Galaxy S9 audio may beat V30

[neil74]

There's no way BT will sound better than the Quad Dac, let alone a wired connection period.

Not what I was saying, I meant that Samsung over Bluetooth offers better audio quality (imo) than the v30 over Bluetooth.

On Bluetooth I find that all eq does on the v30 is ruin the sound (again just imo) similar on the pixel too as soon as you turn on eq it just sounds horrible, whereas on the Samsung I can keep it pretty flat and just boost the bass slightly without otherwise affecting the rest of the sound.

 

[subguy812]

The DAC's that support the current line of mobile processor's are pretty good. The Samsung update obviously updated the software not the hardware, therefore it is software tricks(for lack of a better word). The V20 is not exactly the same spec as the V30. Out of the many DAP's I have I really do enjoy the V30 sound quality. Bluetooth quality is good with the V30 but it is Bluetooth. I do not think the discussion of the sq can be wireless focused when you only achieve the benefit of the quad DAC through the headphone jack.

audiorabbithole.com

 

[Mike Dee]

I've had 2 V20s and I understand the quad DAC has remained the same. While they sounded good they didn't blow me away as the "best d*mned sounding phone around." I'm comparing the sound to my not-so-inexpensive OPPO and Cambridge Audio DACs and Burson headphone amps. Toys are fun.

I say that to say I'm a reasonable judge of headphone sound quality, based on varied experience. Unless the V30 sounds DRAMATICALLY better than the V20s I've had I remain skeptical that "Samsung devices cannot match or come close to the quad dac on the V30." Both handsets have DACs and the V30's quads are technically more precise. Whether or not that translates into better sound with the same content is something I'd like to hear.

That said, I'm always the first to admit that I may be mistaken.

The V30 DAC was supposed to be improved over the V20. Based on my listening it was not an earth shattering difference. Honestly since I've been using the Pixel 2XL I'm pretty happy with the sound provided by the Pixel dongle and I the HTC dongle which had. Different sound signature. Comparing them both to V20 and V30 I found the that the Pixel Doesn't have as much kick but that's only if you running the Vs at full ouput. With the Vs running normal audio the difference isn't as significant and the Pixel is quite satisfying.

 

[neil74]

The V30 DAC was supposed to be improved over the V20. Based on my listening it was an earth shattering difference. Honestly since I've been using the Pixel 2XL I'm pretty happy with the sound provided by the Pixel dongle and I the HTC dongle which had. Different sound signature. Comparing them both to V20 and V30 I found the that the Pixel Doesn't have as much kick but that's only if you running the Vs at full ouput. With the Vs running normal audio the difference isn't as significant and the Pixel is quite satisfying.

The razer dongle is I think a significant improvement over the google one (not tried the htc one) imo well worth an investment.

 

[irvine752]

I've read in audio forums from folks that agree with you. I tend to listen to my audio rig with the sound unmolested by tone controls and EQ but the UHQ Upscaler on my Note 8 doesn't sound bad at all to me. In fact I find it rather pleasant and I'm not normally into smoke and mirrors.

People also tend to forget that the V30 comes with dynamic filters & presets. If you to compare say Normal with a Short response to Enhanced with a Sharp response, the difference is pretty significant. For instance, the latter is almost identical to the response you would get using the Astell & Kern KANN. For reference, I was using the Sennheiser HD 660S for the test.

 

[Mike Dee]

If you have to use an EQ then that means you aren't getting good sound. And AFAIK, EQ settings etc don't apply for a BT connection.

You can't always get perfect sound without an EQ. If we are just talking headphones, having great sound output with great headphones is a great start but it's not always perfect. I like my sound clean, but on occasion I like to add a little bottom to my sound and sometimes my old ears don't hear the high end like they used to.

BTW....EQs do work over Bluetooth.

 

[cliberti]

It's a 24bit DAC still, so no it doesn't beat the V30. Plus there's a way to hack Dolby atmos onto the V30.

Except s9 downgrades all audio to 16/48 where the v30 can do 32/384 native

 

[mariusfilip]

Question : does the equalizer work with Google Play Music / Spotify etc.? (found the screenshot on the web). Thx

 

[neil74]

Yes it does. ^^^

It would depend on your use I guess but for me I think that the S9/9+ is better than the V30 for audio.



My rationale is that



· ANC is very important to me as 90%+ of my use is on public transport and whilst there are some wired options most of the best ones are now wireless and I am not convinced that any of them properly use the quad DAC when plugged in. I could be wrong there though.

· My files are mainly Tidal premium 320kbps AAC files (imo the best bang for buck in the streaming world but that is another debate) so Bluetooth has enough headroom to pass these over in full (on android!)

· When I have used it the quad dac has not impressed me and needs to be ‘tricked’ into high impedance mode on most of my headphones. The DAC in the S9 seems decent too

· Bluetooth audio is imo better on the S9/9+

· The S9/9+ have volume sync for Bluetooth headphones. Having the device and headphone volume controlled independently on the V30 is actually quite annoying

 

[Ranny99]

Bluetooth wise, Oreo now supports all profiles eg aptx, aptx hd, AAC, Ldac etc so likely S9/+ could sound better.

 

[neil74]

My comparison was with both phones on Oreo. I’m wondering if the BT hardware is lacking on the v30.

 

[eric12341]

Bluetooth wise, Oreo now supports all profiles eg aptx, aptx hd, AAC, Ldac etc so likely S9/+ could sound better.

Nope, there's no way it can as you are still re encoding the audio.

 

[eric12341]

Yes it does. ^^^

It would depend on your use I guess but for me I think that the S9/9+ is better than the V30 for audio.



My rationale is that



· ANC is very important to me as 90%+ of my use is on public transport and whilst there are some wired options most of the best ones are now wireless and I am not convinced that any of them properly use the quad DAC when plugged in. I could be wrong there though.

· My files are mainly Tidal premium 320kbps AAC files (imo the best bang for buck in the streaming world but that is another debate) so Bluetooth has enough headroom to pass these over in full (on android!)

· When I have used it the quad dac has not impressed me and needs to be ‘tricked’ into high impedance mode on most of my headphones. The DAC in the S9 seems decent too

· Bluetooth audio is imo better on the S9/9+

· The S9/9+ have volume sync for Bluetooth headphones. Having the device and headphone volume controlled independently on the V30 is actually quite annoying

And Bluetooth overall is inferior to the Quad DAC.

 

[LilSweetLin]

I'm having issue with the default music player. I download songs from YouTube and convert them to MP3 format. But when I load the songs to my SD card, I get a message for a good number of songs that "Format is not supported". Why is that?

 

[NUKESOLRAC]

Go to the " Galaxy Apps " app its in a folder in the app drawer. You can only get " Samsung Music " app from there its not on the appstore cuz its only for Samsung Flagship Phones. Supports everything, plus has alot of cool features like one that uses the edge screen as a muaic responsive light tho you have to enable it in the options.
Just got this S9+ from my V3 and was using a S8 (which got stolen so had to get the V3 since my telco was having it at $0 with a cheap line) Just some background. Got a pair of ASG-2.5, Westone 4, Shure SRH-1840 Studio & my baby the JH-Audio Roxanne with a custom made Mini XLR for my RHA DAC/AMP L1 For portable use. Its dual DAC system completly destroys the " quad dac" (so how many dacs doesnt matter just like IEMs more drivers doesnt mean better audio the ASG with just 3 drivers is a league abocmve my westone 4s ) of the V30, the quad dac is a scam, just doing a side by side using a 32Bit 192k Flac Mumford&Sons song "Awake my soul" S9+ Disabled all software enhancements. Same for the V30. Volume, just with 'soundassistant' also a Galaxy only app you can get from their own appstore, i can change my volume up down 40notches, more than the V30, full volume i can hear hissing from the V30, S9+ nothing clean sound not to mention the S9+ was louder.
Detail + Soundstage. Really maybe my V30 is a faulty set but there is an Obvious difference. The bass on tbe V30 was bloated and could barely keep up with the S9+. Verdict S9+ wins hands down in detail, and the sound stage...the v30 might aswell have been on mono...all i have to say.
Connecting a USBC 3.1gen2 to my desktop's USBC GEN2 PORT also to check the Audio SNR levels. The V30 btw doesnt use its "QuadDACs" when outputing through its port.
ITS actually letting the internal amp output even when set to just raw data output. So if your listening through the the USB port your not listening to 4 DACs just 1. So if you connected a external amp through the port get ready for alot of hissing. S9+ However listended like a goodboy, cutting tbe Amp when in RAW DAC data transfer. Got no Hiss my RHA DACAMP L1.
Tested the 3.5 yes the V30 does have a cleaner port but just slightly compared to the S9+ one. Probably why V30 users are saying the audio from the port is better.
Now adding the software enhancements like the UHQ upscaler and dolby atmos also the V30s Software enhancements. Which btw had to use the DevOptions just to get it to work.
Haha and looks like S9+'s Dac goes up to 32BIT/384KHz
While the V30's "QuadDac" is only 24bit/48Khz...LOL
Like i said above more dacs or drivers doesnt mean better audio period.
All tested with a ALO Audio GOLD (a $1K cable with a swappable Mini XLR & Balanced MMCX 3.5MM Jack & the other IEMS & Headphone.
Verdict, S9+ wins hands down. I was really hoping to have my V30 as my dedicated portable setup, but looks like its going back in the box to be used as a backup if something happens to the S9+
Soundstage, bass, treble, vocals (High/mid/loe frequencies) & Frequency seperation. The V30 has let me down so badly the onlt saving grace is its very slightly clearerer audio jack which unless you want to butcher any sound file sent to your choice of iem or headphone with the "quaddac crap" The S9+ Wins in everything, even with the SoundAssisnt app the volume controls are way more accurate.
Honestly wishing i got the Razer Phone instead atleast USBC Adapter it has just blows the adapter from LG. Honeslty the LG adapter doesnt even support USB3.1 just 3.0...

 

[NUKESOLRAC]

Also not mention bluetooth. The V30 cant even support the LDAC codex propeerly ( Beats all even aptxHD), when LDAC is endable streaming to a LDAC headphone. Doesnt even matter because LDAC stream goes up to 990KBPS ) and those quaddacs cant go up past 48khz, so its not even getting the best that the LDAC codec is providing.
And yes, ive spent almost $10,000 just for my portable setups. Unforntunetly for me Audio is my adiction. Ill spend whatever amount to make sure there are no bottlenecks in my setups.

 

[eric12341]

Go to the " Galaxy Apps " app its in a folder in the app drawer. You can only get " Samsung Music " app from there its not on the appstore cuz its only for Samsung Flagship Phones. Supports everything, plus has alot of cool features like one that uses the edge screen as a muaic responsive light tho you have to enable it in the options.
Just got this S9+ from my V3 and was using a S8 (which got stolen so had to get the V3 since my telco was having it at $0 with a cheap line) Just some background. Got a pair of ASG-2.5, Westone 4, Shure SRH-1840 Studio & my baby the JH-Audio Roxanne with a custom made Mini XLR for my RHA DAC/AMP L1 For portable use. Its dual DAC system completly destroys the " quad dac" (so how many dacs doesnt matter just like IEMs more drivers doesnt mean better audio the ASG with just 3 drivers is a league abocmve my westone 4s ) of the V30, the quad dac is a scam, just doing a side by side using a 32Bit 192k Flac Mumford&Sons song "Awake my soul" S9+ Disabled all software enhancements. Same for the V30. Volume, just with 'soundassistant' also a Galaxy only app you can get from their own appstore, i can change my volume up down 40notches, more than the V30, full volume i can hear hissing from the V30, S9+ nothing clean sound not to mention the S9+ was louder.
Detail + Soundstage. Really maybe my V30 is a faulty set but there is an Obvious difference. The bass on tbe V30 was bloated and could barely keep up with the S9+. Verdict S9+ wins hands down in detail, and the sound stage...the v30 might aswell have been on mono...all i have to say.
Connecting a USBC 3.1gen2 to my desktop's USBC GEN2 PORT also to check the Audio SNR levels. The V30 btw doesnt use its "QuadDACs" when outputing through its port.
ITS actually letting the internal amp output even when set to just raw data output. So if your listening through the the USB port your not listening to 4 DACs just 1. So if you connected a external amp through the port get ready for alot of hissing. S9+ However listended like a goodboy, cutting tbe Amp when in RAW DAC data transfer. Got no Hiss my RHA DACAMP L1.
Tested the 3.5 yes the V30 does have a cleaner port but just slightly compared to the S9+ one. Probably why V30 users are saying the audio from the port is better.
Now adding the software enhancements like the UHQ upscaler and dolby atmos also the V30s Software enhancements. Which btw had to use the DevOptions just to get it to work.
Haha and looks like S9+'s Dac goes up to 32BIT/384KHz
While the V30's "QuadDac" is only 24bit/48Khz...LOL
Like i said above more dacs or drivers doesnt mean better audio period.
All tested with a ALO Audio GOLD (a $1K cable with a swappable Mini XLR & Balanced MMCX 3.5MM Jack & the other IEMS & Headphone.
Verdict, S9+ wins hands down. I was really hoping to have my V30 as my dedicated portable setup, but looks like its going back in the box to be used as a backup if something happens to the S9+
Soundstage, bass, treble, vocals (High/mid/loe frequencies) & Frequency seperation. The V30 has let me down so badly the onlt saving grace is its very slightly clearerer audio jack which unless you want to butcher any sound file sent to your choice of iem or headphone with the "quaddac crap" The S9+ Wins in everything, even with the SoundAssisnt app the volume controls are way more accurate.
Honestly wishing i got the Razer Phone instead atleast USBC Adapter it has just blows the adapter from LG. Honeslty the LG adapter doesnt even support USB3.1 just 3.0...

My head hurt reading your post dude. So much bad grammar. The V30 and V40 were already forensically tested with actual audio analysis equipment and the results came that the V30 and V40 have the best smartphone audio PERIOD. GTFO!!!

 

[chazdx]

Haha and looks like S9+'s Dac goes up to 32BIT/384KHz
While the V30's "QuadDac" is only 24bit/48Khz...LOL

Where are you getting your information? The V30 DAC goes up to 32/384 in PCM and also supports DSD rates. You just need the right software for the latter - Neutron, Qobuz, or Foobar, IIRC.

Sources: https://www.androidauthority.com/lg-v30-quad-dac-sound-audio-features-796122/
and http://www.esstech.com/index.php?cID=422

 

[gray2018]

I have used both phones. The V30 was my daily driver for quite a long time and honestly, it was one of the best things about the phone. Some videos it seems I watch sound better on one phone than the other. The S9 Plus audio might have dual speakers and be louder, but honestly, the V30 is also pretty loud and I think the actually sound quality is better.