New Sony Walkman NW-A300 Series (Android 12)

[Lyzar]

I was using the Sony WF-1000XM4s, the static was quite obvious and noticeable immediately. Not sure if the static is due to some sort of conflict between the Sound Adjustment app and the Headphones app for Sony bluetooth headphones.

Would surprise me if a Sony Headphone would not play nicely with a Sony dap does the WF-1000XM4 have DSEE of its own? If so try turning on just one or the other. Probably better on the Headphones than on the sending DAP and maybe conflicts with each other

 

[psikey]

Get these teething issues sorted and it should be a game changer for Sony after years in the shadow of Apple.

Doubt it.

99% of people are happy to use their phone and BT headset/buds.

 

[goody]

Get these teething issues sorted and it should be a game changer for Sony after years in the shadow of Apple.

No doubt i think the A306 will be a huge seller if issues sorted ....No EQ on mine just direct mode ..but listening to my latest bluetooth headphones via latest samsung phone it does sound good

 

[Lyzar]

No doubt i think the A306 will be a huge seller if issues sorted ....No EQ on mine just direct mode ..but listening to my latest bluetooth headphones via latest samsung phone it does sound good

So I am not the only one who thinks the Bluetooth sounds better from the Sony than from their phone, even in direct mode... Is that even possible tho? I thought without EQ most of the sound processing is done on the Headphones...
For example: I feel like my old PXC 550s sound like they have more bass on the A306 than on my Pixel 4a

 

[emilsoft]

So I am not the only one who thinks the Bluetooth sounds better from the Sony than from their phone, even in direct mode... Is that even possible tho? I thought without EQ most of the sound processing is done on the Headphones...
For example: I feel like my old PXC 550s sound like they have more bass on the A306 than on my Pixel 4a

better codec, better bitpool, maybe some algo/processing the stream to sound a little better - it's not unexpected, usually DAPs sound better on bluetooth.

 

[psikey]

So I am not the only one who thinks the Bluetooth sounds better from the Sony than from their phone, even in direct mode... Is that even possible tho? I thought without EQ most of the sound processing is done on the Headphones...
For example: I feel like my old PXC 550s sound like they have more bass on the A306 than on my Pixel 4a

I don't, and they didn't sound better out of my WM1ZM2 or WM1AM2 when I had them either compared to my S21, unless you use some BT EQ with the Sony (BTR5/IEM or XM4).

Direct, sounds same to me as you would expect of a flat response with a digital file if both using LDAC 990kbps BT on both. A Samsung would default to 600kps LDAC normally.

 

[Lyzar]

I don't, and they didn't sound better out of my WM1ZM2 or WM1AM2 when I had them either compared to my S21, unless you use some BT EQ with the Sony (BTR5/IEM or XM4).

Direct, sounds same to me as you would expect of a flat response with a digital file if both using LDAC 990kbps BT on both. A Samsung would default to 600kps LDAC normally.

That's the thing here though: it's the old PXC550s so they don't have LDAC. Both my Pixel and the Shanling M1 Support apt-x, but the sound out of the PXC550 feels better from the Sony. I also thought that I was insane at first because without EQ, what should be the difference between the devices? But my ears are sure that it's cleaner. Maybe there is a way to measure noise floor over Bluetooth? Cause maybe that is the cause of why I think it sounds cleaner and the bass is better...

Might also be that it is a placebo, wouldn't want to rule that out, but am not sure how to measure it objectively lol

 

[psikey]

That's the thing here though: it's the old PXC550s so they don't have LDAC. Both my Pixel and the Shanling M1 Support apt-x, but the sound out of the PXC550 feels better from the Sony. I also thought that I was insane at first because without EQ, what should be the difference between the devices? But my ears are sure that it's cleaner. Maybe there is a way to measure noise floor over Bluetooth? Cause maybe that is the cause of why I think it sounds cleaner and the bass is better...

Might also be that it is a placebo, wouldn't want to rule that out, but am not sure how to measure it objectively lol

I've not used anything else but LDAC for years so admit no experience with the other BT codecs. Just enjoy the music and if it sounds better, placebo or not, all good.

If I only used BT I'd not buy a DAP and just use my Samsung phone. I buy DAP's for 99% wired use. (can't say never as have tested with BT)

 

[goody]

So I am not the only one who thinks the Bluetooth sounds better from the Sony than from their phone, even in direct mode... Is that even possible tho? I thought without EQ most of the sound processing is done on the Headphones...
For example: I feel like my old PXC 550s sound like they have more bass on the A306 than on my Pixel 4a

The pixels have always had a rubbish Bluetooth implementation something with the pure android OS just does not get it right ?... so i am not surprised if you had a sony or samsung phone it will sound the same

 

[psikey]

The pixels have always had a rubbish Bluetooth implementation something with the pure android OS just does not get it right ?... so i am not surprised if you had a sony or samsung phone it will sound the same

I also had a Sony Experia 1III phone for a while and no different again. Not forgetting the awesome LG V30 (at the time).

The WF-1000XM4 over LDAC nearly gets me over to BT but not that comfy so eagerly waiting to see a XM5. My only BT use at moment is a BTR5 using its balanced 2.5mm with my SE846's. (I find BTR5 noticeably better with its 2.5mm connection)

 

[Lyzar]

I've not used anything else but LDAC for years so admit no experience with the other BT codecs. Just enjoy the music and if it sounds better, placebo or not, all good.

If I only used BT I'd not buy a DAP and just use my Samsung phone. I buy DAP's for 99% wired use. (can't say never as have tested with BT)

Yea I use wired at home and BT for comfort. I got cats and have to store my IEMs in cases for that reason when they are not in use, lol. Long string shaped things get them playful... Cost me a mmcx cable already. So it does not feel "worth it" to get my wired IEMs (which I prefer sound wise) out for just a couple of minutes

 

[psikey]

Yea I use wired at home and BT for comfort. I got cats and have to store my IEMs in cases for that reason when they are not in use, lol. Long string shaped things get them playful... Cost me a mmcx cable already. So it does not feel "worth it" go get my wired IEMs (which I prefer sound wise) out for just a couple of minutes

The Sony XM4 buds sound amazing over LDAC Best and nearly makes you think of forgoing the inconvenience of cables.

I'm downsizing as gone ZX300 > A105 > ZX507 > Hiby R5II > WM1ZM2 > MW1AM2 > A307

A new WF-1000XM5 might be to one to snip the wire!!

Fortunately my dog isn't a cable chewer but he doesn't get the chance anyway, all cased if not in use.

 

[goody]

I also had a Sony Experia 1III phone for a while and no different again. Not forgetting the awesome LG V30 (at the time).

The WF-1000XM4 over LDAC nearly gets me over to BT but not that comfy so eagerly waiting to see a XM5. My only BT use at moment is a BTR5 using its balanced 2.5mm with my SE846's. (I find BTR5 noticeably better with its 2.5mm connection)

Yep the BTR5 over Bluetooth sounds very very good sometimes how they did it ....I still have my LG V30 very good with both bluetooth and wired with the sabre amp ..I had the WFXM4 i sold it after a while quite uncomfortable, the sennheiser momentum wireless 3 sounds better more detail ...infact the Sony WFXM3 is better than XM4 in my opinion apart from ANC

 

[psikey]

Yep the BTR5 over Bluetooth sounds very very good sometimes how they did it ....I still have my LG V30 very good with both bluetooth and wired with the sabre amp ..I had the WFXM4 i sold it after a while quite uncomfortable, the sennheiser momentum wireless 3 sounds better more detail ...infact the Sony WFXM3 is better than XM4 in my opinion apart from ANC

Only had the XM4 and too large/un-comfy for my ears. I'm waiting to see the XM5. I loved the convenience of using buds with my phone (not for use with A307 for now).

 

[psikey]

So, I like the battery saving "feeling" of using battery care option to stop charging at what seems 95-98% battery, but has anyone else found it doesn't then always reset the battery use stats after last full charge?

I charged this last time and the use stats are just adding to what built up before.

Looks like they forget to take into account using Battery Care mode