Sony Xperia 5 IV Audio Review

[A Surfer]

Well easier to use and of course equal in sound quality is Onkyo HF Player. Free version doesn't have access to the very well implemented FIR equalizer so the modest cost of going pro is well worth it.

For someone who doesn't use their phone for music much, Neutron is way, way too much. It is for those who love diving deep into settings. IMO and I started with Neutron.

 

[lewdish]

Sure. Just start a conversation with me.

Dm'ed

 

[so.music]

Crazy as over the past decade Sony invested heavily in premium portable audio solutions and released a lot of top-tier products (many did not make it to western markets, alas).

Kind of a stupid move, if you ask me. So much effort put into such a niche market when they could have used all that hardware, R&D, and software team to put all those goodies in their phones. Especially when lossless streaming platforms like Tidal became way more popular than carrying flacs around. And even more when they stated that they want to keep their phones stock because they don't want to invest heavily into software (another Japanese historical quirk).

Well, dear Sony, keep your android stock, but add some high quality dacs and invest into a software team to keep these phones updated at least 5 years, and there you have - a real winner in the pro arena. Especially when you can use the phone on the sony alpha cams for live preview, why not use them as audio recorders too?! Just put a decent AD/DA chip on it and it will sell like crazy. Nobody wants to carry another bulky field recorder when you can attach a good mic to a phone.

That being said, I am a very satisfied xperia customer for the last 7 years and I don't plan on switching brands anytime soon. Any other phone I've tried was bloated into oblivion with useless apps, many of which cannot be even deactivated so they won't use power. So far, sony has the cleanest experience. And after a few tweaks, the battery life - which is the best in class anyway, any class - becomes even better.

I also much prefer the xperia 5 form factor since I live an active life and quite often I have to be able to fully use the phone using only one hand. No other form factor allows me to do that as fast and easy, not even the Zenphone 9 or S22. I guess its all a matter of usability, and so far xperia 5 nailed it for me.

Oh, and the jack audio quality is decent. But if I really want quality then I can always plug in the Qudelix 5k.

 

[shakey]

Hello everybody, I bought a Fiio KA17 to use it with the Sony Xperia 5 IV, but the Volume is too low, much lower than if I have the KA17 connected to my Computer. There must be a restriction on the output signal of the phone or so. Does anyone have a solution? I might return the amp otherwise. Thanks

 

[Jimster480]

Hello everybody, I bought a Fiio KA17 to use it with the Sony Xperia 5 IV, but the Volume is too low, much lower than if connected to my Computer. There must be a restriction on the output signal of the phone or so. Do anyone have a solution? I might return the amp otherwise. Thanks

I don't have this problem with a Fiio Ka13, nor do I have the problem with my other portable USB-C amp. I have the Xperia 1 IV.

 

[ZolaIII]

Hello everybody, I bought a Fiio KA17 to use it with the Sony Xperia 5 IV, but the Volume is too low, much lower than if I have the KA17 connected to my Computer. There must be a restriction on the output signal of the phone or so. Does anyone have a solution? I might return the amp otherwise. Thanks

And what do you get when you switch to USB 2.0 driver directly trough FiiO music app (skipping Android audio chain completely) and is there a hardware gain control there?

 

[shakey]

And what do you get when you switch to USB 2.0 driver directly trough FiiO music app (skipping Android audio chain completely) and is there a hardware gain control there?

Thanks, I think that´s what I did, but now I´ve already packed it for a return. However the firmware-update was very useful, I felt. And the use of filters in the app too. But I don´t like the sound of it in general, especially the desktop mode is disappointing. The modest headphone-amp inside my Wiim Ultra surprisingly sounds a lot better to my ears, it has a warmer and fuller sound, the stage is way better and of course there is a lot more headroom with the HD650 connected. I will be looking for another dongle in the future. Thanks for now.

 

[Willem]

Triggered much? No. Just kind of annoying to have someone else making decisions for me, regardless of whatever government or entity they may be.

The issue is an epidemic of hearing damage, especially among the young. It isn't any different from regulation about maximum loudness in discos and the like.

 

[ZolaIII]

Thanks, I think that´s what I did, but now I´ve already packed it for a return. However the firmware-update was very useful, I felt. And the use of filters in the app too. But I don´t like the sound of it in general, especially the desktop mode is disappointing. The modest headphone-amp inside my Wiim Ultra surprisingly sounds a lot better to my ears, it has a warmer and fuller sound, the stage is way better and of course there is a lot more headroom with the HD650 connected. I will be looking for another dongle in the future. Thanks for now.

Now that's funny.

ESS Technology Introduces ES9069Q & ES9039Q2M 2-Channel Digital-to-Analog Converters

ESS Technology introduced two new SABRE Series high performance Digital-to-Analog 2-channel converters targeting applications that require outstanding stereo performance. According to the semiconductor company, the new ES9069Q and ES9039Q2M SABRE DACs continue to set the benchmark in ultra-low...

audioxpress.com

The Q variant is more desktop and Q2M portable one other than that they don't differ much. I gave up and went LDAC high on mini cheap CS4313 and all do not great for really sensitive IEM's and headphones works satisfactory (still pain in the...).

 

[Jimster480]

And what do you get when you switch to USB 2.0 driver directly trough FiiO music app (skipping Android audio chain completely) and is there a hardware gain control there?

I've personally never played music though that app. I use Tidal or Spotify or Youtube and all 3 work fine.

Thanks, I think that´s what I did, but now I´ve already packed it for a return. However the firmware-update was very useful, I felt. And the use of filters in the app too. But I don´t like the sound of it in general, especially the desktop mode is disappointing. The modest headphone-amp inside my Wiim Ultra surprisingly sounds a lot better to my ears, it has a warmer and fuller sound, the stage is way better and of course there is a lot more headroom with the HD650 connected. I will be looking for another dongle in the future. Thanks for now.

Try the KA13 instead, it works really well and has its own volume adapter.

The issue is an epidemic of hearing damage, especially among the young. It isn't any different from regulation about maximum loudness in discos and the like.

Yet Disney world has it at 500% to the point that I literally had to leave the last time I went.

 

[ZolaIII]

@Jimster480 had Sony, never had problem with it regarding USB out, always liked built in DLNA server. As already stated I gave up for good enough BT. Simply problems with USB OTG cables over time is too much hustle. I did try FiiO music but preferred Hiby more including UAPP. I avoid most and for a most part streaming services this days even YouTube for a good part, tho do local streaming (even to the phone). It's funny story regarding such and their apps. A bit like with DAP's they had one job to do and failed. On average Spotify/Google music (losy compression 250~320 KB) use 2.5x more power than local DLNA (lossless compressed) local streaming.

 

[Willem]

Yet Disney world has it at 500% to the point that I literally had to leave the last time I went.

Therefore, we have similar legislation to limit such noise.

 

[Jimster480]

Therefore, we have similar legislation to limit such noise.

Yet large parks like Disney World don't abide by it. However my phone doesn't output enough voltage for me to use it in my car, without turning the stereo up past half to reach a normal listening level.

@Jimster480 had Sony, never had problem with it regarding USB out, always liked built in DLNA server. As already stated I gave up for good enough BT. Simply problems with USB OTG cables over time is too much hustle. I did try FiiO music but preferred Hiby more including UAPP. I avoid most and for a most part streaming services this days even YouTube for a good part, tho do local streaming (even to the phone). It's funny story regarding such and their apps. A bit like with DAP's they had one job to do and failed. On average Spotify/Google music (losy compression 250~320 KB) use 2.5x more power than local DLNA (lossless compressed) local streaming.

I'm aware that local streaming uses way less power vs a streaming service.... however I don't have any music anymore and likely won't ever build a collection again at this point.
If something happens to streaming services then I will go back to downloading music and build a collection that way.
I personally haven't had an issue with USB-C DAC's on my phone when I need to use it for music with a wired pair of headphones. It has just worked every time with my FiiO & HibY devices.

 

[ZolaIII]

@Jimster480 it doesn't and shouldn't use more CPU cycles especially not 5x more to do the same job. It just shows how their apps are bad. Well it's never too late I did it in little more than a year and I am a decade older than you. Tho I did it only for domestic music as well it's bad regarding both catalogues and material availability. So I dig and dig and had a help from local radio station and whose rewarded by discovering new things I didn't know of. It's really how much you dig and popular out of other people wrapped up in supposed AI suggestions can't really do it.
Don't get me wrong I whose for wireless as whole and it whose and is a pain in the... And Sony started it regarding phone's some 10 years ago in ZX era with SBH BT line and MH755 (still have them and even use SBH52 from time to time working around the hause for the FM radio). Same thing I do when driving (listen radio). I don't have need to use analog input in car and if I did Hiby W3 II (for example and as it's not really explained anywhere) has a very simple car mode you enable it along with turn off inactive timer and it gets on automatically when it gets power trough USB port. It's -2 dB to 2V (1.75V) and it's still hustle.

 

[Joe Bloggs]

A bit like with DAP's they had one job to do and failed.

What would that one job be?
Be compatible with every streaming app out that (90% of which need Android to run)?
Therefore, be up to date with every google update?
Be bitperfect, unlike the 99 other smartphones out there that tick the above two boxes--resulting in a hodgepodge of hacks to the system that run counter to the above in almost every case?
Have good volume control design, just like stock Android is purposely designed NOT to do?
Be audiophile-approved, which may involve stripping the device of essential Android services to make it more "pure", adding heaps of audiophile-approved buzzword features to the detriment of actual performance in most cases?
Be audiophile-approved in size, weight and power consumption (large, heavy and hot)?
Be casual-user approved in size, weight and power consumption (small, light and cool / long running)?
Be objectively good sounding (straight wire with gain)?
Be subjectively good sounding to audiophiles (lots of distortion generating devices like tubes, R2R, discrete components, and it's not good enough to just make an elephant dance as well as a ballerina--if it's still straight wire with gain it will sound like everything else and the audiophile will hear through the charade--it must be actually objectively bad to tick this box)?

At the end of the day the market for these things is such a huge mass of contradictions I'm surprised any product produced works at all! They certainly can't possibly work "well" for most people.

Disclaimer: personal opinion.

 

[ZolaIII]

@Joe Bloggs to make a optimised app using optimised libs. It's not OS even in most cases it's user. Log scale huge steps in vanilla or Google even couple more by Sony is still not enough. Tho with USBA DAC there are apps with their own software 100 steps 50 dB control's and support for device encoded steps we mentioned couple earlier. On the BT you can switch off keep volume constant and you get hardware steps + Android steps + per app Android steps and what ever OEM of the device provides you in addition. I am a wrong person to talk to, I left Android development. Liked minimal, still do.

 

[Robbo99999]

Looking at last few posts I suppose you could just use Neutron Player with any Android smartphone instead, as I understand that Neutron can take direct control of the DAC you attach to it (eg Apple Dongle) and therefore bypassing any smartphone implemented shenanigans.

 

[Jimster480]

@Jimster480 it doesn't and shouldn't use more CPU cycles especially not 5x more to do the same job. It just shows how their apps are bad. Well it's never too late I did it in little more than a year and I am a decade older than you. Tho I did it only for domestic music as well it's bad regarding both catalogues and material availability. So I dig and dig and had a help from local radio station and whose rewarded by discovering new things I didn't know of. It's really how much you dig and popular out of other people wrapped up in supposed AI suggestions can't really do it.
Don't get me wrong I whose for wireless as whole and it whose and is a pain in the... And Sony started it regarding phone's some 10 years ago in ZX era with SBH BT line and MH755 (still have them and even use SBH52 from time to time working around the hause for the FM radio). Same thing I do when driving (listen radio). I don't have need to use analog input in car and if I did Hiby W3 II (for example and as it's not really explained anywhere) has a very simple car mode you enable it along with turn off inactive timer and it gets on automatically when it gets power trough USB port. It's -2 dB to 2V (1.75V) and it's still hustle.

Personally car Bluetooth is really bad compared to AUX. Most Car audio systems don't really support anything outside of SBC codec.... some support AAC from Apple sources only... but it is really hit and miss. Nothing I own has more than SBC codec and that sucks; so I prefer AUX or I use my iPod touch to play directly into the car.

What would that one job be?
Be compatible with every streaming app out that (90% of which need Android to run)?
Therefore, be up to date with every google update?
Be bitperfect, unlike the 99 other smartphones out there that tick the above two boxes--resulting in a hodgepodge of hacks to the system that run counter to the above in almost every case?
Have good volume control design, just like stock Android is purposely designed NOT to do?
Be audiophile-approved, which may involve stripping the device of essential Android services to make it more "pure", adding heaps of audiophile-approved buzzword features to the detriment of actual performance in most cases?
Be audiophile-approved in size, weight and power consumption (large, heavy and hot)?
Be casual-user approved in size, weight and power consumption (small, light and cool / long running)?
Be objectively good sounding (straight wire with gain)?
Be subjectively good sounding to audiophiles (lots of distortion generating devices like tubes, R2R, discrete components, and it's not good enough to just make an elephant dance as well as a ballerina--if it's still straight wire with gain it will sound like everything else and the audiophile will hear through the charade--it must be actually objectively bad to tick this box)?

At the end of the day the market for these things is such a huge mass of contradictions I'm surprised any product produced works at all! They certainly can't possibly work "well" for most people.

Disclaimer: personal opinion.

I somewhat agree here too. DAP's are quite hard to make to please any real subset of people anymore. Especially with the prevalance of the smartphone world.
I used to have various media players before the world of streaming and smartphone apps.... but slowly the smartphone overtook everything and now a USB-C DAC can serve all my needs when I need them. I also use wireless headphones for when I work outside or wireless speakers for when I work in my barn (at least for now) and wired headphones are really for critical / long term listening where max quality matters.
The other time I used wired sources is for AUX in my cars as has been mentioned before. However I use the phone output usually in the car and just turn the car volume up to be able to listen to it. On a really long drive I will sometimes use a USB-C Dac... but then it has to be unplugged as the phone will have to be charged at some point in time.

Looking at last few posts I suppose you could just use Neutron Player with any Android smartphone instead, as I understand that Neutron can take direct control of the DAC you attach to it (eg Apple Dongle) and therefore bypassing any smartphone implemented shenanigans.

Thanks for the recommendation, I will check this app out!