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[REQ] [MOD] headphone volume boost?

I am not sure if i'm putting this in the right category but i figured since this is where the kernel development goes on it would be the best place.
I don't know about anyone else, but i use my phone as an all in one media device, and my main concern is the audio volume that comes out of the auxillary jack. I have tried 3 different ROMs and a few kernels including stock, and when my Inspire's media volume is maxed out playing through my car stereo it doesn't even come close to the volume output of my nexus s and captivate, much less my iPhone. The closest i have been able to get in better audio quality/volume comes from CM7, i am guessing because it is sourced off of AOSP. Even that is at least a notch or two under my cappy, and it makes a big difference.
I was wondering if there is anyway to make a kernel/ROM adjustment to boost the AUX volume output, NOT the phone external speaker.
Gladly willing to donate to a project for this.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA Premium App

Yes, please, I would love this, I use my phone to listen to music in my car and it's incredibly low, only when I turn my car's speakers to max is it at a normal volume... I would love this mod.

Download an app called volume boost.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA Premium App

Been there done that, it boosts the volume but outputs through AUX in mono. Doesnt work too well in my STEREO headphones or car STEREO
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

I know in CM7 that you can use DSP Manager to boost volume for just headset. Just increase the EQ evenly across the full range.

Sirgatory said:
Been there done that, it boosts the volume but outputs through AUX in mono. Doesnt work too well in my STEREO headphones or car STEREO
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doh! It was mono? If that's the case... I request this too!
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA Premium App

Yes, this would be nice.

craigkal said:
I know in CM7 that you can use DSP Manager to boost volume for just headset. Just increase the EQ evenly across the full range.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^^ I recommend this as well. It works great.

I will try the dsp suggestion. I was just curious if we could figure out a solution for sense roms as well.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA Premium App

There has to be a better way to make this thing loud. I was irritated with how quiet my Rhodium was and this device is even worse. In Rhodium Land I procured a .cab that made my Rhodium obnoxiously loud at full volume. I want some of that.

DeathmonkeyGTX said:
There has to be a better way to make this thing loud. I was irritated with how quiet my Rhodium was and this device is even worse. In Rhodium Land I procured a .cab that made my Rhodium obnoxiously loud at full volume. I want some of that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah i remember the terrible audio on my TP2 all too well. Ahhh we need a headset boostt
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA Premium App

To touch on the DSP resolution, it did not work. It boosted the power output yes, but distorted the clarity to an unusable extent.
Unfortunately a mod moved this thread because even though it is a development discussion, it seems they aren't enthusiastic enough to support this mod.
I'm offering at least 15$ for this fix..

Low Volume Output
I have just gotten a HTC Inspire 4G, and it's not hard to see that the volume output is doubtfully low compared to most other devices such as an iPhone. I have tried all the suggestions in this thread but none seem to work for a high volume output into a stereo,headphones,are any other jack devies. The EQ seemed to be a good idea I prefer to use my equalizer to sustain a better music experience. So overall I think there should be a mod or a tweak to increase volume output level.
Sent from HTC Inspire 4G

A volume increase, or fix is definitely needed. This phone is too quiet.

There's a fix!
Root your phone and flash Revolution ROM v3.5. I just got back from cranking out Pandora on my car radio and the sound is great!

Check my sense Rom thread there is 2 beta kernels I just compiled with speed tweaks and volume boosts across both speakers and headphones(should in turn boost aux output levels as well). It's LOUD, to the point I can no longer listen to music at full volume. I still need to make some fine tuning adjustments, but I think I'm gonna try dsp manager to help even further. Some libs have to be replaced for dsp manager to work with sense roms, but with the sound boost alone, quality still seems to be pretty good with no distortion(that I heard anyway), and with this and dsp manager, it should be a pretty good fix.
I need feedback so I know what has to be fixed(or not fixed...too loud?, distortion?, etc)
Note these are froyo inspire kernels

It has to be whatever ROM you all are using... I took the exact same songs on CD -vs- my phone, and volume is the same, clean across the board.
No issues here at all.
Then again, I am VERY sensitive about my music and won't touch it unless it has a high bit rate. I also run volume leveling software on all of my music too. That way one song isn't terribly louder than the previous.

I'd really like this, my truck stereo isn't loud enough with the inspire at max volume. I don't want to change ROMs to fix this because every ROM other than what I'm running had some problem I couldn't stomach. However, while I briefly had CM7, it did boost the volume significantly.

Its already done as I posted. Flash the kernel from my (sense rom)thread(you'll have to search for it, but its there. Its stable, fast, and the volume is LOUD.(froyo kernel)

di11igaf said:
Its already done as I posted. Flash the kernel from my (sense rom)thread(you'll have to search for it, but its there. Its stable, fast, and the volume is LOUD.(froyo kernel)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks alot, I'm going to give this a shot.

[Q] Speakers/Headphones Very Quiet

I'm wondering if anyone else is finding the audio output (be it by speaker or headphone), is very quiet? Whenever myself, or any of my friends go to watch a video or something on the Transformer, the first thing we do is try and turn up the volume even though its already at maximum. Even with a decent set of headphones (and I've tried multiple headphones), the audio is as loud as one would think.
I've done some searching through the forums, and tried to use this "Voodoo Sound Control", but it doesn't seem to give me many options. And when I tried the paid version, it said my device wasn't supported.
Anyways, I'm running Prime v1.9 with Netformer 1.6 kernel which i'm told has the Voodoo module in it.
Is there anything else I can try?

Yeah my headphone are pretty low but obly on certain videos same with the speakers. Try different videos and music see if there is a difderence.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App

diamantericos said:
Yeah my headphone are pretty low but obly on certain videos same with the speakers. Try different videos and music see if there is a difderence.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nah, it seems pretty universally quiet no matter what I play. Music from my google music account, local podcasts I download to it, youtube videos, ustream videos, etc.
Whether it be through the speakers or through headphones, its just really quiet. I have tried several different headphones I have, and its all pretty much the same volume. It has to be almost completely quiet in whatever room I'm in so I can hear it.
I was hoping this Voodoo stuff may help, but doesn't appear to be compatible (the thread says it supports TF 3.0 or 3.1 and not 3.2).
I'm out of ideas.

Voodoo works fine on 3.1 and 3.2

Yeah, sound on the TF is mediocre at best and horrible on headphones. I use an app called EQ and it really helps for the built-in speakers but headphones still suck. Not enough amp power to push decent sound.

Oyeve said:
Yeah, sound on the TF is mediocre at best and horrible on headphones. I use an app called EQ and it really helps for the built-in speakers but headphones still suck. Not enough amp power to push decent sound.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use THIS while using my earbuds. Greatly improves the performance of low-sensitivity headphones. Works like a charm and I have to turn the inline volume down to 1/4 on my earbuds. For some reason DVD movies are played back with low volume and this FiiO has done wonders with improving the volume and clarity even.

AcIdC0R3 said:
I use THIS while using my earbuds. Greatly improves the performance of low-sensitivity headphones. Works like a charm and I have to turn the inline volume down to 1/4 on my earbuds. For some reason DVD movies are played back with low volume and this FiiO has done wonders with improving the volume and clarity even.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like an ipod nano. Make have to check this out. Thanks for the heads-up.

Oyeve said:
Looks like an ipod nano. Make have to check this out. Thanks for the heads-up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Voodoo control plus from the market is much better value for money, helps the devs in this forum and has truly amazing sound.
Using an external headphone amp like this is an ugly solution.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

wildestpixel said:
Voodoo control plus from the market is much better value for money, helps the devs in this forum and has truly amazing sound.
Using an external headphone amp like this is an ugly solution.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, that's not a feasable option for everybody. I own a B70 model TF as well as many others and I'm unable to gain ROOT so the FiiO is a better alternative than Voodoo control. Who's going to pay money for an app they can't even use unless your rooted.

AcIdC0R3 said:
Unfortunately, that's not a feasable option for everybody. I own a B70 model TF as well as many others and I'm unable to gain ROOT so the FiiO is a better alternative than Voodoo control. Who's going to pay money for an app they can't even use unless your rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just as well the OP is rooted.

How to increase volume without volume+ or rooting

For those looking to crank a bit more volume out of the stock setup, here is an easy way, that requires no additional apps or rooting (some apps claim to work without root, but other than Volume + they are a mixed bag, with varying degrees of performance. Some plain just don't work.
Start Google Play Music App. Begin playing something you know well. Choose the menu from the top right (3 stacked blocks), and select Equalizer. Either drop the selection down to "custom" or just start raising the bands. Raise them most or all the way to the top. A "bigger" sound can be achieved with a classic "V shape (boosting the low and high frequencies, and leaving the center, 1000hz at or below midway)
Oh, then hit the "On" switch in top left corner. You will be AMAZED at the difference in sound, if you toggle it off and on a bit while playing music.
This is technically not the loudest, that can be achieved by pegging all bands to the top, but the mid-frequencies tend to sound "tinny" or "Like a small or cheap speaker" to most folks ears. By reducing it, and boosting the bottom and top frequencies you get a nicely boosted sound, though somewhat colored (an audiophile is not likely to be wowed by this type of spectrum boost, but, depending on the source material most folks like this, as it's comparable to what a "loudness" button does, and with the Infinities VERY small speakers. Yes there are 2 in there, and they are stereo, though how Asus expected to get ANY separation or any type of "sound stage" through a 1.5" x .5 " grill remains a mystery, even if they did apply some delay, echo or reverb, which I do not believe they did.
Some swear by Volume+ and I had good experiences with it on my Prime, but when something in my setup caused both Volume+. Musicfx (the built in Equalizer I just described tuning) and settings to crash every time I used it, I decided to see what I could do without it. I am quite happy wiith the boost that musicfx provides

speakers problem
Hi.
I have a problem with my speakes, from few days. I don't know if was app that change the sound because now the sound is like an old radio. I changed the equalizer, but nothing happened.
Could you help me? Anyone have the same problem?

spaker off
dnoguera said:
Hi.
I have a problem with my speakes, from few days. I don't know if it was app that change the sound because now the sound is like an old radio. I changed the equalizer, but nothing happened.
Could you help me? Anyone have the same problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I discovered today that the problem was one speaker defected. At the end of the day this speaker off. Now my music is in mono.
Anyone knows how to turn on again this speaker, any solution??

dnoguera said:
Hi, I discovered today that the problem was one speaker defected. At the end of the day this speaker off. Now my music is in mono.
Anyone knows how to turn on again this speaker, any solution??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a feeling that you aren't speaking of the Asus TF700T Infinity.
Are you having a problem with plug-in speakers or bluetooth speakers?
The Infinity has but one single speaker.
Is the speaker inside the Infinity working?

one of my speakers turn off
Thats OK said:
Ive a feel that you aren't speaking of the Asus TF700T Infinity.
Are you having a problem with plug-in speakers or bluetooth speakers?
The Infinity has but one single speaker.
Is the speaker inside the Infinity working?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
Yes I'm talking about TF700T infinity
No problem with the plug in.
The TF700T has two speakers in the same place. One of them turn off.
I know that because my music sound in mono insted stereo.

dnoguera said:
Hi
Yes I'm talking about TF700T infinity
No problem with the plug in.
The TF700T has two speakers in the same place. One of them turn off.
I know that because my music sound in mono insted stereo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry,
Don't know what to tell you.
Sounds like a manufacturing defect.
Apologies to the OP for the thread hijack...

Thats OK said:
Sorry,
Don't know what to tell you.
Sounds like a manufacturing defect.
Apologies for the thread hijack Mr. SmartAs$Phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's right buddy!
Any solution?

Doesn't work globally (for me at least)
There's only one problem, from what I can see this only boosts sound via the app itself or perhaps music. I fired up a game to test this and the levels were the same as before.
The global solutions is to use the app: equilizer and do the same thing (I raise all sliders to the top). I used this on my HTC until I found a way to get volume+ to work on that.
Volume+ however, isn't compatible with JB but in any case there is a limit to how much you SHOULD risk bumping up your volume. I already get a little distortion using equilizer on the louder audio files I have, the limitation is going to be the speakers installed which can be damaged.
Unfortunately as with so many Android devices sound quality isn't a priority with manufacturers which amazes me particularly on both the HTC (targeted to audio users with a phone barely adequate in stand alone volume level / quality) and the TF700 which is a flagship tablet with price to match.

louiscar said:
There's only one problem, from what I can see this only boosts sound via the app itself or perhaps music. I fired up a game to test this and the levels were the same as before.
The global solutions is to use the app: equilizer and do the same thing (I raise all sliders to the top). I used this on my HTC until I found a way to get volume+ to work on that.
Volume+ however, isn't compatible with JB but in any case there is a limit to how much you SHOULD risk bumping up your volume. I already get a little distortion using equilizer on the louder audio files I have, the limitation is going to be the speakers installed which can be damaged.
Unfortunately as with so many Android devices sound quality isn't a priority with manufacturers which amazes me particularly on both the HTC (targeted to audio users with a phone barely adequate in stand alone volume level / quality) and the TF700 which is a flagship tablet with price to match.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oki doki
Thanks buddy!

You're welcome...or thank you again!

SmartAs$Phone said:
For those looking to crank a bit more volume impossible. stock setup, here is an easy way, that requires no additional apps or rooting (some apps claim to work without root, but other than Volume + they. tommixed bag, with varying degBluetooth
erformance. Some plain just don't work.
Start Google Play Music App. Begin playing something you know well. Choose the menu from the top right (3 stacked blocks), and select Equalizer. Either drop the selection down to "custom" or just start raising the bands. Raise them most or all the way to the top. A "bigger" sound can be achieved with a classic "V shape (boosting the low and high frequencies, and leaving the center, 1000hz at or below midway)
Oh, then hit the "On" switch in top left corner. You will be AMAZED at the difference in sound, if you toggle it off and on a bit while playing music.
This is technically not the loudest, that can be achieved by pegging all bands to the top, but the mid-frequencies tend to sound "tinny" or "Like a small or cheap speaker" to most folks ears. By reducing it, and boosting the bottom and top frequencies you get a nicely boosted sound, though somewhat colored (an audiophile is not likely to be wowed by this type of spectrum boost, but, depending on the source material most folks like this, as it's comparable to what a "loudness" button does, and with the Infinities VERY small speakers. Yes there are 2 in there, and they are stereo, though how Asus expected to get ANY separation or any type of "sound stage" through a 1.5" x .5 " grill remains a mystery, even if they did apply some delay, echo or reverb, which I do not believe they did.
Some swear by Volume+ and I had good experiences with it on my Prime, but when something in my setup caused both Volume+. Musicfx (the built in Equalizer I just described tuning) and settings to crash every time I used it, I decided to see what I could do without it. I am quite happy wiith the boost that musicfx provides
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Trying to respond to this using the Infinity and Dolphin browser is almost impossible. No hitting spacebar twice to end a sentence. Messes everything up big time!! It has a real hard time dealing with the code i guess. Might be a good time to try another browser.

[Q] Low Volume issue

Hi,
The volume of my Galaxy Note n8000 is too low. Any suggestions on how to resolve this issue?
Saf

Easy, install volume+ app. It will increase the volume as much as you desire. Be careful though, several reports of people blowing their speakers, on other devices, from them carelessly increasing volume like crazy..lmao

I use speaker boost
Sent from my GT-N8013

My note is nice and loud and II really haven't seen too many, if any, posts about volume issues. Couple be a possible bad unit. I'd try going down to a Best Buy to seem how one of the floor models compare.

Thanks for the replies everyone
Hi Guys,
Thanks for all the replies everyone. My galaxy note tab sounds fine in normal situations, but in really noisy environments it hardly audible. So i dont think there is any problem with the device. I installed the equalizer app and the volume has definitely become louder though it reduces the audio quality.
Saf

Does anyone on these sound boost apps works on JB?

fasst said:
Does anyone on these sound boost apps works on JB?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Volume+ works great on JB. I have it installed on my Nexus 7 running the latest build of JB. Which is 4.1.2. Also have it installed on my note. Volume already sounded loud but I wanted it a little bit louder. Works great and didn't decrease the sound quality at all for me.
Another tip, if you don't want to use an 3rd party app, is to go into music player. Then open up settings. It has different sound profiles you can change to make it sound better to your liking. I keep it on auto for me.

demandarin said:
Volume+ works great on JB. I have it installed on my Nexus 7 running the latest build of JB. Which is 4.1.2. Also have it installed on my note. Volume already sounded loud but I wanted it a little bit louder. Works great and didn't decrease the sound quality at all for me.
Another tip, if you don't want to use an 3rd party app, is to go into music player. Then open up settings. It has different sound profiles you can change to make it sound better to your liking. I keep it on auto for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The paied version of Volume+?
The sound(earphones) playing movies on planes are too low.

[Q] What ROM for best audio quality?

Hi,
Just picked up a Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 to use as a hiqh quality audio player on the run with my headphones. This was the result of some heavy research and a few posts of praise by Supercurio himself:
On Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, #WM1811 driver uses already the optimal analog mixer configuration I'm calling "Dac Direct" in #VoodooSound. Nice!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup #GalaxySIII and #GalaxyTab 2 7.0 DAC both give lower distortions levels than FIIO E17 USB DAC. Measurements just confirmed perception.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, now that hardware seem to be top notch I don't want to mess up the software part. :silly:
1. Will flashing a non-stock ROM mess up the "Dac Direct" configuration?
2. Any recommended ROM with full focus on audio quality through headphones?
3. Or will actually any AOSP KitKat ROM be able to deliver maximum audio quality?
I don't care about effects. Just want as good audio quality through the headphone jack as possible. I will most likely install the "maximum volume mod" (found in the forum) and Viper4Android on any rom used.
Any input is appreciated!
Thanks.

Take a look at this rom
It's stock based.

-ix- said:
Hi,
Just picked up a Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 to use as a hiqh quality audio player on the run with my headphones. This was the result of some heavy research and a few posts of praise by Supercurio himself:
So, now that hardware seem to be top notch I don't want to mess up the software part. :silly:
1. Will flashing a non-stock ROM mess up the "Dac Direct" configuration?
2. Any recommended ROM with full focus on audio quality through headphones?
3. Or will actually any AOSP KitKat ROM be able to deliver maximum audio quality?
I don't care about effects. Just want as good audio quality through the headphone jack as possible. I will most likely install the "maximum volume mod" (found in the forum) and Viper4Android on any rom used.
Any input is appreciated!
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sungsonic HD is best Stock based ROM ever which offers premium quality sound. There are basically two Kitkat based ROMs (AFAIK) named Izer HD and Dhollman ROM which have Viper4Android sound effects with great inbuilt equalizers... here you go :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2668994
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2580426
in case of Dhollman you will have to flash Viper4android sounds effects separately....but in Izer hd it comes by default......

CyanogenMod has a nice audio tuner allowing you to tune your sound to your likings.
If it is not already clear, you can also tune your headphones sound.

Big thanks to all of you for taking the time to reply to my question.
I'm a bit worried though that the ROMs mentioned - well not CM, but the other two - seem to have loads of apps, mods and tweaks ported from other devices which could actually cause instability and degrade the sound. Of course, I don't really know this since I haven't tried them myself, but having flashed a lot of ROMs on other devices I've learned that this is often the case....
I am leaning towards trying two different configurations and then deciding.
Stock (rooted) + Viper4Android
CM11 + Viper4Android
Once again, thanks for your input!
EDIT:
Somehow I missed the suggestion of Dhollmen KitKat ROM above. That actually seems really interresting. I like the fact that it is compiled using Linaro, which suggest a nice attention to detail by the dev.

-ix- said:
Big thanks to all of you for taking the time to reply to my question.
I'm a bit worried though that the ROMs mentioned - well not CM, but the other two - seem to have loads of apps, mods and tweaks ported from other devices which could actually cause instability and degrade the sound. Of course, I don't really know this since I haven't tried them myself, but having flashed a lot of ROMs on other devices I've learned that this is often the case....
I am leaning towards trying two different configurations and then deciding.
Stock (rooted) + Viper4Android
CM11 + Viper4Android
Once again, thanks for your input!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are actually trying to install it, it'd be a nice try to tune your sound, keep the volume a bit low, and over that, try to make some mixer/equalizer tuning to make it sound quite a bit louder, while still sounding nice, without any distortions. Somewhat like Loudness Equalization.
CyanogenMod is basically full stock Android, with a few tweaks, some of them including Audio.
Speaking of loads of apps installed..
DSP Manager is included with CyanogenMod... and not much apps have been added. It's also much faster than your average Android ROM.

CyanogenModFTW said:
If you are actually trying to install it, it'd be a nice try to tune your sound, keep the volume a bit low, and over that, try to make some mixer/equalizer tuning to make it sound quite a bit louder, while still sounding nice, without any distortions. Somewhat like Loudness Equalization.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, properly EQing my headphones is the main reason for installing Viper. I do it a lot on my computer, using a parametric EQ, and to tell the truth, I can't really enjoy music anymore without being able to finely tune my headphones....
I don't care at all for other effects as my experience is that they always degrade the sound (which is also why I steered away from the ROMs mentioned above, even if they are popular).
Strange enough though, I didn't find the volume lacking at all. To me, the headphone amp is powerful enough on stock settings. :good:
EDIT:
I do like DSP Manager in CM (running CM10.1 and CM11 on other devices). It's a really great EQ, and pretty refined crossfeed effect. However, IMHO Viper is a little bit better for my needs.

-ix- said:
Yes, properly EQing my headphones is the main reason for installing Viper. I do it a lot on my computer, using a parametric EQ, and to tell the truth, I can't really enjoy music anymore without being able to finely tune my headphones....
I don't care at all for other effects as my experience is that they always degrade the sound (which is also why I steered away from the ROMs mentioned above, even if they are popular).
Strange enough though, I didn't find the volume lacking at all. To me, the headphone amp is powerful enough on stock settings. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do have a nice configuration on my p5100, I have my sound set to low, but it's great and loud sounding. I have enabled bass boosting, and made a custom Equalizer preset that boosts up the mid frequencies quite a bit.
Also, CyanogenMod is a fast and fluid, lightweight ROM which is also good for everyday uses. The tweaks make for a good ROM, so far I haven't had any problems.
You should try the settings which work best with your speakers or headphones, they are never the same and never reproduce the same frequencies.
[ EDIT DUE TO YOUR LAST EDIT ]
It was also worth to mention that I have reccomended Cyanogen because DSP Manager is really simple to use. I've found the tweaks and effects to be instant.

I have now rooted my P3110 and installed Viper4Android. Only judging from what I hear, the "direct DAC" configuration (mentioned in the first post) does not seem to be messed up, because the audio coming out of the headphone jack still seems immaculately clear. :good:
Using Viper I can now tweak the EQ to my heart's content. Just wish there were a few more bands....
Since I'm mostly using my P3110 for listening to music, I think I will stay stock for now. Doesn't seem all that laggy to me!

EDIT:
Somehow I missed the suggestion of Dhollmen KitKat ROM above. That actually seems really interresting. I like the fact that it is compiled using Linaro, which suggest a nice attention to detail by the dev.[/QUOTE]
By far the best. There will be no disappointment. Try it and judge for yourself

Thanks for your advice. I have now installed Dhollmen AOKP KitKat ROM, and I must say the speed and snappiness of the GUI is nothing short of amazing. Suddenly feels like a high end device - I'm thoroughly impressed! :good:
Now, to the sound. I think it's really good. The clarity is still there. But there seems to be some kind of bass boost always enabled. Even turning Viper completely off the level of bass definitely feels higher than before.
Is this all in my head or could it be explained by something under the hood?
Maybe the bass was a bit recessed with stock ROM...
Anyway, after experiencing this speed, there is no going back!
Sent a long time ago from a Galaxy S2 far, far away...

For future reference....
After listening a lot on said configuration I can now with full confidence claim that the audio output is truly great. I actually think the bass was unnaturally recessed on the stock ROM, as previously suspected.
Furthermore, I have done the Boosted volume mod found in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2294136 It helps immensely to improve the output stage, which now drives my somewhat hard to drive headphones immaculately!
So, to conclude this thread, for others looking for the best possible audio quality on their Tab 2, do try:
Any non-bloated Kit Kat ROM + Viper4Android + Boosted volume mod. :good:
Dhollmen, mentioned above, comes pre-installed with Viper, and is a great polished ROM, but I guess any bare bones Kit Kat ROM would do the job, such as Omni or CM.
Happy audiophiling!