yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Xperia Z3 General] Jonathan-H:
The sound quality on the Z3 is great. Through Bluetooth in the car it's excellent, through speakers it's excellent and on in ear headphones it's excellent.

It is however, a little too quiet on headphones. This has always been a disappointment for me. It's better than Z1, but no where near as loud as the HTC One M8. I'd like it 25% louder in headphones at least, but it is loud enough for easy listening.

Only the bottom speaker plays for ringtones and alarms, which is also a shame as it's too quiet.

Other thing to note, the vibration is almost not there lol.

Overall i'd give it 9/10 for sound, just a little louder please Sony.
[Xperia Z3 General] corallus:
The sound is a little louder than z2 but speaker quality is massively improved.
[Xperia Z3 General] RockStar2005:
Thanks for sharing that info! I only use (at this time anyway) earphones vs headphones, so I guess I should be fine. Others can just find a good sound booster app or mod and use that to resolve the volume issue, if necessary. I listen to a lot of music in the car so that info is also appreciated (though it's wired not bluetooth, but whatever, same thing lol).

I have the M8 and sometimes it's TOO loud for me believe it or not at full volume for phone calls or music/videos, so I think the Z3 will be just perfect for me! :D :good: lol

I JUST bought the "made for Z2/Z3" Sony noise-cancelling earphones from Amazon a few hours ago. Can't really get any better than that since the noise-cancelling technology on them is designed to work only with these phones.

http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en.../digital-noise-cancelling-headset-mdr-nc31em/

RockStar2005
[Xperia Z3 General] Warren.D:
I've always loved Sony phones but always found them to be far too quiet with headphones. You'd think with the walkman brand they have going, their audio experience would be one of the best in the industry. Sadly that's not case.
[Xperia Z3 General] corallus:
This time it's definitely quality over quantity in the earphone department. I wouldn't exactly call it too quiet tbh, but there's always a loophole I found in Xperia z2/z3 to instantly give you 30% more volume on music over headphones.

It's easy, when you got your music player open (doesn't have to be Walkman) press home, open settings, go to sounds, volumes and even if already done, drag the ringtone slider to max. When the music resumes it'll blow your ears off.
[Xperia Z3 General] jonmorris:
Surely the low volume is nearly always down to guidelines, with the EU forcing a cap on volume and possibly other regions too.

Presumably this means it can vary by ROM, or perhaps Sony just sets them all lower?
[Xperia Z3 General] RockStar2005:
Very interesting Corralus. Thanks for sharing! Hopefully I won't need to do that, but I'll keep this page bookmarked anyway in case.

RockStar2005
[Xperia Z3 General] RockStar2005:
Volume Lock app

Hey guys,

I thought I'd share this with you. The app I use to lock my volumes in place is this one. I've been using it for years and it's EXCELLENT! I highly recommend it.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cb.volumePlus&hl=en

It allows you to have a specific volume setting put in place when you either plug in an audio cable or connect to bluetooth. I find it very helpful when I get in my car that I DON'T have to constantly adjust the phone's volume once I plug in (or unplug) my audio cable. It just automatically goes to max volume (and bypasses the phone's annoying "high volume warning" too lol). You can adjust other volumes too, but I use it mainly for music volume. Just make sure if you do that that you lower the volume before listening via earphones/headphones. lol

RockStar2005
[Xperia Z3 General] maverick1103:
That is very interesting and will try it later on, if it does work then awesome, but I'm a bit baffled as to why doing this increases the volume output from the headphones?

Edit: I tried that [MENTION=4058541]corallus[/MENTION] but made no difference for me.
[Xperia Z3 General] dj_richard05:
Guys here is a link that gives us details about what Sony HI RES Audio really means and what have we got here in our devices...

Xperia Details: Hi-Res Audio explained http://drippler.com/updates/share/xperia-details-hi-res-audio-explained Via j.mp/drippler_app

Sent using Richiez Xperia Z3
[Xperia Z3 General] RockStar2005:
Richard,

Thanks so much for posting that link! I knew a little about Hi-Res, but it was good to get some additional info on it too.

The one paragraph in the article says:

Xperia Z2 was compatible with Hi-Res Audio but you needed a converter to listen to it. So in Xperia Z3, we’ve built that converter into the phone. If you have Hi-Res compatible headphones you can just plug them in to the headphone jack like any other pair and listen away.

So here's my question...... if I get the Z3, and use headphones or earphones like the Sony noise-cancelling ones for the Xperia phones (http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en.../digital-noise-cancelling-headset-mdr-nc31em/) which are NOT Hi-Res, will I still get Hi-Res sound if I use them since the phone itself is converting the music to Hi-Res? Or is he saying that to get Hi-Res sound I NEED Hi-Res headphones/earphones??

Anyone who sees this post is welcome to chime in. I just purchased noise-cancelling earphones I mentioned above, so I'd like to know if I should return them and upgrade or not? I think the guy is saying that with the Z3 you could use Hi-Res headphones, but you don't have to (where with the Z2 you needed Hi-Res headphones that could convert the music to Hi-Res on its own) in order to still get Hi-Res sound.

ALSO........ what does Hi-Res do for high-quality 320 kbps MP3s? Does it even do anything? If not, what about DSEE HX? Is that meant for all MP3s, or only the lower quality ones?

Thanks,

RockStar2005
[Xperia Z3 General] subhani:
[MENTION=3863656]Jiyeon[/MENTION] and [MENTION=757837]rockstar[/MENTION]

I've got the Z3 and I've compared it to the LG G2. The audio via earphone is good but ought to be more powerful. The G2 was similar or even weaker. I don't do headphones LOL. Might as well wear a helmet all the time. No offence guys.

The loudspeaker is easily louder compared to the G2 and quality richer. I don't have an M8 to compare but all the reviews state that the m8 is still just a hair better in all the categories. Check out BTekt on youtube. He has some awesome Z3 video comparisons and he concludes that the z3 is better and louder.

Lastly, for those of you who want more, you MUST go check out the vipermod thread on XDA. MY GOD! After vipermod, EVERYTHING will sound like trash without this mod and I am no audiophile. It makes headphone sound MUCH louder and WAY better in quality. Has minimum effect on loudspeaker. Beware with headphones, this mod can hurt. It will get MUCH louder on headphone than without the mod does and if you keep cranking it up, then depending on your headphones, it will distort and crackle. I use cheap sony in-ear earphones and they can't handle those high decibels. More powerful headphones will be ble to fly with this mod. PLUS, the dev has already incorporated several audio profiles from different OEM's, including Sony's.

Lastly, those of you on the fence on getting this device. Don't delay. Just for the sheer beauty of this device, it is worth getting. The most attractive device, dethrones the m7/m8 and easily surpasses the new iPhones. Did I tell you how slim it is?! The downers are the camera is not as fast as the iPhone's and the hardware buttons have almost zero travel. But you will marvel at the sweet beauty of the thing. LOL!
[Xperia Z3 General] RockStar2005:
Subhani,

I'm not big on headphones either, but maybe one day i would consider them. I just like the freedom earphones bring. And sorry, no Viper anything for me, since that requires rooting. I'm leaving my M8 most likely for the Z3 because I feel like the Z3 doesn't need to be rooted to be great in the way the M8 had to be, at least for my picky a$$. haha

I just did a bunch of research (including Hi-Res article above) and it turns out that I had the wrong idea about Hi-Res and DSEE HX. I thought my 320 kbps mp3s WERE Hi-Res, but apparently Hi-Res refers to formats above even CD-quality (i.e. FLAC, WAV, etc). I guess I'm not too shocked as mp3s ARE NOT LOSSLESS, but lossy......even at 320 kbps.

So for me what would apply more is DSEE HX, not Hi-Res, since I currently have no FLAC files. But apparently this is only available on the Z3 if I use the Walkman app (see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjRAQ6AlmII&index=19&list=PL7CrlqRu8QgSi_gVXBYdLAvF-4YZFN8jn). But I prefer my PowerAmp app (though I haven't tried the Walkman app yet). Is there a way around this where I can use PA but still get the DSEE HX option activated too? I guess I can give the Walkman app a try, but I really love PA as I've been using it for years.

Do you guys notice a difference between 320 KBPS MP3s and FLAC sound files?? Some say yes, some say no (even with expensive headphones on). I'd like to take advantage of the Z3's built-in Hi-Res converter, but first I'd have to get some FLAC files. Do you think I'd hear a difference using the Sony noise-cancelling earphones (http://www.amazon.com/Original-Sony...=Sony+Noise+Cancelling+Headphone+NC31EM+Black) or do I need something more pricier or even headphones? Ughh....... lol

Thanks,

RockStar2005
[Xperia Z3 General] subhani:
Honestly, my ears are not tuned enough to tell the difference. Or perhaps I haven't made the effort of comparing flac vs mp3 side by side. Some of the audio buffs here will surely chime in with some expert advice though so I'll leave that to them.

If your M8 is already rooted, you need to do yourself a favour and give Viper4Android a shot. To MY untrained ears, I could tell an enormous improvement. This might convince you to stay stock on the Z3 but with root privileges only. You won't know how good it is until you hear for yourself. I'm only pressing you on this because you seem very keen on the high quality audio.

I know rooting aint for everyone and can be bothersome depending how unrestrained you are in exploring the possibilities. I too don't intend to root the Z3. At least for now. I taste and enjoy Sony how they intended it. You are right, it IS that good. In fact all flagship Androids are that good.

Stay stock or go root, but whatever you fancy... Just stay classy. LOL.
[Xperia Z3 General] RockStar2005:
Subhani,

I actually did try to install Viper4Android a month ago, but no matter what I did, it just wouldn't install in Recovery. So I just gave up on it and deleted it. I am keen on it, but it just didn't work. I really would rather not have to root my Z3 since not having to root it is part of the reason why I'm 99% gonna switch and get the Z3 when it's released here in the U.S.

I'm kinda pissed that DSEE HX is only available via the Walkman app. They should've put that in the main phone sound settings, not in Walkman. That actually makes me not want to get the Z3 now. PowerAmp is great but it doesn't upscale the mp3s as far as I know. That's what the Harmon/Kardon mod on my M8 does, and I do notice the difference. Without H/K (or DSEE HX for Xperia phones), the sound to me is like a really great set of speakers with a blanket over them. But with H/K or DSEE HX, it's like that same great sound but with the blanket taken OFF! I don't think I could explain that any better. lol

I'm gonna have to check around and see.

RockStar2005
[Xperia Z3 General] HenryAdda:
guys check this half rom out: http://xdaforums.com/xperia-z2/development/exr-freedom-z2-l50t-mobile-eye-effects-t2874676

I installed it on my xperia z2 and it improve my speakers audio and for headphone. I only have the z2 maybe someone install this on to z2 and compare it with the z3 and tell us which is better?
[Xperia Z3 General] RockStar2005:
(IMPORTED FROM THE "AUDIO OUT" Z3 THREAD)

Hello again my friend,

So here's my dilemma......... I am a big fan of PowerAmp. But the one thing PowerAmp doesn't do is upscale mp3s the way the Harman/Kardon mod for the HTC One M8 or DSEE HX on the Z3 does. But now it's known that on the Z3, if you want to upscale mp3s, you apparently have to use the Walkman app b/c THAT is where the DSEE HX upscaling option is (stupidly) located. I dunno why Sony didn't just put it in the phone's sound settings itself.

So how do I get around this? Are there other music playing apps that also upscale as well as the H/K and the Walkman apps do? Are there any good apps I can download that upscale mp3s? How good is the Walkman app compared to PowerAmp? I checked and the Walkman app apparently only has a 4-band EQ vs PowerAmp's 10-band EQ, which worries me. lol

Any suggestions or solutions to this dilemma are extremely welcome!

RockStar2005
[Xperia Z3 General] maverick1103:
Im also interested in this because I mainly use Spotify, so it would be great if a mod will work across the phone, I find the output not as loud as my m8 was.
[Xperia Z3 General] Jiyeon90:
In the Z1 and Z2, any changes made in the Walkman settings applied across the whole phone, isn't that the case in the Z3?
[Xperia Z3 General] maverick1103:
Yes it is, however the DSEE HX option is only available in the walkman app.

Edit: Ignore my comment, I didn't read before your comment.
[Xperia Z3 General] RockStar2005:
Maverick,

So then the DSEE HX option WILL APPLY across the phone once switched on even while another player is being used to play music? Please read that question carefully before answering. lol

Thanks,

RockStar2005
[Xperia Z3 General] maverick1103:
RockStar2005, that's why I put edit: ignore my comment as the question was referring to the mod, which I didn't realise until after I had replied.
[Xperia Z3 General] RockStar2005:
Maverick,

Ok cool. :D :cool: lol

RockStar2005
[Xperia Z3 General] maverick1103:
I subscribed to Sony's Music Unlimited last night and downloaded some play lists offline ready for my commute today, I've been listening to various songs and I have turned on this DSEE HX option and I honestly cannot tell a difference. It may be because the songs are streamed and not the correct format, but I honestly expected to hear a difference at least.

Oh well back to Spotify for me.
[Xperia Z3 General] RockStar2005:
Maverick,

Yeah try it on some mp3s with the volume up and then see. I think it's made more for that first but not sure. I stream but not often at all so not sure if my Harman Kardon mod affects streaming or not. H/K essentially does what Hi-Res and DSEE HX do but on the M8.

RockStar2005
[Xperia Z3 General] maverick1103:
RockStar2005, I think I will test it out with a some mp3s, I just thought that when downloading the songs to the phone (offline) they would be in mp3 format so the DSEE HX would upscale them. I guy I know works for Sony and he's told me to switch from Spotify because of these feature.
[Xperia Z3 General] RockStar2005:
Maverick,

Oh so they were downloaded onto your phone? Ok. I thought you said they were offline playlists that when you played them they would stream the chosen songs in. I dunno then. Maybe you should check to see what format they are in?

Also, which earphones/headphones are you using? The stock ones, noise-cancelling, etc? The quality of the headset might determine how clearly you can hear DSEE HX's influence on the songs.

RockStar2005
[Xperia Z3 General] maverick1103:
RockStar2005, yes downloaded onto the phone, I have checked the files and they are in a folder and are in a .ac format, I assume this is to stop pirating songs etc.

The headphones I use are Bose SoundTrue over-ear which are only 6 months old, which I'd expect some decent sound from.
[Xperia Z3 General] RockStar2005:
Maverick,

I see. I dunno. Maybe although the player can play those songs, DSEE HX can't upscale that format?

Which player are you using btw?

Nice on the headphones.

RockStar2005
[Xperia Z3 General] maverick1103:
RockStar2005, thanks. I'm using the walkman man app, but playing music from Music Unlimited, I was told to do it this way by my friend (works at Sony) to take advantage of the DSEE HX option.

Think I'll have to pressure him on it, after all he told me to try it out ?
[Xperia Z3 General] RockStar2005:
Maverick,

No problem.

Yeah perhaps those don't work with DSEE HX. I would advise trying your own mp3s with DSEE HX off then on to see if you notice a difference. I'm guessing you will based on what others on xda have told me. But yeah, talk to your friend too to see what's up. Let us know what he says as others on here may be interested as well. Maybe you have to adjust something else to get DSEE HX to work on those SMU songs (perhaps a setting in or on the Sony Music Unlimited site itself?)?

RockStar2005
[Xperia Z3 General] subhani:
Check the info here guys. Apparently you don't have to use any particular app for high resolution for headphones. It's baked into the system. Some other useful info too.

http://userguide.sonymobile.com/ref...-z3-compact#!Enhancing-the-sound-quality.html

Plus does anyone know why Tapatalk won't let me upload images over 256kb? It's just a screen shot of my phone.
[Xperia Z3 General] RockStar2005:
Subhani,

Thanks for posting that. I did know what it said about Hi-Res already, but good to see it reconfirmed that the phone ITSELF does the Hi-Res converting. But the issue here is the DSEE HX option in Walkman, which upscales lower-quality sound files like mp3s, etc. Apparently it doesn't work on streamed music from SMU (Sony Music Unlimted) perhaps b/c the files are protected or maybe it's a setting in SMU or wherever that needs to be turned on? I'd really just like SOMEONE reading this who actually owns the Z3 to tell me that when they play their own (unprotected) mp3s, do they notice a difference at all when DSEE HX is on vs when it's off WHILE playing the music in a player like PowerAmp? I expect them to, but I'd still like to hear it. lol I know per Jiyeon that if you activate bass boost in Walkman but play the songs through PowerAmp that you DO hear a difference. She has the Z2 but I am fairly confident the same functionality applies to the Z3 as well.

Another question that just popped into my head is.......... if you use a player that can play Hi-Res audio files like FLAC, does it even matter if the phone has Hi-Res built in? Not sure on that one. I care much more about the last question, but if anyone reading knows the answer to this one too, please chime in.

No clue on Tapatalk.

Thanks,

RockStar2005
[Xperia Z3 General] subhani:
Okay here's my humble and very limited feedback. I'm not a music buff and when I listen it is mostly vocals or acapella. Some oriental drums maybe, max.

Anyhoo.

1. So playing files from SMU has VERY minor and negligible effect.

2. Playing files mp3 format, unprotected ones, via walkman app produces the same result again. Very negligible difference. Almost not noticeable.

3. a) Playing those same files via poweramp or other similar app shows NO effect when toggling the DSEE-HX. It only seems to activate via the walkman app. b) if you use the Google Music app, and hit setting then equaliser, it simply opens up the SYSTEM audio profiles page with all the options that actually work but there is no sign of the toggle for DSEE HX. So surround, different headphone profiles, clarity+ or w/e its called and bass boost. It all works system wide. Just no dsee HX. I also tried this with Poweramp and same result. (Poweramp sounded awesome though!)

4. It is highly possible that for me to hear the difference in the walkman app even, I would need to use some high quality headphones as opposed to my very cheap Sony earphones. Only difference I noticed was that with DSEE HX on, it would actually LOWER the bass as I like the richer bassier tones. That's it. Barely noticeable using earphones.

Hope it helps.

End of the day, I was actually VERY impressed with the audio quality as it is. With Sony's other sound settings, it is superb. I am a huge fan of V4A but I don't think I will be needing that on this beast.
[Xperia Z3 General] maverick1103:
Ok so here's my feedback, I'm also not an audio buff but I do like listening to my music.

I've got to agree with subhani here and most of my feedback will probably be duplicated.

I compared the same song with SMU and mp3 (320kbps) versions, I found that there didn't appear to be any difference between the two.

I then tested out the DSEE HX with both and I can say that I did notice a difference, not major but with DSEE HX turned on it seemed to bring the highs, mids and lows to life, when switching it off it seemed flat in comparison.

I tested DSEE HX with both the SMU and mp3 versions and I couldn't tell them apart, which I'm pleased about as it is clear that the DSEE HX world's with SMU.

Hope this helps.
[Xperia Z3 General] RockStar2005:
Subhani and Maverick,

I thank you both for your contributions.

Subhani - Yes, PowerAmp is what I use and it IS fantastic!

Maverick - When you said:

"I then tested out the DSEE HX with both and I can say that I did notice a difference, not major but with DSEE HX turned on it seemed to bring the highs, mids and lows to life, when switching it off it seemed flat in comparison. "

How EXACTLY did you "test out the DSEE HX on both"? Did you use PowerAmp? I really need to know if you noticed that same difference that you mentioned in that excerpt but on PowerAmp. If you have PowerAmp, I would really appreciate you testing at least the regular mp3s on it with DSEE off then on. Does the music still "come to life" in the same way when turned on and played via PA?

That is EXACTLY what DSEE HX is supposed to do, just like what the Harman/Kardon mod does on my M8 now. With it on, the music seems to have more potency to it, which to me is important, even if it's not a huge difference. But, as we all know, sometimes it's the little things that matter most. :cool: lol

If anyone else wants to jump in and tell us about how this "test" came out for them, please feel free. I thought it was interesting though Subhani that even with DSEE HX off that you still thought it sounded amazing. That's reassuring to know too!

P.S. I think my FLAC question above's answer is you need a phone (or active mod) that can convert the Hi-Res tracks, and that's what the Z3 does. The players can play them, but I think the conversion must happen in the phone like the Z3 or in the headphones/earphones if the phone can't do it.

RockStar2005
[Xperia Z3 General] subhani:
I'd be surprised if [MENTION=4136711]maverick1103[/MENTION] managed to toggle dsee hx on and off while playing an MP3 via PowerAmp because this didn't work for me. For me, it was showing check/uncheck but having no effect in PowerAmp because the toggling behaviour in WALKMAN app normally 'cuts' the audio before loading it again with the upscaled audio. This is true for playing the same MP3 file via walkman and for SMU tracks via Walkman. Furthermore, I can detect a change in the audio as well when doing this in Walkman. But nothing for PowerAmp and Google Music app. Every other sound setting works, from Clear Bass to Surround Sound and EQ, but not DSEE HX. Leads me to believe that DSEE HX is confined to tracks played through Walkman only.

Again, I'm VERY satisfied with the audio with the above systemwide Sony audio settings, sans the DSEE HX. I am assuming that Maverick probably has a decent set of headphones or better quality earphones if he IS able to detect a 'change' in PowerAmp using DSEE HX. It just wasn't MY experience. I'm grateful for both your reports on this. All in all, a superb phone when contrasted with my older LG G2, which was no slouch with V4A enabled.