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I think I can deal with the screen problem I posted about, but I just don't know if I can get over the back speaker. Playing music through it sounds absolutely horrible.
I use my phone as an alarm clock in the morning which will play music. The terrible sound quality of the music coming from the phone is enough to wake me up and wanna just smash the phone. And no that, just because it wakes me up does not mean its a good thing. I really don't know what there is to do about this problem.
The actual problem is it sounds like there is no bass at all. I know that commonly phone speakers have yet to really add any kind of subwoofer into phones, but I don't think I have come across any speaker that sounds quite like this. It isn't enjoyable to listen to at all. It sounds like screeching. Its like the speaker just has the treble levels all the way up and the bass all the way down. So all I hear are high pitched shreeks instead of singing.
For the most part I load high quality music (320kbps) onto my phone, so I know that's not the problem. I have enjoyed listening to the exact same music files on my old Mytouch3G and also a Nokia 5310 and both sound much better. I don't know what it is that is making the music and speaker setting while in a phone call sound so bad.
I don't think HTC would put a terrible speaker back there. Is anyone else having this issue or should I take back my phone and see if the next one sounds better?
plugged_in_now said:
I think I can deal with the screen problem I posted about, but I just don't know if I can get over the back speaker. Playing music through it sounds absolutely horrible.
I use my phone as an alarm clock in the morning which will play music. The terrible sound quality of the music coming from the phone is enough to wake me up and wanna just smash the phone. And no that, just because it wakes me up does not mean its a good thing. I really don't know what there is to do about this problem.
The actual problem is it sounds like there is no bass at all. I know that commonly phone speakers have yet to really add any kind of subwoofer into phones, but I don't think I have come across any speaker that sounds quite like this. It isn't enjoyable to listen to at all. It sounds like screeching. Its like the speaker just has the treble levels all the way up and the bass all the way down. So all I hear are high pitched shreeks instead of singing.
For the most part I load high quality music (320kbps) onto my phone, so I know that's not the problem. I have enjoyed listening to the exact same music files on my old Mytouch3G and also a Nokia 5310 and both sound much better. I don't know what it is that is making the music and speaker setting while in a phone call sound so bad.
I don't think HTC would put a terrible speaker back there. Is anyone else having this issue or should I take back my phone and see if the next one sounds better?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it is not the best speaker but still better than the N1 loudspeaker. I think it's an HTC problem not with your phone. But feel free to go to a t-mobile store and compare yours to another MT4G.
I agree it's a problem with the MT4G line and not individual phones, but HTC has made quality speakers on their phones. The Evo 4G is a perfect example of this.
CM6 comes with an equalizer you can use for sound so that might make things better. Personally I think sound drivers might be the issue more than hardware b/c if you listen to music on the MT4G thru headphones it sounds like listening to a recording of a recording.
itmustbejj said:
I agree it's a problem with the MT4G line and not individual phones, but HTC has made quality speakers on their phones. The Evo 4G is a perfect example of this.
CM6 comes with an equalizer you can use for sound so that might make things better. Personally I think sound drivers might be the issue more than hardware b/c if you listen to music on the MT4G thru headphones it sounds like listening to a recording of a recording.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I thought that the equalizer mod only worked for music through headphones and not through the actual speaker.
Wrong
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
ESKIMOn00b said:
Wrong
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean? Or are you just being a douche and trolling....
The speaker is kinda crappy I agree. But a little better than the G2. If you lower the volume it is a little better but then hard to here. This is one issue I wish was better.
Have to agree....speaker sucked on the G 2 also
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
Don't know if it is just me but my speaker seems to have gotten better with use. Maybe broken in, who knows maybe it is just me settling for not perfect but i think it has gotten better with use. Maybe it is just wishful thinking.
speaker stinks on this phone and the G2. period. i have yet to use it for music thru headphones yet. but i dont use my phone as a media player unless its on the airplane or something like that.
I agree the speaker isn't great but it isn't that bad. Though I have to admit, the Vibrant had a great speaker. VERY loud and very clear.
Have you tried playing it thru external speakers? like ihome thru the 3.5mm jack? the sounds good enough, but every now and then it sends the phone haywire skipping track after track every two seconds and randomly dialing??
with the stock ROM its very ehh
once i fully rooted & installed Evil Desire HD port my speaker was really loud & clear!
It's good to have bluetooth speakers handy especially for both phone calls and audio.
(Creative T12w is the best bet for home use, but it doesn't have HSP/HFP)
jayizzbakk said:
with the stock ROM its very ehh
once i fully rooted & installed Evil Desire HD port my speaker was really loud & clear!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can anyone confirm that this fixes the speaker? And if so, can we isolate the setting that fixes it to apply separately?
mingkee said:
It's good to have bluetooth speakers handy especially for both phone calls and audio.
(Creative T12w is the best bet for home use, but it doesn't have HSP/HFP)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the Jawbone JAMBOX and love it. I use it in places where I used to listen to the speaker.
As for using the speaker, I guess I haven't used a phone where I was like "that's awesome!" The best it's sounded is having all my music adjusted to 95dB using MP3Gain, and the volume about 1 or 2 steps away from max.
That the only thing i hate about the Mytouch 4G... its not that big of a deal, but switching from the Touch Pro 2 (dual speaker) to the Mytouch 4g (one speaker) was a downgrade for me but hey you have to admit the phone freaking awesome!
tackleberry said:
speaker stinks on this phone and the G2. period. i have yet to use it for music thru headphones yet. but i dont use my phone as a media player unless its on the airplane or something like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The G2 sounds way worse than the MT4G. Side by side, there is a HUGE difference.
alphakronik said:
The G2 sounds way worse than the MT4G. Side by side, there is a HUGE difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally agree. I tried both side by side. Was still stuck on wanting a g2 but I had the choice to pay 200 for a g2 or 70 for mt4g. I'm glad I got this phone. I'm very satisfied with it.
Sent from my rooted iced glacier rom mt4g via XDA app
Its ok not that HORRIBLE, coming from a mytouch slide
Sent from my HTC Glacier using Tapatalk
I heard alot about nexus S sound with voodoo but is stock really supposed to be rather average? While the sound "quality" seems really good the volume levels are just not good enough. My bose headphones sound so weak compared to an iphone, what gives??
Even an HTC desire had higher volume. Is voodoo supposed to make it much louder? Why cant we have it without rooting?
Update: I just tried my headphones on an iphone and well it isnt as loud as I remember it was. Whats happened is that I got spoiled by the headphone amp in my PC soundcard and thus perceived the nexus sound to be really weak in comparison. I had not yet used my headphones on a phone since getting a soundcard.
Obviously I cant expect the nexus to beat my PC and it actually compares really well with the iphone 4. I am sorry guys I feel really stupid for making this topic.
Disappointed? Not in the very least. I'm actuall extremely pleased and actually very ****ing surprised of the quality... even without Voodoo enhancements.
I had a Desire before this and that had a very tinny and high-mid/high heavy focus. It was very unpleasant watching videos let alone listening to music.
When I first heard the Nexus s (stock gingerbread at that time) I was in awe. The sound was very clear and loud. It even appeared to produce unnaturally powerful and clear low frequencies for a speaker this size.
I think something is very wrong with your phone if you prefer the Desire's sound.
My 2ยข.
Later edit: I just now realize you were actually complaining about the sound volume and not the quality, but still I can't say I find it quieter than the Desire.
However, you are right. Voodoo can boost the volume quite a bit.
Oh no you completely misunderstood, the speaker on the nexus S is really good and destroys the desire. I am talking about sound through full size headphones.
Perhaps you need a headphone amplifier.
With Voodoo, the sound quality is exceptional, but quality has nothing to do with volume. In fact, turning up the volume in the phone too far will have a negative impact on the sound quality (distortion).
There are a number of factors affecting the perceived volume of a pair of headphones. Driver efficiency and impedance are the main ones; some output devices are designed for headphones which require high voltage and others for current.
The Nexus S with Voodoo, in airplane mode, playing high quality FLAC media, plugged into an amplifier, sounds pretty darn good through my AKG K271 MKII cans. Also pretty stellar through Meyer PA.
Gambler_3 said:
Oh no you completely misunderstood, the speaker on the nexus S is really good and destroys the desire. I am talking about sound through full size headphones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I missunderstood, thus my later edit.
And I agree with d-h. I'm only using a pair of sennheiser cx300 but I can never turn it all the way up (I even set the limit at 3dB, rather than 5dB). I keep the volume around 1/2 to 3/4 of the way and that's plenty loud... even in noisy environments.
zgomot said:
Yes, I missunderstood, thus my later edit.
And I agree with d-h. I'm only using a pair of sennheiser cx300 but I can never turn it all the way up (I even set the limit at 3dB, rather than 5dB). I keep the volume around 1/2 to 3/4 of the way and that's plenty loud... even in noisy environments.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have voodoo? What music player you use?
And as for headphone amplifier I never used one for other phones I mentioned. While sound quality has nothing to do with volume but without headphone amp, volume tends to be the biggest bottleneck on a smartphone. Since nexus S is hailed as one of the greatest smartphones sound wise I expect it to drive my bose headphones atleast as good as other phones.
This will take care of your sound/volume issues ...
Gambler_3 said:
You have voodoo? What music player you use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Google Music.
wmdunn said:
This will take care of your sound/volume issues ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have poweramp 2.0, it can make things really loud but there is slight distortion on anything above the default level. I know my headphones can get ridiculously loud without distorting so it's the hardware limitation on the phone.
Gambler_3 said:
I have poweramp 2.0, it can make things really loud but there is slight distortion on anything above the default level. I know my headphones can get ridiculously loud without distorting so it's the hardware limitation on the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Volume+ on my head phones all the time, and there is no distortion. If you don't want to try it, that's fine ... I was simply trying to help.
wmdunn said:
I use Volume+ on my head phones all the time, and there is no distortion. If you don't want to try it, that's fine ... I was simply trying to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have downloaded it will try it for sure but was just saying.
Gambler_3 said:
I have downloaded it will try it for sure but was just saying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hope it works for you ... it has made a huge difference for me in all areas of device volume settings.
I just tried my headphones on an iphone and well it isnt as loud as I remember it was. Whats happened is that I got spoiled by the headphone amp in my PC soundcard and thus perceived the nexus sound to be really weak in comparison. I had not yet used my headphones on a phone since getting a soundcard.
Obviously I cant expect the nexus to beat my PC and it actually compares really well with the iphone 4. I am sorry guys I feel really stupid for making this topic.
hey peeps get ur facts right. loudness doesn't equate to quality. nexus s with voodoo is fine and awesome details better then iPhone. note. MOST HEADPHONES REQUIRE AN AMPLIFIER.
Gambler_3 said:
I just tried my headphones on an iphone and well it isnt as loud as I remember it was. Whats happened is that I got spoiled by the headphone amp in my PC soundcard and thus perceived the nexus sound to be really weak in comparison. I had not yet used my headphones on a phone since getting a soundcard.
Obviously I cant expect the nexus to beat my PC and it actually compares really well with the iphone 4. I am sorry guys I feel really stupid for making this topic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's all good, Bud ...
Why don't you just download voodoo?
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk
Yes the speaker volume is rubbish but the Samsung galaxy and Nexus S have the best audio hardware compared to any top phone out at the moment. They rock a really top spec Wolfson audio chip.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Warren_Orange said:
Yes the speaker volume is rubbish but the Samsung galaxy and Nexus S have the best audio hardware compared to any top phone out at the moment. They rock a really top spec Wolfson audio chip.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the Galaxy Nexus rock the same audio chip?
Sent from my Nexus S
While we are on this topic, I have voodoo installed for the color hack. What settings should I use for music? What do you guys use?
Nevermind, I just found out how to use the volume boost. I'm happy!
zgomot said:
Does the Galaxy Nexus rock the same audio chip?
Sent from my Nexus S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Galaxy Nexus has some Yamaha chip. Not nearly as good as the Wolfson in our NS, so it's not something to be really proud of - it's not shocking though. SGS and Nexus S are the two android phones with the best headphone output to date.
rocket999 said:
While we are on this topic, I have voodoo installed for the color hack. What settings should I use for music? What do you guys use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All of the settings in voodoo (aside from mono and bass boost) are there to enhance audio quality and processing. Feel free to turn on all features, just leave mono unticked and you can set bass boost to your preferred level of course. This shouldn't use noticeably more power or CPU usage either, if anything at all.
I'd really appreciate it if someone who has either a Galaxy Nexus or HTC One or both could post a YouTube video that shows how the loudspeaker on the Nexus 5 compares to these two phones. I currently have a Galaxy Nexus and am trying to decide whether to purchase an HTC One or a Nexus 5, and the GNex's loudspeaker sucks. It is important for my next phone to be MUCH louder! I'll go with the N5 if the loudspeaker is decent; the One is my backup plan, so a comparison between all three (turned up to the max for each) would be really helpful. Thanks.
xda_681231085 said:
I'd really appreciate it if someone who has either a Galaxy Nexus or HTC One or both could post a YouTube video that shows how the loudspeaker on the Nexus 5 compares to these two phones. I currently have a Galaxy Nexus and am trying to decide whether to purchase an HTC One or a Nexus 5, and the GNex's loudspeaker sucks. It is important for my next phone to be MUCH louder! I'll go with the N5 if the loudspeaker is decent; the One is my backup plan, so a comparison between all three (turned up to the max for each) would be really helpful. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i got the nexus 5 today and the volume levels are my only worry so far.
i got n7 music player app and levels are very low, but playing music with 'Play Music' app they seem louder.
Video however seems extremely low so far (on Play movies app) and i think headphones may be needed for me to watch my movies on it
dferg said:
i got the nexus 5 today and the volume levels are my only worry so far.
i got n7 music player app and levels are very low, but playing music with 'Play Music' app they seem louder.
Video however seems extremely low so far (on Play movies app) and i think headphones may be needed for me to watch my movies on it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This will definitely work. My N10 suffers from low volumes and this app makes it a super star. There's also a free version that works great, but to get the equalizer presets the paid is the way to go.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.TEST.android.lvh
There's another thread in this section about the speaker where a lot of people are saying the speaker volume is kind of low. One person said the Nexus 4, even with its speaker on the back of the phone, was better. Others say the Nexus 5 is a little better than the 4.
People are also pointing out that despite the two apparent speaker grills on the bottom of the phone, it is not stereo. There's just one speaker. The other grill is the microphone. (Since you don't need a whole big grill for the microphone, it's seems like the phone was deliberately designed to create the false impression of dual speakers.)
I think if volume and speaker sound quality is really important to you, you should seriously consider the HTC One. Many reviewers say they are some of the loudest and possibly best speakers ever in a cell phone. It's definitely one of the things that tempts me about the One.
Hello everyone. I currently have the Nexus 4 and wanted to know how the audio compares on the Nexus 5 to the Nexus 4. One problem I've had with the Nexus 4 is that audio through wired headphones is too low. I'm a little hard of hearing and the volume through the headphone jack has always been an issue on the N4 for me. When I use the same headphones on a different phone (tried on galaxy s4 and iPhone) the volume is much higher. Can anyone tell me how the volume on the N5 compares. Is it higher than the N4?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
JohnnyDanger said:
Hello everyone. I currently have the Nexus 4 and wanted to know how the audio compares on the Nexus 5 to the Nexus 4. One problem I've had with the Nexus 4 is that audio through wired headphones is too low. I'm a little hard of hearing and the volume through the headphone jack has always been an issue on the N4 for me. When I use the same headphones on a different phone (tried on galaxy s4 and iPhone) the volume is much higher. Can anyone tell me how the volume on the N5 compares. Is it higher than the N4?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I can tell you is that the volume is still low on the Nexus 5. Not sure how it compares with the nexus fuor, but I am already looking for a portable amplifier.
In an unrelated question, I'd like to know if the Nexus 5 supports higher frequency (96 khz) lossless audio like the LG G2.
Well that's a shame. That is a big factor in me getting it. I use my phone so much for music I really need decent volume.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I dont know what you guys are talking about. I came from the note 3 and htc one and this is actually BETTER than both of them. Maybe not in pure volume, but the clarity is excellent. WAY better than the N4,
aooga said:
I dont know what you guys are talking about. I came from the note 3 and htc one and this is actually BETTER than both of them. Maybe not in pure volume, but the clarity is excellent. WAY better than the N4,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me, volume is just as important as clarity. I wish there was somewhere that I could actually test the Nexus 5. No one I know buys Nexus phones, so Im kind of stuck buying them and hoping I like what I get. Everything I read points to me liking it, but the volume is just a big concern.
JohnnyDanger said:
For me, volume is just as important as clarity. I wish there was somewhere that I could actually test the Nexus 5. No one I know buys Nexus phones, so Im kind of stuck buying them and hoping I like what I get. Everything I read points to me liking it, but the volume is just a big concern.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If volumes important I'd hold off and see what the kernel devs come up with. As it stands with no audio mods I can turn the volume all the way up and keep the headphones in. It's loud enough for me but if your hearing impaired it's another story. Compared to other phones I've owned it's pretty low(for now). Some apps like rocket player pro already have a preamp that you can enable and it helps but until the gain can be adjusted further it might not be enough. More gain = more distortion but it's a trade off I'd be willing to make. With all that said I will tell you as far as music clarity goes out of the box this is a great phone. No EQs enabled and it sounds rad. Turn on the EQ and I'm very happy so far.
The headphone volume on the nexus 5 is a joke. Can you fix it? Of course. But wait, it distorts and adds a ton of hiss. I don't know what Google was thinking when they made it that low. Compared to my iphone 5s, my nexus 5 would be at 100% when my iphone would be at 50%. I promptly sent it back for this very reason
does the 4.4.2 update fix the low sound or not? mine is stock low but if i use one of those volume boost, its pretty good but ofcourse distorts ot 100%loudness, goes with the territory i guess
I'm coming from the Galaxy S3. The volume is lower than other phones I've used but I found it more than adequate for all purposes. I find myself pumping it to 100% when I need to get a bit of beat going in my ears and it is enough. I don't think I can listen to 100% volume with the google music app for longer than 2-3min and I do like loud music.
FWIW, with the S3 i never had it above 75% since it was way too loud.
cobyman7035 said:
does the 4.4.2 update fix the low sound or not? mine is stock low but if i use one of those volume boost, its pretty good but ofcourse distorts ot 100%loudness, goes with the territory i guess
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, I was running 4.4.2 when I sent it back. This is probably hardware related and google can't really fix it. I remember most of the nexus devices being pretty low
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Install Viper4android. It will solve most of your audio problems. I'm very satisfied with the N5 audio now.
marleyfan61 said:
Install Viper4android. It will solve most of your audio problems. I'm very satisfied with the N5 audio now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried that the first day, it didn't do much. It might for others though
Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk
Droid Army said:
I tried that the first day, it didn't do much. It might for others though
Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm....that's very odd. Which music player are you using? Did you go into the Viper settings and activate it? It's made a huge difference in sound volume and quality for me. Previous to installing it my sweets spot for volume was around 80%. Post installation and set up it's now at about 50-60%. You have to play around with the settings tho. If you google Viper4android settings you will find some very useful profiles.
If you're using the top volume levels with in ears then its no wonder it sounds too quiet for you now. Nothing will bring that hearing range back once its lost, there's a reason for the warning.
Cranking the volume to compensate for loud environments is just about the worst thing you can do to your ears. It doesn't cancel it out it adds it together.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
bblzd said:
If you're using the top volume levels with in ears then its no wonder it sounds too quiet for you now. Nothing will bring that hearing range back once its lost, there's a reason for the warning.
Cranking the volume to compensate for loud environments is just about the worst thing you can do to your ears. It doesn't cancel it out it adds it together.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never use top volumes, I had to on the nexus. On my iPhone I listen around 55-60%. The nexus has terrible volume, it isn't my ears
Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk
Droid Army said:
I never use top volumes, I had to on the nexus. On my iPhone I listen around 55-60%. The nexus has terrible volume, it isn't my ears
Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using Viper with JVC HA-FXT90 buds and I can get "stupid" level volume. It is not as loud or good with other earphones. I think the earphones are as much to blame as anything else.
rogem_kk said:
I am using Viper with JVC HA-FXT90 buds and I can get "stupid" level volume. It is not as loud or good with other earphones. I think the earphones are as much to blame as anything else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They're klipsh s4's. I've tried others with the same result. I'm sorry, compared to other devices the nexus is soft.
Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk
Droid Army said:
They're klipsh s4's. I've tried others with the same result. I'm sorry, compared to other devices the nexus is soft.
Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have to be sorry. It's already been shown in the Anand review that the N5 has less max volume output then current flagships besides the G2.
However I still think with IEMs the max volume is louder then people should be listening to. Either you're Klipsch model has an unusually high impedance rating, no passive noise cancellation benefits or you're ears have just adjusted to higher volume levels. Just checked and the Klipsch S4 is rated at a fairly low impedance of 18 OHM.
This is going to be subjective of course but with Shure 115 in ears above 75% volume is painful since 4.4.2 These were advertised at the time as passive noise cancellation however and are rated at 16 OHM.
bblzd said:
You don't have to be sorry. It's already been shown in the Anand review that the N5 has less max volume output then current flagships besides the G2.
However I still think with IEMs the max volume is louder then people should be listening to. Either you're Klipsch model has an unusually high impedance rating, no passive noise cancellation benefits or you're ears have just adjusted to higher volume levels. Just checked and the Klipsch S4 is rated at a fairly low impedance of 18 OHM.
This is going to be subjective of course but with Shure 115 in ears above 75% volume is painful since 4.4.2 These were advertised at the time as passive noise cancellation however and are rated at 16 OHM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The ones I use are noise isolating which is really nice and one of the reasons I bought them. I do tend to listen to music a bit on the louder side; I like the punch of the bass with my ear buds. I'm guess my ears have adjusted to a little bit higher of a listening area but still a lot of devices sound significantly louder than the nexus 5
Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk
Now that the Nexus 5 has been out for a while now, and should have went through multiple iterations of hardware revisions, what is the verdict on the Nexus 5's audio quality? This is both speakerphone and headphone.
It is known that the Nexus 5 has really shoddy audio quality, especially from the headphone port. See here: http://www.anandtech.com/show/7567/smartphone-audio-quality-testing/4
For me, this is really important, as I'm an audiophile, and I need to have excellent sounding audio. I'm on a Galaxy Note 3, but considering coming to the Nexus 5 as I've really had it with the ridiculous random reboots with the Note 3.
I'd really like to get some input from people who can contribute subjectively as well as those who might have tested it like Anandtech did.
Thanks in advance!
The speaker is okay, nothing to write home about but not terrible. I'd say it's better than the Nexus 4 but certainly not as good as the HTC One M7/M8. The headphone jack is awful. I'm not quite an "audiophile" but the sound is not good. It's still listenable, but it's a significant step down from the HTC One M7 or Galaxy S3 I've used in the past. It's actually to the point where I would rather listen to music over bluetooth than use my headphones because the quality drop over bluetooth isn't as significant as the difference in DAC quality between the N5 and my bluetooth receiver.
All in all, audio quality is probably the one thing that makes me regret the phone. If you plan on using headphones with the phone a lot, and don't want to deal with a USB DAC (including the issues getting it working on the Nexus 5) I would avoid the phone. I wish I had waited and picked up an HTC One M8 honestly, and that would be my recommendation. Now that they've dropped the "Beats" branding the audio quality is actually very good without the overpowering bass of the original M7.
Thanks so much for the in-depth explanation. I guess that takes me out of the running for a Nexus 5.
ajm786 said:
Now that the Nexus 5 has been out for a while now, and should have went through multiple iterations of hardware revisions, what is the verdict on the Nexus 5's audio quality? This is both speakerphone and headphone.
It is known that the Nexus 5 has really shoddy audio quality, especially from the headphone port. See here: http://www.anandtech.com/show/7567/smartphone-audio-quality-testing/4
For me, this is really important, as I'm an audiophile, and I need to have excellent sounding audio. I'm on a Galaxy Note 3, but considering coming to the Nexus 5 as I've really had it with the ridiculous random reboots with the Note 3.
I'd really like to get some input from people who can contribute subjectively as well as those who might have tested it like Anandtech did.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Poweramp & Flac files on my N5 & klipsch headphones, while ok it's by no means great.
You have the Note 3 atm, the N5 is no where near as good audio wise.
I had the N3 & tried the S5 both are way better than the N5.
Atm I use the M8 for proper audio quality.
It's your choice, the N5 is a great device but not for music.
I use beats headphones and Viper4android, along with poweramp and flac as stated above and I have pretty good sound. Not nearly as sweet as the M7 was but definitely above average. I think a combination of good after market headphones and a reliable audio mod can make a so-so sound situation much better. If you have the means and sound is important, then you may want a different device. But if you don't or already have the N5, there are ways to improve the sound significantly. That's my penny and a half.
Mine sounds great using Poweramp and some Klipsch earphones
Honestly, the sound is definitely sub par. I get it, it's a $349-$399 phone & corners are cut somewhere. I have been to see bands play & my siblings & friends with different phones record bands & clips & their playback makes my n5 look like garbage. (They have note3, m7, iPhone 4s/5/5s). Headphone jack isn't awesome either.
I stream music a lot in my car using an auxiliary wire & it isn't awesome, but it isn't atrocious either.
Sound & battery are really killing me with this device.
ajm786 said:
should have went through multiple iterations of hardware revisions...
...I'd really like to get some input from people who can contribute subjectively as well as those who might have tested it like Anandtech did.
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There have been no hardware revisions at this time so everything is the same as when Anandtech did their tests, and no one tests like Anand does so you've already read the best info out on the subject.
I think the audio quality is above average for a mobile device, but isn't in the same league as the hardware used for the high end Samsung or HTC phones. Software mods such as Viper4Android can make up most of that difference.
The only real issue with the external audio is the stereo crosstalk in the upper volume steps which I've not needed to use as it's plenty loud for my ears.
Came from an S4, and expected to be disappointed by the audio quality of the N5, but I wasn't. The speaker does suck though. N5 + faux sound + Sony MDR-1R headphones = not too shabby an experience (prefer it to the S4).