[Emerald Core]

 

 

 

 
Source: http://www.androidauthority.com/hisilicon-kirin-960-soc-close-look-724326/
 
Android Authority's Kirin 960 audio specs:
 
" HiSilicon is also paying more attention to audio this time around. There’s a new embedded DSP and its third generation Hi6403 codec on board, which boasts an improved noise floor of -117dB and a dynamic range of 117. This bests the iPhone 7's codec and the Qualcomm WCD9335 found in today’s flagships. However, its THD+N characteristic of -90dB doesn’t quite match up to the competitors, but is an improvement on the previous Hi6402 IC. The Hi6403 supports overkill audio formats in the form of 32bit 192KHz PCM, as well as the DSD lossless format. It also consumes 17 to 33% less power than before."
 
How will this compare to competition ? Let us see once they announce the Mate 9. 

 

[artpiggo]

I consider buying this as my next phone just because the camera would be great haha not know that they invest in audio part also. Will see.

 

[jmills8]

Two Mate 8.

 

[Emerald Core]

Updated the photos which were leaked via http://www.nowhereelse.fr/huawei-mate-9-photos-hd-115525/
 
Headphone jack plus IR blaster. So far so good. 

 

[Emerald Core]

As quoted from GSM Arena

 

 

Audio output is solid

When plugged into an active external amplifier, the Huawei Mate 9 posted excellent scores top to bottom, hinting at perfectly accurate audio reproduction. Its loudness was just above average so no real reasons for complaining here.

Headphones only cause a small drop in volume so it’s only average and a contained hike in stereo crosstalk. Overall the output remains very clear and while it’s not quite the best performer out there the Mate 9 certainly won’t let you down in any significant way.

And now here go the results so you can make your comparison.

Test	Frequency response	Noise level	Dynamic range	THD	IMD + Noise	Stereo crosstalk
Huawei Mate 9	+0.03, -0.01	-92.2	93.0	0.0026	0.0093	-93.3
Huawei Mate 9 (headphones attached)	+0.06, -0.05	-91.1	91.8	0.016	0.056	-63.5
Huawei Mate 8	+0.01, -0.03	-97.8	99.1	0.0054	0.0087	-97.3
Huawei Mate 8 (headphones attached)	+0.02, -0.09	-97.3	97.9	0.015	0.078	-81.3
Google Pixel XL	+0.01, -0.03	-94.0	94.0	0.0033	0.0066	-92.9
Google Pixel XL (headphones attached)	+0.17, -0.04	-92.0	92.7	0.0067	0.125	-62.0
Xiaomi Mi 5s Plus	+0.06, -0.02	-83.9	83.0	0.0033	0.047	-84.9
Xiaomi Mi 5s Plus (headphones attached)	+0.95, -0.10	-82.0	83.3	0.245	0.564	-48.0
Apple iPhone 7 Plus	+0.10, -0.04	-93.1	93.1	0.0015	0.0098	-80.5
Apple iPhone 7 Plus (headphones attached)	+0.10, -0.03	-93.1	93.0	0.0013	0.015	-76.8
LG V20	+0.01, -0.03	-93.0	93.1	0.0036	0.0075	-93.7
LG V20 (headphones attached)	+0.04, -0.09	-92.4	92.4	0.051	0.105	-57.5

 

[Ting Tiew Yik]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gb9OicXcTo
 
real audio review series from pocketnow..
mate 9 

 

[The Walrus]

It can drive my T5p.2 efficiently just out of the headphone jack. It might be me, but the sound is clearer with more power than my Sony NWZ-A17.  With a 4000 mhA battery, this phone solves all my mobile DAP needs. Not to mention that you can just add a 256GB microSD card... Impressive to say the least. 

 

[WestOz]

Hi, I am currently looking at the Huawei Mate 9 and the question of audio output quality with wired headphones, earbuds or over ear seems hard to find any actual user reviews online. On the camera front i have fond an awesome review by Robin Wong which demonstrates in real world street photography use on just what you can achieve with this phone and it is good. If i can achieve close to that as an amateur i will be very pleased.

I want an android phone with good size screen, good quality audio and a decent camera. I listen to music, watch movies and all other social media type stuff on my daily commute. The comment i have noticed in this thread from The Walrus regarding user experience seems interesting. It seems that the phone is capable of producing satisfying quality clear audio with a decent set of headphones.

I use earbuds for portability reasons. I also ask what would be a good quality affordable earbud, prefer wired type with inline mic for phone calls etc. Thanks.

 

[The Walrus]

Hi, I am currently looking at the Huawei Mate 9 and the question of audio output quality with wired headphones, earbuds or over ear seems hard to find any actual user reviews online. On the camera front i have fond an awesome review by Robin Wong which demonstrates in real world street photography use on just what you can achieve with this phone and it is good. If i can achieve close to that as an amateur i will be very pleased.

I want an android phone with good size screen, good quality audio and a decent camera. I listen to music, watch movies and all other social media type stuff on my daily commute. The comment i have noticed in this thread from The Walrus regarding user experience seems interesting. It seems that the phone is capable of producing satisfying quality clear audio with a decent set of headphones.

I use earbuds for portability reasons. I also ask what would be a good quality affordable earbud, prefer wired type with inline mic for phone calls etc. Thanks.

I'd say pay no attention to the YouTube review above. Mate 9's HP output is clean, no noticeable distortion or hiss. Maybe the output level is lower than its competitors, but if you choose your headphone / IEM's accordingly, you'll have very loud output. My T5p.2 is a $1000 full size top of the line Beyer headphone and I can listen to music on my Mate 9 at very loud volumes and the SQ is almost as good as FiiO E12 headphone amp. With IEM's, you'll have no problem. I use B&W C5 Series 2 as IEM's, ($150) and they sound pretty good with Mate 9. Stay away from high sensitivity IEM's as they are notorious for a noticeable hiss.
Mate 9 also has a DTS chip which works wonders for my DT1350, but the bass is too pronounced with my T5p.2 You should try and see. The best audio player for android I could find is USB Audio Player Pro. Give a few bucks and purchase it; you won't be disappointed. It has a many features and a parametric EQ which is the best EQ I tried.
Hope this helps.

 

[WestOz]

I'd say pay no attention to the YouTube review above. Mate 9's HP output is clean, no noticeable distortion or hiss. Maybe the output level is lower than its competitors, but if you choose your headphone / IEM's accordingly, you'll have very loud output. My T5p.2 is a $1000 full size top of the line Beyer headphone and I can listen to music on my Mate 9 at very loud volumes and the SQ is almost as good as FiiO E12 headphone amp. With IEM's, you'll have no problem. I use B&W C5 Series 2 as IEM's, ($150) and they sound pretty good with Mate 9. Stay away from high sensitivity IEM's as they are notorious for a noticeable hiss.
Mate 9 also has a DTS chip which works wonders for my DT1350, but the bass is too pronounced with my T5p.2 You should try and see. The best audio player for android I could find is USB Audio Player Pro. Give a few bucks and purchase it; you won't be disappointed. It has a many features and a parametric EQ which is the best EQ I tried.
Hope this helps.

I'd say pay no attention to the YouTube review above. Mate 9's HP output is clean, no noticeable distortion or hiss. Maybe the output level is lower than its competitors, but if you choose your headphone / IEM's accordingly, you'll have very loud output. My T5p.2 is a $1000 full size top of the line Beyer headphone and I can listen to music on my Mate 9 at very loud volumes and the SQ is almost as good as FiiO E12 headphone amp. With IEM's, you'll have no problem. I use B&W C5 Series 2 as IEM's, ($150) and they sound pretty good with Mate 9. Stay away from high sensitivity IEM's as they are notorious for a noticeable hiss.
Mate 9 also has a DTS chip which works wonders for my DT1350, but the bass is too pronounced with my T5p.2 You should try and see. The best audio player for android I could find is USB Audio Player Pro. Give a few bucks and purchase it; you won't be disappointed. It has a many features and a parametric EQ which is the best EQ I tried.
Hope this helps.

Yes thanks for that. I am waiting for it to arrive now. As for lower sensitivity In ear phones I came across Soundmagic E10c with inline Mic for calls get great reviews for good quality at a good price. Would these be a good match with Huawei mate 9?
Cheers

 

[The Walrus]

Yes thanks for that. I am waiting for it to arrive now. As for lower sensitivity In ear phones I came across Soundmagic E10c with inline Mic for calls get great reviews for good quality at a good price. Would these be a good match with Huawei mate 9?
Cheers

Frankly, the only way to tell is to try. I couldn't find E10c's sensitivity in its specs, but it's very unlikely to be notoriously high as IE80 to cause any hiss. 16 ohms is a very good impedance, it will be easy to drive. I don't think you'll have any problems. Enjoy.

 

[WestOz]

The sensitivity listed on the website = 100dB
Impedance = 16 ohms