Axon 7 vs Nexus 6: Speaker Quality - ZTE Axon 7 Questions & Answers

So I currently have a OP3 and the single down-facing speaker is just not doing it for me. I've been looking at getting the Axon 7 but definitely won't unless/until the bootloader is unlocked. I was looking at the Nexus 6 though and it seems to have everything I need, although I do wish it had a fingerprint scanner and expandable storage. But my question is, for someone who owns the Axon 7 and has also owned or at least used a Nexus 6, how do the speakers compare?
Thanks in advance!

The speakers are comparable, but the A7 definitely edges it out in volume and fullness.
I had a N6 for a year and a half before getting the OP3...definitely missed the speakers when I made the switch.
Just got my A7 and the speakers are remarkable. I haven't been able to really spend time with them at max volume because it's too disturbing inside the house with others home. Going to let it flex it's muscle once everyone leaves this morning.

Once it's bootloader is unlocked the sound quality will further improve in clarity and loudness due to viper 4 android and arise sound mod. The maker of arise sound mod confirmed it

CampfireVibés said:
Once it's bootloader is unlocked the sound quality will further improve in clarity and loudness due to viper 4 android and arise sound mod. The maker of arise sound mod confirmed it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to mention Dolby Atmos (part of the Axon 7) loudness and clarity increases big time when is turn on.
But can't wait to root this device

Thanks for your input guys! I'll probably wait for a month or two to see what happens with the bootloader on the A7. Or at least root, I think I can survive without custom ROMs.

Related

Audio through headphones surprisingly good

I'm not going to lie. Coming from an iPhone and a Galaxy S6 (my Moto G is sort of an interim phone while I sell those two to afford new stuff this fall), I expected the Moto G to sound considerably worse. And yeah, it's not quite as good. But it's certainly far from the worst I've had and I've only owned expensive devices in the past. The bass is punchy, the treble is fairly decent, and the volume levels aren't awful (although I may increase mixer_paths at some point to gain a couple levels). I've actually been listening through fairly decent earbuds for the past 40 minutes or so to various types of music (alternative, acoustic, heavy stuff, rap) and I could definitely live with this sound quality if I had to.
It is pretty damn amazing what ~$200 buys you today.
I've noticed this too! Big upgrade from my n4, no more distortion!
the earphones are 'good' for the price ... cant expect more at this price point
My ear is in a full moon party.
Yeah, this is awesome.
I'm using CM12.1 With a Dolby Atmis and Jet player.
After a hour to configure the player, my brain explode with the results.
Quality-wise, yes...very good. Volume-wise, I'd say it's extremely subpar. It's easily the lowest volume of any device I've ever had. Speaker volume is phenomenal...headphone volume is god awful!!! And I'm comparing this to my Nexus 4, just as the OP says.
You can mention the speaker which gives a quite punchy sound compared to many phones from this category which are mostly ear hurting with middle and high frequencies only...
If anyone's looking for a little boost without messing with viper, etc, I made a mixer_paths.xml mod here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3217132
I'm getting the same thing. The audio through my IEMs (Hifiman RE-400 for active/gym stuff and Yamaha EPH-100 for normal listening) is freakin' excellent, but the volume is indeed low.
AwesomeTurtle said:
I'm getting the same thing. The audio through my IEMs (Hifiman RE-400 for active/gym stuff and Yamaha EPH-100 for normal listening) is freakin' excellent, but the volume is indeed low.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The mod thread I linked above makes headphone volume LOUD!!! It can go a few notches higher, but I think it sounds great, personally...it also boosts speaker volume pretty much to its limit. It may get slightly distorted occasionally, but it's definitely a good bit louder, as well!
Motorola has done an excellent job. the sound is excellent. the happy moment. :highfive:
Walkman
You can install Walkman to get the best out of the earphones.
hi guys, i have already bought the moto g3.. but the earphone is very very low. Is there any problem with my device or is in general of these phones problem ?? Could we fix it?
giwrgos21 said:
hi guys, i have already bought the moto g3.. but the earphone is very very low. Is there any problem with my device or is in general of these phones problem ?? Could we fix it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's a button on the side of your phone that can fix it
Sent from my MotoG3 using XDA Free mobile app

S7 Edge sound quality

Hi There,
First time posting here =]
I wanna make a move and ditch that boring iPhone and get the Galaxy S7 Edge.
I was wondering how is the sound output through the 3.5mm port compared to that of the iPhone.
When i plug my iPhone into a headset or my car's aux port, i get a loud and clear output, but when i used my brother's Nexus 5 or 5X, eventhough the output was as clear as the iPhone's, it wasn't as loud.
I was wondering where the S7 falls in this equation.
Cheers!
Wanting to know this also. Having a custom dsp inside hopefully the sound is decent somewhat
Am waiting to know the details as well before I shell out the dough. Everything else about the S7 sounds amazing, so, hoping they have really upgraded the audio dac from S6 era, and meet LG G5s B&O Dac half way if not more.
It uses Sound Alive and it's decent. V4A coupled with Dolby Atmos will obviously be better though.
I can only compare it to the M9 and S5, M9 being my last phone. S5 being my last Samsung phone. I can say that the speaker quality is good and it's surprisingly loud. I don't need to cup my hand over it.
ahrion said:
It uses Sound Alive and it's decent. V4A coupled with Dolby Atmos will obviously be better though.
I can only compare it to the M9 and S5, M9 being my last phone. S5 being my last Samsung phone. I can say that the speaker quality is good and it's surprisingly loud. I don't need to cup my hand over it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it work system wide ?? Can you verify if its active when using SoundCloud please ??
I plugged in my $30 Xiaomi pistons into my S7 edge, iPhone 6s, S6 edge, Nexus 5x, and Nexus 6. I'm no audiofile and I don't know jack feces about audio quality but I thought I'd have a listen. Anyways here's the differences that I could(n't) tell between them:
The S7, S6, and 6s sounded the same to me. Pretty good.
The Nexus 5x sounds a tiny bit different to me but I'm not sure in what way. Still good though.
The Nexus 6 sounded the worst to me, but it's by no means bad in my opinion. Again, I can't put my tongue on what it is that sounds different or why it sounds different.
Bottom line, S7 edge sounds find through headphones if you're just the average music listener.
idksomuch said:
I plugged in my $30 Xiaomi pistons into my S7 edge, iPhone 6s, S6 edge, Nexus 5x, and Nexus 6. I'm no audiofile and I don't know jack feces about audio quality but I thought I'd have a listen. Anyways here's the differences that I could(n't) tell between them:
The S7, S6, and 6s sounded the same to me. Pretty good.
The Nexus 5x sounds a tiny bit different to me but I'm not sure in what way. Still good though.
The Nexus 6 sounded the worst to me, but it's by no means bad in my opinion. Again, I can't put my tongue on what it is that sounds different or why it sounds different.
Bottom line, S7 edge sounds find through headphones if you're just the average music listener.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How was the volume compared to the iphone (with earphones)?
Btw is it SD or Exynos?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
DroidBiteApple said:
How was the volume compared to the iphone (with earphones)?
Btw is it SD or Exynos?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the Snapdragon version on T-Mobile. So I don't know if by volume you meant how loud the phone gets or something else. Anyways I listened to how loud the phones got on max volume and I damn well blew out my eardrums so thanks a lot you poopy face
In all seriousness though, the iPhone 6s sounded just barely louder than the S7 and the S6 edge is a quieter. I didn't try with the Nexus though. Brb I think my ears are bleeding.
idksomuch said:
I have the Snapdragon version on T-Mobile. So I don't know if by volume you meant how loud the phone gets or something else. Anyways I listened to how loud the phones got on max volume and I damn well blew out my eardrums so thanks a lot you poopy face
In all seriousness though, the iPhone 6s sounded just barely louder than the S7 and the S6 edge is a quieter. I didn't try with the Nexus though. Brb I think my ears are bleeding.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha! Sorry about that!
And yeah i meant how loud it can get
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The effects are system wide.
DroidBiteApple said:
How was the volume compared to the iphone (with earphones)?
Btw is it SD or Exynos?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Compare to iPhone 6s Plus the sound quality from phone jack are about same but Galaxy s7 has better eq setting. iPhone 6s Plus volume is 20 percent larger tho. I mean thro head phone not loud speaker
---------- Post added at 06:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:06 PM ----------
DroidBiteApple said:
How was the volume compared to the iphone (with earphones)?
Btw is it SD or Exynos?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And I mean the sd version .
It's 20% less loud then the iPhone through the headphone jack? It doesn't have a loud digital amp then, that is a bummer. I was hoping it could drive a decent pair of over-ear headphones like my ipod can.
IPhones generally are loud out of the box. Most android don't get near as loud. Quality wise, idk about the snapdragon variant but I know Samsung with the exynos pairs a Wolfson dac...the dac in the s6 could handle loudesound but Samsung just didn't make it that loud for Quality purposes
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
MDaveUK said:
It's 20% less loud then the iPhone through the headphone jack? It doesn't have a loud digital amp then, that is a bummer. I was hoping it could drive a decent pair of over-ear headphones like my ipod can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using a Sony xda-a3 and it can get very loud on Galaxy s7. Not sure about over ear tho
bear in mind that the SD 820 version of the s7/s7 edge will have the integrated QualcommsDAC and I think the exynos version of the phone will use the much better WOLFSON DAC. I have heard both variants through headphones and the exynos version sounds louder and more richer.
The S7 Edge is louder than my last phone the S5. I would say that Samsung improved the speaker in the S7 Edge.
I would have loved to see a dual speaker on the S7 Edge. The other speaker could have went where the headphone jack is and the headphone jack could be up top in between the Sim card drawer and microphone.
I'm not a fan (ascetic wise) of front facing speakers on a phone. Yeah I know the sound would be better but the phone loses it elegance.
DroidBiteApple said:
Hi There,
First time posting here =]
I wanna make a move and ditch that boring iPhone and get the Galaxy S7 Edge.
I was wondering how is the sound output through the 3.5mm port compared to that of the iPhone.
When i plug my iPhone into a headset or my car's aux port, i get a loud and clear output, but when i used my brother's Nexus 5 or 5X, eventhough the output was as clear as the iPhone's, it wasn't as loud.
I was wondering where the S7 falls in this equation.
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I came from the Harmon Kardon M8 and I'm seriously considering trying to find another phone because the audio is so "meh" on the S7. It's about half as loud as the M8, the sound is not nearly as clear. I listen to classical music and have never had a problem until this phone. I plugged it into the audio jack in my car today and had to turn both the car and phone volume all the way up in order to even hear any minorly quiet parts of the opera I was listening to (Fidelio isn't exactly quiet).
The tracks are muddy most of the time and certain vocal timbres are randomly accentuated, overpowering the rest of the track.
I understand that Samsung isn't in the market to satisfy audiophiles with their audio quality, but it's a far cry from acceptable in my mind.
I will say that pop music provides a much better experience as it's recorded at higher volumes, but it's still extremely lacking.
Just to clarify, I tried every audio mode and even tried modifying the decibel levels manually with very little noticeable variation. On the flip side, I tired out the LG V10 a couple of weeks ago and it's brilliant. I haven't heard better audio in a phone. Too bad it's design and battery life is under par.
roycedavies said:
I came from the Harmon Kardon M8 and I'm seriously considering trying to find another phone because the audio is so "meh" on the S7. It's about half as loud as the M8, the sound is not nearly as clear. I listen to classical music and have never had a problem until this phone. I plugged it into the audio jack in my car today and had to turn both the car and phone volume all the way up in order to even hear any minorly quiet parts of the opera I was listening to (Fidelio isn't exactly quiet).
The tracks are muddy most of the time and certain vocal timbres are randomly accentuated, overpowering the rest of the track.
I understand that Samsung isn't in the market to satisfy audiophiles with their audio quality, but it's a far cry from acceptable in my mind.
I will say that pop music provides a much better experience as it's recorded at higher volumes, but it's still extremely lacking.
Just to clarify, I tried every audio mode and even tried modifying the decibel levels manually with very little noticeable variation. On the flip side, I tired out the LG V10 a couple of weeks ago and it's brilliant. I haven't heard better audio in a phone. Too bad it's design and battery life is under par.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry to hear that.
I don't understand why in 2016 we can't get a "complete" all rounded device..
It just feels like we have to settle for an almost perfect device, even though we pay a hefty price for it...
By the way are you using the SD version or the Exynos version?
I heard that the Exynos version has a supposedly better DAC... Maybe an owner can comment?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I would not compare anything with a nexus 5 (not sure about 5x). The Nexus 5 and 6 were good at performance, but they really skimped out on everything else like camera, battery life (n5), sound, and probably some other things but can't think off the top of my head. Point being, these early nexus phones should be more considered like entry/beta phones for google to help develop their UI and iron out their OS.
Think about it... what's the best way to get real life user data to help develop something quick enough to catch up to their competitors? Build cheap phones with a good enough processor/memory to run their OS.
Don't get me wrong, they are great performance phones, but hardware specs... they skimped... I'm not even sure if they had a stock built in equalizer for the nexus series, but that wasn't really what they were aiming to achieve unlike the HTC series with their boom,beats,dolby,harmon, etc sounds they partnered up with.
Just my 2 cents.
DroidBiteApple said:
I'm sorry to hear that.
I don't understand why in 2016 we can't get a "complete" all rounded device..
It just feels like we have to settle for an almost perfect device, even though we pay a hefty price for it...
By the way are you using the SD version or the Exynos version?
I heard that the Exynos version has a supposedly better DAC... Maybe an owner can comment?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you about the almost perfect phone situation. I must say that compared to the phones already on the market, the S7 is pretty amazing. Maybe I am just spoiled from using my M8.
To answer your question, I was unaware there were different versions so I do not know which one I am using. All I know is that it's black and from At&t. It's a 32gb model all stock. Haven't even unlocked the bootloader yet.

ZTE Axon 7 Audio Quality

Can anyone who has the Axon 7, let us know how the audio quality is with headphones. I'm stuck between this and the OnePlus 3, but I have a pair of Sennheiser Momentums and if the Axon 7 can blow people away with a good pair of headphones I might have to go for it!
connorhiller said:
Can anyone who has the Axon 7, let us know how the audio quality is with headphones. I'm stuck between this and the OnePlus 3, but I have a pair of Sennheiser Momentums and if the Axon 7 can blow people away with a good pair of headphones I might have to go for it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm very interested in this my self. The audio of the Axon 7 is said to be very good but I have yet to see any comparisons of just how it stacks up to other devices.
The OP3 has very good audio out put also from what I have read. It's said to be on par or perhaps a bit better than the iPhone and just behind the HTC 10.
I would assume the Axon 7 would be superior to the OP3 and not sure how it compares to the HTC 10. Though PC Magazine's review mentioned the HTC 10 was louder with it 1V output from the headphone jack. I'm a little disappointed by this. If true, it doesn't meant the Axon doesn't sound better. It just won't drive hard to drive headphone as well. Not a problem for most people and IEM, but I have a few hard to drive on ears that could make use of the extra power.
It should offer excellent audio from both the dual front facing speakers, that get very loud, and the headphone jack. That plus the high res display that is Daydrean ready makes it my choice over the OP3.
here is a little write up I found:
https://community.zteusa.com/thread/2110
I am anxiously awaiting my Axon 7, but I can comment on the OP3's jack since you brought it up.
My OP3 blows away my Nexus 6. My completely stock OP3 has a stronger output than my N6, which had Viper4Android installed.
No reason why the Axon shouldn't be at least as strong as the OP3.
I hope those dual chips can output some serious power...
I'm happy to hear the OP3 has good audio output! I would probably buy it right now, but it seems Oneplus is having stocking issues... "Ships within 14 days" is what it says on their website, UGH!!
Don't really like his comparison videos, but for audio, this is one is pretty good. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz92h5JJxfg
Of course, that's only over the speakers and not wired. Wired it should beat pretty much anyone, based on the chipset being used.
Okay, I think it was actually my fault that there was an audio problem. I have been using an app called Automatic Call Recording for a few months on a couple of other android phones. I had installed it on my Axon 7 while I was setting it up. I uninstalled it and now my audio seems to be better. Everything is quite loud and actually sounds great. I can't use the earbuds at max volume without hurting my ears. Just don't use that app and you should be fine lol.
"I received my Axon 7 today and I can honestly say I am very disappointed in the audio quality. I was expecting the dual speakers and included earbuds to output at least good audio, and somehow I can barely hear anything from either the dual speakers or the earbuds even at full volume. I am extremely disappointed. When I watch a Youtube video using the dual speakers I turn the volume up to max and still the audio is very quiet. I made a few phone calls and could barely hear the other person on the dual speakers, earbuds, or normal earpiece. Idk if there is something wrong with my Axon 7 specifically, or if maybe there will be a software update soon to fix this, but this is completely unacceptable."
r3xx3r said:
Okay, I think it was actually my fault that there was an audio problem. I have been using an app called Automatic Call Recording for a few months on a couple of other android phones. I had installed it on my Axon 7 while I was setting it up. I uninstalled it and now my audio seems to be better. Everything is quite loud and actually sounds great. I can't use the earbuds at max volume without hurting my ears. Just don't use that app and you should be fine lol.
"I received my Axon 7 today and I can honestly say I am very disappointed in the audio quality. I was expecting the dual speakers and included earbuds to output at least good audio, and somehow I can barely hear anything from either the dual speakers or the earbuds even at full volume. I am extremely disappointed. When I watch a Youtube video using the dual speakers I turn the volume up to max and still the audio is very quiet. I made a few phone calls and could barely hear the other person on the dual speakers, earbuds, or normal earpiece. Idk if there is something wrong with my Axon 7 specifically, or if maybe there will be a software update soon to fix this, but this is completely unacceptable."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's really odd. The PC Mag review said it was louder than both the HTC 10 and Alcatel Idol 4S. Have you tried messing with the audio effects?
EDIT: Never mind.
When I get my Axon 7 in the next 24 to 48 hours. I will post my initial impression of the Audio Quality/Power Output. My ASUS ZenFone 2 was average to slightly below in terms of power output. So I will know how good or bad the Axon 7 is in power output.
I was able to make my OnePlus One's dual mono speakers sound relatively decent with a lot more bass than they originally output (it was basically nonexistent until the volume is maxed out) using ViPER4Android. They sound almost like the iPhone speaker, which is decent enough in terms of bass and quality for a single bottom-firing speaker. I can only imagine what it can do with these dual front-facing stereo speakers.
Have the axon 7 and am had a little listening session last night.
Headphone ? : V-Moda M100.
Past phones with good DAC? HTC 10, Note 5 and S6 (Same DAC as note 5).
Compared to the others, the DAC delivers. It's a relatively flat sounding DAC so you get no shape in sound. Everything is clear and concise. The output is great. Drives the M100 fine but then again, it's a 32 ohm headphone. Using power amp (yes I like that better than neutron), I set it up to play music in 24 bit mode. Immediately with the AKM 4491 (axon DAC), you hear how crappy mp3s are. Even at 320kbps. High bit rate acc sound enter but with this phone, lossless shines. The difference is not like you'll dump your mp3 library but you'll enjoy lossless a lot more. Great stereo separation, fantastic noise floor, no white noise. Just clear clean audio. BTW this phone has two audio chips as mentioned however. One is for recording and the other for listening. The amplifier is the AKM 380. Overall very pleased with the sound. Better than the note 5 Wolfson DAC and hard to compare with the HTC 10 since I only owned it for a week.
Sent from my ZTE A2017U using Tapatalk
osmosizzz said:
Have the axon 7 and am had a little listening session last night.
Headphone ? : V-Moda M100.
Past phones with good DAC? HTC 10, Note 5 and S6 (Same DAC as note 5).
Compared to the others, the DAC delivers. It's a relatively flat sounding DAC so you get no shape in sound. Everything is clear and concise. The output is great. Drives the M100 fine but then again, it's a 32 ohm headphone. Using power amp (yes I like that better than neutron), I set it up to play music in 24 bit mode. Immediately with the AKM 4491 (axon DAC), you hear how crappy mp3s are. Even at 320kbps. High bit rate acc sound enter but with this phone, lossless shines. The difference is not like you'll dump your mp3 library but you'll enjoy lossless a lot more. Great stereo separation, fantastic noise floor, no white noise. Just clear clean audio. BTW this phone has two audio chips as mentioned however. One is for recording and the other for listening. The amplifier is the AKM 380. Overall very pleased with the sound. Better than the note 5 Wolfson DAC and hard to compare with the HTC 10 since I only owned it for a week.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very good. Finally an actual first impression.
USB Audio working on axon 7?
Please If any have some usb soundcard or DAC player to test it with OTG cable on Axon 7.
Thx
TomoBero said:
USB Audio working on axon 7?
Please If any have some usb soundcard or DAC player to test it with OTG cable on Axon 7.
Thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the Fiio E17K. I will see if it works by tomorrow. It should most likely.
TomoBero said:
USB Audio working on axon 7?
Please If any have some usb soundcard or DAC player to test it with OTG cable on Axon 7.
Thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. There's a dedicated USB DAC Audio Setting in the Developers Options.
Poweramp Alpha Build 703 works with Dolby Atmos.
Any issues using High-Res Output in the Poweramp Alpha?
wwyjoe said:
Any issues using High-Res Output in the Poweramp Alpha?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope.
As a spotify user with ATH M50, will the DAC serve me well?
r3xx3r said:
Okay, I think it was actually my fault that there was an audio problem. I have been using an app called Automatic Call Recording for a few months on a couple of other android phones. I had installed it on my Axon 7 while I was setting it up. I uninstalled it and now my audio seems to be better. Everything is quite loud and actually sounds great. I can't use the earbuds at max volume without hurting my ears. Just don't use that app and you should be fine lol.
"I received my Axon 7 today and I can honestly say I am very disappointed in the audio quality. I was expecting the dual speakers and included earbuds to output at least good audio, and somehow I can barely hear anything from either the dual speakers or the earbuds even at full volume. I am extremely disappointed. When I watch a Youtube video using the dual speakers I turn the volume up to max and still the audio is very quiet. I made a few phone calls and could barely hear the other person on the dual speakers, earbuds, or normal earpiece. Idk if there is something wrong with my Axon 7 specifically, or if maybe there will be a software update soon to fix this, but this is completely unacceptable."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think we all know this comment is B.S. !..
Have the one plus 3 headphone jack output is amazing. Looking at the axon 7 though

US vs EU/Global version - audio power and volume

I have both US and EU version and external speakers play more or less the same but regarding headphones jack it's totally different. US version plays clear and loud, with Dolby Atmos and hifi on even louder but less clear (fake surround and boosted bass). Anyway in both cases with enhancements on or off sound via headphones is loud, clear, with power, boosted, deeply breathing. Nice.
In case of EU version when i plug the same wired headphones it's night and day worse than US Axon 7. With Dolby Atmos off it's quite quiet and not dynamic, with Dolby Atmos on it's disaster, sound is very low volume and sounds like muffled, covered with pillow.
Please can someone plug headphones and write about her/his audio experience and impression.
Additional request for ppl having as me both version, please comparison is highly appreciated.
I don't know if my EU unit is defective or European A7 just that they are.
Thanks everyone is advance for help and support.
Sent from my ZTE A2017U
nathasnajperowa said:
I have both US and EU version and external speakers play more or less the same but regarding headphones jack it's totally different. US version plays clear and loud, with Dolby Atmos and hifi on even louder but less clear (fake surround and boosted bass). Anyway in both cases with enhancements on or off sound via headphones is loud, clear, with power, boosted, deeply breathing. Nice.
In case of EU version when i plug the same wired headphones it's night and day worse than US Axon 7. With Dolby Atmos off it's quite quiet and not dynamic, with Dolby Atmos on it's disaster, sound is very low volume and sounds like muffled, covered with pillow.
Please can someone plug headphones and write about her/his audio experience and impression.
Additional request for ppl having as me both version, please comparison is highly appreciated.
I don't know if my EU unit is defective or European A7 just that they are.
Thanks everyone is advance for help and support.
Sent from my ZTE A2017U
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is probably the case because under EU law the headset volume cannot go over a certain limit. I remember this being the case for nexus phones which i had to root to increase the volume.
More information here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21294537
Thanks, I also suspected so but difference is so huge I thought EU unit is defective.
Wysłane z mojego ZTE A2017G przy użyciu Tapatalka
Yeah but it displays a warning (something that it can damage your hearing) and asks you if you want to turn the volume up anyway.
Chris2810 said:
Yeah but it displays a warning (something that it can damage your hearing) and asks you if you want to turn the volume up anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but there is still an 80db limit under EU law. I remember rooting my nexus and going into a volume change to increase that limit via root access.
So this volume limit is software i guess, but is it possible that also hardware? How to fix it without root? (don't want to loose warranty)
Sent from my ZTE A2017U
nathasnajperowa said:
So this volume limit is software i guess, but is it possible that also hardware? How to fix it without root? (don't want to loose warranty)
Sent from my ZTE A2017U
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cant fix without root i think. Its a software limit i believe.
EU version user here.
Thank you so much for this thread.
Listening to music on this thing in the EU version is a disaster.
The volume is the first thing I noticed since I listen to music a lot and transferred my music folder first.
Honestly I do not know about the US version audio but the sounds coming out of headphones on this EU version is simply abysmal.
The normal volume is very low, even when turned all the way up and sound is very unclear and unnatural but once you activate the so called Dolby thingy, the whole sound is completely muffled and you could barely hear anything anymore. So my Dolby is permanently off.
To imagine that they were hammering about the superior audio.
I am coming from Honor 7, which I still have on the side and it sounds so much better with headphones than this phone.
Other than the minor Software problems, I like the phone but still considering returning it due to the sound problem.
I have the EU Version i can't compare to US but the sound from headphones on the axon 7 is slightly better than on my OnePlus 3 it's more clear and it has better snr.
But it's not very loud and with Dolby Setting it's terrible
BTW: i use Poweramp which tries to bypass system EQ etc. i remember testing it with the zte music app the sound was terrible in
"normal" and dolby...
Very obvious I know but you do have headset hi-fi set to 'super' and not standard?
With earphones in (Marshall Mode or Shure se215) I find anything above 75% volume to be uncomfortable and normally listen at 50ish with Dolby turned off.
Sent from my ZTE A2017G using Tapatalk
With headset hifi set to super is slightly better than without but still even not acceptable considering fact axon 7 was supposed to have superior audio with dedicated two dacs and amp for jack output (normally amp drives power and loudness).
I also had European Htc 10 and this thing was incredible crushing with headphones, so loud that I couldn't listen on max volume (thats rare for me, I love music drilling my brain ) so htc could make device with loud and also good quality audio output (unfortunately lacking in other aspects).
Let's ask ZTE to unleash the power of axon 7 potential audio capabilities with hardware they claim installed.
Wysłane z mojego ZTE A2017G przy użyciu Tapatalka
This is just one thing after another. I only bought this because of the sound. Mine is arriving tomorrow and if it's at all disappointing it's going back. I can live with poor low-light photos but after a fortnight using the wife's Nexus 5x I'm not paying €450 for bad sound.
Why would they advertise it as a great audio device in the EU where it will attract audiophiles who will just send it back?
I'm getting one tomorrow as well (now that it is available.... been waiting for weeks now ^^), if audio quality is crap then yes, definitely a deal breaker for me.
I still find Poweramp plays louder than Dolby Atmos on Play Music.
I just got mine. I'm going to update it to B03 now. If it's really as bad as op says I might return it. I'll definitely check with zte before I do so though. It seems like a pretty easy fix to me.
Verstuurd vanaf mijn A0001 met Tapatalk
Sander said:
I just got mine. I'm going to update it to B03 now. If it's really as bad as op says I might return it. I'll definitely check with zte before I do so though. It seems like a pretty easy fix to me.
Verstuurd vanaf mijn A0001 met Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you update us on your findings after the update?
I am probably the only one that cannot relate to low headphone sound volume on the EU model (2017G). Sound level is a bit lower with Dolby Atmos turned on. Strange thing I noticed - the predefined Dolby Atmos settings are way less loud than my custom setting (settings: Volume lever On, Dialogue Enhancer Off, Surround Virtualizer On, Intelligent Equalizer Open). If I turn up the volume. under Settings - Sound & vibration - Headset Hifi I have it set to 'Super'. If I turn up the volume it's pretty loud, absolutely no complaints there. This goes for Dolby Atmos enabled (in my Custom preference setting) as well as for with Dolby Atmos disabled. I turn on Dolby Atmos when listening to classical music most of the time, and I found that the better mixed songs often go well with DA enabled. Sometimes I turn it on and on to see which mode is best for the stuff I'm listening to.
I have 2 sets of in-earphones, the one that came with the Axon 7 and my old iPhone 5S one. The iPhone sounds slightly more crisp but the Axon 7 headphones are ok too. It might be better with some super high quality headphones, I don't know.
I never have it on full volume, my ears would hurt. I have it mostly at the EU limit, sometimes over it when I want it louder. I use default music app, HiFi settings on super, Dolby Atmos is off (except on speakers). The quality is the best I've heard on a mobile phone. I used to use Poweramp but I noticed the sound is a little better in default music app. And I use Sennheiser M2 in ear.
Chris2810 said:
I never have it on full volume, my ears would hurt. I have it mostly at the EU limit, sometimes over it when I want it louder. I use default music app, HiFi settings on super, Dolby Atmos is off (except on speakers). The quality is the best I've heard on a mobile phone. I used to use Poweramp but I noticed the sound is a little better in default music app. And I use Sennheiser M2 in ear.
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Click to collapse
Mine arrives tomorrow and I'm not really concerned about it.
The chips are there, Dolby Atmos is there, only thing that should be different is the loudness. I will probably root my phone anyway, but I think it's a big upgrade from my OnePlus 2.
Dian Z said:
I'm getting one tomorrow as well (now that it is available.... been waiting for weeks now ^^), if audio quality is crap then yes, definitely a deal breaker for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got the phone (EU version A2017G) and it can barely drive my PC350 headset (150 ohms) with Dolby Atmos activated - barely loud enough :/
I would't count on using higher impedance headphones.
Certainly disappointing... but as someone mentioned, can probably be fixed easily with root and US software version.

Someone can compare the sound-quality of the Axon 7 with the HTC M9?

Hello,
i'm having the HTC M9 and because of the great sound DAC (4490) i bought the Axon 7. It beats my HTC M9 in nearly every point but not in sound quality
If i disable on both phones every EQ and Sound Effect, just using direct output, the HTC M9 will win because its more clear and defined then the Axon 7. The sound of the Axon 7 is not bad but its imprecised/blurred.
So someone is having the HTC M9 too and can compare it with the Axon 7 too? Disable all Effects, EQ and set both to the same volume level and compare for example this music on both phones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fyDHNssXnY (please better serach for this song on Tidal or somewhere where you can get it in better quality, idk what quality its on yt but its not that good like the flac quality of Tidal)
I wonder if my Axon 7 is broken or ZTE did a bad job in implementing this DAC to its Android or if they added very bad OP-AMPs behind the DAC.. idk i simply can not understand whats going wrong.. i didnt expect that it would have worse sound then the M9.. In all other points its better.
Headphone is Beyerdynamic T1 Gen2 & Custom Street
My son had my old HTC M9 when I first got my Axon 7.... I thought there was no comparison, the Axon 7 won hands-down. Fuller low end, crisper top end, louder and no distortion. The headphone volume in the A7 is lower, but setting up a Dolby Atmos profile specifically for my earbuds, I could make it sound much better than the M9, although the M9 was louder (but I don't ever turn up all the way).
Now, in saying all that....When I disabled the Dolby Atmos and HTC Boomsound (or whatever the M9 has), the M9 sounded better. The Dolby Atmos is everything to the sound of the Axon 7 without that, it sounds horrible (unless you are rooted and use another audio mod, like V4a).
My biggest gripe with the M9 (M7 & M8 too, I've had them all) was there was no system wide EQ, like Dolby Atmos. Trust me, I don't like Dolby Atmos in general.... It randomly resets sometimes and will switch to "movie" when I'm listening to music, but it does sound good.
tele_jas said:
My son had my old HTC M9 when I first got my Axon 7.... I thought there was no comparison, the Axon 7 won hands-down. Fuller low end, crisper top end, louder and no distortion. The headphone volume in the A7 is lower, but setting up a Dolby Atmos profile specifically for my earbuds, I could make it sound much better than the M9, although the M9 was louder (but I don't ever turn up all the way).
Now, in saying all that....When I disabled the Dolby Atmos and HTC Boomsound (or whatever the M9 has), the M9 sounded better. The Dolby Atmos is everything to the sound of the Axon 7 without that, it sounds horrible (unless you are rooted and use another audio mod, like V4a).
My biggest gripe with the M9 (M7 & M8 too, I've had them all) was there was no system wide EQ, like Dolby Atmos. Trust me, I don't like Dolby Atmos in general.... It randomly resets sometimes and will switch to "movie" when I'm listening to music, but it does sound good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea exactly this i found out too.. with Dolby Atmos i can make the Axon 7 more sound like the M9. But without all effects and EQ stuff the M9 is the better one in sound quality.
I had crazy volume issues on my M9 while hearing flac music. All the time if the displays went off there was this crazy volume issues.
I think i will stay with the Axon and use the Dolby Atmos which really sounds not bad if you set it the right way(sadly this Dolby Atmos disable itself every time if i plug in my headphones... and yea this random resets and profile selections are horrible ). I don't like EQ stuff but the Axon is in all other points the better choise. Maybe I will use my Fiio E18 (connected via USB) again. With it I have the best quality so far
But good to hear that im not the only who found out that the M9 has without EQ, BoomSound,.. the better sound Also the M9 can drive the Beyer T1 (600Ohm) headphone better then the Axon 7 (the EU version can too but only in super mode... i hope ZTE will fix the volume limitation of the EU version and make it loud like the US version)
Currently i use this Dolby settings on the Axon 7 (but im still testing arround ^^):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3952988&stc=1&d=1480458554
Lets see if there are other ppl who can confirm this too...
I have the HTC M9, Axon 7 and recently the V20. For headphone out, I always disable all enhancements etc. I used a selection of IEMs such as Sony EX1000, Westone UM30, JH Roxanne since these are all sensitive low impedance earphones.
I found the Axon 7 had worse audio than the M9. The M9 has elevated bass which was very noticeable but also was clearer than that of the Axon 7. What surprised me was when switching from standard to super in the headset HIFI settings on the Axon 7, the sound became worse, more muffled, less detailed, lower voume for the EX1000 and JH Roxannes. I later tested with a Sennheiser HD800 headphone that has 300 ohm impedance. This was my only headphone where the sound on Axon improved by switching to Super in the headset HIFI settings however iit was bbeing under powered by the Axon 7.
I also tested with UApp and poweramp to make sure the results were consistent across apps that could access the DAC.
Later I got a V20 and compared to the M9 and Axon 7 it is hands down much better. It's like a veil is lifted from the music. I can pickup details that were not audible or were muffled on the Axon 7. If you use an adaptor to fool the V20 toioi kick into high impedance mode then the Sennheiser HD800 will goto higher volumes than the M9 or Axon 7.
I am not sure what is going on with the Axon 7. Sure it is better than any other phone without a dedicated DAC but I expected better results from the AK4490 DAC.
Hmm after seeing this https://hifiduino.wordpress.com/2014/12/07/akm-verita-4490-dac/ im pretty sure that ZTE did badly implement the DAC into Android. This DAC has many many settings. For ex. they could enable filters which will make the sound more clear or add more bass etc. Maybe the US version sounds differnt then the EU version idk. I hoe ZTE will fix that in Android 7 and also add more options where we can change the DAC settings.
Maybe it's the DSD/DSP which is badly setup on the Axons AK4490/4461. Im testing arround with my Creative Soundblaster X7 and if i disable there the DSP (using direct mode) i get a very clear and good sound while playing flac files. I think there is something similar on the Axon 7 enabled. I think they want to make a better sound by using audioprocessing stuff but thats for me like all the other EQ stuff whichs destroys the natural/orignal sound ...i dont like it ...somehow the sound looses its clarity. It's very good recognizable if you listen to clasic/trailer music like the album "Tunes of Fantasy" from Florian Bur.

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