically the external speaker isn't that loud (its not bad but its just not loud enough...as always...thanks HTC)
The supplied headphons that come with the Desire HD are crap..
Get a good set of earphones (the sennheiser cx500 were just an example but I found them to be very good for the money)...the difference is like night and day.
So with a good set of earphones its easily on par with the Galaxy S and an IPod for that matter... Hope that helps.
EDIT- I also had a Desire and the sound even with the standard headphones was much better on the DHD
Nice to hear good stuff for music quality. Can anyone confirm If radio loudness is good or not with headsets (compared to mp3 listenning). Also It has got RDS support, right?
rixsta said:
Yes I can help, my friend is here with her HD and I had a galaxy s not long back..(sold this week)
Galaxy s vs Desire HD - music through loud speaker - Galaxy S kicks its butt.
Galaxy S vs Desire HD - music through standard supplied earphones - Galaxy S again sound better.
Galaxy S vs Desire HD - music with a set of sennheiser cx500 in the DHD (ebay £10, best earphones for the price, trust me) WOW, what a difference, lovely sound and good bass, on par with Galaxy S id say..
Basically the external speaker isn't that loud (its not bad but its just not loud enough...as always...thanks HTC)
The supplied headphons that come with the Desire HD are crap..
Get a good set of earphones (the sennheiser cx500 were just an example but I found them to be very good for the money)...the difference is like night and day.
So with a good set of earphones its easily on par with the Galaxy S and an IPod for that matter... Hope that helps.
EDIT- I also had a Desire and the sound even with the standard headphones was much better on the DHD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks mate, appreciate the honesty.
Beards said:
Thanks mate, appreciate the honesty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello matey, no problem, really it just comes down to Samsung ship far better headphones in box than the HTC, once you get a decent set the DHD sound is dam good.
rixsta said:
Hello matey, no problem, really it just comes down to Samsung ship far better headphones in box than the HTC, once you get a decent set the DHD sound is dam good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes Rich, appreciate that.
My problem though is I do use the external speaker a lot.
I take an awful lot of video's of my 3yr old granddaughter and pass the phone around to show the rest of the family (when out & about that is.... Near a TV and I either use the TV Cable or DLNA).
Taking these video's and playing them back through the speaker is sheer bliss.
Hence my nightmare..... The SGS has an excellent camera and bloody good loudspeaker to boot.
I've a strong feeling the DHD I'm ordering soon will disappoint.
Hi,
can anybody say anything about the audio quality with decent headphones? I have pretty good Shure headphones, which don't work very well with my current phone, which is one of the reasons I consider buying the U8800. I'd change my mind if I knew the quality was bad.
So, how are the quality overall and how loud does it get (I usually don't listen very loudly).
Thanks!
I can't make comaparisons with other smartphones and in the month I have had the IDEOS X5 I find the sound quality pretty good through the headphones.
I've used different headphones that I have lying around. All were better than the headphones that came with the phone.
At home I use an old Koss full padded headphones that I normally use on the PC or when watching TV late at night. (It has a very long cable). I find the qality pretty good, warm bass without it being too punchy.
I also bought a set of cheap (AUD$3.50) stereo headphones from e-bay. The sound was crisp, perhaps a little too much treble but you can balance it out depending on the music app you use.
I recently bought a Sony Bluetooth stereo MW600 headset which work nicely with the IDEOS X5 using the stock music player. Sound is clear and well balanced.
Neither of these are very loud but I've had it turn it down a little depending on the outside noise level.
Having said all that there is a huge difference to sound quality depending on the type of bit rate used on the MP3's. The higher the bit rate the better the sound quality and volume...but I think that goes without saying but music listeners possibly don't allow for the quality of the re-encoding.
AND...the quality of audio is about 100 x better than through the speakers
The sound quality is bad. The bass is good but it also "spreads" out and muffles other sounds so it all sounds hazy. My PC/cowon I7 does not suffer from this.
The headphones I use daily are IE7's. Shure SE420 also sounded hazy with U8800. Tested with FLAC and MP3's with similar results on both.
Thanks for your answers.
Varatesh: Considering what high quality earphones you use, I guess your expectations might be somewhat higher than mine.
Sadly I don't know own anybody withe an U8800 so I can't test the audio quality and it's rarely tested in reviews, so no "objective" info there.
pragmatick said:
Hi,
can anybody say anything about the audio quality with decent headphones? I have pretty good Shure headphones, which don't work very well with my current phone, which is one of the reasons I consider buying the U8800. I'd change my mind if I knew the quality was bad.
So, how are the quality overall and how loud does it get (I usually don't listen very loudly).
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't now if I help w/ my case:
I only use the U8800 heaphones/mic and I must not change because the pinout is different (begining by the point):
Sound.L/Sound.R/Mic/Ground.
The others like Samsung, LG, etc. the pinout is:
Sound.L/Sound.R/Ground/Mic.
If we chage it the sound is bad because it return by Mic, not by ground. And the Mic also work bad.
That's interesting, ValenteL. So that means it would be possible to solder an adapter? It's just a matter of switching two channels.
pragmatick said:
That's interesting, ValenteL. So that means it would be possible to solder an adapter? It's just a matter of switching two channels.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Helo
It's possible. For music only, no problem, I use one w/ 3 contacts.
W/ Mic I encountered only one same the U8800, is the ZTE Blade one.
Cumps.
Using ideos x5 + poweramp (it uses ffmpeg's codecs = better quality than the stock android codecs) + sony mw600 = eargasm.
Deep bass, rich high's and great fidelity, even on low bit rate HEAAC files. Although one thing to note, i had problems and dropouts using by bluetooth handset over a2dp with the stock froyo roms. That problem vanished as soon as i moved to the 2.3.5 roms floating around here (My personal favorite is MIUI and i'm waiting for an official cm7 nightly )
I'm not an audiophile or something - i wouldn't use my smartphone for music if i was one - but for the price tag and the hardware we get, music quality is superb, especially compared to the crappy sound output my previous htc wildfire had.
pragmatick said:
Hi,
can anybody say anything about the audio quality with decent headphones? I have pretty good Shure headphones, which don't work very well with my current phone, which is one of the reasons I consider buying the U8800. I'd change my mind if I knew the quality was bad.
So, how are the quality overall and how loud does it get (I usually don't listen very loudly).
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sound is normal but you always can hear empty noise..the current noise.. there is no silence when there is no audio (yes it shuts down audio after 5secs of no audio) but it always have noise if you listen at more then 25% of volume then you will not hear it but if you listen at night you can clearly hear it.
Tommixoft said:
Sound is normal but you always can hear empty noise..the current noise.. there is no silence when there is no audio (yes it shuts down audio after 5secs of no audio) but it always have noise if you listen at more then 25% of volume then you will not hear it but if you listen at night you can clearly hear it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with this. It's very apparent when listening to audiobooks, not a big problem with music though.
I can confirm the "current" noise too....
We seriously need a sound quality-related thread for this phone.
I'll start first.
I think this phone's audio is OK, best I've seen by far, but not as detailed as I'd like it. I seldom change phones, so I will compare it (very neutrally) with my previous phone: Note 3.
The Note supports 24-bit/192 kHz, while this phone's international model supports 24-bit/96 kHz.
This phone's Boomsound software is actually a pretty good feature and raises just the right frequencies to the right extent, without distorting the authentic experience. But it was so loud/wild that it started to blow even my studio monitor Audio-Technica M50, which was something purely related to not up-to-the-mark coding, blowing off relatively neutral headphones.
But I just updated to 4.4.3 firmware, and they have actually improved a lot on that software deficiency. The headphones do not feel blown even at full volume, which is a giant leap considering how "sensitive" audio equalizers like BoomSound are to reach perfection. Sure, they still haven't reached perfection; audio loses detail nearly last 2 steps of volume, but it's nice to see they are actually improving on that.
Of course, I can turn off Boomsound anytime and be as authentic as anything, but for me boomsound is just a priceless software I'm yet to find in any mobile yet.
Note 3 had Adapt Sound, which is a great equalizer to tweak sound to the best too. But I like how you don't have to take an audiometry-like test just to improve sound on your phone in M8. (Not bashing Note 3's audio at all, just my preference).
I think I read in the official features of Android L that external DAC will be natively supported (correct me if I'm wrong), so I'm really looking forward to the future of audio in this phone.
P.s. I would give an arm and leg to try out Harmon Kardon mod for this phone, but I can't because of no S-Off. I really can't wait to hear the difference between Boomsound and Harmon Kardon myself. Well, until the day I can get the mod!
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Pay the 25 dollars...
OP, I think this thread is a good idea :good:
I hope that we will get some good input and development info here
P.S. HK on 4.4.3 is awesome!
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/htc...-harman-kardon-conversion-htc-one-m8-t2827439
erapmicks said:
Pay the 25 dollars...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Willing to pay, even tried all I could to pay them in *any* way but my country has no PayPal, and even a live chat with the developers could not find a workaround for the issue
I'm just refreshing their page everyday to see if new payment methods become available.
09Ram said:
OP, I think this thread is a good idea :good:
I hope that we will get some good input and development info here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As a really really really enthusiastic audiophile who is trying all his can to learn music and stuff, I wanted views of everyone, pro or not, on this phone's audio. Can't wait to see how the feedback/discussions help us!!!
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Good stuff, you sound like you know your stuff What is your opinion of the stock earbuds that come with the phone?
WarCow said:
Good stuff, you sound like you know your stuff What is your opinion of the stock earbuds that come with the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just like HTC's previous ear buds which came with M7, they lean towards a more bass-y sound. The sound is hence easier on the ears, and the best point about these earplugs is that they are at least able to playback all (OK, not all, but a lot more than any I've seen come from any phone) frequencies. This is most noticeable as the lower frequencies, the bass, is actually *booming* at lower volumes with these earplugs. Which is relatively hard to attain in earphones.
But apart from bass being good (which targets a more encompassing audience which likes bass-y music), the sound maintains its balance. It's not obsessively bass-y, and not too peaked at higher frequencies too.
The new 4.4.3 update made the audio more "muddier/bass-y/low frequency-focused", than I'd like though. It is, in my opinion, a downgrade from previous version. But yes, an upgrade in the part that the crucial frequencies aren't "blown" like the previous one.
Let me give you my point of view. How *I* like my music. I like it as authentic as possible. I'm what you might call an audio purist/fundamentalist person.
One last point about the earphones. The earphones are a bit fatiguing. They fatigue my ear more than other earphones I've tried, despite the easier, softer audio focus.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Great thread! I do really enjoy good audio myself!
What I regret is that I converted my phone to Google Play Edition and that really changes how boomsound works. I am going back to Sense.
In my case, and I do not know why I am the only one that notices, but the soundstage goes on and off when listening to music and touching the home button. Stay away from GPE people.
In regards to the headphones I think they're pretty good too considering they're $6 earbuds. Lots of people say "Hey this earbuds suck" but what they do not know is that the plug size really MATTERS!!! If you don't choose the correct plug size any earbuds sound like crap.
I would really like to test the V-Moda Crossfade m-100 headphones on my phone, but I spent the money on a Samsung Gear Live I had the V-Moda Crossfade LP2s and sold them, they are great but bass-y (I don't have much time to use headphones), I use my car audio and my home theater system (MartinLogan speakers + Denon A/V receiver).
I converted my m8 to EU stock rom so I haven't tested it thoroughly yet. I did like the sound on .2 minus boomsound. BS was OK on some hip hop but overpowering on other genres. I've been working too much OT to test but has the mono USB audio out been fixed? I don't think many people noticed that that use external DAC s. Output through my JDS labs CD5 was mono but headphone out was still awesome. Has anybody noticed if it's been fixed?
Sent from HTC One_M8 using hofo app.
Sry in advance, too long post :<
Jamal Ahmed said:
This phone's Boomsound software is actually a pretty good feature and raises just the right frequencies to the right extent, without distorting the authentic experience. But it was so loud/wild that it started to blow even my studio monitor Audio-Technica M50, which was something purely related to not up-to-the-mark coding, blowing off relatively neutral headphones.
But I just updated to 4.4.3 firmware, and they have actually improved a lot on that software deficiency. The headphones do not feel blown even at full volume, which is a giant leap considering how "sensitive" audio equalizers like BoomSound are to reach perfection. Sure, they still haven't reached perfection; audio loses detail nearly last 2 steps of volume, but it's nice to see they are actually improving on that.
Of course, I can turn off Boomsound anytime and be as authentic as anything, but for me boomsound is just a priceless software I'm yet to find in any mobile yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can you call this an Audiophile thread with these claims? (no offense tho).
Boomsound is the by far most horrible crap, you can use for headphones, if you truly want a high audio quality.
And i am not talking about, that you might "like" the different sounding, when the bass/treble is raised, and the mids are lowered.
I talk about the PURE quality of the sound. Its worse. It is. Noise and distortion are by worlds higher. With my Beyerdynamic T90 (yes, treble peak.. but still) and also with my pretty neutal Logitech UE 900 it was not listenable. The treble distorted in alot songs, it hurts in the ears etc.
I still DO think, if Boomsound would do the same, but NOT raise the treble, if would be by miles better as a "fun-setting". But like this, its not usable, tbh.
Also, if you want a sorce besides my ears: http://www.anandtech.com/show/8078/smartphone-audio-testing-htc-one-m8-and-samsung-galaxy-s5/2
Scroll down.
Comparing the THD+N ratio of BoomSound On to Off shows far more noise and distortion as well. If you want boomy bass, a harsh top-end, and no midrange, then use BoomSound. A better choice is to find headphones that suit your listening preferences more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jamal Ahmed said:
I think I read in the official features of Android L that external DAC will be natively supported (correct me if I'm wrong), so I'm really looking forward to the future of audio in this phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I am not mistaken, this feature is supported by Android from version 4.3 onwards. So, witha Fiio E07k, E18~ you should be able to use it as a DAC. In the M8 audio quality thread on head-fi.org, one User uses the E18 with this, and can't disable Boomsound, while using an external DAC.
Jamal Ahmed said:
P.s. I would give an arm and leg to try out Harmon Kardon mod for this phone, but I can't because of no S-Off. I really can't wait to hear the difference between Boomsound and Harmon Kardon myself. Well, until the day I can get the mod!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even if i do absolutely not share your opinion about Boomsound via Headphones, you might still be interested in my opinion in this comparison.
Boomsound:
Just a cheap EQ setting. Works well together with the external speakers, but is pretty crap for Headphones (maybe its fine with dull headphones, which dont have good treble/clarity. Maybe Shure SE 215, or some other basshead headphones).
I truly cant recommend it. And like i said, its NOT because the EQ setting changes the "true sound" (i like the Use of EQs to do some fine tuning if needed), but because using this raises the noise AND distortion by a good bunch. You can hear that strongly. At least i can.
PLUS, theres one big thing: This is just ONE strong agressive Preset of an EQ. Bass below 120 hz gets +5db, lower mids (120-1000 Hz) gets lowered by up to -5 dB, while the frequencies from 2000 up to 10k+ Hz) gets raised by 4,5db. Above 10k Hz its even above 5 dB).
This makes the difference Bass/treble, to the Mids from 0 dB to 10 dB, since +5 and -5 adds to 10. Thats a really hard difference.
So, in conclusion: Depending on headphones, this might sound better, or actually MUCH worse.
Bassy headphones, lets take your M50s, already have strong bass. Depending on frequency response, that bass could even "overlap" the mids, if the bass is too strong. you can see that on beats headphones. With Boomsound, the bass gets even more stronger, and the mids will get even more back in the background. Alot Headphones, that have a V-curve (and so naturally weaks in the mids) gets even weaker mids.
Also, depending on your headphones also as with the Audio files, the distortion gets raised by a little, or maybe by A LOT.
If you are not happy with your Headphone sounding, you should maybe try another Headphone.
If you just need some fine tuning, then you are by MILES better, if you just use PowerAmp, and its Equalizer, since it can react like a million times better to the individual frequency response of the headphones, and to your own personal taste. Boomsound here is more like "boom in your face. be happy with it, or cry"
Harman & Kardon Soundmod:
Now, this thing is alot different. This is actually Not an Equalizer, like Boomsound. H&K's "Clear-Fi" technology tries to take a strongly compressed Audiofile, and tries to recreate the missing parts.
So, it tries to raise the pure "compressed" audioquality of bad audiofiles.
I personally have mostly 256+ kbit/s MP3s, and Flacs. So, this technology wont help much. it sounds almost the exact same --> not really usefull. You just wont hear much of a difference, unless your Files have a bad quality. And if they do, then get better quality files, instead of such a software, that might not even work well enough.
But, this Soundmod disables Boomsound. Yes, you can find a "trick", where you change the Boomsound parameter from false to true in a script, and enabling it back in the menu. But, it will NOT be active. its like just menu decoration. The "boomsound" sign in the task bar will not be there - Not even with external speakers.
Boomsound is made ONLY for the External speakers, they work together quite well. Without Boomsound (ergo, with H&K soundmod flashed), the External speakers will sound much more thin/tinny. I have yet to find a way to have Boomsound for the speakers, and H&K Soundmod for headphones. Unless theres something new here, this is not possible together.
Lets go a bit deeper into the Audiophile theorycrafting:
H&K's "Clear-Fi", and its purpose might sound awesome. But it has its negative sights:
- It only helps on Crappy Audiophiles. Someone, who cares about audio quality will not use <128 kbit/s mp3s. At LEAST 192, but more 256-320 Kbit/s or even flac. So this will not help you, as the compression on 256+ is not strong enough, to make a difference (also, because most songs have a crappy quality from beeing badly mastered)
- The thoughts behind clear-fi are adressing the "problem" at the totally wrong spot. On most songs, it just does not matter, what file quality (bitrate etc) you use, because most songs are just really really crappy mastered in the studio. Its because alot people dont care about audio quality. so they use cheap crap, like beats headphones, logitech speakers for 30 bucks, and 10 bucks earphones etc. Crappy mastered/produced music sounds better on cheap devices, than a high quality master.
I mean, how are you supposed to "guess" the higher quality, if the artists arent producing high quality music?
I think, the following is a perfect comparison:
You create a 480p Movie, and try to upscale it into 1080p using a cheap software... Do you honestly think, that will raise the quality? I personally don't..
So, to make it pretty short: The worse your File quality is (and higher the file compression), the more "Clear-Fi" might make a difference.
The higher the file quality, the less difference this will make.
To get a high audio quality into your ears, you need a different priority:
1. The Song must be produced in a good/high quality. Much more important, than Bitrate. For example: Michael Jackson's Thriller album at 128 kbit/s will sound much better, than the new Linkin Park Album in 320 kbit+. (i like linkin park, but the new album has such an incredible low quality... its like zero fun listening to it, when you have really good headphones)
2. You need good headphones (Besides the master quality headphones are responsible for like 70-90% of the Audioquality. The REST comes from the DAC/AMP)
3. DAC / AMP Quality
The "Chain" is important. If just one part of it has a low quality, the whole chain will sound low.
good thread, I like quality audio too and use my M8 for music player, stream music at home etc
have a few high quality headphones like Sennheiser On Ear momentum, shure se215, hifiman re 400 and NAD HP50
with boomsound turned on, headphones sound awefull then I realised that it can be turned off with headpohone is connected, and with that off, sound quality is clean and crisp
I like neutral sound, true to source but maybe a bit high on treble....so far sound quality is good and is comparable to my previous note 3...note 3 was the best clean souding phone I hear so far though
any other suggestion to get a clean sound would be much helpfull
Long post (Darkseth), but ultimately just regurgitated from other audiophile nonsense. Boomsound is fine, and it's just elitist to claim it is anything else.
Most people like more bass in their music, most artists sound crap when played back without EQ. You can like it how it's meant to sound but artists want what THEY like, not what I like.
My favorite sound is poweramp music player with bass and treble cranked up, the mid tones almost removed as they sound rubbish with almost all music, and boomsound on top.
I am A1 qualified audiophile with qualifications from the school of knowing what I like
/bowing out and sorry if I derail anything.
The main reason for flashing the H/K mod is that it updates the adsp firmware to support 24bit 192kHz instead the 16bit 96kHz of the standard M8. Loaded up with hi-res flac files and through my Westone 4r's, the difference is night and day to me.
WESBAR said:
The main reason for flashing the H/K mod is that it updates the adsp firmware to support 24bit 192kHz instead the 16bit 96kHz of the standard M8. Loaded up with hi-res flac files and through my Westone 4r's, the difference is night and day to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do you hear any difference bwn 192kHz and 96kHz ? tried myself but no difference in quality and head-fi also has many reviewers say no difference but file size just increase a lot
Hey everyone, I'll say I'm an audiophile just because I like good quality, not because I have any knowledge, so this being said what do you guys have to say about ProjectERA?
HtcOneJon said:
Long post (Darkseth), but ultimately just regurgitated from other audiophile nonsense. Boomsound is fine, and it's just elitist to claim it is anything else.
Most people like more bass in their music, most artists sound crap when played back without EQ. You can like it how it's meant to sound but artists want what THEY like, not what I like.
My favorite sound is poweramp music player with bass and treble cranked up, the mid tones almost removed as they sound rubbish with almost all music, and boomsound on top.
I am A1 qualified audiophile with qualifications from the school of knowing what I like
/bowing out and sorry if I derail anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sarcasm? If yes, then thx for that giggle mate
thecrab93 said:
Hey everyone, I'll say I'm an audiophile just because I like good quality, not because I have any knowledge, so this being said what do you guys have to say about ProjectERA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like a good thing. I also had it flashed for a short time... Cant really claim, i heared a difference. But when you reboot into recovery, flash and reboot, thats too much time passed, to be able to really compare it.
You would need 2 devices, one with, one without ProjectERA mod, to really be able to compare it i think.
soo.... difficult to say.
Darkseth said:
Sry in advance, too long post :<
How can you call this an Audiophile thread with these claims? (no offense tho).
Boomsound is the by far most horrible crap, you can use for headphones, if you truly want a high audio quality.
And i am not talking about, that you might "like" the different sounding, when the bass/treble is raised, and the mids are lowered.
I talk about the PURE quality of the sound. Its worse. It is. Noise and distortion are by worlds higher. With my Beyerdynamic T90 (yes, treble peak.. but still) and also with my pretty neutal Logitech UE 900 it was not listenable. The treble distorted in alot songs, it hurts in the ears etc.
I still DO think, if Boomsound would do the same, but NOT raise the treble, if would be by miles better as a "fun-setting". But like this, its not usable, tbh.
Also, if you want a sorce besides my ears: http://www.anandtech.com/show/8078/smartphone-audio-testing-htc-one-m8-and-samsung-galaxy-s5/2
Scroll down.
If I am not mistaken, this feature is supported by Android from version 4.3 onwards. So, witha Fiio E07k, E18~ you should be able to use it as a DAC. In the M8 audio quality thread on head-fi.org, one User uses the E18 with this, and can't disable Boomsound, while using an external DAC.
Even if i do absolutely not share your opinion about Boomsound via Headphones, you might still be interested in my opinion in this comparison.
Boomsound:
Just a cheap EQ setting. Works well together with the external speakers, but is pretty crap for Headphones (maybe its fine with dull headphones, which dont have good treble/clarity. Maybe Shure SE 215, or some other basshead headphones).
I truly cant recommend it. And like i said, its NOT because the EQ setting changes the "true sound" (i like the Use of EQs to do some fine tuning if needed), but because using this raises the noise AND distortion by a good bunch. You can hear that strongly. At least i can.
PLUS, theres one big thing: This is just ONE strong agressive Preset of an EQ. Bass below 120 hz gets +5db, lower mids (120-1000 Hz) gets lowered by up to -5 dB, while the frequencies from 2000 up to 10k+ Hz) gets raised by 4,5db. Above 10k Hz its even above 5 dB).
This makes the difference Bass/treble, to the Mids from 0 dB to 10 dB, since +5 and -5 adds to 10. Thats a really hard difference.
So, in conclusion: Depending on headphones, this might sound better, or actually MUCH worse.
Bassy headphones, lets take your M50s, already have strong bass. Depending on frequency response, that bass could even "overlap" the mids, if the bass is too strong. you can see that on beats headphones. With Boomsound, the bass gets even more stronger, and the mids will get even more back in the background. Alot Headphones, that have a V-curve (and so naturally weaks in the mids) gets even weaker mids.
Also, depending on your headphones also as with the Audio files, the distortion gets raised by a little, or maybe by A LOT.
If you are not happy with your Headphone sounding, you should maybe try another Headphone.
If you just need some fine tuning, then you are by MILES better, if you just use PowerAmp, and its Equalizer, since it can react like a million times better to the individual frequency response of the headphones, and to your own personal taste. Boomsound here is more like "boom in your face. be happy with it, or cry"
Harman & Kardon Soundmod:
Now, this thing is alot different. This is actually Not an Equalizer, like Boomsound. H&K's "Clear-Fi" technology tries to take a strongly compressed Audiofile, and tries to recreate the missing parts.
So, it tries to raise the pure "compressed" audioquality of bad audiofiles.
I personally have mostly 256+ kbit/s MP3s, and Flacs. So, this technology wont help much. it sounds almost the exact same --> not really usefull. You just wont hear much of a difference, unless your Files have a bad quality. And if they do, then get better quality files, instead of such a software, that might not even work well enough.
But, this Soundmod disables Boomsound. Yes, you can find a "trick", where you change the Boomsound parameter from false to true in a script, and enabling it back in the menu. But, it will NOT be active. its like just menu decoration. The "boomsound" sign in the task bar will not be there - Not even with external speakers.
Boomsound is made ONLY for the External speakers, they work together quite well. Without Boomsound (ergo, with H&K soundmod flashed), the External speakers will sound much more thin/tinny. I have yet to find a way to have Boomsound for the speakers, and H&K Soundmod for headphones. Unless theres something new here, this is not possible together.
Lets go a bit deeper into the Audiophile theorycrafting:
H&K's "Clear-Fi", and its purpose might sound awesome. But it has its negative sights:
- It only helps on Crappy Audiophiles. Someone, who cares about audio quality will not use <128 kbit/s mp3s. At LEAST 192, but more 256-320 Kbit/s or even flac. So this will not help you, as the compression on 256+ is not strong enough, to make a difference (also, because most songs have a crappy quality from beeing badly mastered)
- The thoughts behind clear-fi are adressing the "problem" at the totally wrong spot. On most songs, it just does not matter, what file quality (bitrate etc) you use, because most songs are just really really crappy mastered in the studio. Its because alot people dont care about audio quality. so they use cheap crap, like beats headphones, logitech speakers for 30 bucks, and 10 bucks earphones etc. Crappy mastered/produced music sounds better on cheap devices, than a high quality master.
I mean, how are you supposed to "guess" the higher quality, if the artists arent producing high quality music?
I think, the following is a perfect comparison:
You create a 480p Movie, and try to upscale it into 1080p using a cheap software... Do you honestly think, that will raise the quality? I personally don't..
So, to make it pretty short: The worse your File quality is (and higher the file compression), the more "Clear-Fi" might make a difference.
The higher the file quality, the less difference this will make.
To get a high audio quality into your ears, you need a different priority:
1. The Song must be produced in a good/high quality. Much more important, than Bitrate. For example: Michael Jackson's Thriller album at 128 kbit/s will sound much better, than the new Linkin Park Album in 320 kbit+. (i like linkin park, but the new album has such an incredible low quality... its like zero fun listening to it, when you have really good headphones)
2. You need good headphones (Besides the master quality headphones are responsible for like 70-90% of the Audioquality. The REST comes from the DAC/AMP)
3. DAC / AMP Quality
The "Chain" is important. If just one part of it has a low quality, the whole chain will sound low.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I completely agree with you
best: H / K for MP3 and Boumsound for speakers
the speakers do have a bad sound without boumsound
Viper4Android is very good to improve the quality but I did not try on the M8
saj2001ind said:
do you hear any difference bwn 192kHz and 96kHz ? tried myself but no difference in quality and head-fi also has many reviewers say no difference but file size just increase a lot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can hear the difference. 192kHz has a little more sparkle to me, especially the highs. Probably an exagerration to say night and day but I can hear it.
I like 24 bit 192 kHz more because it is easier to use hi-end equipment on it, and still be as authentic as possible. Logically, low resolution would sound worse to worst as the quality of your equipment goes higher. Hi-res has one advantage, if any, that it assures you that if you have invested more in your equipment, it won't go to waste all the time you are listening to audio on mobile.
and AFAIK 24 bit 192 kHz is the max supported resolution by headphones of even a pretty high caliber.
Hey OP. What else did you notice out of the 4.4.3 updpate that is so diff from 4.4.2? Sorry for changing topic lol
I can't stand BoomSound as it makes the music sound horrible and unrealistic (it works for the external speakers though). It does very weird things with the sound with headphones. I did not like the Harman Kardon mod either. It just pumped up the highs and has too low bass. Ironically it too sounded very bad in my Harman Kardon CL headphones. Though better than BoomSound.
I rather go flat than use any of those mods and any "audiphile" would agree. It might be good for cheaper heaphones though.
However Viper4Android is another story. With it you can customise the sound without destroying it and give it a richer character. I am extremely happy with it.
DISCLAIMER: I'm no audiophile, but I have very good pitch, and a brain.
I also recommend against using ClearAudio+ (I'll explain why at the end) but instead using equalizer settings to tune music for a specific headset.
Hi everyone! When I first received my Sony Xperia Z2, I had just lost my favorite pair of in-ear headphones, a set of Kramer-modded JVC HA-FX35, and were stuck with the stock MH410c earbuds. Needless to say, these were very poor sounding, and only marginally improved with the Sony 5-band equalizer. I found the Digital Noise Cancelling MDR-NC31EM could be of use to me, so I ordered a pair.
________________________________________________
What I found in these two headsets is as follows:
MH410c - extremely forward, boxy (think cheap speakers playing in a cardboard box) and congested / stuffy sounding midrange, lacking bass extension below ~200 hz and heavy treble fall off after 8 khz, with instruments and voices bleeding over top of each other with cloudy attack (beginning of sounds are not sharp)
MDR-NC31EM - very bass heavy, full sounding, otherwise relatively flat from ~1khz into the upper midrange but lacking definition in sounds above the vocal range such as hi-hats and symbols with a smothered type sound. Some users prefer this kind of experience (think Dr. Dre Beats) but I'd rather stray away. Once I bought the noise cancelling headset, I proceeded to work on an equalizer to balance out the sound on Android 4.4.2. The old earbuds, I packed up in case I would need it someday. I found that even though I could correct the frequency response pretty well, but highs (hi-hat) were somewhat grainy and lacking true detail.
________________________________________________
Here's where the new update comes in. With the 4.4.4 update, Sony incorporated a new set of audio settings. Included with the new build, are preset equalizers for several Sony headsets.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
These are designed to give each headset a more flat frequency response curve to enhance the accuracy and sound quality. They work pretty well, however I found that both the MH410 and MDR-NC31EM presets make the headsets sound grainy and gritty in the highs due to the distortion created by heavily boosting these frequencies. Noise Cancellation is not available without selecting the MDR-NC31EM preset.
________________________________________________
The MH410 preset flattens sound out pretty well. Lower midrange is still a bit prevalent and there is some lingering harmonic distortion in the midrange with grainy highs above 12khz. I found the following equalizer settings to work well over top of the preset:
400 hz: -2
1 khz: -2
2.5 khz: -1
6 khz: +1
16 khz: -2
Clear Bass: +2
This helps further control the midrange and removes some grain out of the upper highs. Some depth is added to the sound without too much sibilance at 6 khz. Adding more bass is worthless, as it muddies the sound because Sony is already heavily boosting the bass in the preset.
The MDR-NC31EM preset instantly adds clarity and treble extension to the headset. Treble is increased, and treble now extends up closer to top-end 20 khz much better than it did before, albeit with some distortion and grain. The bass is very slightly reduced, and tightened up somewhat. The overall sound feels much less sloppy and more like something I would enjoy listening to, though mostly still feels full and warm.
My equalizer settings applied over the preset:
400 hz: -2
1 khz: +1
2.5 khz: +1
6 khz: +2
16 khz: -2
Clear Bass: 0
This helps bring out the midrange which felt somewhat recessed to me, and slightly reduces the grainy upper treble.
________________________________________________
ClearAudio+: Why not use it? It's supposed to optimize sound settings, but often does the opposite. ClearAudio+ I've found helps in only one situation, when you need to boost front-facing speaker volume in a loud area.
Regardless of what headphones you have plugged in, ClearAudio+ typically does two things: Boosts upper midrange and treble, and automatically reduces the stereo width (stereo sound) which you can also do separately by applying similar settings in the equalizer and setting the "Surround sound (VPT)" settings, specifically the "Studio" option.
ClearAudio+ in my opinion is nothing more than a gimmick, some people perceive extra treble as extra clarity, but this is not the case. You lose definition in lower voices such as guitars, trombones, baritone voices, or what else you may be listening to with this option enabled.
________________________________________________
In conclusion, I hope this thread helps other Xperia Z2 (as well as Z3, Z3v users, if they read it!) understand the new audio settings and the optimal way to use them. My example equalizer settings are nothing more than examples and what I prefer, you have different ears that were made a different way and you may prefer something slightly different. I'm a little deaf anyway from years of trumpet playing and concerts though I still have a pretty good ear.
I hope you find this helpful, and if you do or don't, feel free to input your thoughts and hit the thanks button!
Excellent post, shame that my Z2 doesn't work with my MDR-NC31EM anymore. My Z3TC does though so I will definitely use these settings on here!
Any idea whether the Newly implemented DSEE HX audio feature actually help the quality of the music playback or cause more harm instead?
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Free mobile app
Stalkalainen said:
Excellent post, shame that my Z2 doesn't work with my MDR-NC31EM anymore. My Z3TC does though so I will definitely use these settings on here!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there an issue with your Z2? That stinks.
chaud said:
Any idea whether the Newly implemented DSEE HX audio feature actually help the quality of the music playback or cause more harm instead?
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't use the Walkman app or play MP3s. I use Spotify on their highest quality setting, which is a 320 kbps Ogg Vorbis file at near-lossless quality. Get ready for a long, detailed and technical response, though.
The DSEE HX audio function is designed to replace lost information in low bitrate MP3 and AAC files.
MP3 is the most common compression codec as well as one of the worst in efficiency, though many are moving away from it.
AAC files are the standard compression format for iTunes downloads, for example. It has somewhat better sound at the same bitrate as MP3.
Before getting too much into the technical talk, it's important to understand that during music compression, information is lost or distorted. It's very similar to same as JPEG compression-
Obviously, the compression saves lots of space but reduces quality of the image. Audio compression works in pretty much the same way. Where JPEG compression loses detail in fine lines and details, audio compression, especially MP3, loses lots and lots of high treble and can muddy and distort sounds from base to midrange especially with attack. You end up with loose sounding bass notes, and a sort of metallic-ringing with midrange sounds.
For example, here's a listening comparison.
64 kbps MP3 / AAC
http://nigelcoldwell.co.uk/audio/mp3vbr/abr064.mp3
http://nigelcoldwell.co.uk/audio/aacs/aac-064.m4a
128 kbps MP3
http://nigelcoldwell.co.uk/audio/mp3vbr/abr128.mp3
320 kbps OGG (lets pretend this is the lossless source file)
http://nigelcoldwell.co.uk/audio/oggs/ogg-09-11(320).ogg
Source: http://nigelcoldwell.co.uk/audio/
You can tell that the compressed files don't actually sound too bad, but if you pay attention, you'll notice the 64 kbps files sound kind of sloppy in general and in all three compressed files, the drum track at 20 seconds, and the following clip too, sound very deflated because they're lacking the treble extension of the high bitrate file. The whole idea of DSEE HX is to reclaim this treble extension and bring the frequency response of the file back closer to the original lossless file. To be honest, there isn't much Sony can do with the rest of the distortion. Once data is totally lost, or, say, disfigured, it's pretty much there to stay. Trying to fix all of this might seem like a good idea in theory, and it makes a nice selling point for their marketing team, but I don't think it really helps anything.
First off, if you can't hear the difference in the files, or say, maybe you can't hear a difference between the 64 kbps MP3 and 320 kbps OGG Vorbis files, or possibly, you don't even care, then it's probably not going to make your entire collection of low bitrate MP3s sound any better to you.
Second, if you can hear the difference in the files, and you prefer the high quality audio, DSEE HX is not going to magically make the 64 kbps MP3 sound anything like the high bitrate file. What the software is going to do, is essentially listen to your music playback and plot out a frequency response graph. It will then say, "Hey, I think this is compressed too much because there is almost no treble beyond 14 khz." ... it will then take the almost-no-treble and boost it to a level it thinks would be closer to a high bitrate file. This sounds nifty, but I'd say "it's trying to make something out of nothing". What's left of the treble extension that would normally be in a high bitrate file is usually left very quiet and very distorted in a low-bitrate MP3. You just end up with lots of harsh metallic grainy sounds because it's trying to boost the treble from ridiculously silent to audible again.
Plus, the issue compounds on itself. The more compression you've used, the more DSEE HX has to compensate (read then see the 128 kbps MP3 graph below, It has almost zero information above 16 kHz...), and the less it has to work with. If you've got an entire library of 192 kbps MP3s or 160 kbps OGG / AAC with less dramatic compression artifacts and information loss, maybe it will help reclaim a little, but that's subjective and the scenario is unlikely. TL;DR, So no, DSEE HX will not help.
Here are some visual graphs that also explain what happens -
These are basically heat graphs of the frequencies over the length of the song. Y axis is frequency, X axis is time (song playing, beginning to end). Deep red means there is a lot of that frequency playing, purple is a little bit, and black is nothing.
(Source: http://www.torrentech.org/index.php?act=Help&CODE=01&HID=56)
FLAC (I Feel You, Depeche Mode) 31.2 MB filesize
As you see here, treble extends up to 21 kHz and there is a gradual fade from bass to top end treble. This is normal and corresponds with the way the music was meant to be heard. Nobody wants to hear a constant and harsh drone of noises in the 16-22 kHz range, because that's unnatural. However, it's important that those are there because sounds that we hear are typically made up of many harmonic frequencies that blend together to give the sound of whatever object. Hi-hats are good examples of an instrument that sounds much different without treble even though most of the sound from them occurs in the midrange.
Here's a 128 kbps MP3 file of the same song -
LAME mp3 128 kbps (I Feel You, Depeche Mode) 4.3 MB filesize
As you can see, even at 128 kbps, you've already lost almost all treble extension above 16 kHz. This is a trademark "feature" of the MP3 codec. DSEE HX tries to reclaim what you saw from the FLAC graph from this graph. How well do you think that works? If you look closely too, you'll see the graphs don't even look the same in the midrange and bass range. There is distortion due to the compression.
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Also-
The High Resolution Audio function in the sound settings, only upsamples the system audio from 44.1 (CD standard) / 48 kHz (DVD standard) sampling rate to 96 / 192 kHz. This is useless unless you have a dedicated USB headphone amp and your source files are something like lossless FLAC encoded at 96 kHz.
What about Sony MDR-XB60/NC In Ear Earphones (Gold)? Anyone having it? Are they too noise cancelling?
any Equalizer setting for MH750 ? I had this when bought Z Ultra, now my zu damaged. Im comfortble using this earbud headset since earphone that inside Z2 box make my ear pain
try these silicon ear tips if you're using in ears
http://www.my-ear.com.tw/spinfit-tips/
i use them on my UE900 and they fit like a glove -- and sounds brilliant too thanks to better seal
The sound quality is truly amazing on 4.4.4
I bought the NC in ear headphones and yes they get the job done when it comes to canceling background noise, but I felt like I could get better audio quality with better earphones so I bought the supra nitro earphones and now I can finally say that the sound is superb!
So if you truly want to get a great audio experience get a pair of highend/decent headphones.
I must say that the MDR 10RC that came with the Z3 in some regions give you a rich sound experience too.
Btw thanks for the useful tips, I'll give my NC earphones another chance with your EQ settings.
Sent from my Xperia Z2
vikrant7027 said:
What about Sony MDR-XB60/NC In Ear Earphones (Gold)? Anyone having it? Are they too noise cancelling?
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Click to collapse
They seem to be discontinued. They aren't Digital Noise Cancelling but they might reduce background noise some like most in-ear and over-the-ear headphones.
nazzier5463 said:
any Equalizer setting for MH750 ? I had this when bought Z Ultra, now my zu damaged. Im comfortble using this earbud headset since earphone that inside Z2 box make my ear pain
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Click to collapse
Well, the preset should help a lot. I don't like the stock MH410 / MH410c either, I just wore them some when I first got the phone and for this analysis. The preset setting should make it so you only have to make smaller changes to arrive at an optimal setting for your MH750. The preset for MH410 and MDR-NC31EM were pretty good.
zegun said:
try these silicon ear tips if you're using in ears
http://www.my-ear.com.tw/spinfit-tips/
i use them on my UE900 and they fit like a glove -- and sounds brilliant too thanks to better seal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! For anyone that likes foam tips too, Comply Foam Tips are brilliant. I'm currently using the stock silicone tips because my old Comply don't fit, but I intend on purchasing new ones.
Jiyeon90 said:
The sound quality is truly amazing on 4.4.4
I bought the NC in ear headphones and yes they get the job done when it comes to canceling background noise, but I felt like I could get better audio quality with better earphones so I bought the supra nitro earphones and now I can finally say that the sound is superb!
So if you truly want to get a great audio experience get a pair of highend/decent headphones.
I must say that the MDR 10RC that came with the Z3 in some regions give you a rich sound experience too.
Btw thanks for the useful tips, I'll give my NC earphones another chance with your EQ settings.
Sent from my Xperia Z2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I was rather disappointed with the sound quality of the MDR-NC31EM too but the noise cancelling feature was good. Now I have pretty good sound quality as well. It's not magic, but definitely passable and finally enjoyable listening.
What to choose between MDR-XB60/NC and mdr-nc31em? I'm music lover and want a good headphones...but attracted towards noise cancelling feature of mdr-nc31em...please tell me...You can also tell other headphones with superb music quality...
vikrant7027 said:
What to choose between MDR-XB60/NC and mdr-nc31em? I'm music lover and want a good headphones...but attracted towards noise cancelling feature of mdr-nc31em...please tell me...You can also tell other headphones with superb music quality...
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Click to collapse
Yeah go with the NC31EM, for the price they give you pretty good sound and if you use the Walkman app you can turn DSEE HX on which improves the sound quality if you use these NC headphones. Oh and their mics used for cancelling the noise also work as regular mics so you can use them to make calls although they could have included an 'answer button'
Jiyeon90 said:
Yeah go with the NC31EM, for the price they give you pretty good sound and if you use the Walkman app you can turn DSEE HX on which improves the sound quality if you use these NC headphones. Oh and their mics used for cancelling the noise also work as regular mics so you can use them to make calls although they could have included an 'answer button'
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Click to collapse
Do you own them?Many people are saying that the quality is average...
vikrant7027 said:
Do you own them?Many people are saying that the quality is average...
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Click to collapse
It is average. On 4.4.4, the preset I talked about in the first post helps some, and makes them sound pretty good. They're not excellent, but passable...somewhat decent. For the price though, not too bad when you consider the noise cancellation. DSEE HX really doesn't help anything...
The Sony MH1 and MH1C are very good if you can find them, but they won't have the noise cancellation. They are considered to be a great buy and one of the best IEM with in-line microphone around.
Other than that, for the best sound just for music listening, I'd personally stick to big circumaural full size headphones, such as the Audio Technica ATH-M50. :good:
sam_conrad said:
It is average. On 4.4.4, the preset I talked about in the first post helps some, and makes them sound pretty good. They're not excellent, but passable...somewhat decent. For the price though, not too bad when you consider the noise cancellation. DSEE HX really doesn't help anything...
The Sony MH1 and MH1C are very good if you can find them, but they won't have the noise cancellation. They are considered to be a great buy and one of the best IEM with in-line microphone around.
Other than that, for the best sound just for music listening, I'd personally stick to big circumaural full size headphones, such as the Audio Technica ATH-M50. :good:
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Click to collapse
MH1 are too old,must be discontinued by company...any other option?
vikrant7027 said:
Do you own them?Many people are saying that the quality is average...
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They are pretty good for a walk outside where you want portability and the NC is pretty awesome. However if you are at home use more high-end headphones, I use a pair of akg on-ear at home and the NC ones outside.
vikrant7027 said:
Do you own them?Many people are saying that the quality is average...
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Click to collapse
Yeah I do, I was kinda dissapointed because my expectations were quite high when I bought them since everyone was praising them but if you look at the price you actually get the sound quality you pay for (they are not bad at all, they are quite decent) the noice cancelling and the mic are just free bonuses.
I ended up getting another pair of headphones which have noticeable better audio quality but I had to pay almost 3x the price of the NC ones.
I'd say, for under 40$ the the NC earphones are the best choice, if you have a higher budget there's definitely better options
vikrant7027 said:
MH1 are too old,must be discontinued by company...any other option?
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Click to collapse
They are old, and probably discontinued. But they are great IEMs at a very low price.
If you want to pay a little more, the Hifiman RE400 might be a good buy.