Galaxy S4: Audio quality flawed

[alexcolka]

You could try calibrating the adapt sound feature, it really changes the way the S4 sounds.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Tapatalk

 

[HNNNNNGHHH]

Like another user already suggested you can always try ViPER4Android FX as long as you're rooted and know which build.prop values to edit. (especially with stock ROMs because a few more values beside LPA need to be turned off)

Note that 4.4.x KitKat devices do not officially support V4A HiFi and is already moot with ViPER's DDC feature which supports many audio devices already as well as Audio Spectrum, which basically brings V4A HiFi's lossy feeling to FX.

(You need root to install the drivers and for 4.4, placing the app in system/app or system/priv-app as installing them as a user application will prompt Android's low-memory-killer to turn the app off once you exit from it. Another thing, if you're running a custom ROM on JB 4.3.x, don't even bother. The audio libs placed by CM with CM10.2 messed up the functionality of V4A so while some ROMs can run it, others will make it refuse to work.)

Link (download link from official website): http://www.mediafire.com/download/cz6l67mk81zsyq4

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using Tapatalk

 

[Sachin G Raj]

i hope your phone is rooted. if its so, u can install viper audio engine in it, which will work amazingly well.
i have done it and its working perfectly for me. all the best!
its one of the best devices out there

 

[Rajeev Nair3]

I have a galaxy s4 exynos version which many suggest has a wolfson dac.Have not verified this so cannot say.I really like this thread...people have responded to this issue in a helpful manner and I am sure many of them will work, however fact remains the s4 does sound flat with ordinary iems, maybe a little weak too, but if you have decided to stick to it for obvious reasons this is a great phone at a great price point with a marvellous screen.I would humbly advise you to pair this with a sennheiser cx275s thats what I did..audio quality is improved dramatically with much better bass..you should try.I do not think there should be a problem with klipsch s4s either dont know why there is.To drive bigger headphones please get a headphone amp.Viper4fx also improves sq to some extent

 

[dpastern]

Found this forum/thread whilst researching what DAC the Samsung Galaxy S4 had and couldn't resist giving my 2c. inc. GST worth...

I have both a iPhone 4S and Samsung Galaxy S4 (Australian version) - the sound quality on the Samsung sucks. It's thin, aneamic, lacks bass, lacks volume and is listless and lifeless. Whilst the iPhone 4S isn't perfect, it's far better than the Samsung.

I've been an audiophile since the mid 90s, my home system is worth around 30k AUD. I use both Sony MDR-V55 headphones on the run, and Audeze LCD2 or Sennheiser HD540 Gold References when at home. I have a pretty damn good idea on how to assess devices for sound quality issues.

Buying headphones that aren't neutral or flat to fix issues with the Samsung's issues is not fixing the problem. It's a bandaid fix. you don't make a right with 2 wrongs.

Since I plan to move from the iPhone to the Samsung, and sound quality is lacking, I've just lashed out on a AK120 II as a dedicated DAP. I'll use the phone as a phone etc.

For those wanting great sound quality at a reasonable price, the Fiio x3 (or x5) will do everything that you want - supporting up to 24 bit 192khz, flac, ape etc, and even DSD file playback. They'll eat your phones for breakfast and then some.

Dave

 

[KNReddy]

S4 I9500 re-samples every other frequency to 48KHz, leaves some artifacts in playing 44.1. However I have checked S5 (G901Y ) , Alpha (G850Y), A3 (A300H) with USB Audio Player Pro Trial routing audio through android it says DAC as 44.1 KHz, But When A3 (A300H) , Moto G1, Lenovo 369i are checked with Neutron , the Result for DAC are 48 , 44.1, 44.1 respectively. So Neutron Music Player is only capable to identify Audio Hardware. So Samsung products later than Galaxy S3 appers to be supporting 48KHz natively & resamples all other frequencies to 48 KHz