Good sound on my cell phone is important to me because I like to listen to music often. When I don't meanuse, then the smartphone is used.
I am usually iPhone users, but also test various Android smartphones for you-my DAP also runs with Android. The operating system has some advantages over iOS. For example, it supports the high-quality Bluetooth codecs, which Apple has so far failed.
I would like to give you some tips below with which you can improve the sound on the cell phone. I concentrate on Android, but you can also implement some recommendations on the iPhone because they are not limited to the operating system.
1. Use cable headphones
Classicstill have advantages compared to their Bluetooth counterpart. On the one hand, the transmission via Bluetooth is still associated with the compression of audio data. So they are not transmitted in the highest quality.
On the other hand, Bluetooth headphones can also have a light base noise or tend to break off if you are bustling around many other Bluetooth devices-for example on the platform.
If you want to get the best possible sound out of your cell phone, you should stay with the good old cable.
But your cell phone has no jack socket? Then you can use an adapter with which you can connect the headphones to the cell phone via the USB-C socket. 3.5 mm clinke-on-USB-C adapter is already available for a few euros.
If you want the best possible quality, you use a so -called so -called-The small pendants in the USB stick format are a mixture of headphone amplifiers and high-quality DAC (digital-to-analog converter).
Another tip:Many Bluetooth headphones can also be used by cable. So compare the sound with and without cable. For example, my Bowers & Wilkens PX8 sounds a little better in cable operation than in wireless mode.
2. Bluetooth headphones-it sounds best with these codecs
Cell phones and headphones support different Bluetooth codecs that significantly influence the quality of the audio content. Among other things, this is due to the fact that the codecs differ greatly with regard to the data rate.
We can simplify this:A classic audio CD has a data rate of 1,411 kilobits per second. When a Bluetooth codec reaches this rate, you would hear an uncompressed (Lossless) audio signal from the headphones.
However, very few codecs only reach this data rate approximately. Here is an overview of the most common audio codecs.
| CD / Codecs | Bit-Rate | Sampling Rate | Bit depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio CD | 1.411 KBit/s | 44,1 kHz | 16-Bit |
| SBC | 320 KBit/s | 44,1 kHz | 16-Bit |
| AAC | 264 KBit/s | 44,1 kHz | 24-Bit |
| LDAC | 990 KBit/s | 48 kHz | 24-Bit |
| LHDC 5.0 | 1 Mbit/s | 192 KHz | 24-Bit |
| APTX | 352 KBit/s | 48 kHz | 24-Bit |
| aptX HD | 576 KBit/s | 96 kHz | 24-Bit |
| aptX Lossless | 1.200 KBit/s | 96 kHz | 24-Bit |
Important:Both cell phone and headphones must support the respective standard. Otherwise there is always a fallback, in doubt on the SBC Codec, which usually support all Bluetooth devices.
In addition, some codecs work with a variable bit rate. For example, LDAC offers three quality levels that change in favor of the connection quality.
For the best Bluetooth sound, it is best to use headphones with LDAC, APTX Lossless or LHDC-provided your cell phone supports these codecs.
3. Deactivate absolute volume control for Bluetooth
Important:This tip should not be implemented carelessly.
Some Bluetooth headphones are not loud enough on the cell phone, especially if you are traveling in louder environments.
A good example is, for example, bone noise or open-ear headphones that let ambient noise through unfiltered. Some models only reach a mediocre volume, which is sometimes not sufficient if things are a little louder.
Depending on the headphones, you can change this with the deactivation of the "Deactivate absolute volume control" option in the developer options under Android.
As a result, the headphones' volume control is separated from the operating system controls - sometimes the maximum volume can be increased.
The developer options can be activated in this way:
- Switch to the "On the phone" category and tap the "Build number" until you get the note "You are now a developer".
- You will then switch to "System" and "Developer Options" in the settings. If you are looking for "Deactivate absolute volume control" and activate the function.
Consider:Too high volume can harm your hearing, and the sound of the headphones can sometimes distort if they are turned too loudly.
4. Use audio sources with the best possible sound
If you stream music, you will often do this via Spotify or YouTube. However, both platforms only offer compressed audio quality - you know that from an MP3.
At Spotify, the maximum data rate of the audio content is 320 kilobits per second, on YouTube Music it is 256 kilobits per second.
On the other hand, if you want to listen to uncompressed or even high-resolution music (hi-res), you have to use another service.
In the meantime, many music services Lossless and Hi-Res-Audio offer:
- Apple Music
- Tidal
- Qobuz
- Amazon Music
- Deezer
Whether you hear the difference depends, of course, on your hearing and the quality of your headphones. Cable operation and Bluetooth can also make a difference.
5. Use equalizer
If you are not satisfied with the sound of your headphones, you should make a detour to an equalizer. With it, the sound can simply be adapted to your own preferences - more bass, more altitude, less in the middle of? Everything feasible!
Bluetooth headphones often come with a manufacturer app, some of which also offers an equalizer function.
In addition, some music streaming apps also have an integrated equalizer.
On some Android cell phones you will find an equalizer in the settings. Check under "Sound and vibration" whether you find a corresponding entry.
Not the case? Then you can also install a corresponding equalizer app from the Google Play Store. These are available there.
I have good experiences with »Poweramp Equalizer" made. This is very complex and offers countless setting options. The app can be tested for 30 days free of charge and then costs five euros once for the full version.
6. Personal sound profiles adapt content to your own hearing
Headphones can also be adapted to your own hearing. This is useful if, for example, you can no longer hear certain frequencies.
A short hearing test is made and then you will receive a personalized sound profile. Here, for example, certain frequencies are reinforced, so that the overall sound image is coherent again.
The company "Mimi", which specializes in digital hearing tests, offers an app, for example. However, it only works with compatible headphones from Skullcandy, Nothing or Beyerdamic.
Apple supports this function for AirPods and Beats headphones. The option can be found in the settings under "Operating aids"> "Audio & Visual"> "Headphone adjustments"> "Own audio configuration".
In the past, the music service "Napster" with "Earprint" offered a comparable function. The feature could be used with all headphones, but was removed from the app at some point.
In principle, it is worth checking the app of your Bluetooth headphone manufacturer or your music streaming service for such a function.
Do you have any further tips on how the sound can be improved on the cell phone? Then I would be happy to tell me your opinion and experiences in the comments.
