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Top 10 music smartphones
2018 rating: review of popular smartphones with high-quality sound
Author: Vladimir Nyenets
By good sound, we mean the ability of smartphones to play high-quality music content with minimal distortion. Immediately, we emphasize that any MP3-music initially does not fall into this category, and we are talking about lossless tracks presented in the FLAC format and the like. (Practically any modern smartphone model will suit for high-quality audio playback in MP3 format, and you should not bother with the choice.)
Recently, a special term has appeared. Hi-Res Audiowhich describes digitized acoustic signals that have a greater depth and higher sampling rate, compared with the classical CD standard (16 bit / 44.1 kHz). Clear criteria does not yet exist, and the HRA is now attributed to records obtained as a result of digitization with a quantization width of 24 bits. In this case, the sampling frequency may be different, from 48 kHz and higher (usually 96).
Speaking specifically about smartphones, the situation is as follows. When outputting music to a speaker or headphone, the iOS operating system restores the original form of analog signals by performing a double conversion. Thereby, additional distortion is introduced into the original sound. Apple smartphones are not an example of quality in terms of Hi-Res Audio. The standard tools of Android-devices also do not allow to fully unlock the potential of HRA, but the openness of this system does not prevent the developers of individual models from going detours. In particular, installing specialized chips (DAC-i) that implement the desired sampling formula, and providing them with the necessary software support. In addition, music Android-smartphones additionally contain output amplifiers that increase the signal power to a level sufficient to connect headphones with different impedances. Such models are presented in our review of the best smartphones with high-quality sound.
Ranking of the best smartphones with good sound in 2018 - TOP 10
| Category | A place | Name | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The best music smartphones worth up to 20 thousand rubles | 1 | Meizu Pro 7 64GB | 9.4 / 10 | 20 990 |
| 2 | ZTE Axon 7 mini | 9.1 / 10 | 14 820 | |
| 3 | Highscreen Fest XL Pro | 8.9 / 10 | 9 000 | |
| The best smartphones with good sound cost from 20 to 30 thousand rubles | 1 | HTC U Ultra | 9.7 / 10 | 29 490 |
| 2 | LG G6 32GB | 9.6 / 10 | 28 250 | |
| 3 | ASUS ZenFone 5 ZE620KL | 9.4 / 10 | 22 550 | |
| 4 | LG V10 | 9.2 / 10 | 24 990 | |
| The best music smartphones of top class (more than 30 thousand rubles) | 1 | LG V30 + | 9.8 / 10 | 32 990 |
| 2 | LG G7 ThinQ | 9.7 / 10 | 32 980 | |
| 3 | Meizu 15 | 9.4 / 10 | 22 130 |
The best music smartphones worth up to 20 thousand rubles
|
20 990
The controversial novelty of 2017 from Meizu. Definitely in its favor says only really gorgeous sound path on a dedicated audio chip CS43130 with built-in amplifier. In addition to good sound, the second chip of the smartphone is an additional screen, and here it raises several questions at once. Judge for yourself: it shows notifications about calls, SMS and other alerts, but does not have Always-On Display mode; can be used as a viewfinder, but for some reason only when shooting; It allows you to control the music player, but only with regular ones, and the advanced functionality (rewind, track selection, etc.) does not work without activating a special profile, and when it is selected, all wireless modules are disabled. The Pro 7 hardware platform is also not all that simple. The new SoC (Helio X30) has received only the “plus” version of the smartphone, but even in it the contactless payment technology (based on NFC) is not supported. Finally, the possibility of expanding the memory by the developers of the model is not provided at all. Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.4 / 10
Rating
Reviews
Thanks to the high-quality audio chip, the smartphone can be called truly musical. The sound is very, very decent, I, as a music lover, was impressed. |
|
14 820
The mini version of last year’s flagship ZTE is interesting at least by the design developed with the participation of the American company Designworks (known for its cooperation with BMW). And the beauty of the front side is quite functional, since two high-quality stereo speakers are hidden behind the perforated inserts. The manufacturer promises us surround sound in 7.1 format, implemented using Dolby Atmos technology. Recall that the basis of this standard is the principle of automatic distribution of sounds from different sources through the available channels, in order to accurately position objects in space. It is clear that in the case of a smartphone, we have an extremely simplified software emulation of the Dolby Atmos system, nevertheless it works. Considering the availability of the popular AK4962 digital-to-analog converter in the Axon 7 mini audio path, the result is impressive. Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.1 / 10
Rating
Reviews
Actually, initially the goal was to save money twice - take a player with a DAC + smartphone and not spend money on a large AXON. Yes, the difference in quality with the “big brother” is noticeable, but the smartphone works out its money (minus the battery). |
|
9 000
A kind of “lightweight” version of the Boost 3 model range, if we consider the musical component of smartphones. Actually, this moment is confirmed by the use of the term Hi Sound Lite in the description of Fest XL Pro. The DAC here is simpler, in addition, it is integrated with a headphone amplifier and an output source switch. As a result - high-quality sound at a rather modest volume margin. By the way, the multimedia speaker is also quiet, but no one listens to uncompressed music from a smartphone without headphones, right? Otherwise, everything is very budget and not intended for gamers or hardware-demanding users. The model, which is not Pro, has less memory, and the back cover does not have a nylon coating. Interestingly, this device works on the Band 20, and the first LTE range (frequencies, MHz: UL 1920-1980 and DL 2110-2170) did not get into the list of supported devices. Simplification touched and the battery - it is non-removable. Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 8.9 / 10
Rating
Reviews
A niche thing, both a smartphone and a player with good sound. It does not reach high-rez, but quite at the level of decent hi-fi. My Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, perhaps, plays less tasty. |
The best smartphones with good sound cost from 20 to 30 thousand rubles
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29 490 (for model with 4/64 GB memory)
Continuing our ranking of the best music smartphones HTC U Ultra. Unlike Apple, the Taiwanese manufacturer has a more convincing reason for abandoning the traditional audio jack, called the USonic. Recall that at the heart of this technology is a constant analysis of the sound of headphones using their built-in microphones, during which intensive data exchange takes place, and the classic wired interface is not designed for such a thing. There are two unpleasant moments in such a decision.Firstly, USonic works only with special headphones (complete). Secondly, when connecting any other “ears”, the DAC is automatically blocked, and this phenomenon has to be fought by installing third-party applications or buying a branded adapter. Nevertheless, the audiophile potential of the U Ultra smartphone is very high, so lovers of high-quality music should pay attention to this smartphone. Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.7 / 10
Rating
Reviews
Stereo speakers are not very loud and bass (this is all subjective). The sound in the regular headphones is incredibly gorgeous, straight, well, very ... |
|
28 250
Formally, the sound path to the model G6 migrated from the smartphone V20, and together with the specific "ski" problems. In particular, when connecting low-impedance headphones, the Saber chip output amplifier does not work (and maybe DAC itself). By the way, not every LG G6 has such a chip at all. Music lovers need to focus on the factory designation H870 or the Asian version of the smartphone and not be conducted on the international / American version. It is noteworthy that in our retail they sell just the “right” version of the device. It remains to supplement it with “ears” with an impedance of 64 Ohms or higher and enjoy your favorite tracks always and everywhere. The hardware platform of the G6 is the most top-notch, but the point is in the desire of the company’s management to “catch up” before anyone else. Actually, for the predominantly musical device its capabilities are even abundant. We should also mention the tendency of South Koreans to produce smartphones in the classic version, but with increased resistance to external influences. Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.6 / 10
Rating
Reviews
Great smartphone with good sound, listening to music on it. Once recorded a few songs at a concert, do not believe it, but the sound turned out like in the original. Simply, the G6 has three voice recorder modes: normal, live and user, and also a Hi-Fi recording function. |
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22 550 (for model with 4/64 GB memory)
This smartphone will surely appeal to lovers of high-quality sound reproduced both through headphones and through the built-in stereo speakers. The latter in ZenFone 5 ZE620KL are made using a 5-magnetic design, which has a very positive effect on their frequency response. In addition, they are noticeably larger than the speakers commonly used in smartphones. Therefore, the sound of the recommended phone is more powerful and richer. Finally, the signal to the speakers is fed through good-quality NXP amplifiers (marketers even use the term “intelligent”). There is no dedicated DAC here, but the aptX HD codec is supported, as well as the DTS Headphone: X surround sound technology. It is also worth mentioning that the ability to reproduce sounds well is not the only talent of the ZE620KL smartphone. The recommended smartphone also boasts a chic camera part with surprisingly fast autofocus, 32-second manual exposure and the ability to shoot in ultra-high resolution mode. Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.4 / 10
Rating
Reviews
The sound of the speakers is just space, though I had to dig a little in the equalizer. |
|
24 990
Uncompromising former flagship of LG with a host of interesting features.Among them, and an additional multi-function screen, and two front-facing cameras, and a two-layer protective glass, and various software "chips". Thanks to the use of the rare Snapdragon 808 chip, the smartphone has avoided the overheating problem common to many of its peers. At the same time, the gaming performance of the device is at a decent level and is sufficient for the heaviest graphics quality settings. As for the music component of the phone, it is provided by a bundle of a digital-to-analog converter 9018C2M and an amplifier 9602C of the company ESS Technology. Compared with the older version of this DAC (ES9018K2M), the younger brother is deprived of DSD format support, which is not a significant drawback. The second component of the audio path is able to limit the output power for a low impedance load, so when connecting any headphones, the volume level will be comparable. And it also has an excellent signal-to-noise ratio. Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.2 / 10
Rating
Reviews
I don’t understand at all why LG is releasing the G5 ... Would have developed the V10. This is the best phone for music and not only design, screen, cameras, sound - everything is super! |
The best music smartphones of top class (more than 30 thousand rubles)
|
32 990
It is difficult to say why LG marketers call the Saber ES9218P chip installed in the sound path of the V30 smartphone four-channel. ESS Technology itself is positioning it as a 32-bit stereo with a linear output corresponding to the level of professional equipment. It is understood that the integrated amplifiers in the chip are capable of delivering a signal up to 2 V (RMS). Those. Any high-impedance headphones smartphone shakes without any problems. Cool, but the more interesting "chip" ES9218P still would be considered digital filters. At the V30 level, only three of the eight preset settings are used, but they also provide a variety of musical material: clear and lightweight sound, sharp and detailed, or emphasized surround. The quality is not yet audiophile, but already close. The only controversial nuance is related to volume control. Imagine 75 gradations and each keystroke changes the power by one point. Or "vzhik" - and already very loud / quiet. Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.8 / 10
Rating
Reviews
The best music smartphone. I tried different headphones: Sony MDR-1000X, Sennheiser Momentum Over-Ear, Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 - the sound is clear, surround and detailed. Complete B & O gags are also normal. |
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32 980 (per model with 6/128 GB memory)
It is very difficult to improve the already outstanding talents of LG's flagship smartphones for high-quality music playback. Nevertheless, the evolutionary advances of the recommended G7 are present. The device received a steep four-channel DAC ES9218PC, familiar to fans of the brand on the model V30. He has gained support for a number of proprietary sound processing technologies that are missing from the G6. The already-mentioned LG V30 smartphone of the new 2018 is superior to the presence of such a thing as the Boombox Speaker, which is a speaker with a huge acoustic camera, due to which the sound distortion is insignificant even at maximum volume. In addition, if you put the G7 on a flat hard surface, the latter will begin to resonate, reinforcing the bass. Of the additional amenities worth mentioning a lot of presets, filters and settings for all of the above.It is also important that the LG G7 is able to automatically adapt to headphones of the most diverse class. Including high resistance. Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.7 / 10
Rating
Reviews
There are simply no other phones with such high-quality sound output to the headphones. Well, the wide-angle camera is also a nice bonus. |
|
22 130 (for model with 4/64 GB memory)
The anniversary Meizu smartphone will please music lovers with a separate CS35L35 amplifier for stereo speakers and will disappoint with a codec running on a Hexagon 680 signal processor. The plus version of the smartphone is somewhat more interesting in this sense, but they also ask completely inadequate money for Meizu 15 Plus. At least at the time of the start of sales and in official retail. In addition, the Snapdragon 660 platform seems to us more promising Exynos 8895. Despite the lack of a full-fledged DAC, the playback quality of the recommended smartphone is high. The corresponding software allows you to use ready-made presets or adjust the sound using a 10-band equalizer. Please note that the rating in this rating describes only the "musicality" of the smartphone. If we consider Meizu 15 from other points of view, there is nothing to complain about. Main advantages:
Minuses:
|
 9.4 / 10
Rating
Reviews
Sound. He is on the top five. The speakers are very loud, one without any problems to listen anywhere. High-quality sound in headphones (the best). |
In conclusion, we recall - buying a music smartphone, you should attend to the presence of the correct content and high-quality headphones. Moreover, their compatibility with the output amplifier also makes sense to carefully check. Only wired headphone models are capable of fully revealing the beauty of Hi-Res Audio. If, for any reason, you are targeting a wireless headset, select a kit that supports Bluetooth sharing and aptX HD codec operation.
As for content, the sound quality is equally badly affected by both the down-and up-and-down through-re-quantization of the digital signal. In other words, if the smartphone's DAC supports 24-bit / 96 kHz sampling, the music tracks that were originally digitized in this way would be best played. Finally, the option of using an external digital-to-analog converter connected via USB, for example, DragonFly from AudioQuest, has the right to life. It cannot be said that in this case nothing depends on the smartphone, but the list of suitable models will definitely be much wider.
97
Updated: 27.07.2018
Rating in categories:
