[Zod1010]

I'm curious how the headphone audio quality is on the M8, and specifically when compared to S4/S5? Also, is BoomSound anything more than the a rebranded Beats, which only made the phone bassier? Thanks.

[Skyway]

BoomSound is the dual front facing speakers, has nothing to do with beats. The original beats on the m7 is just a software algorithm

Posted via Android Central App

[Zod1010]

BoomSound is also a setting on the phone, which can be turned off when using headphones. When you turn it off, it loses volume. My question is, is it more of a pre-amp (adding power) or an entire sound profile?

[kronosqq]

I know that it's definitely adding power, I don't think it's related to the EQ setup but someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Sent from my EVO using AC Forums mobile app

[cordawgfrito]

The M8 does not have Beats.

[B0WIE]

If your concern is audio quality, get the M8, use decent headphones, and don't engage beats, BoomSound, or any similar enhancement. Those things are ok for cheap ear buds, but if you plan to use cheap ones, it doesn't matter so much which phone you get.

[Habiib]

Well, from what I've seen in the reviews, the HTC One M8's headphone output is unmatched by anything in its class. Also, for those who claim that the BoomSound speakers are not a factor because they use headphones...well the M8 destroys everything in that category as well. Now the only comeback for that is ".....well I don't use audio on my phone at all"

Scroll to the bottom to see the comparison

HTC One (M8) vs Apple iPhone 5s
HTC One (M8) vs Note 3
HTC One (M8) vs the Rest

[jd914]

I hooked up my Klipsch Image S4 headphones and the sound is great. I never use free included headphones because most of the time they are cheap quality and horrible sounding.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

[stan23]

My advice? Turn off boom sound when using headphones. They artificially enhance the sound with some crappy bass.

[cordawgfrito]

Wrong.

[kioko91]

I get some audio clipping at high volume with v-moda m100s. Outside of that it's absolutely stunning. Hoping an update fixes the clipping so I can drown people out. :-P

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

[Kevin OQuinn]

I get some audio clipping at high volume with v-moda m100s. Outside of that it's absolutely stunning. Hoping an update fixes the clipping so I can drown people out. :-P

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

Those are pretty high end and probably need a dedicated external headphone amplifier.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

[Kevin OQuinn]

The M8 does not have Beats.

Nobody said it did.

Wrong.

About what exactly?

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

[kioko91]

Those are pretty high end and probably need a dedicated external headphone amplifier.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

I thought that as well, but I had no issues running them on a note 3 without my amp. And, unfortunately, I can't get my e07k to work. Unsure if it's a cable issue or kitkat. :/

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[Kevin OQuinn]

I thought that as well, but I had no issues running them on a note 3 without my amp. And, unfortunately, I can't get my e07k to work. Unsure if it's a cable issue or kitkat. :/

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

Using the headphone jack out of the M8 would work with that amp.

I'm unsure if the audio output impedance of both phones so I can't say for sure if that's part of the issue or not.

Maybe tomorrow I'll plug in my DT990's (250 ohm) and see what happens.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

[kioko91]

Using the headphone jack out of the M8 would work with that amp.

I'm unsure if the audio output impedance of both phones so I can't say for sure if that's part of the issue or not.

Maybe tomorrow I'll plug in my DT990's (250 ohm) and see what happens.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

I'd appreciate it. I'm trying to figure out which of the USB cords is at fault so I can order a new one. Thanks for quick feedback.

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[Kevin OQuinn]

I'd appreciate it. I'm trying to figure out which of the USB cords is at fault so I can order a new one. Thanks for quick feedback.

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Just to be sure, are you plugging in to the microUSB of the M8 for source or the headphone jack? I'm not sure it'll work through USB but don't have anything to test with to determine if that would be Kit Kat, the music player, or HTC.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

[kioko91]

Used it via USB on my note (was 4.3) but going to try the headphone jack now. Used a micro to mini otg prior.

Edit: it works fine purely as an amp through the headphone jack. Forgot I was trying to use it as a DAC on my note. :-P

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[Kevin OQuinn]

Used it via USB on my note (was 4.3) but going to try the headphone jack now. Used a micro to mini otg prior.

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If you still have the Note and it received Kit Kat I'd be curious to know if it still works.

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[kioko91]

If you still have the Note and it received Kit Kat I'd be curious to know if it still works.

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I don't but my family has a few, however they're still on Verizon so 4.3 still. I'll let you know as soon as they get 4.4.

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[Zod1010]

I get some audio clipping at high volume with v-moda m100s.

That's what I'm using as well. Glad to hear the positive feedback.

Outside of that it's absolutely stunning.

That seems to be the consensus. I stumbled upon this thread over on HiFi.org:

New HTC One M8 audio review

[Kevin OQuinn]

Used it via USB on my note (was 4.3) but going to try the headphone jack now. Used a micro to mini otg prior.

Edit: it works fine purely as an amp through the headphone jack. Forgot I was trying to use it as a DAC on my note. :-P

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

Good to hear. I plugged my DT990's directly in to the M8 and there wasn't any crackling. They just weren't near as loud as a pair designed for mobile use.

[lontano]

For what it's worth, I'm a classical musician and I just got back from comparing the M8 to the S5 in the store with a nice pair of in-ear earphones. The difference was night and day. The M8 holds an enormous advantage over the S5 in this regard, and this is coming from a current Galaxy S3 owner.

This got me thinking: For all of the comments I've read online about how their cameras compare, it seems odd to me now that there isn't more discussion about this subject. I don't know about you but I use my headphone jack far more than I use the camera on my phone. I'm plugged in all the time listening to music and podcasts. This is a hugely important factor for me, much more so than the camera, so this would be a decisive factor for me if I were buying, which I will be in July. But it seems headphones are practically regarded as fashion accessories by a lot of people these days. I for one think HTC deserves a lot of credit for respecting their customers enough to use quality components in their One rather than cutting costs with a weak amplifier.

[Zod1010]

Those are pretty high end and probably need a dedicated external headphone amplifier.

I use my V-Moda M100s with my M8 as well and find it's an excellent combination. The M100s were designed to be driven by portable players and don't require an amp. Which isn't to say they wouldn't benefit from one, but it's not as necessary as with other headphones.

[mfreeland]

As a world touring concert sound engineer, it's pretty hard to impress me when it comes to audio. I finally plugged my Shure SE 535 in ear monitors ($500+ triple driver earphones) and listened. I have the Harmon Kardon version, so I'm really not sure how it compares to the normal M8, but I was really blown away and how great it sounded. I had to go into the HK settings and choose other earphones before the eq sounded natural. The clarity is phenomenal and I had more volume than I needed. I didn't notice any distortion, even at high levels. I could hear low bass (40-60hz) all the way up to natural high frequencies. Very impressive........