I'm on the verge of picking up a new phone. I originally wanted the Note 7, but waited and then heard about the LG V20 with its Quad Dac. I'm still holding out hope that the Pixel XL has some really nice audio out capabilities (at least better than my Xperia Z3v or Galaxy Note 3). I prefer the quicker updates the Pixel will get, but still. My main use right now would be the 128gb model as I use my phone everyday for listening to music (as well as typical phone stuff). I refuse to carry a DAP and a phone. So basically, what do you guys think? I haven't seen anything discussing the audio capabilities.
Pixel and Pixel XL Audio Quality
- Thread starter waytoocrazy
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I have heard anything in particular with respect to audio quality either.....but if your looking for headphone quality I doubt it will get better than lg v20....if you looking for speakerphone quality then you may as well save some money and get the 6p with the dual front facing speakers and still get pure Google experience and updates.
The best all around solution is 6p and use viper4android to get the quality audio experience you seek plus ffs plus current Android updates
Well, I was looking for a device that had a decent DAC built in. I'm not sure what the Snapdragon 821 brings to the table. I do not subscribe to using software/DSP/EQ to make the audio sound good. I use nice headphones to listen to my music so I don't want to muck it up with software that "fakes" the sound. I don't want to add external devices (such as my Cambridge DacMagic XS or Oppo HA-2) as I'm trying to trim down to a single device.
The best sound by far will be the Htc with viper4android as it rocks I doubt you will find any smartphone that has as good of audio as the Htc 10 with viper4android.
I was thinking about the HTC 10, but Viper4Android is something I wouldn't use. It seems to just be an EQ. I don't use EQ nor do I have any interest whatsoever in doing so. It doesn't increase the quality of the audio coming out of the device.
I'm in the same boat as you. I used a HTC m8 and purchased a Nexus 6p for pure android. The Nexus DAC was terrible so I traveled with both phones. Last month i sold my 6p in anticipation of the event because of HTCs history with audio. I'm regretting that now: I'm sure if the Pixel had a dedicated DAC Google would have played it up during the event.
I'm currently researching a phone to replace my m8: It seems like best are the LG G5, v10 upcoming v20, Axon 7, and of course HTC10. The HTC10 will probably be my next phone: it sucks because it seems like you always have to compromise something.
Agreed! To be honest, I find the Xperia Z3v merely acceptable. It is a little better sounding than my Galaxy Note 3 was. I'm not even looking for something "powerful" as I have 25-32ohm headphones. Though they are quite resolving and I enjoy using them around the house and when I go out in general. If in the end, the Pixel doesn't have good sound (ie... needs to be at least 24/192), and the V20 isn't going to work for me. I'll just keep using my external DACs.
This is the same reason I am still using Nexus 6 as my daily driver, i tried many phones (Note 4, N6P, Note 5, S7 Edge, Note 7 SD820 version etc..) in the last 2 years and no phone has better audio quality thru audio jack than N6. HTC 10 has some what better audio quality but I don't want to downgrade screen size below 5.5".
It infuriates me whenever people suggest Viper/Arise etc.. to make up for the poor DAC in the phone.
Hoping pixel phone has decent DAC.
I'm going to get the V20 due to the audio quality of the Note 7 (and I'm guessing it's not great on the Pixel either). Quad DAC is going to be amazing.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA-Developers mobile app
If people stopped having such solid opinions on things, they'd be pleasantly surprised by what they find. At least, try using viper4android. You have no idea the difference it can make.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA-Developers mobile app
What he said..... you should try V4A....you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Funny how people criticize a phone for not having front facing speakers, but the HTC 10 doesn't have them and it is one of the best sounding phones out there right now... and yes, I have a 6P as well. I encourage everyone to save their judgement for when we actually get to hear it or someone gives a review on it.
So True!
I'm very much leaning that way myself.
As for the others who continue to suggest V4A or other software EQ/DSP... enlighten me on how painting a smiley face on a turd of a DAC makes it sound better? It doesn't... it simply alters the sound. I have multiple headphones that I use for different genres of music. THAT is what I use to alter the sound that I'm looking for. EQ and DSP are only meant to cover up the shortcomings of the headphones native sound signature. How would I know if I'm making things worse by polishing a Turd of a DAC by warping the sound signature? If I wanted to make things more "bassy" or "echoey" or whatever you want. I'd just pick up a pair of Beats headphones and call it a day. I'm sure it is a fantastic piece of software, again... it is completely opposite of what I'm looking for. Though, thank you for letting me know that it is out there. The 5 YouTube videos I watched let me know that it wasn't something I'd be interested in beyond a novelty.
I've used it. It helps, but it's still lipstick on a pig. The amp and DAC make a much larger difference. I liked Viper4Android on other devices but there will be no comparison to a phone with a vastly superior DAC. The HTC One M8 was by far the best audio quality I'd ever heard before because of its DAC and amp combo. Did much better than my other phones paired with V4A.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA-Developers mobile app
It's already known the pixel phones won't have a DAC and your interest level in pure sound quality is high and clearly outweighs the custom Roms or pure Android experience or early updates you get with Google phones...so I'm not sure what the hesitation is.... Get the phone with the DAC. Honestly the pixel phones are over priced and hardware specs are not comparable to the price.... I'll be keeping my 6p
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You're right. I'll keep an eye on them, but the more I find out about it, I don't think it is the right device for me.
Thanks again!
There is some potentially good news here, Guys. I just read the hands-on with Anandtech and while they didn't mention much about the audio quality, they did say that it has the Qualcomm Aqstic audio codec. So, yes, it's Qualcomm, but it's of much higher quality than the "normal" Qualcomm. The Aqstic is the same DAC/codec used in the HTC 10 which I find little fault with. I think the V10 is still a tad cleaner with a better noise floors, but these are extremely minor differences. For pure Google, fast updates and a nice design, I can easily settle for a Qualcomm Aqstic audio solution rather than an exotic "quad DAC" which still hasn't been released or heard by any audiophile reviewers I don't think. I'm all in for this phone.
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5There is some potentially good news here, Guys. I just read the hands-on with Anandtech and while they didn't mention much about the audio quality, they did say that it has the Qualcomm Aqstic audio codec. So, yes, it's Qualcomm, but it's of much higher quality than the "normal" Qualcomm. The Aqstic is the same DAC/codec used in the HTC 10 which I find little fault with. I think the V10 is still a tad cleaner with a better noise floors, but these are extremely minor differences. For pure Google, fast updates and a nice design, I can easily settle for a Qualcomm Aqstic audio solution rather than an exotic "quad DAC" which still hasn't been released or heard by any audiophile reviewers I don't think. I'm all in for this phone.
-Collin-4For those of you who may be interested: I have posted some hard data on the Pixel's audio performance here. It is very technical, but unless you have some really hard to drive very low-impedance IEMs that utilize multiple armature drivers, then the sound fidelity coming out of the Pixel's headphone jack is very decent. That said, there are a few tweaks that I plan on investigating once a custom recovery has been made available that may elevate the audible (!) performance to be on par with any other portable listening device out there.3
This is the same reason I am still using Nexus 6 as my daily driver, i tried many phones (Note 4, N6P, Note 5, S7 Edge, Note 7 SD820 version etc..) in the last 2 years and no phone has better audio quality thru audio jack than N6. HTC 10 has some what better audio quality but I don't want to downgrade screen size below 5.5".
It infuriates me whenever people suggest Viper/Arise etc.. to make up for the poor DAC in the phone.
Hoping pixel phone has decent DAC.2Well, I was looking for a device that had a decent DAC built in. I'm not sure what the Snapdragon 821 brings to the table. I do not subscribe to using software/DSP/EQ to make the audio sound good. I use nice headphones to listen to my music so I don't want to muck it up with software that "fakes" the sound. I don't want to add external devices (such as my Cambridge DacMagic XS or Oppo HA-2) as I'm trying to trim down to a single device.2
What he said..... you should try V4A....you'll be pleasantly surprised.