Pixel and Pixel XL Audio Quality

[katetimosoy]

Nexus6p or V20 would work for now...

I believe V20 would work.

 

[mixedguy]

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.

-Collin-

You are right, here is more info about "The Aqstic" DAC used in the Pixel phones for anyone that cares.

https://www.qualcomm.com/news/snapdragon/2016/06/02/qualcomm-aqstic-sets-new-standard-audiophiles



It's confirmed being in the Pixel phones from the link below.

https://www.qualcomm.com/news/snapdragon/2016/10/04/pixel-phones-made-google-powered-snapdragon-821

 

[waytoocrazy]

You are right, here is more info about "The Aqstic" DAC used in the Pixel phones for anyone that cares.

https://www.qualcomm.com/news/snapdragon/2016/06/02/qualcomm-aqstic-sets-new-standard-audiophiles



It's confirmed being in the Pixel phones from the link below.

https://www.qualcomm.com/news/snapdragon/2016/10/04/pixel-phones-made-google-powered-snapdragon-821

The Galaxy Note 7 is running the same Codec. It is a Snapdragon codec. If that is true, maybe I'll just go with the Note 7 and use my lesser brand headphones with them, and save up for a dedicated DAP (or make a cable for my Cambridge DacMagic XS Dac).

 

[mazdababy0]

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

All phones have a DAC, otherwise there would be no way to produce sound from a digital format

 

[JasonJoel]

Well, all phones with headphone jacks have a DAC... You wouldn't technically have to have one at all without the headphone jack.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[chetly968]

If you have a speaker that plays ringtones you have a DAC too.

 

[M9guy]

Either wait for the V20 ( slow updates, hard to root, no development...I have a v10)

Or get the Pixel and a outboard DAC/like a Opportunity HA2.

The 6P with the dual front speakers is obviously the better option for video without headphones.

Actually the Htc 10 has better audio than the 6p, it may not be as loud as the 6p on the phone speakers but the Htc 10 definitely has better audio and add viper4android and it rocks even more and on bluetooth also.

---------- Post added at 05:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:03 PM ----------

The best all around solution is 6p and use viper4android to get the quality audio experience you seek plus ffs plus current Android updates

Many would disagree as Htc 10 has better audio, 6p phone speakers may be louder but Htc 10 audio quality is far superior to the 6p, look up the comparisons on line and see.

 

[bsg411]

Actually the Htc 10 has better audio than the 6p, it may not be as loud as the 6p on the phone speakers but the Htc 10 definitely has better audio and add viper4android and it rocks even more and on bluetooth also.

---------- Post added at 05:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:03 PM ----------



Many would disagree as Htc 10 has better audio, 6p phone speakers may be louder but Htc 10 audio quality is far superior to the 6p, look up the comparisons on line and see.

I meant all best around solution for someone wanting early OS updates that Google phones offer in addition to this other things.

 

[M9guy]

I meant all best around solution for someone wanting early OS updates that Google phones offer in addition to this other things.

But with the 6p you wont get the 7.1 the pizel comes with until 2017 you will get beta this year, basically google took a dump on nexus buyers because you no longer get new os updates first you have to wait only pixel gets them, until google does the same to pixel buyers. Google clearly does not care what buyers want and change their updates policy at any time with no regard as to what buyers were promised at purchase such as 6p buyers should have 7.1 right now but instead only pixel gets it and no one else, ie google took a dump on nexus 6p buyers and actually nexus 6 and nexus 9 buyers as they were Nov of 2014 so 7.1 is out before they are 2 years old so Motorola Nexus 6 and Htc Nexus 9 should have 7.1 now also. Google took a dump on Nexus buyers period...

 

[Nick_HtcOne]

Safe to assume then that Pixel will have similar sound quality to HTC 10 ?

 

[M9guy]

Safe to assume then that Pixel will have similar sound quality to HTC 10 ?

Not through one speaker that is pointing down, the Htc 10 has stereo speakers. No way pixel one speaker will sound as good as the two speakers of the Htc 10.

 

[mixedguy]

But with the 6p you wont get the 7.1 the pizel comes with until 2017 you will get beta this year, basically google took a dump on nexus buyers because you no longer get new os updates first you have to wait only pixel gets them, until google does the same to pixel buyers. Google clearly does not care what buyers want and change their updates policy at any time with no regard as to what buyers were promised at purchase such as 6p buyers should have 7.1 right now but instead only pixel gets it and no one else, ie google took a dump on nexus 6p buyers and actually nexus 6 and nexus 9 buyers as they were Nov of 2014 so 7.1 is out before they are 2 years old so Motorola Nexus 6 and Htc Nexus 9 should have 7.1 now also. Google took a dump on Nexus buyers period...

Technically the Nexus phones are still first in line to get the 7.1 update.
The Pixel phones are being sold with 7.1, they were never updated from a previous version of Android, they begin with 7.1.

In order for something to get a update, it would have to have a previous version to update from. The Pixel phones start out with 7.1, so you can't really count it as a update.

 

[M9guy]

Technically the Nexus phones are still first in line to get the 7.1 update.
The Pixel phones are being sold with 7.1, they were never updated from a previous version of Android, they begin with 7.1.

In order for something to get a update, it would have to have a previous version to update from. The Pixel phones start out with 7.1, so you can't really count it as a update.

Yes Nexus get 7.1 but not the regular release until 2017 this year nexus only gets 7.1 beta. It has always been that each new system update nexus got it at least at the same time as the new model. Pixel got 7.1 and Nexus has to wait to even get the beta and no official 7.1 release for Nexus until 2017 that was never how it worked Nexus buyers get screwed over now.

 

[JasonJoel]

If you have a speaker that plays ringtones you have a DAC too.

Ah, good point!!!

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[vibrantliker]

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.

V4A is way more than an eq. It's revolutionary!

 

[mariano3113]

Safe to assume then that Pixel will have similar sound quality to HTC 10 ?

Not necessarily the difference between the US Note 7 and HTC 10 was listening levels, so I am assuming the AMP side of HTC 10 is 'unique'.

I see people mentioning HTC M8 and that device has horrible hiss on the sensitive IEMs I prefer to use: Campfire Jupiter and Shire SE545. My Galaxy S6 also produces audible hiss with those IEMs.

Note 7 thoroughly surprised me with the Audio Quality which only got better once I had Viper4Android installed and working.

Note 7 with Aqstic codec was very Black background, with clean sound, very little stereo crosstalk and to me great response using Shure 535 & Campfire Jupiter. Since there doesn't seem to be anything special listed as far as Headphone out amplification : I am hoping Pixel will be on-par.

HTC 10 had the same characteristics of Note 7 with clean output (no hiss, no interference) but louder stock listening levels.

Where I was most impressed with Note 7 and HTC 10 was the ability to charge and use AUX input on rental cars while still having a 'clean' sound. No buzzing or feedback interference.


I had really high hopes for the LG V20 until they mentioned B&0 tuning was not US bound (just like the G5 B&0 Friend/Module) and then gsmarena testings showed Nexus 5 levels stereo crosstalk on headphone out. (Worrisome to me inregards to channel imbalance...especially with all the Quad-Dac hype)(I will however wait to test V20 on the 28th when it arrives locally, ironically similar dates to my estimated Pixel delivery 26th-28th.)

As far as supporting 24/192, yes Pixel devices support.

 

[JasonJoel]

One good DAC is better than 4 mediocre ones...

More isn't always better. Look at camera pixels. Lol.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[CollinFX45]

Not necessarily the difference between the US Note 7 and HTC 10 was listening levels, so I am assuming the AMP side of HTC 10 is 'unique'.

I see people mentioning HTC M8 and that device has horrible hiss on the sensitive IEMs I prefer to use: Campfire Jupiter and Shire SE545. My Galaxy S6 also produces audible hiss with those IEMs.

Note 7 thoroughly surprised me with the Audio Quality which only got better once I had Viper4Android installed and working.

Note 7 with Aqstic codec was very Black background, with clean sound, very little stereo crosstalk and to me great response using Shure 535 & Campfire Jupiter. Since there doesn't seem to be anything special listed as far as Headphone out amplification : I am hoping Pixel will be on-par.

HTC 10 had the same characteristics of Note 7 with clean output (no hiss, no interference) but louder stock listening levels.

Where I was most impressed with Note 7 and HTC 10 was the ability to charge and use AUX input on rental cars while still having a 'clean' sound. No buzzing or feedback interference.


I had really high hopes for the LG V20 until they mentioned B&0 tuning was not US bound (just like the G5 B&0 Friend/Module) and then gsmarena testings showed Nexus 5 levels stereo crosstalk on headphone out. (Worrisome to me inregards to channel imbalance...especially with all the Quad-Dac hype)(I will however wait to test V20 on the 28th when it arrives locally, ironically similar dates to my estimated Pixel delivery 26th-28th.)

As far as supporting 24/192, yes Pixel devices support.

I think you really hit the nail on the head here. I too was waiting for that V20 and while the B&O certification may mean nothing at all (or everything, who knows), it started to smell an awfully lots like the G5 and DAC module and I am not playing that game again. Even after importing the H860 and module, it was finicky at best on US networks...but I digress. For this reason, I went with the Pixel XL and am also hoping for similar quality to my trust HTC 10 (and perhaps exceeding my Exynos S7E). I'm glad that the Aqstic has been introduced because that was my last complaint about Snapdragon-based solutions: the DAC usually sucked. Anyway, mine will apparently be here on the 20th and I'll be eager to report back on my findings.

-Collin-

 

[matteventu]

Just for reference for all of you: Nexus 5 and HTC One M8 have the same DAC. Nexus 6P and One M9 have the same DAC.

From this you can understand that not everything is thanks to the DAC. Also amplifier and other factors can influence a lot the sound quality.

 

[alexjzim]

I'm still holding out because one misinformed google rep told me otherwise :crying: