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Headphone audio quality - iPhone 4 vs. iPod

N

Nautigar

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 4, 2007
121
7
Hello,

how is the audio quality of the iPhone 4? Can someone with high quality earphones comment on the quality compared to an iPod?

For me, the iPhone would primarily be an iPod with a built-in phone rather than the other way round :)

Thanks in advance,
Matthias.
 
Nautigar said:
Hello,

how is the audio quality of the iPhone 4? Can someone with high quality earphones comment on the quality compared to an iPod?

For me, the iPhone would primarily be an iPod with a built-in phone rather than the other way round :)

Thanks in advance,
Matthias.
Click to expand...

I can't directly since I use a FiiO E5 in-line amp but I find the SQ the same as my 3G using UE11 Pro's.
 
Thanks, this sounds promising. In some other thread (cannnot find it anymore), someone complained about the bad sound quality relative to a 3GS.
 
Actually, I do hear a difference between my iPhone 4 and my 3GS headphone quality. The 3GS was crystal clear but the iPhone 4 is hazy in the louder volumes. I'm using Bose QC 15 headphones.
 
My biggest complaint with the iPhone 4 sound quality is the lack of bass response. I have tried using the EQ Bass Booster, but it only makes the problem worse and makes the sound more muffled and distorted. I am really hoping a software update fixes these issues. I am still using my 3GS for critical listening.

BTW, I use Bowers & Wilkins P5 headphones, which I know are not known for reproduicing low frequencies as well as some other headphones, but the iPhone 4 doesn't produce the same level of bass as the 3GS.
 
splashnader said:
My biggest complaint with the iPhone 4 sound quality is the lack of bass response. I have tried using the EQ Bass Booster, but it only makes the problem worse and makes the sound more muffled and distorted. I am really hoping a software update fixes these issues. I am still using my 3GS for critical listening.

but the iPhone 4 doesn't produce the same level of bass as the 3GS.
Click to expand...

Seconded. Using UE10 w/ westone ES Cable

MacBook Pro > 3G > 4
 
I do notice a little bit of noise at higher volumes.

I'm using sony mdr ex-500 earphones to validate this.
 
I know i might just be crazy, but i swear the 4 sounds better than the 3GS... it just seems like a wider range of sound with my bose triport earpuds / 320kbps mp3. I still have my 3GS and could A~B test them but i have to recharge my 3GS and im too lazy atm.
 
specops said:
I know i might just be crazy, but i swear the 4 sounds better than the 3GS... it just seems like a wider range of sound with my bose triport earpuds / 320kbps mp3. I still have my 3GS and could A~B test them but i have to recharge my 3GS and im too lazy atm.
Click to expand...

Let us know, but my iPhone 4 seems noticeably worse.
 
Without a shadow of a doubt, my iPhone 4 audio is superior to that output from my 3GS or my current generation iPod nano.

The soundstage is deeper, and I have less of a hiss with the relatively low impedance, but nonetheless outstanding, Ultimate Ears Triple.Fi vi.
 
davidjearly said:
Without a shadow of a doubt, my iPhone 4 audio is superior to that output from my 3GS or my current generation iPod nano.

The soundstage is deeper, and I have less of a hiss with the relatively low impedance, but nonetheless outstanding, Ultimate Ears Triple.Fi vi.
Click to expand...

I am also using Ultimate Ears earphones (a different model though).

So far, there seems no real consensus here :confused:
 
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