Ask Lemmy @lemmy.world Mothra @mander.xyz 4mo ago

Can I install an app to improve the sound quality on my phone?

Please go easy on me, I'm not very tech savvy. So I got a new android phone, and everything is ok except the audio. This is using the same headphones I used with my old phone, so I'm not talking about improving the phone's speakers or headphones, but the quality of the sound as it is processed in the phone itself.

There is an equalizer (Dolby Atmos) but after trying every preset and option available I give up. They all sound tinny or kind of muffled. My old phone had just a basic "Moto Audio" and it was great. Both phones are Motorola and I'm disappointed to see this downgrade.

So the question is, can I install something to fix this and if yes, what type of app am I looking for?

Thanks

17 comments

I have a moto and hate Dolby Atmos for headphones

Instead, turn that shit completely off and get an app called "Wavelet". Use the AutoEQ function with your headphones model.

The purpose of the AutoEQ is to return audio to "studio reference" EQ based on the measured frequency response curve of the model of headphones you have

If it still sounds bad to your ears then there are two possibilities:

The hardware is defective. You could try getting it replaced

Your old phone has settings that were so bass-heavy that your sense of what's "right" has changed

I recommend trying out AutoEQ on another device that you know works. Make sure that all other audio processing is disabled when using AutoEQ. This will give you a good baseline to compare against

On Windows you can get AutoEQ using EqualizerAPO + HeSuVi (a front-end for setting up EqualizerAPO to enable custom virtual surround sound and AutoEQ)
- Hey! Thanks for the answer. I've downloaded Wavelet and I barely noticed a difference. I've been digging around and apparently there is a setting I have no control over, DUMP:
  
  I've searched how to disable/enable this feature on Android and for anything above 7 I need to enter a command line somewhere. No idea where or how. This is beyond my skillset.
  
  My headphones profile (Jabra elite 8) is also not listed in the options and so far I couldn't find a profile that makes things sound better. But at least you gave me a starting point. Cheers
  
  On my Edge+ 2023, there is a tile in the pulldown menu for Dolby. It may be hidden; go to "rearrange tiles" to add or remove it"
  
  "
  
  The AutoEQ project is actively updated with a repo on GitHub. You may be able to download the "GraphicEQ" file from this page Search that page for "Jabra Elite"
  
  The DUMP setting can usually be enabled via ADB (simple connection to a PC). Instructions here if you search for "Enhanced session detection" on Wavelet's site
  
  You can use WebADB without installing anything on your PC.
- What is wrong with Dolby Atmos in moto phones?
  
  It's not just Moto. I dislike Dolby Atmos for everything except improving the sound of small speakers (laptops, phone speakers, etc) or when the media itself is recorded and mixed with it in mind
  
  I find most of what Dolby does to be ridiculously bass-heavy and destroys the mids. That includes their headphones. You lose a lot of detail and the sound stage becomes muddy. It's plenty wide but so overwhelmed by bass that other details are lost
  
  IMO it's overpriced basic-consumer-focused crap that takes advantage of people who think what they need is just more bass
  
  Atmos on phones boosts the highs unnaturally and doesn't add the height channels that Atmos is designed for.
  
  Atmos with decent headphones sounds ok on pc, but it isn't great.
- Does that work with car stereo Bluetooth?
  
  Edit: disregard, I looked at it. It's headphone specific. I may check it out with my Bose earbuds.
  
  In theory you could take frequency response measurements inside your car and use those :p
Not am audiophile or anything but i do like having good quality sound for listening to stuff so ive gone down the rabbit hole a couple of times.

If the audio sounds bad on more than a few headphones or speakers, could be the phone is bad out of the box. Does happen. I had a phone that was supposed to have accidental touch protection for when your phone is in your pocket but it would still turn on and mess with stuff while in my pocket.

I would recommend you check on a few diffrent speakers to see if theres any noticeable difference in quality. Headphones vs another pair or speakers in your house vs your cars speakers. That should give you an idea if its the phone itself or your current audio devices.
Are they Bluetooth headphones? If so, check the protocols supported by your phone, and by the headphones, e.g. aptX vs LDAC vs SBC. It's possible that it's not a "downgrade" on the new phone, but rather an upgrade to a better protocol, but unfortunately not one compatible with your headphones, so you end up using a low quality fallback.

You may also want to check your settings, and see if you can select a specific protocol. Sometimes a lesser protocol is chosen by default, if the better protocol uses more battery. This may be available to you in the phone settings, or as an option in an app for the headphones (e.g. my Anker Soundcore app allows choosing between two protocols).
- I haven't seen a single setting for changing any protocols unfortunately. I have found out there is something called DUMP which is related to battery optimisation but I have no means to disable/enable it unless I root my phone and somehow learn to change it. That's way too much for me.
  
  Accidentally I've also found that if I have am editing an equalizer profile, switch to my media app, switch back to the equalizer then the good quality audio kicks in and stays for as long as I keep the profile editor open. It will stay even if I switch again to another app or if the screen turns off. An annoying workaround but at least I got an option.
  
  You can change which Bluetooth audio protocol is being used in the developer options
  
  Search up how to enable developer options on Android. It's almost always from tapping the build number a certain number of times
I use one that probably won't be well liked around here but it's called EZ Booster. It's got ads which is annoying but it has an equalizer and can hella boost sound volume, which I was having issues with when playing audios from my browser. I haven't played with the equalizer much but the volume booster on its own has made a huge difference for me.
Yeah, look for an equalizer app.

17 comments