Pixel Sound quality

[davidb423]

So

HTC makes the Pixel and Pixel XL. I have not heard or read anything on sound quality of the device--special DAC or anything else to improve audio quality on this phone--so will it compare to an HTC 10 or is it anybody's guess at this point?

For the price, it had better!

 

[akin_t]

Depends.

If it has a DAC, then great sound quality will become a requirement for everyone. If it doesn't have a DAC, then people all of a sudden will remember that they can't hear the difference anyway.

 

[Aquila]

The Pixel and Pixel XL use the Aqstic DAC that Qualcomm developed for late model SD 820 and 821 SoC.

 

[I Can Be Your Hero]

Depends.

If it has a DAC, then great sound quality will become a requirement for everyone. If it doesn't have a DAC, then people all of a sudden will remember that they can't hear the difference anyway.

Every phone has a DAC. You wouldn't get any sound if it didn't have one. It stands for Digital to Analogue Converter - it takes the digital information of the sound and converts it to an analogue output (ie; out the speaker).

The differences are in the quality of the DAC. Higher qualitiy ones have better output.

 

[akin_t]

Every phone has a DAC. You wouldn't get any sound if it didn't have one. It stands for Digital to Analogue Converter - it takes the digital information of the sound and converts it to an analogue output (ie; out the speaker).

The differences are in the quality of the DAC. Higher qualitiy ones have better output.

Yeah, I meant to say good DAC. Was just eager to get my cheeky reply in lol.

 

[gabbott]

The Pixel and Pixel XL use the Aqstic DAC that Qualcomm developed for late model SD 820 and 821 SoC.

Hmm interesting, isn't that the same DAC the note 7 uses?

 

[Aquila]

Hmm interesting, isn't that the same DAC the note 7 uses?

Yes, afaik the note 7 was the first to get the improved SD820.

 

[Richard Servello]

Every phone has a DAC. You wouldn't get any sound if it didn't have one. It stands for Digital to Analogue Converter - it takes the digital information of the sound and converts it to an analogue output (ie; out the speaker).

The differences are in the quality of the DAC. Higher qualitiy ones have better output.

iPhone 7 doesn't. It has to be built into the headphones. Which is why that was a dumb move.

(For headphones of course...the speakers don't really count)

 

[LinuxWeather]

Honestly on the Nexus 6P I often have to lower playback volumes, I've rarely ever had it to max, and usually keep it about at 70%. I can't believe I'm complaining about "too loud" but if the max volume makes things distorted and creaky what's the point.

Most folks tilt their phones down towards then when they playback in portrait, but I'm hoping the large bezels were for a good reason, good audio.

 

[recDNA]

Optimist

 

[Antony Guan]

The Pixel and Pixel XL use the Aqstic DAC that Qualcomm developed for late model SD 820 and 821 SoC.

So no fancy DAC from HTC 10?

 

[Aquila]

So no fancy DAC from HTC 10?

I don't know much about what's in the HTC 10, but the Pixel and Pixel XL both use the same DAC in the Note 7.

 

[Lheajo Croce]

I was wondering the same thing! Not a word about sound quality and they conveniently brushed over the speaker placement. I was really rooting for forward-facing speakers but, if they can actually carry decent sound, I can get past it.

 

[milehigherik]

Hmm interesting, isn't that the same DAC the note 7 uses?

I'm good so long as long as they don't use the same battery.... Haha!

 

[milehigherik]

Front facing speakers are a negative for me. I always place my phone face down so the screen is protected from something dropping on it. Countless times I've moved the covers in the bed and had the remote land on the screen, or had someone throw something on the couch and landed on my phone screen. Been lucky thus far....

 

[klau25]

Front facing speakers are a negative for me. I always place my phone face down so the screen is protected from something dropping on it. Countless times I've moved the covers in the bed and had the remote land on the screen, or had someone throw something on the couch and landed on my phone screen. Been lucky thus far....

haha, but that doesn't work for video watching.

 

[milehigherik]

haha, but that doesn't work for video watching.

I didn't think of that aspect. I always wear headphones when I'm watching a movie.

 

[klau25]

I didn't think of that aspect. I always wear headphones when I'm watching a movie.

Yeah, I do too, but I found myself watching video without headset a lot more with my 6p. it's great when you don't have headphones around.

 

[CHILLYWILL_95831]

The Pixel and Pixel XL use the Aqstic DAC that Qualcomm developed for late model SD 820 and 821 SoC.

Yes, this is the same DAC used with the HTC 10, I'm thinking Google has crossed all Ts and dotted all Is with the pixel. I'm so glad mine will be here in 2 very long weeks. I ordered mine though Fi and they had a little better selection than the Google store.

Here's the site for the DAC/Soc 821

https://www.qualcomm.com/news/snapdragon/2016/10/04/pixel-phones-made-google-powered-snapdragon-821

 

[Aquila]

Yes, this is the same DAC used with the HTC 10, I'm thinking Google has crossed all Ts and dotted all Is with the pixel. I'm shop glad mine will be here in 2 very long weeks. I ordered mine though Fi and they had a little better selection than the Google store.

Here's the site for the DAC/Soc 821

https://www.qualcomm.com/news/snapdragon/2016/10/04/pixel-phones-made-google-powered-snapdragon-821

OK thanks I didn't realize it was the same one as the 10, I did know it's in the Note 7.