[Q] To Buy or Not to Buy; Nexus 6 Audio Quality - Nexus 6 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So the time has come for an upgrade and after surveying the whole market, i feel like the nexus 6 is the phone for me. HOWEVER there is one thing holding me back: the audio quality from the headphone jack.
My current phone is an iPhone 4 (so sad) and i spend a lot of time listening to music on it. I know that the sound on the nexus 5 wasn't great to say the least, and was wondering how it will fare on the nexus 6. I have a feeling it may not be quite on par to my apple product, but being almost as good will suffice, especially since it will be such a good phone.
Is there any software that will improve the audio experience once i buy the phone (if i do)? £500 is a lot of money and i want to make sure i'm buying the right thing.

Here are my un-scientific thoughts:
I had an iphone 5 and the sound quality while plugged into my acura head unit via headphone jack was great! I then got a Nexus 4 followed by a Nexus 5. Both were miserable. With the volume at 100% on the head unit, it was not half as loud as my iphone. I was constantly wishing I could turn the volume higher. I could not tell a difference quality wise, just volume was not enough...
Today I used my Nexus 6 while commuting to work via the same headphone jack in my Acura. I am happy to report that I got PLENTY of power from the phone. I did not dare turn the volume higher than 80% in fear I would blow the speakers.
So....for my use, I would say MUCH improved and I am as happy with the Nexus 6 as I was with my iPhone 5.

Related

Best headphones for inc?

Hello
I am on the hunt for some good headphones that I can use to listen to music and answer/talk on the phone. I got some headphones off amazon that said they were for the incredible, however you can't answer the phone by the headphone controls... Has anyone found some good headphones?
Thanks
Swegin
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
I'd recommend pre-ordering the Klipsch Image S4A's. I have the regular Image S4's (no inline remote/mic, otherwise identical) and they sound incredible. They're well worth the asking price.
I am notoriously cheap. Um, I mean frugal.
Awhile back I looked around for earbuds and found a few that I liked. I like Koss, though they can tend to be kind of bass-heavy (to the point of muddiness). The Plug by Koss is an example of this: they fit wonderfully but can be a bit biased toward bass.
I replaced my Plugs by Koss with a pair of black Yamaha EPH-20 earbuds. They are quite a bit "brighter" than the Plug but don't skimp on the bass.
I personally can't see spending more than $30 or so on earbuds for my cell phone, so I hope this helps.
No brainier when these come out. Inline control works with Android, iOS and WindowsPhone for $50.
http://www.jays.se/products/earphones/a-jays-one-plus.html
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
I use JH Audio 13 PRO with my Dinc and they sound incredible but they are $1,150 ha ha.
I use a pair of JVC Marshmallow 'buds... they're $20 at Wal-Mart, come in several different colors, and sound amazing to me. Yeah, they don't have a built in mic, no external controls, but if what you're looking for is simply music, they're one heck of a deal.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/JVC-In-Ear-Marshmallow-Black/14562427
If you need the built in mic and answer controls, the wired headset earbuds from my old BlackBerry sound decent and the answer button / mic works. $8 on amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/BlackBerry-HDW-16904-003-Blackberry-Microphone-3-5mm/dp/B002ECE8QY
Regular price $60
On sale for $15
http://www.amazon.com/GOgroove-High-Performance-Hands-free-Playback-Controller/dp/B005MZU0JY/
Thats a good deal
Bang and Olufsen Earset 3 or A8s
I work for Bang and Olufsen, and we make a killer set, for about $200. I might sound a little biased, but honestly I could care less if you chose to by ours over another brand. Why? If I sell one, I make about 5 Bucks commission. And the odds someone reading this forum is going to buy a set from me? Don't really need to answer that one. That being said, hear me out about the inside scoop:
They are made out of aluminum, and aren't the isolation type that get shoved in your ear canal. You lose a little bass, but you can walk down the street and not get jacked because you are oblivious to whats going on around you. They have great sensitivity (don't need to crank your device, which saves battery life), and the stereo imaging is amazing. The highs are clear and sharp and don't break up. They also stay on your ears very well and are great for exercising. Plus, they come with a 3 year international warranty: If you break them, you can bring them into any showroom in the world and we will swap them out on the spot (provided they don't look like you ran them over with a car) if you have proof of purchase (we will help you out with this part by contacting the store you purchased them from).
We also have sets of the Dre Beats In-Ears, Bose on-ears and in-ears (Bose stands for "Buy Other Sound Equipment"), and the Klipsch S4s in our showroom and have tested them against our own. We beat them hands down. Our customers have all agreed as well (comparing them hands-on with their own phones and ipods, not our demo tracks).
Go find a showroom, and give them a shot. Not saying their the best thing since sliced bread, but you might find them to be exactly what you are looking for.
philycheezblunt said:
I work for Bang and Olufsen, and we make a killer set, for about $200. I might sound a little biased, but honestly I could care less if you chose to by ours over another brand. Why? If I sell one, I make about 5 Bucks commission. And the odds someone reading this forum is going to buy a set from me? Don't really need to answer that one. That being said, hear me out about the inside scoop:
They are made out of aluminum, and aren't the isolation type that get shoved in your ear canal. You lose a little bass, but you can walk down the street and not get jacked because you are oblivious to whats going on around you. They have great sensitivity (don't need to crank your device, which saves battery life), and the stereo imaging is amazing. The highs are clear and sharp and don't break up. They also stay on your ears very well and are great for exercising. Plus, they come with a 3 year international warranty: If you break them, you can bring them into any showroom in the world and we will swap them out on the spot (provided they don't look like you ran them over with a car) if you have proof of purchase (we will help you out with this part by contacting the store you purchased them from).
We also have sets of the Dre Beats In-Ears, Bose on-ears and in-ears (Bose stands for "Buy Other Sound Equipment"), and the Klipsch S4s in our showroom and have tested them against our own. We beat them hands down. Our customers have all agreed as well (comparing them hands-on with their own phones and ipods, not our demo tracks).
Go find a showroom, and give them a shot. Not saying their the best thing since sliced bread, but you might find them to be exactly what you are looking for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While I have no doubt that the B&O set is very good, I have difficulty imagining that they're as much bang for your buck as (at least) the Klipsch S4s. I agree with a lot of your points (with Bose and Beats, you're paying for the brand, not for quality) but when you say that the B&O set beats all those, it should... it costs $200. The rest are $75-100, or cheaper if you find a decent deal (not too hard). As great as the B&O set may be, 3/8 the price for at least 5/8 sound quality (S4) makes a much better deal for the average, non-audiophile, consumer who wants great sound from their device.
but also to consider; the Klipsch ones aren't as durable. You'll probably go through 3 pairs in the time you go through one set of B&Os. $200 is for the earset, which has a mic for handsfree calling. 160 gets you headphones only.
philycheezblunt said:
but also to consider; the Klipsch ones aren't as durable. You'll probably go through 3 pairs in the time you go through one set of B&Os. $200 is for the earset, which has a mic for handsfree calling. 160 gets you headphones only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How long are you talking about going through the B&O's in? I've had the S4s for about 6 months. That's longer than I've ever had earbuds before (I'm VEEEERY hard on them), and they still look and feel brand new. By my standards, the build quality is extremely impressive.
My buddy is on an earbud hunting kick and I've been helping him out. We've tested just about everything we can find locally and so far the best sounding are the Klipsch X10I. We found them locally for $250.00 and they are worth it. I have a set of JH Audio 13 PRO's and the Klipsch X10I's sound about 50% of the JH Audio and that's really saying something. Besides the JH Audio, the Klipsch X10I's are the best sounding earbuds I've heard yet.
http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-S2m-Noise-Isolating-Microphone-Single-Button/dp/B002FB7IWU
I like the S2m. Decent price too.
And BOSE also stands for "Basically...Overpriced Stereo Equipment"
No highs...No lows...Must be BOSE!!
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sony-DRBT101-BLK-Stereo-Bluetooth-Headphones-Black/13904899
I use these as headphone for music and calls. I cannot attest to any sound quality As I am somewhat hearing impaired(need aids) But these are able to play music loud enuff for me listen too. On calls I hear the voice quite well and the caller says they can hear me clearly.
I have a pair of Shure SE210s and I love them, but I can't recommend them unless you're planning on photo-shopping your receipt to make it look like they're still under the 2 year warranty when they break every 1.5 years. The audio quality is fantastic, and I like the in-ear design but they just don't hold up to what I think is normal use.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/478568/multi-iem-review-200-iems-compared-hifiman-re272-added-10-14-11
That's all you need.
I use the $50-$60 ViSang R03 / Brainwavz M2, and couldn't be happier.
"The ViSang R03 is an incredible performer - a wholesome combination of build quality, comfort, and sound at a price well south of $100. In terms of coherency of sound signature they are up there with the best sub-$100 earphones I have heard. The combination of impactful bass, clear mids, and crisp treble give the R03 a very agreeable sound that can be enjoyed by both the audiophile and the casual listener in equal measure. And that fact alone makes them highly recommended earphones with a sound signature geared slightly towards the mainstream market compared to much of the gear talked about on head-fi. Do I personally still prefer a more analytical sound? Yes. But that does not prevent me from enjoying the R03 in the least. They are not perfect, but they are unreasonably good for what they cost."
PGleo86 said:
How long are you talking about going through the B&O's in? I've had the S4s for about 6 months. That's longer than I've ever had earbuds before (I'm VEEEERY hard on them), and they still look and feel brand new. By my standards, the build quality is extremely impressive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3 Years plus. They will most likely last you well past that, but if they break within 3, you get a brand new pair for free.
Klipsch
I love the new Klipsch S4A great sound quality for a low price, plus it's made specifically for android
I'm going to sound insane compared to folks advocating $50-$250 headphones.
I use OEM Palm Stereo Headset 3.5mm model#3422WW. These are in ear, not in ear canal. They sound better than $30 & $50 headphones I've tried. Oh yeah easily had on eBay $3.50.

Nexus 4 Sound quality = GOOD!

Got my Nexus 4 today, for those in the UK, i bought it on PAYG from o2 (£399)
Been running FLAC files through PowerAMP with my Sennheiser IE7's and they sound as good, if not better than my Cowon J3 DAP.
The Cowon J3 is a high-end DAP so i'm really impressed this phone can compete.
No yellow screen issues so far either, but i've not been benchmarking yet, gonna give it a week before i stress it out.
Yeah I was really surprised with the audio when I first plugged in my XB-1000's. I was expecting mediocre-bad audio quality that you typically get with phones but this seems really great. It's a really well rounded phone.
Wow, surprising, and good to hear. My GS2 really has dead lifeless sound through my ety's. I've taken to using my Pre for MP3's as it sounds infinitely better. I hope others post their impressions here as this may be one thing that pushes me over to this handset once it arrives here. Damn shame they only put max 16g in it if it really is a musical media player. Did supercurio weigh in on it yet?
OverTheBelow said:
Yeah I was really surprised with the audio when I first plugged in my XB-1000's. I was expecting mediocre-bad audio quality that you typically get with phones but this seems really great. It's a really well rounded phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow! Can you please compare it with iphone 4/4s? I used to listen to xb-500 with iphone 4s and it sounds pretty good. Interesting to compare nexus to iphone by sound quality. Thanks in advance!
Is it better than Galaxy Nexus? I got budget Sennheiser earphones so I doubt I'll hear much of a difference, but I'm thinking of getting a good pair.
Dragooon123 said:
Is it better than Galaxy Nexus? I got budget Sennheiser earphones so I doubt I'll hear much of a difference, but I'm thinking of getting a good pair.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YES!, id put the nexus 4 up there with the SGS3 tbh.
noobdeagle said:
YES!, id put the nexus 4 up there with the SGS3 tbh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats amazing! I am back on my gnexus after selling my sgs3 and the audio of the gnexus is terrible, I miss my sgs3. Hope my N4 arrives soon
noobdeagle said:
YES!, id put the nexus 4 up there with the SGS3 tbh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the Nexus 4 has the same DAP as the GSIII (US). There is a noticeable sound difference although the amp volume is lower. It still sound much better than the GalaxyNexus + Sound Tweaks.
Actually now I've tried headphones, incredible on stock audio settings with Poweramp.
I have one issue, using the headphone jack with the line input on my car suggests the output is quite low (I used to have an Atrix, I had to turn that down one from full because it distorts!). I now have to turn my car up quite high to be able to hear anything. One thing I am appalled about is the fact the device doesn't seem to play nice with my car charger... i get serious background noise when that is plugged in (no issues on the Atrix)
tehrules said:
Actually now I've tried headphones, incredible on stock audio settings with Poweramp.
I have one issue, using the headphone jack with the line input on my car suggests the output is quite low (I used to have an Atrix, I had to turn that down one from full because it distorts!). I now have to turn my car up quite high to be able to hear anything. One thing I am appalled about is the fact the device doesn't seem to play nice with my car charger... i get serious background noise when that is plugged in (no issues on the Atrix)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. Low output to car...
GchildT said:
I think the Nexus 4 has the same DAP as the GSIII (US). There is a noticeable sound difference although the amp volume is lower. It still sound much better than the GalaxyNexus + Sound Tweaks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i had an international SGS3 with the voodoo sound implementation from siyah, while the Nexus 4 does sound worse its not a whole lot worse.
the main differences fell with the bass they are not quite as deep and the highs are a bit rolled off compared to the SGS3 but not enough to cause an unpleasant listening experience; im sure with time perhaps with DSP manager it will be even closer.
but the bottom line is its not that much worse that id go back to the SGS3 and audio quality was my main concern with the keeping either handset (i've only just put the SGS3 on ebay )
for the comparisons i used Shure SE535;s IEM's
v-haker said:
Wow! Can you please compare it with iphone 4/4s? I used to listen to xb-500 with iphone 4s and it sounds pretty good. Interesting to compare nexus to iphone by sound quality. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have any Apple devices so I can't compare, but I can tell you it sounds really good with my older XB-500's too in comparison to my PC soundcard & especially previous phone (Xperia X10).
It's not head-thumpingly bassy and loud like you'd get with a proper amp, but there is still some good bass and just overall the sound is very pleasant. :good: I think you will be quite happy with how it sounds if you're not overly audiophilic.
v-haker said:
Wow! Can you please compare it with iphone 4/4s? I used to listen to xb-500 with iphone 4s and it sounds pretty good. Interesting to compare nexus to iphone by sound quality. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cant speak for the iphone but!, i have a cowon S9 and as many know sound ALOT better than apple devices and the Nexus 4 is not far off of the Cowon S9 once again not quite as deep bass, or as crisp highs but pretty damn close. (for reference tho SGS3(int) with siyah kernal sounds the same as Cowon S9 + J3)
I noticed a much better audio then I had on my inspire through Bluetooth.
But then again my phone was 2 years old. So I was expecting as much.:laugh:
v-haker said:
Wow! Can you please compare it with iphone 4/4s? I used to listen to xb-500 with iphone 4s and it sounds pretty good. Interesting to compare nexus to iphone by sound quality. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was using an iPhone 4 while I waited for my nexus, I can say the nexus sounds a thousand times better.
Testing now through Sennheiser HD 280s. Sound quality is excellent to my ears. No hiss, pops. Much better than the GS2, the DAC on that is a pile. Volume could probably be a touch louder, I'm between two and three clicks down from max volume in Google Music for regular listening volume. That may explain the low volumes with car stereos. I'll compare with an iPhone 5 later.
Ah so it wasn't just me! I did notice a difference when switching from my gs2. I use the new xb600. It sounded like crap on my gs2.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Thank you, guys! I'm very impressed with the results! Waiting for the further comparision with other devices
loving the nexus 4 but music hooked up to car stereo sounds like crap compared to the iphone 4s/5.
Output level is extremely low on the nexus as well. What needs to be at a level 20 on my wifes iphone is like a 32 on the nexus 4. Ill experiment w/ the equalizer tonight but as it stands it doesnt compare. (sorry for being unbiased)
I thought the GS3 had better sound output. My n4 just doesnt get as loud. Is there anything I can do to fix this? btw i use google music

How is headphone output quality?

Anybody using the Galaxy devices will know that they have very low volume. I am wondering if anyone who has this device can comment on how good the volume quality through headphones is with this phone?
MattMJB0188 said:
Anybody using the Galaxy devices will know that they have very low volume. I am wondering if anyone who has this device can comment on how good the volume quality through headphones is with this phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you read the reviews? That's something that is covered in any half decent review, but I'll help you out. Taken from the GSMarena review:
Plugging in a pair of headphones causes the volume levels to plummet to below average levels, although the intermodulation distortion is completely eliminated in the process. The stereo crosstalk rises an average amount, but with the low loudness the performance is again hardly worth writing home about.
Overall the Nexus 6 audio quality is a story of wasted chances - a couple of defects ruin what could have been class leading output. As things stand now, we are looking at a device a cut below its key competitors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would be interesting to see if using an app or a tweak like Volume+ will have any benefit. I used Volume+ back when I had my Galaxy Nexus over a year ago, definitely improved the volume.
Again, this 'premium' phone really doesn't have much premium going for it (apart from the processor and RAM - screen, aluminium case etc can all be found on/or beaten by cheaper devices). For the price it should be able to decently play music through headphones.
^ You sure do waste a lot of time talking about a phone that your post history shows a strong disliking for.
G3
I have a hard time believing that Motorola has crap headphone audio on this device. One of the deciding factors for me back when the N5 came out last year and I was deciding which to keep, the original Moto X or the N5, was the headphone quality. The Moto X was better sounding to me than the N5 was. If the N6 has a low volume that's a deal breaker. I'm just not understanding how Motorola screwed that up. Were there any reviews other than GSMArena that reported low headphone volume?

Great sounding 3-button Earphones working with Nexus 5x

Hi,
As many others I have been looking for good sounding 3-button earphones for the Nexus 5x. I had these Noirs from Degauss Labs with my old Androidphone and when I got the Nexus 5x I heard about some problems getting different headphones to work on the Nexus 5x - but am happy to conclude my Noirs still work like a charm. I tried my old Android 3-button Sennhesiers and they did not do the work with the Nexus 5x so for sure they differ by brand.
Degauss Labs Noir 100% Android headset with 3-buttons
Whats unique about these Noirs is that they do work with the Nexus 5x and also deliver really incredible sound. The Degauss Labs Noir uses two speakers where one is a balanced armature and the other a dynamic speaker creating a hybrid earphone which has all the details plus a real good bass. It is like nothing I heard before on in ear headphones, I go to work smiling every day, just love listening to NIN and other great stuff!
I would like to hear if anyone else has super great earphones to recommend, needs to have 3-buttons with support for Nexus 5x!!
Cheers
TONYSOPRANO1212 said:
Hi,
As many others I have been looking for good sounding 3-button earphones for the Nexus 5x. I had these Noirs from Degauss Labs with my old Androidphone and when I got the Nexus 5x I heard about some problems getting different headphones to work on the Nexus 5x - but am happy to conclude my Noirs still work like a charm. I tried my old Android 3-button Sennhesiers and they did not do the work with the Nexus 5x so for sure they differ by brand.
Degauss Labs Noir 100% Android headset with 3-buttons
Whats unique about these Noirs is that they do work with the Nexus 5x and also deliver really incredible sound. The Degauss Labs Noir uses two speakers where one is a balanced armature and the other a dynamic speaker creating a hybrid earphone which has all the details plus a real good bass. It is like nothing I heard before on in ear headphones, I go to work smiling every day, just love listening to NIN and other great stuff!
I would like to hear if anyone else has super great earphones to recommend, needs to have 3-buttons with support for Nexus 5x!!
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Tony,
Here is some info on Nexus 5x + Earphones on another forum, people are having trouble getting their old earphones to work with Nexus 5x.
"There is no defect on your Nexus 5x, but you need a 100% compatible Android headset. Not everyone knows but the Apple and Android headsets differ, and actually the Nexus 5x and Nexus 5 differs too!
I tried a few to rule them out and also added the ones you guys tested so here is the list of Earphones that may or may not work with Nexus 5X - keep em coming:
1. Apple Factory buds - Fail volume +/-
2. Nuforce 700 - Fail
3. Xiomai Pistons - Fail
4. Samsung Factory buds - Fail
5. Sennheiser 3-button Android Version - Fail volume +/-
6. Degauss Labs 3-button Android Noir - Works
7. Degauss Labs 3-button Android Dual Driver - Works
So far (Lets update the list!) the only company I know have 100% hang of this is Degauss Labs. Their earphones do works flawless with all 3-buttons with the Nexus 5x. Found this video on youtube showing the Nexus 5x with the Degauss Labs Noir for Android earphones https://youtu.be/qBxAsM6PUm0
The best, Nixter
I have to comment on this..
Are Google and LG making fun of us ? After an endless odyssey the hunt for 3 button headset seemed to be over.
And now that. Are these guys kidding us ?
I can throw away all my headsets according to those test results above.
I thought there seemed to be a standard. I am really frustrated...
Gesendet von meinem Nexus 9 mit Tapatalk
nixter99 said:
3. Xiomai Pistons - Fail
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Xiaomi Piston 3's work fine (3 buttons).
The headset for my galaxy s4 works perfectly, not sure if that would extend to other Samsung-compatible headsets or not.
Does anyone know if any of the skullcandy buds work with these?
PatcheZ said:
Xiaomi Piston 3's work fine (3 buttons).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tested the Xiaomi Pistons 2´s..
---------- Post added at 07:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:39 PM ----------
haloimplant said:
The headset for my galaxy s4 works perfectly, not sure if that would extend to other Samsung-compatible headsets or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
..OK great, mine didnt and they are out of the box Samsung branded ones (looks like Apple EarPods to the design) think Samsung has probably lots of different headsets bundled..
As this seems to be an issue depending on what brand of 3-button/ mic the headset maker is using I would say it is best you try the headset first hand to be sure. On the other hand throwing away a headset for 25 bucks seems ok when getting a new phone, but it is annoying not be "up and ready" right away.
Nevertheless my Degauss Noir´s has crazy good sound compared to my old Sennhesiers so I would never go back to those again anyways, so Im
P.S When testing your earphones with 5x note that the connector needs to be firmly plugged in, different from previous Nexuses, so there is a small click before fully connected.
Keep them earphones + 5x tests coming!!
PatcheZ said:
Xiaomi Piston 3's work fine (3 buttons).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can also confirm that the Piston 3's work. Which is great!
Same results here. The Piston V2s definitely do not work, the Piston V3s work flawlessly (including buttons and microphone).
The sound signature from the V3s is markedly different from the V2s, so be prepared for that. I'm still breaking mine in and haven't really decided if I like the sound of the V3s or not. For under $20 though, can't complain!
The V3s are infinitely more comfortable, which is definitely a plus.
I got a pair of the Brainwavz Deltas (Android version) after reading a great review of them on The Wirecutter. They sound pretty amazing considering they were only $27.50, way better than my $100+ Jaybirds Bluebuds X. To get the Android version (with 3 button remote) I had to order direct from them instead of via Amazon, but they still got here in a week or so. One of my favorite features is they come with a pair of dense foam tips, in addition to the standard selection of silicon rubber tips - the foam ones fit my ears way better. They also come with a nice little zip up case.
Andeh23 said:
I got a pair of the Brainwavz Deltas (Android version) after reading a great review of them on The Wirecutter. They sound pretty amazing considering they were only $27.50, way better than my $100+ Jaybirds Bluebuds X. To get the Android version (with 3 button remote) I had to order direct from them instead of via Amazon, but they still got here in a week or so. One of my favorite features is they come with a pair of dense foam tips, in addition to the standard selection of silicon rubber tips - the foam ones fit my ears way better. They also come with a nice little zip up case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the Brainwavz recommendation, I can confirm also that they work well with the 5X. I like the sound better than the Xiaomi Piston V3 (which also work) too.
The Piston V3 has a nicely balanced sound and will work well in quiet environments, but I just can't get them loud enough on a subway platform or in other situations with a lot of background noise. Maxing out the volume on the 5X results in some nasty distortion (unclear as to whether that's the headphones' or the 5x's fault--probably both). I discovered after about a week that I needed to insert the Piston V3 further into my ear than any other IEMs that I have used in the past. This resulted in a marked improvement in sound, but didn't overcome the V3's major fault--they're just not loud enough when I need them to be.
The Brainwavz Delta (due to lower impedance or higher sensitivity?) get me the sound level that I need at a lower volume setting on the 5X, thus avoiding the distortion issue. Additionally, they have some really nice detail in the midbass region without being "boomy." They do have a very minor issue with sibilance, but that might be mitigated by using tips with a screen (like the Comply Tx Isolation Plus series). Even if I can't fix the sibilance, I still highly prefer the Deltas over the Piston V3. The buttons are easier to manipulate than the Pistons as well (although I hate that they're on the left wire on the Deltas instead of the right wire like the Piston V3).
Also, they're currently on sale for $16.50 shipped. Andeh, you might want to reach out to Brainwavz or to your credit card company to see if you can get a price adjustment.
I just received my Xiaomi Hybrid headset. All 3 buttons work. I very much like the sound and can highly recommend these.
Got them from Gearbest. They sell them for USD 19.97 at the moment.
cthip said:
The Piston V3 has a nicely balanced sound and will work well in quiet environments, but I just can't get them loud enough on a subway platform or in other situations with a lot of background noise. Maxing out the volume on the 5X results in some nasty distortion (unclear as to whether that's the headphones' or the 5x's fault--probably both). I discovered after about a week that I needed to insert the Piston V3 further into my ear than any other IEMs that I have used in the past. This resulted in a marked improvement in sound, but didn't overcome the V3's major fault--they're just not loud enough when I need them to be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. My piston v3 get quite loud, over 60-70% or so can be painful to me. I've always had trouble fitting IEMs in my ear but these ones fit pretty good. I know they've made a good seal when I can hear the bass.
bblzd said:
Interesting. My piston v3 get quite loud, over 60-70% or so can be painful to me. I've always had trouble fitting IEMs in my ear but these ones fit pretty good. I know they've made a good seal when I can hear the bass.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Samsung earphones what I got with my SGS4 is working flawlessly. (the cord is rounded, not the newer flat version)
Sennheiser Cx2.00G work with all 3 buttons.
Hi, after finding out that my Xiaomi Pistons 2.0 did not work with the Nexus 5X I bought a pair of Samsung HS130 and all 3 buttons work great, but the sound is pretty terrible compared with my old pistons.
I ordered the new xiaomi hybrid, which supposedly should work all 3 buttons.
I wonder if you can by just the cables? I have a nice set of Sennheiser that use a double-ended cable. Be nice to have actual functionality.
I must say, I'm quite happy with the Amazon Premium Headphones, which were originally made for the Fire line of products. Great sound quality and all buttons work with a range of scenarios/functions. So far, things I've tested that work are:
Music (Google Play Music and PodKicker Pro): Volume +/-, single-click center button to play/pause, double-click center button to skip tracks
Phone: center-click to answer, center click to mute, long-press center click to end call, volume +/-
TouchDown HD (email client): volume +/- will scroll through emails (mimics physical volume button functionality on phone unit)
General: Long press button to speak to google now
Outside of the above scenarios, essentially the headphones volume button mimic the phone's volume button functionality. I've received feedback that indicates the headphone mic handles windy conditions quite well, I've been happy with the tangle-free cord, and the magnetic earbuds are simply an added bonus for me. One thing that I have noticed is that the earbuds themselves are made from extremely smooth plastic that can shift around a little bit if they get greasy from sitting in your ear. They move a little in my ears, but I have huge ears so I'm a bad baseline. One thing I don't care so much for is that the male end of the cord has a bit of an oddly long, hard end that sticks out a bit more than most would probably expect. Would be nice to have an L-shaped jack, but it's not a dealbreaker for me.
Most of the negative reviews came from foolish iSheep a year or so ago complaining about how they are annoyed the headphones don't work with iPhone (apparently ignoring that they are specifically designed for an Amazon Fire product and make zero mention of iPhone or general Android device compatibility). Here's a link, and suffice it to say they come highly recommended and are a solid value:
http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-KA416Y...p/B00HX0SRXW/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8
Have anyone tried the NOCS NS500 (3 btn remote) with the N5X and can confirm if it's working properly?
Thanks in advance!
I bought the Brainwavz Deltas a week ago because of the recomendations in this thread.
After the first hours of music and many hours of usage in phonecalls i have to say that i love that headset.
The music sound is great, perfect mix of pressure and clearence.
Used as a headset for calls it's also perfect, the incall sound is clear and good understandable for both persons.

Can Someone Comment On Audio Quality?

Music audio quality via Aux and Bluetooth are key for me. I need to know if it's true that the new Note 7 with the 820 supports the same quality that is in the HTC 10. I was reading some posts elsewhere that the Note 7 has some new drivers that are different than the S7 and should be the same quality as the HTC 10. I currently own the 10 and love it, but mostly because of the Boomsound/Audio quality when listening to music. But I really love Sammy's OLED display and Camera.
I'm by no means an audiophile, and I've never owned an HTC. But I do have a decent set of medium-priced Shure in ear headphones that sounded great on my Note 4, GS5, and continue to sound great on my Note 7. If you're really picky about sound quality I highly recommend going to your nearest T-Mobile or Best Buy and try out a display model with your headphones of choice.
Flawless.
Unless a test is released, I will continue to assume it is nothing special and an average performer.
It is very close to the same sound quality as the Note5. Can't compare it to the HTC but from the articles I read, I am not sure if compares or not. It sounds good but it still could benefit a lot from Viper4Android.
I have jump on demand and came from the HTC 10. The screen and s-pen are amazing. Blow the HTC away.
The audio is garbage on the note 7 compared to the 10. It is exactly the same hardware as the S7. Speaker gets decently loud but there is no crispness like on the 10. And the headphone jacks are no comparison.
In fact I ended up buying a Fiio Q1 dac/amp to make up for it.
Lg v20 releasing tonight with quad dac.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
I'm no audiophile either but my Note 7 sounds pretty good with Beats Solo Wireless phones, particularly if I plug it in. The Samsung Level Pro U I have which is supposed to tap into the UHD feature could use some more bass but is otherwise okay.
Samsung has a protocol called UHQ. It only works with three audio devices from, of course, Samsung. The level On Pro, the Level on U Pro and a bluetooth speaker. Coupled with Poweramp beta, it will either up convert everything to 24\192, or most importantly,stream native 24\192 wired or .......WIRELESSLY (emphasis mine).
As the proud owner of countless bluetooth stereo devices, going back to 2005, this is the highest bar achieved, I've heard from a mobile device, without an external DAC. As with all unqualified statements of excellence, I am sure others will have opinions on this. I will be listening to Music.
The sound quality I get from the Note 7 without modifying (all flat) it is fine. I like the "Tube Amp Pro" (simulates soft timbre of tube amplifier). Not perfect by any means. And not the same high quality of an high end audio system. But impressive.
You are never ever going to get the high end wired audio quality sound from Bluetooth. Bluetooth will be much better than any "smartphone" builtin speakers by a large margin. Only wired high end full range full sized headphones will you get true high end quality audio sound.
What surprises me is how many people don't care about sound quality. They rather have the convince of the builtin speakers or Bluetooth. It is the Thing now days to play all audio through your builtin speakers. No matter where you are and who is around you. Convince is over ruling quality.
So I am very surprised to see someone asking about audio quality.
It also surprises me to see how many people think "okay" quality sound is high quality.
-
So,......................if you are as convinced as you are that no protocol will improve Bluetooth, who am I to change your mind as it already made up. With the advent of the loss of the jack on the Iphone, there will some increased urgency to make bigger strides to improve wireless audio devices.
Not to sound too much like a fanboy but this tech is different. I am pretty sure this isn't a case of cognitive dissonance but I hear a great deal of difference between using these below with and without UHQ turned on.
http://www.samsung.com/us/audio/hea...wireless-pro-headphones-black-eo-pn920cbegus/
I am currently using the above, the VModa wireless and the Dash with the Note 7. This is better and compares well to the KEF wired headphones.
If any of you own the recent samsung phones, get a set of these and if they don't change your mind about bluetooth, I'll pay your return shipping (limited to 5 of you)
Please be sure to use the UHQ app and Poweramp beta with the experimental 24\192 streaam.
Im having note 5 and note 7 right now.. Got better sound quality on note 5. It might be just up to my phone because I also have problems with wifi signal, so bad
Sent from my SM-N930T using Tapatalk
rankoradza said:
Im having note 5 and note 7 right now.. Got better sound quality on note 5. It might be just up to my phone because I also have problems with wifi signal, so bad
Sent from my SM-N930T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used to have the Note 5 and definitely was louder. The thing is, the Note 7 has IP68 rating for water resistance, so the phone is pretty sealed up and the sound is weak because of it.
My audio through bluetooth was great for being bluetooth then all of a sudden I noticed a loss in volume and quality past few days. I haven't changed any settings or installed any apps that should interfere
Sent from my SM-N930T using Tapatalk
draztikrhymez said:
My audio through bluetooth was great for being bluetooth then all of a sudden I noticed a loss in volume and quality past few days. I haven't changed any settings or installed any apps that should interfere
Sent from my SM-N930T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Clean out your ears lol.
But seriously, have tried un-pairing and re-pairing?
Sent from my SM-N930T using Tapatalk
toastido said:
Clean out your ears lol.
But seriously, have tried un-pairing and re-pairing?
Sent from my SM-N930T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha yea I tried that first but my ears just won't stay clean. They are automatically creating a natural ear plug for when my phone explodes I think.
I'll try to un-pair and re-pair, can't remember the last time I did that actually
Sent from my SM-N930T using Tapatalk

Categories

Resources