*iPhone 6s Speaker Sound Quality*

[MICHAELSD]

Ugh, the less treble the better.So it sounds brighter overall and more shrill on certain tracks?

I think it's better balanced but the sound is still warm.

 

[sunking101]

I think it's better balanced but the sound is still warm.

That sounds more promising. I have tinnitus and prefer a rolled-off treble, which aside from the 6+ is unheard of on a mobile phone. The warm tonal qualities of the 6+ were great for my ears although I do appreciate that with healthy ears a more detailed sound is probably preferable. The 6+ was the first mobile phone that I could actually listen to a whole album of music and not just play short clips because the brash sound fatigued my ears.

 

[MICHAELSD]

That sounds more promising. I have tinnitus and prefer a rolled-off treble, which aside from the 6+ is unheard of on a mobile phone. The warm tonal qualities of the 6+ were great for my ears although I do appreciate that with healthy ears a more detailed sound is probably preferable. The 6+ was the first mobile phone that I could actually listen to a whole album of music and not just play short clips because the brash sound fatigued my ears.

I think you should be satisfied then. Overall a bit more clarity altogether.

 

[pudcraft]

You seem to be confusing quality with quantity. Two speakers are good, yes, but not if they sound worse than one. Loud volume is good too, but only if the quality is right. The 6+ speaker has a much more pleasing tone to my ears than the HTC One M8/M9 and the Nexus 6.

I don't disagree with what you are saying. What is getting slightly exhausting is trying to, let's say play a game or watch a video on the iPhone using speakers. Given how thin, large (plus size), and added weight - here are the problems in a scenario of watching a movie or playing a game:

1. Holding device with one hand gets uncomfortable
2. Have to adjust where and how you hold the device, to NOT block the speakers
3. If you are charging device while watching/playing, you are almost guaranteed to interfere the speaker with how you have to hold the device with cable plugged in.

Problem:

1. Device is too thin for a more ergonomic way to hold with comfort and not block speakers.
2. Location of speaker, especially near charging port, is problematic.
3. Only 1 speaker, only 1 port.

Solution:

1. Front facing speakers!
2. Or - 2 speaker ports, preferably not mono, but better than nothing.
3. Worst case scenario - change location of speaker or lightning cable port.

I am not going into the idea of using headphones because this thread is about speakers. Even if you do suggest headphones, while plugging in device to charge, now holding the device become even more uncomfortable and unmanageable.

I'm just preaching the want for Apple to focus more on user wants, needs, and ergonomics. The Moto X Pure is the same footprint and feels much better to hold in hand, because of the curve - ergonomics. The device is plenty thin and that's great, but it sounds like more and more users desire longer battery life. I don't want or need a 5mm thin phone. I would prefer Apple to focus on improving battery life, usability (UX), comfort to use, and quality. Front facing speakers would probably satisfy the entire problem. They would also get far more praise for front facing speakers than the other brands that have been doing so for longer.

 

[kioko91]

I've been using my speaker for Netflix and YouTube and it's plenty loud and clear. It's louder/better than my S6 Edge that I previously had. Can hear it over our living room sound bar that my father plays at high volumes.

I don't have tinnitus, but I'm very sensitive to high pitch noises. I.e. I hear sounds that most people my age or older can't detect. Thus, bright treble kills me. At its highest volumes with headphones I find the treble to be a bit overwhelming. I'd rather the mids came forward a bit more, but this is at max volume which I rarely ever use. I often listen at 50-75% with headphones and at that volume it's relatively warm and well balanced. It's when it's pushed to max that it becomes overwhelming, so avoid that if possible, sunking101.

For reference, I'm a bit of an audiophile and had phones like the HTC One with dual front facing speakers. Other phones hat have since made the attempt haven't come close, and from recent usage the iPhone series from the past year have gotten it right with mono speakers. Stereo audio is only better when the drivers and tools operating the speakers are of good quality, otherwise it's just noise to me.

 

[Jason B]

Has anyone gone from a 6s to a XS???

I got an XS yesterday and came from a 6s. What don’t the speakers on this new XS sound any better? Playing music, videos, etc I was expecting to see a big improvement. Not so. Is something wrong with my phone? It also barely any louder than the 6s!!!!

Also, is there a test like this for all newer models???

https://www.cultofmac.com/310378/speaker-test-ranks-every-iphone-model-order-loudness/