Galaxy S4: Audio quality flawed

[vferrari]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

You didn't say which version of the S4 you have. The octa core (I9500) uses the highly acclaimed Wolfson audio chip. The quad core (I9505) uses the inferior Qualcomm DAC embedded in the Snapdragon chipset.

I understand that the above is the standard "story" but despite asking previosly in this and other forums, I have yet to be shown official spec sheets or third party tests/phone autopsies showing the actual IC chips that actually verfy with objective evidence that this is truly the case. References or links please. I would like to have this confirmed, but other than conjecture or perpetuating word of mouth rumors via various web sites or forums, my research to verfy the actual DAC usage in the two S4 variants has come up dry.

Sent from my GT-N5110 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[asanatheist]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

I understand that the above is the standard "story" but despite asking previosly in this and other forums, I have yet to be shown official spec sheets or third party tests/phone autopsies showing the actual IC chips that actually verfy with objective evidence that this is truly the case. References or links please. I would like to have this confirmed, but other than conjecture or perpetuating word of mouth rumors via various web sites or forums, my research to verfy the actual DAC usage in the two S4 variants has come up dry.

Sent from my GT-N5110 using AC Forums mobile app

Here's your proof:
Inside the Samsung Galaxy S4 | Chipworks Blog
Samsung Galaxy S4 Teardown - Page 3 - iFixit

The Eynos S4 uses the Wolfson DAC while the Snapdragon uses the Qualcomm WCD9310 DAC.

Funny enough the HTC One shares the same Audio chip as with the Snapdragon S4 variant, however the HTC One sounds quite a bit better when using headphones.

 

[iFebby]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

My personal experience is that audio is weak/low on the ATT galaxy S4. Even with headphones while on a call it sounds weak. Using a faux kernel with sound control app just nearly boosted to now being loud.

Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Kenny008]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

Here's your proof:
Samsung Galaxy S4 Teardown - Page 3 - iFixit

Just a minor correction. The Qualcomm WCD9310 audio codec can be spotted on pg 2 step 13.
In step 16 the Snapdragon quad core CPU is identified.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Teardown - Page 2 - iFixit

 

[msavic6]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

My personal experience is that audio is weak/low on the ATT galaxy S4. Even with headphones while on a call it sounds weak. Using a faux kernel with sound control app just nearly boosted to now being loud.

Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2

I find it to be the contrary. I regularly use my beats mixr's for calls and the sound is loud and punchy.

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

[Kenny008]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

Has anybody done an audio comparison between the S3 (non-U.S. version) and the S4 (Exynos version) both with different Wolfson audio chips? Is there any significant difference in quality?

From my brief research Samsung may have taken a step backwards in audio quality from S3 to S4. From Wolfson's own site Wolfson does not claim the WM5102 used in the S4 to be of hifi quality unlike the WM1811 used in the S3 which is explicitly claimed to be hifi. I suppose this is to ensure that both versions of the S4 have comparable sound quality to avoid user complaints.

Description
The WM5102 is a highly-integrated low-power audio system for smartphones, tablets and other portable audio devices. It combines wideband telephony voice processing with a flexible, high-performance audio hub CODEC.

The WM1811A is a highly integrated ultra-low power hi-fi CODEC designed for smartphones and other portable devices rich in multimedia features.
Features
24-bit 2-channel hi-fi DAC and 2-channel hi-fi

What HiFi reviewed the Snapdragon S4 with Qualcomm DAC and concluded that the sound quality is poor.

"Whichever headphones you use, though, the Samsung Galaxy S4 sound quality still fails to excite.

Play Paradise Circus by Massive Attack and while the individual instruments and vocals are direct and sound strong, the overall rhythm lacks precision and drive, with bass and drum beats sounding flat and rather dull. Notes don?t quite gel cohesively either, and timing is short of being snappy, which isn?t conducive to foot-tappage.

The Galaxy S4?s poor audio performance is all the more apparent when it?s compared with its rivals...

But ultimately on sound quality, placed next to its competition, the S4 sounds rather uninspiring ? and we?re surprised at how low it comes on the scale of smartphone sound experience."

Samsung Galaxy S4 review from the experts at whathifi.com

 

[Man In Black 805]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

I remember having a piece of outboard gear I used for my DJ set up years ago, it was called the BBE Sonic Maximizer, it worked wonders, turns out they have an app as well, give it a try.

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...ps/details?id=com.bbe.sonicmax&token=e6yQGJnz

 

[mhinc]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

I didn't even read the rest. Long story short, Audio is fine for a PHONE. If you are looking for an android device that is FOR people that want to use it as an MP3 player, then get an HTC One with beats audio.

 

[Bing Gan]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

I didn't even read the rest. Long story short, Audio is fine for a PHONE. If you are looking for an android device that is FOR people that want to use it as an MP3 player, then get an HTC One with beats audio.

Beats audio is just an equalization curve which tailors the sound to a Beats headphone. It will sound lousy for normal headphones. In some HTC models the Beats equalization cannot be turned off so you are locked to a Beats headphone.

 

[mhinc]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

Beats audio is just an equalization curve which tailors the sound to a Beats headphone. It will sound lousy for normal headphones. In some HTC models the Beats equalization cannot be turned off so you are locked to a Beats headphone.

Either way, in my opinion it's a phone not an MP3 player, just like it's got a 13mp camera but you aren't going to buy one to be a pro photographer.

 

[Bing Gan]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

Either way, in my opinion it's a phone not an MP3 player, just like it's got a 13mp camera but you aren't going to buy one to be a pro photographer.

Sorry to disagree with you. A phone camera won't replace a DSLR for hardware and ergonomic reasons but there is nothing to stop a smartphone MP3 player from being as good or better than a standalone MP3 player. The tiny chip which controls the audio quality may as well be in a phone or an ipod.

 

[mhinc]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

Sorry to disagree with you. A phone camera won't replace a DSLR for hardware and ergonomic reasons but there is nothing to stop a smartphone MP3 player from being as good or better than a standalone MP3 player. The tiny chip which controls the audio quality may as well be in a phone or an ipod.

My point wasn't that it can't replace it. It was that it wasn't MEANT to replace it, just like it's not meant to replace a DSLR. So what I was saying was, if you want an amazing MP3 player get something that is meant to do that, and only that if you want quality sounds, etc..

 

[snookasnoo]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

Another shoddy S 4 "feature" that users are expected to make up with by buying software and configuring it. Amazing what S 4 buyers will put up with.
GSM Arena is a known Samsung shill site so don't expect anything from them.

 

[jeslevine]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

It seems to me that the OP -- and anyone else praising apple -- is still being an iSheep and should just go back to the iPhone!

Really. I have an iPhone 5 and an S4, and I am NOT an "iSheep", just as I am NOT an android sheep. The S4 is a great phone, but the audio is lacking, and when compared the iPhone 5, it does NOT have the rich sound quality that the iPhone has. That is my view, and I own both devices, and use both of them.

Your comment that anyone praising Apple is a sheep, shows just how bias you are.

 

[rushmore]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

Has anybody done an audio comparison between the S3 (non-U.S. version) and the S4 (Exynos version) both with different Wolfson audio chips? Is there any significant difference in quality?

From my brief research Samsung may have taken a step backwards in audio quality from S3 to S4. From Wolfson's own site Wolfson does not claim the WM5102 used in the S4 to be of hifi quality unlike the WM1811 used in the S3 which is explicitly claimed to be hifi. I suppose this is to ensure that both versions of the S4 have comparable sound quality to avoid user complaints.




What HiFi reviewed the Snapdragon S4 with Qualcomm DAC and concluded that the sound quality is poor.


Samsung Galaxy S4 review from the experts at whathifi.com

These are sound experts? Their comment about timing makes no sense unless this were tape or phonograph. I do not agree and do pay attention to audio curves and gain correlation. Not as good as my iPod 5, but not bad, either. Their choice of music is telling

 

[msavic6]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

I find the audio quality very good compared to my previous devices.

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

[Cool Jeff]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

Try a mod and other apps like the ported walkman app from codex

 

[vferrari]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

These are sound experts? Their comment about timing makes no sense unless this were tape or phonograph. I do not agree and do pay attention to audio curves and gain correlation. Not as good as my iPod 5, but not bad, either. Their choice of music is telling

Took the words right out of my mouth. While I don't fault their stated opinion on the sonic ambiance (because it's natural for everyone to form their own opinion on that subjective aspect of sound quality), they lost me when they said the S4 altered the beat of the music. "The rhythm lacks precision..." Seriously?! C'mon... what total baloney.

Sent from my GT-N5110 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[sebabhz]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

Same here, I bought a gs4 a month ago and a hate the way it sounds. I had iPhone before and it used to sound really good. The gs4 built in equalizer is horrible,the headphone the came with doesn't stay in my ears. That's to bad.

 

[moviestar88]

Re: S4 audio quality sucks

I still have a galaxy SI phone, because from what Ive heard that one still is the best non Iphone regarding sound quality (it also has a Wolfson DAC)
From what Ive heard all following Galaxy Phones dont have such good sound quality compared to the SI. Apparently Samsung tried to save money in this area.

That is still the reason which kept me from getting a new Phone. Its absolutely crap regarding App speed, but I simply dont want to make a step backwards in terms of sound quality. (And I dont want Apple)