Database Users

Audio Codec

As anyone been reading Supercurio's tweets regarding the SGS2 audio codec? The prototype information showed that the sgs2 has a much weaker audio codec that can no where near match that of the original sgs
I hope they have changed it in the release because I don't wanna have to keep sgs just for music
Voodoo sound is one of the major highlights!

If galaxy 2 doesnt have the same or more audio quality than the first galaxy or an iphone, I will insta-cancel my preorder.
I am moving from HTC because of sound quality, not going to get another crappy sound phone.

Galaxy sound quality isnt that great until you get voodoo sound.. Then its like WOW
Surely samsung wouldnt go back? They used the good codec in the nexus s, galaxy, tab etc... why make such a flagship phone with a weaker audio... Specially considering the success of voodoo sound..

Galaxy S II is using the YMU818B MC1N audio codec from Yamaha.
Source: Supercurio
I don't know if it's better, but it better be, cause I was really hoping for that perfect audio quality from SGS2.

Now maybe this is a dumb question:
What exactly are you talking about? The sound which you get using headphone's on or the quality of music playing on the phone's loudspeaker?

XDA mark said:
Now maybe this is a dumb question:
What exactly are you talking about? The sound which you get using headphone's on or the quality of music playing on the phone's loudspeaker?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can be referred to both, but mostly to headphones here.

im very interested in finding more info about this.
Nice thread OP.

Ohh please dont say this is true I thought they would use the same Wolfson DAC as the original, hopefully this will sound as good!

nikzDHD said:
Ohh please dont say this is true I thought they would use the same Wolfson DAC as the original, hopefully this will sound as good!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe even better, who knows? Fingers crossed.

Guitarfreak26 said:
As anyone been reading Supercurio's tweets regarding the SGS2 audio codec? The prototype information showed that the sgs2 has a much weaker audio codec that can no where near match that of the original sgs
I hope they have changed it in the release because I don't wanna have to keep sgs just for music
Voodoo sound is one of the major highlights!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Supercurio tweeted that the sound chip in SGS2 is supposed to be better
than in SGS according to a internal source, hopefully this link works:
http://twitter.com/#!/supercurio/status/60758411373056000
He also has mentioned the info about the weaker codec could be just for the prototypes and it could be better for the retail version.

Hadnt seen that latest tweet, im hoping it is better than the SGS!
im an audophile and couldnt live without voodoo sound...

Guitarfreak26 said:
Hadnt seen that latest tweet, im hoping it is better than the SGS!
im an audophile and couldnt live without voodoo sound...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One of the reasons I went for SGS2, instead of Sensation is because of the sound quality in SGS, that I thought SGS2 is gonna get even better. So Samsung better not let me down.

is the chips it self is better in sgs2 than i can just imagen what voodoo sound would make this sound like

The audio codec of SGS II might show lower specs than SGS, but do we know if the audio hardware itself is a better overall...?
I've never been too picky on the audio for a phone though...as long as it's decent, SGSII is still a great phone.

the sgs audio has been good enough for me to ditch my mp3 player, so i'm hoping the sgs2 is at least on par with it.
It should be, i can't imagine samsung skimping on the parts. It's their flagship after all.

Yeah voodoo sound even beats iPhone sound quality

And the iPhone sound quality of the Loud Speaker is SHYT...
The iPhone 4 may be a bit better, but not up to PAR at what the device should be at such a premium rate.

Guitarfreak26 said:
Yeah voodoo sound even beats iPhone sound quality
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, what is voodoo sound actually?

It's a superb enhancement of the sound quality through headphones and also it enhances recording. You can go and record a live gig With non distortion on the sound

barsk said:
Hmm, what is voodoo sound actually?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
at the core it is replacing the stock audio driver. samsung did a half-assed job implementing the Wolfon chip and supercurio spent allot of time and effort to get it working to the level it is at.
Stock sound was not terrible but also not very good. hiss was apparent, never got very loud at all even maxed out. and when maxed and not loud it was clipping the signal.
Now after he worked his magic there is little to no hiss or background noise, gets as loud as you want it, I never go above 75%, very clear and clean sound. I love it.
It is the ONLY thing stopping me from jumping on the SGS2 bandwagon. that and trying to get an early upgrade from my captivate because its still giving me problems. just have to hold off till there is a good deal on the SGS2.

Galaxy note dac?

Any idea about the dac looking the firmware, or any other source?
I really hope that samsung has learned the lesson of the S2 and we can get the wolfson again. That make the note the perfect phone for about 2 years.

Very likely to be the Yamaha one given the amount of components shared. Unfortunately.

Audio is supposed to be excellent.

Sebring5 said:
Audio is supposed to be excellent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do you think that?
The audio of the S2 is pure crap, if they don't change the dac, it will be the same.

kersh said:
Why do you think that?
The audio of the S2 is pure crap, if they don't change the dac, it will be the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Comments from people who have had their hands on the device.

sauron0101 said:
Very likely to be the Yamaha one given the amount of components shared. Unfortunately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you elaborate that?
Just put my hands on the note in a show room..I like it!
But if the sound is not at least as good as the sgs1's , thats a deal breaker for me...
Tx

betoNL said:
Could you elaborate that?
Just put my hands on the note in a show room..I like it!
But if the sound is not at least as good as the sgs1's , thats a deal breaker for me...
Tx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1323764

Tx..
I already had found that thread and even posted over there

S2 Audio
I've been reading here and at other sites that the sound quality from the Galaxy S2 is inferior. I've had the S2 for two months now and must say the audio quality is very good. I came to android from an iPhone 4 and find the music quality to be as good if not better. I'm not an audiophile, although I used to be when money was not an object. I did find that when using power amp that I could get a higher volume output with better quality. I stopped using power amp with the advent of Google music and I'm finding quality to be just amazing with Google. I tried it head-to-head with power amp and found it to be better. I don't know if Google is modifying the music to minimize the problems with the DAC that you guys are talking about, but it seems that way. Most of my music is played either on Bose headphones or Nokia 905 Bluetooth headphones. The music I listen to varies greatly from pop, R&B, rock and jazz, all of which sounds phenomenal on galaxy S2. So all I can say to the average user expecting good quality sound from their phone that the S2 is more than capable of doing that. But if you're a demanding audiophile I guess that's not the case from what I've read.

GT-I9500 vs GT-I9505 for audio quality

Hello guys.
I live in Edmonton, AB, Canada and I honestly am not too worried about LTE.
I simply want the S4 with the better audio quality. I'm a head-fi'er!
Was wondering if anyone has compared the 9500 and the 9505 for audio quality? I'd get the phone purely based on that...

unregistered_ said:
Hello guys.
I live in Edmonton, AB, Canada and I honestly am not too worried about LTE.
I simply want the S4 with the better audio quality. I'm a head-fi'er!
Was wondering if anyone has compared the 9500 and the 9505 for audio quality? I'd get the phone purely based on that...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the i9500 has the superior Wolfson DAC.
If it's just audio quality you're after get the i9500

ie ear
Obagleyfreer said:
the i9500 has the superior Wolfson DAC.
If it's just audio quality you're after get the i9500
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
me too interest to audio in ear ....so:do we have mod for improve the i9500 sound ,i was told it has poor audio ....?
htc one:is better any way for in ear sound ?
tks gio.

The best mod is currently PureX Audio which isn't yet available for the 9500, but will be for the 9505 because its Qualcomm.
The HTC has the Qualcomm DAC and is actually pretty impressive. In ear quality is very similar to Wolfson, with the Wolfson having an ever so slight lead. But with the PureX mod, the HTC wins hands down.

Actually, according the gsmarena SQ tests both i9500 and i9505 are currently the best sounding smartphones ever: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s4_i9500_vs_i9505-review-930p5.php . I9505 is even slightly better than i9500.

It's very similar. Snapdragon is little better.

I have both versions and I find the I9500 a bit better.
Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda premium

Can you explain why? What's the difference?
Because on gsmarena they say different thing and that ear can't really "hear" difference.

I don't think you can go wrong with either. Considering the measurements, db and the issues both phones have with low impedance headphones I would get the i9505 for the lte. The performance is virtually identical in all aspects of the phone, minus the i9500 getting left behind in lte speedtests. Lol. Also, you may have an opportunity to flash pure aosp if your bootloader is unlocked on the i9505. I9500 loses there too.
Sent from my GT-N7100

*Emix* said:
Can you explain why? What's the difference?
Because on gsmarena they say different thing and that ear can't really "hear" difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have checked it if anyone is interested in it and can read my poor English. Sorry for that in advance.
Headphone was an AKG K-70. It is an old type entry level hi-fi headphone and not the best but quite enough to check the sound quality of smartphones. I can tell that it is much better than the delivered one in factory pack. Also I did not use any tone manipulation. Everything was flat.
Basically I was listening such music which contains acoustic instruments and lead vocals. The difference is recognizable. First of all I can tell that none of these phones has high-end sound quality but i9500 has better sound definitely. Listening music is enjoyable on it. You can forget that you are hearing a machine and can enjoy the music itself. The stereo sound picture is also wide and correct.
This is what I cannot tell about i9505. The balance of low and high frequency is very similar to i9500 but it has much narrow stereo room and lead singers have a lisp suddenly. Problem is getting worse as number of instrument is increased in the music. So basically let it enough.
I have not checked them with full artificial music. The real sound quality doesn’t matter in that case only the tone balance which is quite similar on both phones but I won't be able to live with sound of i9505 surly because of the hissing voice.
I hope it helps.

obladi63 said:
I have not checked them with full artificial music. The real sound quality doesn’t matter in that case only the tone balance which is quite similar on both phones but I won't be able to live with sound of i9505 surly because of the hissing voice.
I hope it helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try PureX mod?

renosj said:
Did you try PureX mod?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I didn't. I don't find expression PureX in any menu point. Please help what you mean by this.
I used built in Music Player and turned off every stupid function which can modify the sound picture anyway. These are not capable to fix the problems. On the contrary these hide the problem. Like strawberry with sugar. It is sweet but...

obladi63 said:
No, I didn't. I don't find expression PureX in any menu point. Please help what you mean by this.
I used built in Music Player and turned off every stupid function which can modify the sound picture anyway. These are not capable to fix the problems. On the contrary these hide the problem. Like strawberry with sugar. It is sweet but...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With this mod should 9505 beat 9500 in audio quality.What about hissing in 9505, how often and strong is it when listen music? Did you try last stock firmware (Germany)? Because this firmware removes cracking sounds when use headphone with low independence on higher volume. And why do you have both versions (9505 and 9500), which one would you prefer (apart from sound quality)?
http://skynet-machine.appspot.com/forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2211163

renosj said:
With this mod should 9505 beat 9500 in audio quality.What about hissing in 9505, how often and strong is it when listen music? Did you try last stock firmware (Germany)? Because this firmware removes cracking sounds when use headphone with low independence on higher volume. And why do you have both versions (9505 and 9500), which one would you prefer (apart from sound quality)?
http://skynet-machine.appspot.com/forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2211163
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I checked the link. It is interesting but sorry I was not able to read through all 33 pages. Is there anybody who has experience with it on Samsung. Perhaps you? Can it be applied on the same way? I don't know when I will be able to try it but I will. On the other hand reading through the feature list I have doubt that it can help much. I think so that mostly analog part is responsible for the difference. Prepressing of the digital signal means placebo effect rather than significant improvement at this quality level. The difference was much more than we can expect from the pureX features. Nevertheless it should be checked.
So. Not hissing was the only issue but it was the most disturbing for me at least. It happens always if "sss" comes in the song. Sing, think, etc. It sounds like singer would have speech defective. Of course this problem affects other part of the music but it is most disturbing in the vocal.
The impedance of mentioned AKG is 100 Ohm which should be more than enough for high impedance headphone output as well.
Version i9500: XXUBMEA
Version i9505: XXUBMDM
I don't prefer any of these too. Both are very same. I am not involved in games but I use internet, photo, video, navigation and music mostly. So I need good sound and LTE too. I would change my 9500 to 9505 if sound would be comparable. Since my friend bought a 9505 few days ago I could compare them.
Otherwise I am very satisfied with 9500. Reading the news earlier I expected better sound quality but finally I am OK with it. This is the only place where I am still listening CD quality.

obladi63 said:
Well I checked the link. It is interesting but sorry I was not able to read through all 33 pages. Is there anybody who has experience with it on Samsung. Perhaps you? Can it be applied on the same way? I don't know when I will be able to try it but I will. On the other hand reading through the feature list I have doubt that it can help much. I think so that mostly analog part is responsible for the difference. Prepressing of the digital signal means placebo effect rather than significant improvement at this quality level. The difference was much more than we can expect from the pureX features. Nevertheless it should be checked.
So. Not hissing was the only issue but it was the most disturbing for me at least. It happens always if "sss" comes in the song. Sing, think, etc. It sounds like singer would have speech defective. Of course this problem affects other part of the music but it is most disturbing in the vocal.
The impedance of mentioned AKG is 100 Ohm which should be more than enough for high impedance headphone output as well.
Version i9500: XXUBMEA
Version i9505: XXUBMDM
I don't prefer any of these too. Both are very same. I am not involved in games but I use internet, photo, video, navigation and music mostly. So I need good sound and LTE too. I would change my 9500 to 9505 if sound would be comparable. Since my friend bought a 9505 few days ago I could compare them.
Otherwise I am very satisfied with 9500. Reading the news earlier I expected better sound quality but finally I am OK with it. This is the only place where I am still listening CD quality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much, I have to decide which version I buy, its hell for me. There is a link where comparing 9505vs9500 audio quality, its interesting that they highlight 9505 over 9500 a little bit. http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s4_i9500_vs_i9505-review-930p5.php
I dont need LTE, i preferer better audio/camera. Iam afraid of overheating 9500, a lot of people complain for that. When browsing/watching movies, its ok? I know, I can not offer you anything else than thanks, but could you please compare 9505 vs 9500 camera quality(just photos)? Make few shots with sky a post them here in full-res, so I can compare it. In the previous version of FW was better 9500 because of more small details in picture and less noise in the sky. If possible, recommend to your friend update to newer FW, because it solves a lot of bugs (audio and camera as well). new FW for 9505 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2312329

renosj said:
Thank you very much, I have to decide which version I buy, its hell for me. There is a link where comparing 9505vs9500 audio quality, its interesting that they highlight 9505 over 9500 a little bit. http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s4_i9500_vs_i9505-review-930p5.php
I dont need LTE, i preferer better audio/camera. Iam afraid of overheating 9500, a lot of people complain for that. When browsing/watching movies, its ok? I know, I can not offer you anything else than thanks, but could you please compare 9505 vs 9500 camera quality(just photos)? Make few shots with sky a post them here in full-res, so I can compare it. In the previous version of FW was better 9500 because of more small details in picture and less noise in the sky. If possible, recommend to your friend update to newer FW, because it solves a lot of bugs (audio and camera as well). new FW for 9505 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2312329
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand you. I was and am still in same boat. Not easy to choose.
I read the link but these data is so few. The only significant difference is the stereo crosstalk on that page. Believe me it can be even 40 or 30 and stereo picture still can be much better than the others. This info is good for nothing. However since it is less with 18 dB it means that analog electric circuit is really different in the two equipments and what I heard is really because of it basically.
Also you can read about the camera on that side. I agree with the tester that differences is due to software rather than hardware. Samsung (not only) does too many artificial post-process on their pictures which makes the comparison pointless more or less. I'll try to shot some pictures later but I don't know when we will be on the same version otherwise it really does not make sense. If phones could make raw picture ... may be. And don't forget that software updates come from time to time. If photo is so important to you, you should choose Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom. Perhaps.
http://www.sammobile.com/2013/06/13/samsung-galaxy-s4-zoom-official-lifestyle-demo-video/
but you know well that really good picture can be shot only by using a good and big enough lens.

After all I decided to buy 9500. 1) It is Samsung. 2) May be better photo/video as I read it. 3) Better sound quality which is proved now. And this third point is important to me. What is the strange for me is that after discussion had started on the net about the two DAC I did not read a single line from Samsung in which they really prove that both are same good.
LTE? Well it is sounds good but what is the real benefit in it? May be the second hand i9505s will be more expensive with 10% two years later. But how much will this 10% be?
Overheating. I haven't had such bad experience. A bit lukewarm sometimes but SII was really warm comparing to this. But I have to tell you that I don't use games and did make only short videos max 10 min. And my FW was updated immediately after buying so I didn't have experience with problematic version. Also keep in mind that not only Samsung "overheats".
Further there is another thing. What do you intend to do? Do you want to experiment with different unofficial FWs or use and enjoy your equipment? I am already over this period and shortly I can tell that all these unofficial versions always can do one or two things better while other three or four are worse or missing. And updates are never ending. My life was to wait for when the next fix comes and then what was good earlier is wrong in recent update sometimes. No, I have had enough. I have learnt that the best and most stable version is always the factory. This is my opinion of course. It does not mean that I don't try other launchers or such but no more other FW.
So if sound quality is important to you and you listen a lot of music with acoustic instruments I wouldn't dare to recommend i9505 at all. I am sure that you and everybody will be disappointed. Although this problem is so unpleasant that may be I have to check an other piece whether it is just an individual problem or general. There is 1% chance for individual.

Music is important to me and I still chose the I9505. I have IEM's so it brings the best from the audio chip. The sound is brilliant. With power amp I brought out as much as I could. Brilliant bass and mids. I can't see how the 500 would be better as the sound is so rich and perfect
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app

imlgl said:
Music is important to me and I still chose the I9505. I have IEM's so it brings the best from the audio chip. The sound is brilliant. With power amp I brought out as much as I could. Brilliant bass and mids. I can't see how the 500 would be better as the sound is so rich and perfect
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Power amp always modifies the content even in flat mode too so it is tipicaly not good for test anything. Of course if you are satisfied with your 505 is cool. Enjoy it! The difference is not or not so recognizable on pure electronic music or if you modify the sound balance anyway. Aslo I have to tell that I haven''t compared the phones with factory headphone. I didn't expect that any difference can be recognizable with that. It is too low quality for this purpose.

It seem that Samsung brought a lot of frustration among their top clients, those of us who are buying their newest flagship every year or two.
They should have made a single version of S4, but with all the differences between i9505 and i9500, now only if you own them both you can declare to be somehow pleased.
Regarding the audio, I'm on i9505 and the music is not bad at all. If the others on i9500 have a different experience, perhaps better than mine, while they have their headphones while traveling with the subway, that does not bother me in any way, since I enjoy my music on my device just as well.
Then again, it is a phone. For performance, in any area, one should buy a dedicated device. It is just the way it is and will be.
Just to outline once again, I simply love my i9505 and I enjoy the music I stored on the 64 GB Samsung uhs-I card.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium

[Q] How is the headphones audio quality!?

Hello, I'm trying to decide between HTC One and LG G2, headphone audio quality is the factor what I take into consideration in my final decision, what is your experience with the headphone audio of LG G2?... what about of voice call quality?... does it have the problem about low volume?
Thanks!

citytrader said:
Hello, I'm trying to decide between HTC One and LG G2, headphone audio quality is the factor what I take into consideration in my final decision, what is your experience with the headphone audio of LG G2?... what about of voice call quality?... does it have the problem about low volume?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still not own yet, but
head-fi

meld said:
Still not own yet, but
head-fi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems the audio is low...

What low? Volume?
Sent from my LG-E988 using xda app-developers app

meld said:
What low? Volume?
Sent from my LG-E988 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes the volume...

citytrader said:
Hello, I'm trying to decide between HTC One and LG G2, headphone audio quality is the factor what I take into consideration in my final decision, what is your experience with the headphone audio of LG G2?... what about of voice call quality?... does it have the problem about low volume?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Audio quality on the g2 is of a warm v-shaped curve. I dont know if there is eq on the phone already but the bass id definitely more full sounding than the s3 (i know you're talking about the one). Treble is brighter than the s3.
Voice quality is very good. Volume for me is ok. Just like the s3. I have very good hearing, so there might be a little bias.

Darkestred said:
Audio quality on the g2 is of a warm v-shaped curve. I dont know if there is eq on the phone already but the bass id definitely more full sounding than the s3 (i know you're talking about the one). Treble is brighter than the s3.
Voice quality is very good. Volume for me is ok. Just like the s3. I have very good hearing, so there might be a little bias.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I currently have the Galaxy S2 and for phone calls the volume is really low, playing music it's ok (much louder), the problem with all Samsung phones are you cannot find a compatible headphone and the one that comes with the phone is the worst quality I ever seen, so I wont buy anymore Samsung.
I use my phone to hear music when I do sports, for that is very important for me the quality of the sound of the headphones, and of course the loudness of the voice when it is on call.

citytrader said:
I currently have the Galaxy S2 and for phone calls the volume is really low, playing music it's ok (much louder), the problem with all Samsung phones are you cannot find a compatible headphone and the one that comes with the phone is the worst quality I ever seen, so I wont buy anymore Samsung.
I use my phone to hear music when I do sports, for that is very important for me the quality of the sound of the headphones, and of course the loudness of the voice when it is on call.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
don't forget it all depends on the headphone's you get. Bass heavy, neutral, warm and so on. I would never use stock headphones. Get something from vsonic, brainwavs, headroom, beyer blah blah blah.

OMG, I just tried listening to some Lindsey Stirling with a good pair of earphones (Klipsch). It sounds REALLY good. Good bass and the strings of the violin just pops. (Music is trance with violin) Volume is good, I had it at 60% and it's plenty loud.

Darkestred said:
don't forget it all depends on the headphone's you get. Bass heavy, neutral, warm and so on. I would never use stock headphones. Get something from vsonic, brainwavs, headroom, beyer blah blah blah.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is the problem with Samsung, at least here in Mexico is very difficult to find a good headphone that works with my phone, I dont know if its the high impedance the S2 has or I dont know, this is a general problem of Galaxy series.
For the other side, in the S2 the volumen of mp3 is excelent, but the volume when you are in a call is terrible, in a very loud ambient is difficult to hear the other party and I dont have problems in my ears hehe...

Personally, I've found that the LG G2 through my Fiio amplifier and into my car sound system is easily the best sounding audio I have had out of box from an Android mobile phone ever. And I've owned pretty much every single one over the last 4 years. I am not an audiophile though, so take that with a grain of salt.

I got a chance to listen to mine a little while this afternoon. I think it is very good. In the next week or so, I will try a head to head vs GS3/Wolfson and see how they compare. It strikes me a a little bit warmer. HIghs may not be quite as transparent (w/ RE0s), but at the same time more natural. It is louder out of the box than I9300. I have not tweaked the hardware output levels so far, so don't know how far it can go. (The GS3 has a ton more power than they enable at the factory.) I could stand a little more volume with REOs (and they require some bass boost), but it is very close not changing anything. I expect must people with most headphones would have plenty of power. I've not tried with an amp, but I will.
I liked both Neutron and PowerAmp way better than the LG music player. I didn't try Google Play.

Just root the phone and then install viper4android mod. You won't be sorry. Best android mod out there and compatible with almost all rooted phones
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4

How would you consider the S5's Audio Quality?

There are some blogs and reviews that I've read, including that from GSMArena that says both the S5 and M8 are almost superb in sound quality, the M8 stands out because of the dedicated Speakers and Audio Hardware and better volume levels. For me, I don't care much for the Speaker, but it's the phones music quality thru the headset that counts for me. I was happy with the S3 back then, but was disappointed when I tried The S4 (i9500) which has the same Wolfson Audio Chip that the S3 has. Till AndreiLux used the Wolfson Audio Control in his Perseus Kernel, which vastly improved the audio quality of the S4. I was happy with that.
Now, there is a Sound Boost Mod available here. If I were to use that, would you think that it can be on the same level of the M8, or even surpass it?
Hoping for anyone's response to this.
Many thanks.

Call sound quality is good for me tbh. It's very clear so far even when i'm at a loud setting such as bar/clubs. Actually, just yesterday at a post run party in an event I attended, I was able to hear the people I was talking to, despite being in a semi-concert environment and the phone being inside a zip lock plastic bag. Speaker and default ring volume are crap though.

Sound quality is and never will be as loud and clear as the M8. However the S5 does have a better speaker than a lot of other high end smartphones.
But one thing that I got annoyed with is the back vibrating when using the speaker!! due to the rubber on the back to keep it waterproof.

Root the S5 & install Viper4Android and you will be satisfied, I'm currently using the HTC Beats Audio IRS on my S5 and it sounds great.
Thanks to the developer of Viper4Android!!