Best Smartphone for audiophile Part II (Updated: Jan 2020)

[Sonic Defender]

I retired my G8x as a phone and use it as my dedicated music streamer. It does a fantastic job.

 

[arbiter76]

The LG G8x is prolly the last of the true audiophile smartphones. Quad Sabre dac.

I have 2 of them.

 

[Murat]

The LG G8x is prolly the last of the true audiophile smartphones. Quad Sabre dac.

What about Lg v60?

 

[arbiter76]

What about Lg v60?

some of us did not get to try most or all g and v series. tbh, I know they were tuned different but you still got basically the same sound. my lg v20 was stolen and I still used it too occasionally though it was mostly my bt media remote.

 

[korzh]

While my moondrop miad01 is on the way to me can ypu please give me an example of full size balanced headphones?
This days i use audiotechnika ath es10 and a2000z headphpnes.
I need better than my.

Thanks

 

[Results45]

While my moondrop miad01 is on the way to me can ypu please give me an example of full size balanced headphones?
This days i use audiotechnika ath es10 and a2000z headphpnes.
I need better than my.

Thanks

Sennheiser HD 490 Pro ($350) for comfort. Apparently people like it even better than the HD 650.



Or the $399 Altiat Cal.1H for superior build quality/aluminum finish and a very unique design that definitely stands out (dare I call "timeless futuristic industrial design"?)

Both are contenders as somewhat affordable "dream headphones" for me. Please note that all of these I'm recommending are open-back.

Others can probably better recommend comparable closed-back dynamics in the same "upper midrange" of $325-$550 and some planar magnetic or electrostatic models at the even higher "affordable highend" of $690-$960.

I have a hard time navigating the fairly crowded $150-$250 "lower midrange" market of over-ear headphones since finding or haggling out a good deal on a used headset a tier of quality above can be had for $225-$325 and the quality and capabilities of "budget" sub-$100 headsets improves noticeably year-after-year.

Going budget I've been very satisfied with my $30 pair of used Samson SR850. They're usually $40 on Amazon but regularly on sale or used for $30-$33. Lots of reviewers say they sound on-par of not better than the competition in the $65-$115 range due to the decent soundstage, self-adjusting headband, and very good all-around sound reproduction for the cost.

I have breathable soft and fuzzy suede pads on my pair of SR850 which smooths out the bass a bit from the stock "modest V" frequency response which also happens to also be the most comfortable on my ears. Swapping in leather, pleather, velvet, and suede pads might also be worth trying to achieve the "balanced" sound you're looking for.

There's other "mods" and solutions you'll probably find that the wider community has posted about to further tune the sound, feel, and fit since so many individuals and recording studios have the SR850 in their audio gear collection.

 

[korzh]

I asked about which model have balanced output. It means not 3.5 mm single output, when each channel drives only 1 chord and a ground, but when each channel have they own 2 independent chord ( 4 cables for 2 channels, not 3 channel ( like usual 3.5 mm jack) its 4.4mm jack with 4 separate contacts going inside amp of the 4.4 jack.
I dont know any fullsize headphones with this jack, and i dont like tonuse in ear phones...

 

[Brain Damage]

While my moondrop miad01 is on the way to me can ypu please give me an example of full size balanced headphones?
This days i use audiotechnika ath es10 and a2000z headphpnes.
I need better than my.

Thanks

The Monolith M1060 (open back) & M1060C (closed back version) are fine examples of full sized balanced planar magnetic cans. They come with stock SE cables (dual 2.5 to 3.5); however, I bought a dual 2.5 to 4.4 balanced cable to pair with the balanced 4.4 input on my Zen can and they both sound way above their £300 price point - more like £1000 territory.

 

[arbiter76]

I asked about which model have balanced output. It means not 3.5 mm single output, when each channel drives only 1 chord and a ground, but when each channel have they own 2 independent chord ( 4 cables for 2 channels, not 3 channel ( like usual 3.5 mm jack) its 4.4mm jack with 4 separate contacts going inside amp of the 4.4 jack.
I dont know any fullsize headphones with this jack, and i dont like tonuse in ear phones...

fostex t60 are balanced. I believe it comes with 3.5 to 3.5 and 3.5 to 4.4 cables. I forgot. I bought my own longer 4.4 cable so I could use from hammock. May need a little modding if the bass is not up to your tastes. The tonality to me is bar none. the t60s also need power to shine so you need a powerful amp too even though it is only 50ohms.

 

[Results45]

I asked about which model have balanced output. It means not 3.5 mm single output, when each channel drives only 1 chord and a ground, but when each channel have they own 2 independent chord ( 4 cables for 2 channels, not 3 channel ( like usual 3.5 mm jack) its 4.4mm jack with 4 separate contacts going inside amp of the 4.4 jack.
I dont know any fullsize headphones with this jack, and i dont like tonuse in ear phones...

The Altiat Cal.1H is available to be configured with a standard 4-pin XLR port (into headphone) with an included XLR-to-4.4mm balanced cable for $450-$499.

This means you can attach any XLR-to-4.4mm 4-contact ("TRRRS" or "pentacon" Balanced 4.4mm is the technical term) balanced output cable of your liking.

The $350-$399 Sennheiser HD490 PRO on the other hand has a 3-pin mini-XLR port into the headphone but same thing applies -- just find a miniXLR-to-4.4mm Balanced "TRRRS/pentacon" cable that works best for you and use that instead of the stock cable included with the headphones.

And again the special -- dare I call "timelessly elegant industrial design" and CNC-milled build quality probably makes thr Altiat Cal.1H one of the best in durability and most unique options in my opinion to add to a collection out of all Sub-$500 over-ear offerings on the market.

To sum up how one reviewer described the sound reproduction compared to the Sennheiser HD6XX, the Cal.1H is a little richer and deeper in the low-end (mid & sub-bass) with a warm and very smooth, non fatiguing high-end (lower & upper treble) while decently retaining definition and texture.

Personally I like the "raw" matte anodized finish version of the base Cal.1H over the smooth, glossy "automotive grade finish" which also happens to save $50 though the most expensive "King Emerald Ceramic Finish" looks awesome as well.

The Monolith M1060 (open back) & M1060C (closed back version) are fine examples of full sized balanced planar magnetic cans. They come with stock SE cables (dual 2.5 to 3.5); however, I bought a dual 2.5 to 4.4 balanced cable to pair with the balanced 4.4 input on my Zen can and they both sound way above their £300 price point - more like £1000 territory.

Yeah probably one of the best value planars especially on sale between $250-$300.

Some reviewers like Joshua Valour have criticized on the cheaper build quality and cheaper driver reproducing sound slightly less crisp in detail than $500+ headphones but yeah I'd give the M1060 opens a go to see if I even like extended listening in planars in the first place instead of chucking $500, $700, or even more just for the experience.

And yeah changing the pads and swapping the stock 3.5mm detachable cables for 2.5mm or 4.4mm balanced paired with a desktop or decently powerful dongle DAC-AMP should generally allow more sensitive drivers to perform optimally (less distortion/noise, better precision, higher volume etc.)
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fostex t60 are balanced. I believe it comes with 3.5 to 3.5 and 3.5 to 4.4 cables. I forgot. I bought my own longer 4.4 cable so I could use from hammock. May need a little modding if the bass is not up to your tastes. The tonality to me is bar none. the t60s also need power to shine so you need a powerful amp too even though it is only 50ohms.

.
Seems that the re-tuned & modded "Argon" version of the Fostex T60RP from Mod House Audio has been all the rage over the past few years.

The hand re-tuning, rebuilding, and various customizations do rack up the cost to $410-$489 or up to $200 more than the stock T60RP but from how Zeos' explains it the extra 50-60% these mods cost elevates the listening experience on the "Argon" to match cans that cost hundreds more:


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Honestly this understanding of how good a professionally hand-modded Fostex T60RP is puts the Mod House Argon edition in my personal Top 5 List to add to my collection along with the Sennheiser HD490 PRO (for comfort & video editing), Altiat Cal.1H (timeless CNC-milled design & stellar build quality), and GK UltraPhones (world's best passively-isolated headphones).

Fostex themselves seems to have a re-tuned "50th Anniversary Edition" of the T60RP for $399 (probably $345-$360 on sale):

https://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/products/T60_50th_Anniversary.shtml

I believe each version from both Fostex and Mod House Audio come with a 3.5mm "TRRS" balanced input port so it's just a matter of finding a "Balanced 3.5mm-to-4.4mm balanced" cable or a "balanced 3.5mm-to-XLR" + "4-pin XLR-to-4.4mm balanced" cable combo.

 

[arbiter76]

Seems that the re-tuned & modded "Argon" version of the Fostex T60RP from Mod House Audio has been all the rage over the past few years.

The hand re-tuning, rebuilding, and various customizations do rack up the cost to $410-$489 or up to $200 more than the stock T60RP but from how Zeos' explains it the extra 50-60% these mods cost elevates the listening experience on the "Argon" to match cans that cost hundreds more:



Honestly this understanding of how good a professionally hand-modded Fostex T60RP is puts the Mod House Argon edition in my personal Top 5 List to add to my collection along with the Sennheiser HD490 PRO (for comfort & video editing), Altiat Cal.1H (timeless CNC-milled design & stellar build quality), and GK UltraPhones (world's best passively-isolated headphones).

Fostex themselves seems to have a re-tuned "50th Anniversary Edition" of the T60RP for $399 (probably $345-$360 on sale):

https://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/products/T60_50th_Anniversary.shtml

I believe each version from both Fostex and Mod House Audio come with a 3.5mm "TRRS" balanced input port so it's just a matter of finding a "Balanced 3.5mm-to-4.4mm balanced" cable or a "balanced 3.5mm-to-XLR" + "4-pin XLR-to-4.4mm balanced" cable combo.

I spent ~$25 on 2 materials and only used 1 material and like 25 cents of putty. my t60s have some thump now but not the punch of t20s. I forgot the name of the website but it is in previous posts but I got refurb t60s that were new for $200 plus whatever shipping and import fees.

 

[Results45]

I spent ~$25 on 2 materials and only used 1 material and like 25 cents of putty. my t60s have some thump now but not the punch of t20s. I forgot the name of the website but it is in previous posts but I got refurb t60s that were new for $200 plus whatever shipping and import fees.

Well it seems @korzh is looking for something comparable or better in the same price range as his AudioTechnica ATH A2000z which still goes for $600 new/open-box or at least $350 used.

The Mod House T60RP Argon with the Alcantara headband strap and thickened suede pads lands right in the middle at $479.

Stock T60RP can be had used for $200 and sending them into Mod House for modding costs an additional $120-$199 so the grand total assuming ~$40 round-trip shipping for the configuration above* can theoretically be as low as $429 -- both saving a sweet $50 and honestly will probably be more comfy and sound better than the $499 version of the Cal.1H

Compared to the stock T60RP and Beyerdynamic DT900 PRO X.......

• fully extended sub-bass
• warmer upper-bass
• smoother & richer, "naturally forward" mids
• noticeably better if not maintained detail & separation in busy and heavy tracks despite mods
• decently spherical soundstage
• most consistently enjoyable performance (subjectively) regardless of music genre

Seems like a "warm mild-U" sound signature with a 7k-8k upper treble peak compared to the ATH A2000z's relatively flat signature with rolled off sub-bass and extended top treble.

The biggest downside is the wait time to get one's hands on a T60RP Argon let alone sending-in one stock pair to be modded then sent back: 14 weeks to 16+ weeks

Might as well be a Christmas gift for yourself if you order one by the end of this month

Spoiler: Fostex T60RP "Mod House" Argon & ATH A2000z Charts

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*$10 below the most expensive config with the deerskin headband strap

 

[arbiter76]

Well it seems @korzh is looking for something comparable or better in the same price range as his AudioTechnica ATH A2000z which still goes for $600 new/open-box or at least $350 used.

The Mod House T60RP Argon with the Alcantara headband strap and thickened suede pads lands right in the middle at $479.

Stock T60RP can be had used for $200 and sending them into Mod House f

The biggest downside is the wait time to get one's hands on a T60RP Argon let alone sending-in one stock pair to be modded then sent back: 14 weeks to 16+ weeks

Might as well be a Christmas gift for yourself if you order one by the end of this month

Spoiler: Fostex T60RP "Mod House" Argon & ATH A2000z Charts

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*$10 below the most expensive config with the deerskin headband strap

ah. I did not see a budget or comparison. I would love to get the argon mod but I would probably have to pay import fees again on top of the mod so it is a no go for me. I am quite happy with what I have. I quit going further because I ended up tearing all my wires in 1 cup and miraculously saved it with my bad eyesight.

 

[Murat]

I bought an iPhone 6s for Spotify music. It doesn't have a customized EQ, or does it?. When I use the presets I don't perceive any change in the sound using my Ckr90, Cks1100, xba-A3. I checked the coveage and it confirmed that this is a 6s. Sound is not bad without EQ. What could be wrong?

 

[mx19]

Gentlemen, quick question:
Was there any smartphone recently with 3,5mm jack and dedicated DAC/Amp? My Samsung Galaxy S7 (with Poweramp) is getting seriously oldschool now, despite really quite strong audio performance vs. most of the dongles and mobile DACs.

Thing is, the last mid-sized flagship phone with DAC/Amp was Galaxy S10 and it's not the newest one by any means.

I know that there is Asus Zenfone 10, which is of acceptable size for me, has 3,5mm jack but sadly no SD-slot and only Qualcomm integrated audiochip. Does anyone has experience with it and its audio output? Any suggestions/opinions?
I've got Craft Ears Aurum, so they need some firepower. S7 has got just enough power for them, but I'm afraid something else would have not.

Is there any ~flagship on the market currently (or in the last, let's say 2 years) with 3,5mm? Preferably with dedicated DAC/Amp section and SD-slot?

I hate dongles for many reasons. A/B'ed most of them in <400$ budget - neither of them is considerably better than S7+poweramp and none of them is better than my Oriolus 1795 (Burr-Brown PCM1795) - which I'm still not using because I hate dongles.

Any suggestions?