Audiophile Discussion

[mehrshad.shafaghi]

Hello fellas,
This is a thread for audiophiles. We will focus on the audio experience and let other enthusiasts share ideas and experiences.
This is a dynamic thread. Help us update this thread to the best.

BEST WORKING AUDIO MODS​

Shox Audio Mod (by ScreaMySkrillEX )​

Unleash the audio quality of your Redmi Note 3!
This is a sound mod especially designed for the Redmi Note 3 Pro (kenzo /kate) and its Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 chipset.
It also offers the option for enhancing audio via speaker,
It is a hardware level modification that enables the disabled CLS_H_HIFI DAC mode of our chipset that enhances the sound.

The aim of this mod is to offer the ability to take full advantage of the IIR filter implementation offered by Qualcomm audio codecs (WCD93xx). The IIR filters are implemented in hardware as a cascade of five biquads that can be designed independently.

FEATURES :

• It enhances the soundstage and just ensures a clean audio to be put-out by the hardware. It increases the dynamic range of bass and treble the device can handle.
• It enables HiFi or high-performance audio on your smartphone without any hissing sound.
• The filters are implemented in hardware and independent of the ROM, kernel, and media playback software used.
• It is fully compatible with other audio mods like Ainur audio, ARISE sound, ExtremeBeats, and also Viper, James DSP
• The additional impact on battery usage is virtually non-existent

Options for enhancing speaker audio:
HTC 10, which uses the earpiece as a secondary speaker
Stereo, which uses the earpiece as the second speaker to provide true stereo sound from speakers.

link: https://forum.xda-developers.com/redmi-note-3/themes/audio-mod-hardware-based-best-audio-t3598455

A.R.I.S.E Sound Systems™​

A.R.I.S.E. Sound Systems™ is an established and renowned Android audio development project known best for its cutting edge sound systems and trendsetting techniques, perhaps known even more for its unmatched support and assistance for users and its unrivalled community, breaking XDA records for activity - accolades only possible by doing things the right way, every day.

Many contributors make this project possible by managing the various groups and communities outside of XDA, providing the highest level of courteous assistance available anywhere. These contributors, many behind the scenes, are the backbone of this project and allow us to grow day by day in every aspect of the project. They are recognized as contributors towards the bottom of the OP. And of course, the entire ARISE™ family and community, the lifeblood of the project and an exemplary example of a forum's thread at its finest.

link: https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software/r-s-e-sound-systems-auditory-research-t3379709

Dolby Atmos for Oreo

link: https://forum.xda-developers.com/redmi-note-3/themes/mod-dolby-atmos-oreo-8-1-t3734338

Viper4Android

This is a magisk module, but you can also flash it on system in the recovery incase you are not a Magisk user
XDA thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/module-viper4android-fx-2-5-0-5-t3577058
It is also availabe on Magisk Manager's download section

BEST MUSIC PLAYERS​

Poweramp

There are several versions of Poweramp out there. The last stable version is V2 which is availabe on google play.
There is also a V3 alpha and a V3 beta available on the official forum which offer Hi-res audio output.
V3 alpha is the almost fully functional version with older UI and V3 beta offers a brand new UI but some of the menu components are missing yet.
Official website: http://powerampapp.com/
Forum: http://forum.powerampapp.com/

Neutron

Neutron is the professional music player with a high quality 32/64-bit audio rendering engine which delivers the best possible Hi-Fi grade quality of sound on mobile device.

The reliable, platform independent, native core provides consistent behavior on all devices. Carefully developed DSP effects such as Parametric or Graphic EQ, Compressor, Surround Sound, Crossfeeder, Crossfader, Tempo, Pitch and others, help to tune audio to a desired result.

Neutron can source music files from device or network sources such as SMB/CIFS, UPnP/DLNA, FTP, WebDAV and send audio either to headphones, or directly to USB DAC or to UPnP/DLNA or Chromecast renderer without a format limitation!

Neutron is developed for audiophiles and those who really love and value music. Consider using Hi-Fi/Hi-End audio hardware for the best result.

Official website: http://neutronmp.com/
Forum: http://neutronmp.com/neutronforum.html
Google Play: http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.neutroncode.mp

Player Pro

Since there's no brief introduction on the official website, I'll fill the description later.
Just remember, you also need to buy the DSP Pack to benefit from 32-bit float output!
Official website: https://www.aplayerpro.com/
Forum: https://www.aplayerpro.com/forum
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tbig.playerprotrial&hl=en

Don't forget to discuss about your ideas upon the given mods and players. Name some good ones yourself!

 

[mehrshad.shafaghi]

How to check the audio output

You can analyze your device's audio output using a simple adb command:
1. If you have a rooted device, simply install a terminal emulator (or enable the one in the developer options if your rom has one)
type

su (then grant root)
dumpys media.audio_flinger

Then it will give you an output like this:

*some piece of code*
Input thread 0xee003300, name AudioIn_196, tid 18938, type 3 (RECORD):
  I/O handle: 406
  [B][U]Standby: no[/U][/B]
  [U]Sample rate: 16000 Hz[/U]
  HAL frame count: 320
  HAL format: 0x1 (AUDIO_FORMAT_PCM_16_BIT)
  HAL buffer size: 640 bytes
  Channel count: 1
  Channel mask: 0x00000010 (front)
 [U] Processing format: 0x1 (AUDIO_FORMAT_PCM_16_BIT)[/U]
  Processing frame size: 2 bytes
  Pending config events: none
  [U]Output device: 0x2 (AUDIO_DEVICE_OUT_SPEAKER)[/U]
  Input device: 0x80000004 (AUDIO_DEVICE_IN_BUILTIN_MIC)
  Audio source: 6 (voice recognition)
  AudioStreamIn: 0xf02fd4f0 flags 0 (AUDIO_INPUT_FLAG_NONE)
  Hal stream dump:
  Fast capture thread: no
  Fast track available: no
  FastCapture not initialized
  1 Tracks of which 1 are active
  *some piece of code*

you should look for the one which is not in standby (bolded and underlined for you)

2. If your device is not rooted, install adb.
Connect your phone to the computer. Make sure you have "USB Debugging" enabled in the developer options.
Go to the adb install folder, hold shift button then right-click. Click on "Open Powershell/Command Prompt window here" to open adb.
once loaded, type

adb devices

It will ask for permission on the phone. Immediately accept to continue. Then you can a list of connected devices so you know that adb has detected your device
Then type:

adb shell dumpsys media.audio_flinger

 

[mehrshad.shafaghi]

reserved

 

[mehrshad.shafaghi]

Guys, which oreo roms currently support Poweramp's Hi-res outputs?
I checked through the adb, the rom which I'm currently using(ABC) doesn't.
I heard that AEX oreo also doesn't support hi-res till now. However some dude posted a screenshot that the "Experimental hi-res output" of build705alpha is working on NOS. Can you please check and report?

What about nougat roms?

 

[mehrshad.shafaghi]

I mean, seriously, yall just use MIUI's default music player? Blackplayer EX? Pulsar? Shuttle?
No audiophile of any kind??

 

[mpschahal16]

Guys, which oreo roms currently support Poweramp's Hi-res outputs?
I checked through the adb, the rom which I'm currently using(ABC) doesn't.
I heard that AEX oreo also doesn't support hi-res till now. However some dude posted a screenshot that the "Experimental hi-res output" of build705alpha is working on NOS. Can you please check and report?

What about nougat roms?

Nitrogen Os support experimental hifi audio in Poweramp.

I m the one who posted those ss

 

[mehrshad.shafaghi]

Nitrogen Os support experimental hifi audio in Poweramp.

I m the one who posted those ss

Cool. What about OpenSL ES HD? Have you tried that on NOS?

 

[mpschahal16]

Cool. What about OpenSL ES HD? Have you tried that on NOS?

Opensl Es hd not working

 

[GuestK00364]

Back when I got my device I preferred Neutron in blind test vs Poweramp and I still stick to it. AIMP gets as close as I would expect from a free player.
Also Biohazard sound mod for any mainstream music, flat and clean for classical.

P.S. I might check out Player Pro some day

 

[pritamdutt]

How tp make the audio mods work. Evrytime i try to flash these, i get some kind of errors and messed up sound server.

 

[Tatoh]

I only use viper, the magisk module works in every Oreo ROM. My favourite audio player is vanilla player. I'm using retro player ATM. But I don't have your standards. Also shox don't work for me anymore, get bootloops every time I flash it.

 

[mehrshad.shafaghi]

I only use viper, the magisk module works in every Oreo ROM. My favourite audio player is vanilla player. I'm using retro player ATM. But I don't have your standards. Also shox don't work for me anymore, get bootloops every time I flash it.

Contact the developer on telegram. He can help you.

 

[mehrshad.shafaghi]

How tp make the audio mods work. Evrytime i try to flash these, i get some kind of errors and messed up sound server.

Which mod are you trying to install?

 

[mehrshad.shafaghi]

I've been trying to make Ainur Sauron work on kenzo, but I feel like the mod isn't fully working. I'll add it to the thread once I found it working. For now, I found the Qualcomm soundlib options in useroptions file useful. Dirac Hardware Hexagon addon is also working (however I don't like it). You can try it if you like the dirac effect found in MIUI roms.
My primary problem for now is the non-working hires audio capabilities of oreo roms. "None" of the audio mods or audio plugins solve the problem. All work on Nougat but not on oreo. Donno who is the culprit

 

[ashwinonm]

Can someone list all the 24bit enabled ROMs?

 

[IvanKurnia]

any of y'all use external DACs?

 

[mehrshad.shafaghi]

any of y'all use external DACs?

Not me, my broke ass can't afford any DAC for now. How come you asking?

 

[illall]

I mean, seriously, yall just use MIUI's default music player? Blackplayer EX? Pulsar? Shuttle?
No audiophile of any kind??

i dont use Miui.
my kernel is Agni, and oreo bootleggers rom.
music player is retro(stock in bootleg rom) rarely used. mostly im using spotify.
im flashed AinurSauron, AinurjamesDSP, and shox audio. but im only using viper for adjustment sound to my preferences. my listening device right now is KZ ED16 earphone.

 

[amn1987]

Any further development regarding Hi-res audio support in Oreo or even Pie ROMs? I can't get it work in Neutron MP even in Nougat. It just emits a high-pitched sound even if no song is playing. However in Poweramp it works fine and in combination with Agni kernel the sound output is pretty good. Since Nougat ROMs are no longer being updated I would like to move on to Pie but this is a big drawback.

 

[DarkSoul101]

I mean, seriously, yall just use MIUI's default music player? Blackplayer EX? Pulsar? Shuttle?
No audiophile of any kind??

When it comes to sound software has a very little role to play. If you use cheap headphones with the best amp it won't make them sound like expensive ones. Stop acting like you know everything.