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Apple Ipad vs Samsing Tab --- Tablet Audio shootout

post #1 of 9
12/1/10 at 9:16pm
Thread Starter 

iPadVsTab.jpg

The Samsung Tab uses Wolfson WM8994E while Apple iPad uses Cirrus Logic 338S0589 as the DAC.
The firware used on the iPad is firmware 4.2.1 while Tab comes with Froyo.

Headphone used is the um3X and HD595.
All equilaser are turn off that goes with sound effect.

Soundstaging
Apple is clearly wider here with the Tab being a bit congested and in the head kind of sound.
Ipad can extend outside the head but I would not call it wide. On the Tab however it is really tight and small.

Bass
Samsung hits harder and a better grip on the lower end.

Mid
The Apple is clearly sweeter and much more mellow. Vocal could be rough on the Tab.

Highs
There are harshness from the Tab that I dislike, while there are some roll off from the iPad on the high end. Over all the iPad is better on the high end.

Background Hiss.
While on the HD595 both player is rather quite Not black quite but acceptable. The hiss was much more pronounce when I switch over to the UM3X. So much so that it is annoying with the Tab, and I would not recommend anyone using sensitive earphone with the Tab. On the iPad the hiss is there but not unless you are in a quite room you would likely get alone with it.

Type of files.
Off the shelf Tab is able to play FLAC which is a great plus.

Conclusion:
In stock condition both devices cannot be highly recommended as an audio player, but if I where to choose one I would go for iPad.    


 

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post #2 of 9
12/1/10 at 9:22pm

it's a shame that the Galaxy tab isn't a better music player.

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post #3 of 9
12/1/10 at 10:02pm

It is a good book-sized format - not good for work, but good for everything else. I see a number around here and they are pretty cool, but why don't Samsung get it?

 

Keep in mind, too, that the iPad can easily be hooked up to high end audio devices for external DAC-amp use. I love it as a pure music server.

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post #4 of 9
12/2/10 at 3:05pm

I'm at work so I can't really do an investigation at the moment....

 

Can the Tab not use an external DAC?

 

Also, is it possible to get a line out from the Tab and run it through a headphone amp?


Edited by samsquanch - 12/2/10 at 3:17pm
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post #5 of 9
12/2/10 at 6:02pm
Thread Starter 

The connector on the Tab looks almost exactly like the iPad, But would not fit into the iPad and vice versa. I have not have a chance to figure out the pin configuration of that connector. The number of pin is identical and the spacing is also similar but the connector is notch on both end so that it will not fit. I am sure there is some audio out or something but would not know where to buy a connector to try out since the Tab is so new. So for now the only way I could do is to run the AMP from the headphone out. 

 

 

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post #6 of 9
12/2/10 at 6:40pm

It is possible that it will work, though Samsung may not have built in USB protocol for audio. Now, line out from a dock or sync port needs to be discussed again. Line out does not mean good. There are a number of rubbish line outs on the market, but at headfi, people think, for some reason, that they must be good because they are line outs. The X5 from Cowon is the worst - completely pitiful performance compared to the headphone output. My Sony A845, too, has worse performance generally than its headphone output.

 

I think that good line out implementation is the exception, not the rule. iPod and S:Flo are two very good examples of performance, however.

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post #7 of 9
6/9/11 at 12:36pm

Samsung's 10.1 tablet looks like a shot right at the iPad2.  Thickness is identical according to specs on both sites. The Samsung is a little lighter. The samsung has a slightly larger battery.  Can't see any evidence that they tried to one-up the iPad with USB ports or SD slots.  The rear camera is only 3mp where Asus and Acer have 5mp cameras on their tablets. But 3mp is better than the iPad's camera. Far better codec support on the Samsung I noticed. And whatever they missed can be added with apps. I'm guessing anyone that likes the iPad for how thin and light it is but doesn't care for Apple is exactly the target audience for this product.

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post #8 of 9
6/9/11 at 10:29pm
The best part of the iPad is being able to use it as a big remote control with a home system.

I don't see much difference between the DAC chipsets, etc. What it mostly boils down to is how powerful the internal amp is, not how digital is converted to analog. If the DAC chip was screwing up, you'd hear stuff like dropouts, artifacts and hash. Anything other than that is the internal amp and how much battery power is allocated to it.

I've fooled with a few Samsungs, but the software isn't as smooth as iOS. Yet. I do think Android will offer a good experience, but not today. I especially like how the iPad integrates with other Apple products, too. It'll increase with iOS 5 and moreso in the future. Android has an uphill fight in integration, though. Microsoft will throw up plenty of roadblocks (as they always do) especially with Windows 8 coming next year. Well, maybe coming next year. We'll see if they can meet their deadline this time.

4Dthinker, people buy for the user experience, not stats. If Samsung (or anyone) wants to seriously compete, they either have to offer something a generation ahead or offer a similar product at a much lower price. Something that's similar to the market leader priced the same is an also-ran.
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post #9 of 9
6/10/11 at 5:43pm
Neither device alone is good for audiophile application. But with IPad, you have the Solo, iWadi etc and that makes a big difference with music, movies and game and that is the difference.
Edited by Jalo - 6/10/11 at 5:46pm
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