2. misc-audio
  3. 148011-527

Smartphone audio sadness

So, my beloved iPhone 4s, which I bought back in August of 2012, has finally started to show its age, like Maggie Mae. Increasingly, apps are no longer compatible with the IOS; it won't do voice-to-text anymore; sometimes it won't read the audio signal from the 30-pin connector to USB - you know, that kind of serious first-world problems.
As I shop for a new phone, I find my #1 concern is audio quality, so I've narrowed it down to the Galaxy S9+, the LG V30, and the Nokia 7.1
But here's the interesting thing insofar as why more people aren't audiophiles. As I shop and research and compare, I find that SO much copy on reviews is given to camera and video, and for audio quality I have to run specific searches on "Best Phones for Audio" and similar wording.

Anyway - no need for recommendations, but it was illuminating. Like, I can really give a shitake mushroom about camera quality or any other visual crap. But give me a nice DAC in the phone and I'm happy.
128x128simao

Showing 3 responses by simao

simao's avatar
simao OP
1,730 posts
 
@thecarpathian -- I'm sorry you feel that way. You also missed my point - or perhaps I didn't make it clear enough: many threads on this forum question why there aren't more audiophiles, or why the demographic for this hobby is aging. And what i was saying was that the vast amount of space dedicated to the phone's visual capabilities reflects the visual bias society has over audio quality.

And - I've been happy with my 4s camera for seven years. You really think I care about camera quality or massive effects everywhere?

@nonoise Yes, I read that in my research. Funny thing is, had Stereophile not had that cover article on the LG V30, I doubt I would have really considered audio in a phone, preferring instead to go for a music player for the car. But that article made that criterium the defining one.

@millercarbon - I guess I'm a non-audiophile :)
simao's avatar
simao OP
1,730 posts
 
I don't know, @millercarbon. I guess I'm just an uneducated rube who needs your sage advice when it comes to things like this.

See how different things can go when confronted with a pompous ijit?


simao's avatar
simao OP
1,730 posts
 
I'll try for clarity in this response so EVERYONE can comprehend it.
I went with the Samsung Galaxy S9+ and so far quite like it. Now, considering my last phone was the iPhone 4s, that shouldn't be too much of a stretch.

But the sound is wide and deep in my headphones; it's MHQ option is good, as is the Dolby option, and I tailored the output for my age group and hearing sensitivity. It does have a few options available only when connected to a 3.5mm, including a so-called "Tube Amp" sound option - which, truthfully, just makes the output signal darker and more murkier - nothing really like my own Pathos tube amp at home.

But it's a fun foray into the world of phone-as-sound - especially as I do so much listening in my car.
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