S9+ Headphones are terrible

[paulwilko10]

Considering that the packed headphones are the same as the ones in the S8, the OP is the first person I've ever seen to bash them. All reviewers have said that this model, while these may not be the best headphones available, they are far better than any other packaged headphones with any phone.

I do find it weird how awful i find them compared to a pair from years ago.
I have tried different settings but even with the same settings, the other set is much better.

I will ask someone else to test them and see what they say

 

[paulwilko10]

Make sure you turn on Dolby Atmos on.

I haven't got that turned on, didnt even think of that, but it is still the same setting as the pair i think sound good

 

[chanchan05]

I do find it weird how awful i find them compared to a pair from years ago.
I have tried different settings but even with the same settings, the other set is much better.

I will ask someone else to test them and see what they say

It could simply be that AKG tuning is not to your tastes. I know of some people who find 'natural' sounding headphones with no bass boost to be terrible, just because the bass isn't thumping their heads. Not sure on the ones on the S9 how they are tuned though.

 

[paulwilko10]

It could simply be that AKG tuning is not to your tastes. I know of some people who find 'natural' sounding headphones with no bass boost to be terrible, just because the bass isn't thumping their heads. Not sure on the ones on the S9 how they are tuned though.

This is true, however there is NO bass at all, it is just a tinny sound

 

[chanchan05]

This is true, however there is NO bass at all, it is just a tinny sound

You could always use Samsung's Adapt Sound feature.

As I said I can't say with the bundled AKG headphones since I don't have a pair.

 

[rushmore]

This is true, however there is NO bass at all, it is just a tinny sound

Seems they might be messed up? I've heard the stock AKG and do not sound tinny. Sound as good as the S8+ stocked AKG buds. Sound stage and instrument separation seem good. Then again, I use 192KB MP3s, so might not be the best reference

 

[Dannyh1991]

Sadly i have to agree with this thread. I dont always use the earphones that come with phones but theyre nice to have in your pocket or draw at work where you wouldnt carry around a pair of headphones.

Received the Phone Thursday last week and tried to use the AKG earphones a couple of times however the sound ouput is "flat" compared to the S7e earphones i sometimes use. I have tried different audio settings, Dolby Atmos on and off, UHD on/off and also adapt sound but they still sound what i can only describe as flat and lifeless.

On a side note, sound output in general sounds great via Bluetooth and through the Beats headphones.

 

[bembol]

Compared to every other make/phone I bought these AKG earbuds are the best. As posted I only use them either at work or whatever I forget my bluetooth.

 

[ianfelrup]

Compared to every other make/phone I bought these AKG earbuds are the best. As posted I only use them either at work or whatever I forget my bluetooth.

Are they on par with the iPhone earbuds?

 

[CKwik240]

Assuming they are indeed the same as the pair packaged with the s8, I'll be giving them away to a friend or something. I can't get them to sit on my ear right so it's neither comfortable for me and it sounds terrible as it doesn't seal my ear canal. But this isn't a unique problem either. Most earbuds suck for me for the same reason. I do have a pair of Shure buds that fit really well with some aftermarket ear flanges that sound great though.

 

[anon(7775)]

I must have really bad hearing then because my s7 headphones sound great to me

 

[anamb123]

are they at least comfortable? lmao none of the past samsung's headphones are comfortable to me

 

[Mr_Spencer]

They're the same exact headphones that came with the S8 and S8+. They marketed them as being awesome and AKG branded, but they suck just like any other free headphones I've ever gotten w a phone. They only get a plus because they're more comfy than what we used to get from Sammy.

 

[Jaycemiskel]

The comments that bother me are the ones that say something along the lines of, "what do you expect for in-the-box headphones?" Well, I for one, expect the headphones included in a device that totals nearly a $1,000 to be very good. Considering Samsung touts their devices audio ability and the fact that they own AKG to further market their devices. I think we, as consumers, have to stop giving these manufacturers a pass and hold them to a much higher standard if they keep increasing prices, then we should expect superior quality.

Well you could always get a Pixel 2 XL, I hear the headphones that come with that.... Oh wait lol. At least Samsung is still including headphones. This isn't a given anymore. Demanded they sound good is the least of our worries, we should just be demanding that all phones at least come with them, especially phones that don't even have a headphone jack.

 

[intljock]

The included Akg headphones are actually very good. Make sure you swap out the ear buds for larger ones (included) and you'll get the bass back.

 

[Victor Hernandez Jr]

the only thing I ever give Apple credit for is there airpods

 

[chanchan05]

This is true, however there is NO bass at all, it is just a tinny sound

Oh yeah, one reviewer said that unless you get a good seal, you'll hear bass as tinny. Change the buds. Personally I almost always use large.

 

[Ubev]

There shouldn't be a complaint like this on a 1k device. No excuse whatsoever

 

[ThrottleJohnny]

There shouldn't be a complaint like this on a 1k device. No excuse whatsoever

I wouldn’t be buying a 1k device for friggin headphones lol.

 

[chanchan05]

There shouldn't be a complaint like this on a 1k device. No excuse whatsoever

Considering that reviewer consensus is that the bundled AKG headphones Samsung uses is the best bundled headphones available, then pretty much every other flagship out there is problematic.

I think though that I am starting to realize the problem is more on the type of headphone rather than the headphone itself. The S7 headphones were of an earbud type, as opposed to the S8/S9 headphones which are an earplug type. The difference in acoustics would account for the difference in tuning. Since the S7 headphones let in ambient noise, it's tuned differently. On earolug types, you need to acquire a good ear seal before you start hearing the low end. So if your ears are rather large, the default installed buds may be too small and thus not creating a seal, ruining the acoustics of the headphone.