Sony Xperia Z3 Audio Quality

[ivn07]

Sony z3c really makes me forgot that i still own an itouch 5. I never use my itouch 5 again. I really enjoyed listening music with this smartphone And the dsee hx makes it more interesting !

I have some question, is there any big difference between the z3 family and sony portable audio player like nwz a10/15/17 in term of sound quality ? Is the dedicated sony's s-master chip that been planted in the a10/15/17 will produce a much superior sound quality than the z3's ? Or just slightly better than the z3 ?

One for sure, im greatly satisfied with this compact device.

(sorry for my bad english )

 

[Whitigir]

Sony z3c really makes me forgot that i still own an itouch 5. I never use my itouch 5 again. I really enjoyed listening music with this smartphone And the dsee hx makes it more interesting !

I have some question, is there any big difference between the z3 family and sony portable audio player like nwz a10/15/17 in term of sound quality ? Is the dedicated sony's s-master chip that been planted in the a10/15/17 will produce a much superior sound quality than the z3's ? Or just slightly better than the z3 ?

One for sure, im greatly satisfied with this compact device.

(sorry for my bad english )

S-master has been Sony iconic chip set throughout all dedicated audio gadgets. The S-master in the up coming Z4 is branded S-master mobile. There is no speculation or whatever regarding the performance as of yet. But I can tell you using my ears, this chip set probably is an improvement over the cd Walkman around 12 years ago. They sounded amazing. The Z3 family had brought out the similar sound again, which I was craving for while Apple was dominating, and beats by Dre was pulling his fortune to build his disgusting headphones. I knew I was craving for something else...the Walkman sounds.

Until Z3 came out, I gave it a try, and immediately satisfied. So if the up coming S master in the Z4. I bet it would be more quality at better output. Quality wise, probably allows more effects, but as clean and lean, smooth, it probably is similar. Together with bigger output.

 

[NuckinFutz]

Removed

 

[NuckinFutz]

Taken above comments back!

Sony have used S-Master labelled devices in HiFi amplifiers, I had no idea (Sony do not normally make or brand components).

I can't find anything about the S-master chips used in newer portable kit but I like the idea that Sony may still be using their own solutions! Actually quite excited about the Z4!

 

[Whitigir]

Taken above comments back!

Sony have used S-Master labelled devices in HiFi amplifiers, I had no idea (Sony do not normally make or brand components).

I can't find anything about the S-master chips used in newer portable kit but I like the idea that Sony may still be using their own solutions! Actually quite excited about the Z4!

Yupe, exactly...S-master is Sony own flagship audiophile in digital audio. The same as Blu-Ray and....etc. Sony can stir things up quiet well. So be prepared to receive one of their flagship product into the Z4, and Z4 music. That is why rumor has it the Z4 will be very expensive Vs Z4 music which will run for less.

I call those a future success, as people who are music lover, enthusiast, and audiophile will pay a hefty price for a good and dedicated device, let alone if it can make phone call.

 

[runner84]

@Whitigir
 
I saw you wrote that the Z2 is more a basshead phone and the Z3 play cleaner and more detailed.
 
I found the on the gsmarena site the frequency responses of the phones:
Z2: http://cdn.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/sony-xperia-z2/gsmarena_a001.png
Z3: http://cdn.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/sony-xperia-z3/gsmarena_a001.png
 
It looks like they are nearly identical.
How can it be more a basshead phone?
Is there something more then this frequency responses that can make a bassphone?
 
The Z3 Compact is different from the Z3. I see it is even more accurate and has less Bass or did i miss something?
Z3C: http://cdn.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/sony-xperia-z3-compact/gsmarena_a002.png
 
I found also my old Sony Sola it seems it has the bass up to +0,5db
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/sony-xperia-sola/gsmarena_a001.png
 
I saw nearly all the 2011 and 2012 smartphones of Sony got this +0,5db in bass, like my old Sola. 
 
Btw: I see all the new models of 2013 and 2014 got nearly accurate frequency like Z2 and Z3.

 

[elektron]

Quote:

I can't find anything about the S-master chips used in newer portable kit but I like the idea that Sony may still be using their own solutions! Actually quite excited about the Z4!

 
Yes, the S-Master technology has been around for many years and Sony already use the S-Master in all of their high-end portable gear such dedicated players (e.g. NWZ-ZX1) as well as active (e.g. MDR-1ADAC) and bluetooth (e.g. MDR-1RBTMK2) headphones.
 

So be prepared to receive one of their flagship product into the Z4, and Z4 music. That is why rumor has it the Z4 will be very expensive Vs Z4 music which will run for less.

I call those a future success, as people who are music lover, enthusiast, and audiophile will pay a hefty price for a good and dedicated device, let alone if it can make phone call.

 
I have been following the Z4 leaks very closely for some time but I have yet to come across anything of note to suggest that the Z4 will have have the S-Master.  
 
In my view, it wouldn't even make sense for Sony as the Z3 already owns the market in terms of the sound quality without having the S-Master, especially since this advantage has not translated into the sales volumes so far.  The Z4 is likely to be even better with a newer DAC etc, without the need for the S-Master, so Sony has nothing to gain by including it in a mass market phone, as opposed to the Music variant aimed at audiophiles and enthusiasts.
 
Moreover, Sony simply cannot afford to raise the price of their phones in this market as they are fighting hard to increase their market share (even though they are saying it's not their goal), with the survival of their loss-making mobile division currently at stake.  Adding an expensive but obscure component such as the S-Master to an already great sounding phone won't make an iota of difference to 99% of prospective buyers, but increasing the price by $100 - $200 most certainly will.
 
If I were to make a prediction / speculation I would suggest that the Z4 Music (should it eventuate) will be the only Z4 variant with the S-Master and will be priced similar to the Z4 Compact.

 

[Whitigir]

@Whitigir


I saw you wrote that the Z2 is more a basshead phone and the Z3 play cleaner and more detailed.

I found the on the gsmarena site the frequency responses of the phones:
Z2: http://cdn.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/sony-xperia-z2/gsmarena_a001.png
Z3: http://cdn.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/sony-xperia-z3/gsmarena_a001.png

It looks like they are nearly identical.
How can it be more a basshead phone?
Is there something more then this frequency responses that can make a bassphone?

The Z3 Compact is different from the Z3. I see it is even more accurate and has less Bass or did i miss something?
Z3C: http://cdn.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/sony-xperia-z3-compact/gsmarena_a002.png

I found also my old Sony Sola it seems it has the bass up to +0,5db
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/sony-xperia-sola/gsmarena_a001.png

I saw nearly all the 2011 and 2012 smartphones of Sony got this +0,5db in bass, like my old Sola. 

Btw: I see all the new models of 2013 and 2014 got nearly accurate frequency like Z2 and Z3.

The data from gsmarena are more like technical measurement, which translates into nothing for the music quality. The Z2 circuitry design is different than the Z3 if you look at the teardown. So far I don't even understand why, as no one do as of now. The only thing I have is my personal experience, the quality of bass, and detail, clean, clear music can clearly be heard from Z2 vs Z3. I compared them when the Z2 did not have the upgraded Walkman app, then gave it away, and later on in heard Sony upgraded Z2 to be capable of high res music. I was not able to test it then, but I doubt the Z2 would come close to the Z3 in Sq. I based this on the claim Sony engineering stated, the Z3 has the built in converter which allow it to play high-res music where as the Z2 is capable, but needs an external converter.

The latest things I could be wrong is the TFA9890 has many Variants. I am not so sure on this. I only assumed it from China websites, and some other Googled website. The one in Z3 may be of better, newer get than the one in Z2? I don't even know.

 

[Whitigir]

Yes, the S-Master technology has been around for many years and Sony already use the S-Master in all of their high-end portable gear such dedicated players (e.g. NWZ-ZX1) as well as active (e.g. MDR-1ADAC) and bluetooth (e.g. MDR-1RBTMK2) headphones.


I have been following the Z4 leaks very closely for some time but I have yet to come across anything of note to suggest that the Z4 will have have the S-Master.  

In my view, it wouldn't even make sense for Sony as the Z3 already owns the market in terms of the sound quality without having the S-Master, especially since this advantage has not translated into the sales volumes so far.  The Z4 is likely to be even better with a newer DAC etc, without the need for the S-Master, so Sony has nothing to gain by including it in a mass market phone, as opposed to the Music variant aimed at audiophiles and enthusiasts.

Moreover, Sony simply cannot afford to raise the price of their phones in this market as they are fighting hard to increase their market share (even though they are saying it's not their goal), with the survival of their loss-making mobile division currently at stake.  Adding an expensive but obscure component such as the S-Master to an already great sounding phone won't make an iota of difference to 99% of prospective buyers, but increasing the price by $100 - $200 most certainly will.

If I were to make a prediction / speculation I would suggest that the Z4 Music (should it eventuate) will be the only Z4 variant with the S-Master and will be priced similar to the Z4 Compact.

Your financial stand point makes a lot of senses. But if you look closely at the leaked picture, the Z4 also has the walkman logo on the lower right corner, the same as Z4 music. I don't think they would call Z4 a flagship if it didn't have everything top tier. But who know ? There is a reason why they only showed it private....beside, if both has the same music quality, I am going with Z4 music, more portability, and easier to play music with. I can always browse and play game on a tablet.

Leaked Z4 music will have

Snapdragon 801
4" triluminous 1440x720
8mp camera , 1080 video capability
3gb ram
32gb or 128gb built in storage. 32gb only comes in black, while 128gb comes in different colors, silver, pink, green, rose gold
2000 mah battery
S force front speakers
S master mobile amplifier

Oh and the Z4 will have 810 snap dragon with 4gb RAM...holy cow.

 

[elektron]

Your financial stand point makes a lot of senses. But if you look closely at the leaked picture, the Z4 also has the walkman logo on the lower right corner, the same as Z4 music. I don't think they would call Z4 a flagship if it didn't have everything top tier. But who know ? There is a reason why they only showed it private....beside, if both has the same music quality, I am going with Z4 music, more portability, and easier to play music with. I can always browse and play game on a tablet.
 

 
You're right - we don't really know, do we?  That's why I said it was only a speculation on my part.
 
I also agree with your point that, generally, the flagship device usually has the kitchen sink thrown in, but this is not always the case.  For example, Samsung Galaxy K Zoom has a 10x zoom camera, which the current Samsung flagship doesn't.  This is because the K Zoom is aimed at a niche market, just like the Z4 Music will be.
 
Interestingly though, this Z4 render from back in November lists the S-Master, but I doubt this one is legit.
 

 

[Nimpo]

Can anyone shed some light on this test? http://www.soomal.com/doc/10100005521.htm

 

[runner84]

By translator they basically tell us what we already know.
They say technical by numbers the Z1 and Z2 is better then the Z3 or did i get it wrong? But it can play HD files.
 
The sound is (translator):
 

Real listening in general, the driving force is too small, with high sensitivity and low impedance, push it can not be called good, just decent, quiet environment, but also to listen to the noise in the end. Neutral tone, not too much bass, the sound field is relatively narrow, flat voice, the overall performance of thin thin, but the resolution of performance is acceptable,, Z2 style consistent with the Z1. Compared to other conventional design based Xiaolong 801 models, Z3 can not be considered a good performance compared to rivals such as HTC One M8, the gap is too big, not to mention design and metamorphosis models compared to the current flagship models already belongs to a poor level. HD audio is supported, but the basis for such quality models, the definition of what is the meaning of it? Z3 play high-definition signals and will not bring about significant qualitative improvement, hardware foundation is too mediocre. The sound quality is a lot better and see a good brand, but bigger difference, and probably also Sony, and disappointing.

 
Personal:
The difference i hear to my old Sony phones is simple as i said before.
Z3 is more detailed but thin/flat sounding compared to my old Sony phones.
 
 
EDIT: Here is the soundreview of the site from the M8:

One M8 voice is typically boiled style, neutral calm, less staining, sound law-abiding, no exaggeration is not rendered, but also no emotion, habit warm, you may think it is cool and rigid style. Compared to the average cell phone, driving force One M8 significantly better, with the advantages of a dynamic and transient ear full advantage of the band, as well as resolving power. These advantages make the sound has a better sense of form, singers, musical instruments are more vivid. Although very good, but still the conventional design of the phone, it is also facing some insurmountable problems of conventional design, face headphones, the driving force of the more formidable still not big enough, in high volume, or will hear some glitches sense, will increase auditory fatigue.

 

[Whitigir]

Darn...even the Japanese are saying M8 is better than the Z3. The M8 must be excellent then. But I am so sure my ears are not fooling me. Z3 performance is no joke. Though I never tried M8... Can't compare.

 

[BenKatz]

Darn...even the Japanese are saying M8 is better than the Z3. The M8 must be excellent then. But I am so sure my ears are not fooling me. Z3 performance is no joke. Though I never tried M8... Can't compare.

It's the Chinese actually. I don't know, I tested my Z3 on specific songs against the M8 and Ip6 plus. It was flat out better than the Ip6 on almost all fronts (soundstage, sound separation, bass tightness, smoothness) except of volume output. The M8 sounded almost the same, with more volume but a bit more narrow to my opinion and a bit harsh. Measurements aren't everything. 

 

[Scorpion667]

Do we have any output impedance numbers for the Z3? Thinking of snagging the compact however my SE846 IEM (9ohm impedance) is very sensitive to output impedance. Seems like the Z2 had around 5 ohm which would be a terrible mix