Galaxy S4: Audio quality flawed

[madlaw1071]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

@madlaw really? I'm starting to wonder if I have a defective unit

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Android Central Forums

Yes Henry. I've used the same headphones with all devices. S4 and One sound head and shoulders above iPhone and even the S3.

 

[cessperience]

Cordoni's post helped improve the quality of my music even though I'm just using the standard Samsung earphone. I'll explore more using other earphones.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[droidlouise]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

Thanks a lot for the post. I went to the play store and was immediately overwhelmed - WHICH equalizer app? I was using Power Amp on my Droid Charge and have been disappointed in the sound on the S4 so would appreciate suggestions for which equalizer and what would you recommend for a music program. I tend to listen to jazz, some classical, electronic - don't need or want a pounding bass.
Thanks a lot.
Louise

 

[Dreamliner330]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

The problem is the physical DAC used by Samsung. It simply is not quality. No amount of EQ or apps will fix the issue. With the same headphones and quality sound file, the iPhone will produce superior sound.

JustHenry, if your looking for premium sound quality I'd keep your iPhone/iPod handy or look into Cowon.

Wolfson DAC is what you want. The S4 doesn't have it. (Neither does the iPhone, but it still sounds better than the S4)

To anyone who attempts to argue this post: I am referring to sonic quality from the headphone jack.

 

[Reuben Chew]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

When looking for IEMs take a look at this thread too: Sound crackling/distortion with certain headphones? - xda-developers

Some low impedance IEMs have issues with the S4 i9505. They crackle badly.

Sadly, it seems that Samsung has paid off news outlets not to disclose this issue. Emailed GSMArena, commented on their reviews etc, and any comment on this issue is strangely removed. PMed Alex Dobie about this issue but I haven't heard nary a word from him three weeks later :/

 

[HPferoxCraft]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

Ahh so then that would also effect post EQing if using jack as line out to stereo?
What about WiFi streaming from phone to something else would that be affected also (not even sure that's possible to do never looked into it).
My apologies to the OP for misunderstanding his question.

Edit: also does that ring true going from USB to a different device?

 

[cordoni]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

Thanks a lot for the post. I went to the play store and was immediately overwhelmed - WHICH equalizer app? I was using Power Amp on my Droid Charge and have been disappointed in the sound on the S4 so would appreciate suggestions for which equalizer and what would you recommend for a music program. I tend to listen to jazz, some classical, electronic - don't need or want a pounding bass.
Thanks a lot.
Louise

The best combination is Google Music and an app called only "Equalizer" .
Use the settings I posted above earlier.

From a former sound engineer.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[vferrari]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

The problem is the physical DAC used by Samsung. It simply is not quality. No amount of EQ or apps will fix the issue. With the same headphones and quality sound file, the iPhone will produce superior sound.

JustHenry, if your looking for premium sound quality I'd keep your iPhone/iPod handy or look into Cowon.



Wolfson DAC is what you want. The S4 doesn't have it. (Neither does the iPhone, but it still sounds better than the S4)

To anyone who attempts to argue this post: I am referring to sonic quality from the headphone jack.

Dreamliner330,

Can you point me to an online reference that confirms that the Snapdragon version of the S4 lack the Wolfson DAC (vs. the international Exynos version which does have it). I have seen a lot of conflicting information on this. Thanks.

 

[TheyStoleMyName]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

You do realize that "beats" is mostly an EQ right? If you want better sound invest in some quality headphones that are efficient for mobile devices.

Beats also has there own built in amplifier thats separate from the main board so it had less power and distortion issues.

Another topic.


The one series phones have had good audio quality. The sound may not have been liked by everyone but it was always clean and full sounding. From the vivid, one x, one x plus, and the one they have been very loud and robust in sound volume and quality with any headphones cheap and expensive. Ive had all those phones and ive had the s3, s4 and note2. S3 just sucked and had horrible issues with keeping a stable volume level, it was like it was riding a sin wave. It would act like it was not getting enough power to hit every high note. The s4 was better but not that good sounding. It seemed like it was laking the something left to be desired. The note 2 was the best of the bunch but it was still ok with sound quality. I still prefered the one over any samsung phone.

The htc one with beats audio imo is just as loud as a 5th gen ipod classic and sounds just as good. The down side is that it does not have an adjustable eq. The one x originally came with one but was erased after an update.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Android Central Forums

 

[frdd]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

I also own an i9500 model and it sounds trash despite of using the wm5102 dac

 

[Kedar]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

The problem is the physical DAC used by Samsung. It simply is not quality. No amount of EQ or apps will fix the issue. With the same headphones and quality sound file, the iPhone will produce superior sound.

JustHenry, if your looking for premium sound quality I'd keep your iPhone/iPod handy or look into Cowon.

Wolfson DAC is what you want. The S4 doesn't have it. (Neither does the iPhone, but it still sounds better than the S4)

To anyone who attempts to argue this post: I am referring to sonic quality from the headphone jack.

I also own an i9500 model and it sounds trash despite of using the wm5102 dac

So...





..... Anyway, I've had no audio quality issues. Try monoprice headphones with different tips. Usually the best budget headphones recommended by audio geeks.
FYI, Ipod audio quality is just as "bad" or "good" -- at least, I haven't been able to distinguish.

 

[Dreamliner330]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

So...





..... Anyway, I've had no audio quality issues. Try monoprice headphones with different tips. Usually the best budget headphones recommended by audio geeks.
FYI, Ipod audio quality is just as "bad" or "good" -- at least, I haven't been able to distinguish.

Perhaps if you used quality headphones and quality audio sources, you'd hear the difference.

Once you realize the potential of audio fidelity, it's hard to go back.

Also, iPhones have better sonic quality than the S4.

 

[Dreamliner330]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

Quality over ear headphones + Wolfson DAC + FLAC = awesomeness.

 

[nickgalaxys4]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

I have an GS4 yea the speaker is not the best (Not all that good with iPhone) I'm just happy its louder lol

 

[Othe12sid3]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

Try the Equalizer app on the play store
Set custom eq to:
7
6
1
6
7
Bass boost 25%

Then get a pair of Woodies in ear headphones off Amazon for $35.

Finally pair the two with the Google play music app and you are good to go.

Sorry I don't have links, but can't post any from where I am right now. PM me if you need more.

Posted via Android Central App

Thanks, I followed this guide (besides getting new earphones) and ran AdaptSound in Settings, and after doing both it improved my listening experience. While not exactly mindblowing, it made a marked improvement. With me not being an audiophile, this solution works good enough for me.

 

[aspirereca]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

Try bass booster pro...it enhance bass quality...combine with neutron player...

Fyi, S4 int'l edition 9500 do use wolfson DAC

 

[asanatheist]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

You do realize that "beats" is mostly an EQ right? If you want better sound invest in some quality headphones that are efficient for mobile devices.

Depends. Beats has for about 3 years now showed up with built in amplifiers for speakers or headphone ports, and certain minimum specifications for audio chips. Usually mid to top range for the audio chip series, of course these are computer/electronic chips based on lower end brands not high end audio.
Still better than 90% of the junk out there but not good enough to beat legitimate and more renowned audio competitors at the same price range when you talk about audio specific hardware.

Beats is not just an "EQ", it's an algorithm and branding. The algorithm changes the EQ to better suit a song by processing the audio before playback, focusing on lows and giving afterthough to mids and lows. It's the same thing a lot of "smart EQ's" use. Works quite well now a days.

Is it a gimmick? No, not really. But it sure isn't the best.

Lastly my HTC One powers my Beyerdynamic 770 Pro's with no issues while my cousins S4 struggles to provide decent audio quality.

 

[newS4owner]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

Poweramp... trust me you won't be disappointed

 

[Dreamliner330]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

Beats is EQ. It's not dynamically changing. Beats paired with a garbage DAC is still garbage.

 

[asanatheist]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

Beats is EQ. It's not dynamically changing. Beats paired with a garbage DAC is still garbage.

Not sure but last 5 implementation of higher end products have had hardware and software upgrades. I honestly think Beat manufactured products are garbage however I am starting to see better and better implementations in different products (namely laptops, handhelds, etc). It's possible in some products it may just be a simple EQ, but in recent high end trends it seems to be more and more hardware and software upgrades.

HTC One: Not just an EQ. They upgraded the audio chip, added a decent amp (for a smartphone), and did decent software processing which is dynamic but as I said it still emphasizes lows first then highs and mids to give you a "bass" driven sound.
If you want a real world example: I've got a Yoga 13 in for a customer at the moment running Dolby Home Theater V4 out of the box. And also have a Zenbook Prime HD I compared them to. Sound quality is pretty decent. For kicks I thought I'd compare the Yoga 13, Zenbook, and HTC One running John Mayer's Paperdolls@ 192kbps, nothing fancy just your typical mp3 download.
The HTC One keeps better sound quality at max volume than the Yoga 13, the Zenbook Prime HD holds better fidelity at max volume but anything lower than 80% shows the HTC One keeping up in sound quality, and soundstage.