Measuring smartphone audio output

[FTB]

Hi there,

Most of my listenings are now on my smartphone (Android) with lossless Apple music and easy to drive headphones/IEMs (AKG K371 or Truthear zero Red).

I wonder if there is a way to measure the audio output (jack 3.4mm) of the phone.
By measuring I mean SINAD, frequency response and THD (at least).

The goal is to know if the quality of the output is good enough, and if not, put a dongle instead (like Jcally JM20).

I of course don't have professional equipment like an Audio Precision.
I just have an USB audio interface, Steinberg UR22 (ADC/DAC).

I guess there is a way to put some test files in the phone memory, playing these and analyzing the jack output with a software.
But I don't know which software could do that.

Due to the price of the JCally I could go for it without a doubt about the quality, but I'm curious of how the phone performs.

Is anybody has an idea of how doing that ?

Thanks

 

[sergeauckland]

Use REW software with your USB interface. The software is free and very competent. I've done it with my first phones and tablets, proved to myself those were audibly transparent even all those years ago.

S

 

[DVDdoug]

As a practical matter it's probably better than human hearing. If there is an issue it's usually that it doesn't go loud enough or there can be noise (hiss, hum, or whine in the background).

...I've heard noise (the "N" in SINAD). But I NEVER hear distortion unless something is broken or overdriven. (That's ignoring low-quality MP3s or vinyl records that can sometimes have distortion without being "broken".)

Noise, frequency response, and distortion are the characteristics that define "quality". (See Audiophoolery). With electronics, frequency response is almost always flat across the audio range (ignoring EQ) and distortion is usually below audibility unless something is overdriven into clipping/distortion.* And with the DAC and amplifier integrated together in a device like a soundcard or phone, the analog amplifier usually has more headroom than the DAC and most applications (before EQ_ can't go over 100% (0dBFS) so you won't clip the digital and analog can't clip.

If you are "paranoid" just get the JCally or Apple dongle and if you want "different" or "better" sound I recommend EQ or different headphones.

Use REW software with your USB interface.

Of course you are also "measuring" your interface at the same time. And if you do that, it's a good idea to plug-in the headphones/IEMs at the same time with a Y-Splitter because the low impedance load can change the characteristics.


* When EQ is used, there is usually a "preamp" option that can be used to attenuate the overall level so you can boost the bass, etc. (relatively) without digital clipping.

 

[FTB]

Thank you both for the replies.

Use REW software with your USB interface. The software is free and very competent. I've done it with my first phones and tablets, proved to myself those were audibly transparent even all those years ago.

S

I didn't know REW can do that, I'll check the manual.

As a practical matter it's probably better than human hearing. If there is an issue it's usually that it doesn't go loud enough or there can be noise (hiss, hum, or whine in the background).

...I've heard noise (the "N" in SINAD). But I NEVER hear distortion unless something is broken or overdriven. (That's ignoring low-quality MP3s or vinyl records that can sometimes have distortion without being "broken".)

Noise, frequency response, and distortion are the characteristics that define "quality". (See Audiophoolery). With electronics, frequency response is almost always flat across the audio range (ignoring EQ) and distortion is usually below audibility unless something is overdriven into clipping/distortion.* And with the DAC and amplifier integrated together in a device like a soundcard or phone, the analog amplifier usually has more headroom than the DAC and most applications (before EQ_ can't go over 100% (0dBFS) so you won't clip the digital and analog can't clip.

If you are "paranoid" just get the JCally or Apple dongle and if you want "different" or "better" sound I recommend EQ or different headphones.


Of course you are also "measuring" your interface at the same time. And if you do that, it's a good idea to plug-in the headphones/IEMs at the same time with a Y-Splitter because the low impedance load can change the characteristics.


* When EQ is used, there is usually a "preamp" option that can be used to attenuate the overall level so you can boost the bass, etc. (relatively) without digital clipping.

To be honest I don't feel any problem with the output of my phone but there may be stuff I don't hear ?

It's not a headphones problem, these are to my taste without EQ.

I'm finally just curious to see how the phone performs...