Unlocking the Ultimate Sound on Your Android Phone: Apps, Equalizers, and More

Hey there! Ready to take your Android phone’s sound quality to the next level? I’ve got some awesome tips and tricks for you. So grab your phone, and let’s get started on this sonic adventure!

When it comes to getting the best sound from your Android phone, the right apps can make all the difference. Whether you’re into music, podcasts, or gaming, there are tons of options out there to enhance your audio experience.

First things first, let’s talk about equalizers. An equalizer is like a magic wand for your phone’s sound. It allows you to tweak different frequencies to find the perfect balance for your ears. Luckily, there are plenty of equalizer apps available, both free and paid, that can give you ultimate control over your audio settings.

Now, let’s delve into some popular equalizer apps that can transform your listening experience. One fantastic choice is “Music Volume EQ.” This app lets you customize your sound with a five-band equalizer, giving you the power to boost the bass or enhance the treble to suit your preferences. Plus, it even has a loudness enhancer and virtualizer option that can take your audio to new heights.

If you’re looking for a more immersive audio experience, you might want to check out “Dolby Atmos.” This app brings a whole new level of depth and clarity to your sound by simulating a 3D audio experience. With Dolby Atmos, you’ll feel like you’re right in the middle of the action, whether you’re watching a movie or playing a game.

Apart from equalizers, there are other apps that can elevate your audio game. If you’re a music lover, “Poweramp Music Player” is a must-try. This app boasts a powerful audio engine and an intuitive interface, allowing you to play your favorite tracks with enhanced clarity and richness.

For those who are interested in podcasts, “Pocket Casts” is a dream come true. This app not only offers a sleek and user-friendly interface but also provides advanced features like volume boost and silence trim. Prepare yourself for hours of uninterrupted listening pleasure.

Lastly, don’t forget to keep your phone’s software up to date. Manufacturers often release updates that optimize sound quality, so it’s crucial to stay on top of these updates. Plus, regularly clearing out unnecessary files and closing background apps can help ensure your phone is running smoothly, giving you the best sound experience possible.

So there you have it! With the right apps, equalizers, and a little know-how, you can unlock the true potential of your Android phone’s sound. Grab those headphones and let the music take you on a journey like never before. Enjoy the ride!

Remember when you used to carry around your trusty iPod everywhere you went? Well, times have certainly changed. Nowadays, smartphones have taken over as our go-to gadgets. But let’s not forget the impact that the original iPod had on the way we listen to and think about music. It was a game changer. And now, smartphones have only pushed us further along that musical journey.

Before smartphones, we had Walkmans in the 80s and portable CD players in the 90s and 2000s. But nothing compared to the convenience and magic of that first iPod you owned in 2004. Suddenly, you could carry thousands of songs in your pocket without the hassle of changing discs or tapes. And in 2009, when you upgraded to an iPhone or an iPod touch, your music collection became just one part of a device that could do it all.

Fast forward to 2018 and it seems like everyone has a smartphone. More than three quarters of Americans own one, with the younger generation leading the charge with a smartphone adoption rate of over 92 percent. So, chances are, you’ve gone through a few smartphones yourself, and since you’re reading this, I’m guessing you’re an Android user.

Now, it’s no secret that iOS had the upper hand when it came to music, thanks to iTunes and Apple’s incredible music player. But with the rise of streaming services, the playing field has leveled out. Today, every major streaming player is available on both Android and iOS, including Apple Music. And if you prefer local music, no worries. Google’s Play Music app lets you store your music for free in the cloud, and there are plenty of awesome music playback apps on Android that can handle any file type.

But here’s the thing: just because you’re listening to your music on your phone doesn’t mean you’re getting the best music experience possible. If you want to truly enjoy your music, regardless of how you’re listening to it, you’ve come to the right place. There are several factors that can affect how your music sounds on your smartphone, from the file type and bit rate of your songs to the speakers or headphones you’re using, and even the model of Android phone you own.

If you’re someone who wants the best music experience in 2018, there’s a lot to consider. From streaming to local playback, wired to wireless, and the option to use equalizers, we’ve thought of everything to help you get the most out of your music on Android. So, let’s dive into the world of audiophiles and hi-fidelity. This is your guide to getting the best sound from your music on Android.

Does the Phone I Choose Make a Difference?

The first thing you need to know is that not all Android phones are created equal. As we move further into 2018, more and more manufacturers are ditching the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack. Apple started the trend, and companies like Motorola, Google, and HTC have followed suit. Even smaller players like Razer and Huawei have jumped on the bandwagon.

Now, losing the headphone jack may seem like a big deal, but it’s not necessarily the end of the world. Yes, having a headphone jack is convenient and gives you access to a wide range of affordable earbuds and high-quality headphones. But the market for USB-C headphones is still limited, and even Apple’s Lightning headphones haven’t been as popular as expected. So, if you’re an audiophile, you’ll want to stick with your trusty wired headphones for now.

That being said, losing the headphone jack isn’t always a bad thing. Some phones, like the original Google Pixel, had issues with sound quality and static in the headphone jack. And let’s not forget about the Bluetooth headache. HTC, in particular, has received criticism for including subpar dongles with their devices. However, the dongle that comes with the Pixel 2 actually sounds pretty good. So, while giving up the headphone jack may be tough for some, it can sometimes lead to improved sound quality.

But for the purpose of this article, let’s focus on the devices that do audio right. I’m not just talking about phones with headphone jacks, but phones that prioritize audio quality and make the headphone jack a key feature. You don’t necessarily need a new device to enjoy your music to the fullest, but if you’re in the market for a music-focused phone, here are a few recommendations:

• LG V30: This phone is a dream for music lovers. While the phone as a whole may have some drawbacks, its audio hardware is absolutely incredible. The V30 is equipped with a quad DAC that allows for audio playback at levels you won’t find on other mobile devices. Reviewers have compared the phone to high-end personal media players (PMPs) from companies like Fiio or Astell & Kern. While the V30 may not reach the same quality as those $1,000 devices, it still offers all the convenience of a phone with only a slight decrease in audio quality. The V30 has its flaws—the camera could be better, the display is not the strongest, and the battery life can be inconsistent—but when it comes to audio, this is the phone to choose.

I’ve got to say, when it comes to the audio on the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, it’s not quite up to par with what we’ve seen from the LG V30. However, there is one major saving grace: these phones, along with the Galaxy S8 and S8+, still have a good old headphone jack. That means no dongles required. And while the sound quality may not blow you away, I’d be surprised if you were terribly disappointed. After all, millions of people buy these phones every year, and the fact that they still come with a headphone jack is fantastic news for consumers. Not to mention, the Note 8 and the two S8 models are far superior overall devices compared to the V30.

• When it comes to smartphones, the Moto G5 Plus is a solid option. While it may be replaced soon by the Moto G6, the G5 Plus still offers good specs and build quality for a price under $300. It’s a great choice for those who want to keep using their headphones. If you prefer a more premium experience, you can consider the Moto X4 which has a sleek design and glass back. However, if you’re a fan of the headphone jack, you might want to stay away from the Moto Z series as they have phased out that feature.

Although those are our top recommendations, there are other options to consider. The HTC U11, for instance, is a good phone with good external speakers, but it lacks a headphone jack. If you still want to go for the U11, I suggest getting the Pixel adapter from Google instead of using the included one. The LG G6 international version has a quad DAC for high-quality audio, but its Snapdragon 821 chipset is a bit outdated. It would be better to wait for the successor to the G6. The Pixels have good adapters included, but they are still adapters. The 2016 Pixels are the only Snapdragon 821 phones we recommend, although their headphone jack performance is not great. Overall, for flagship devices, LG and Samsung are good choices, and Motorola’s phones are worth considering too. Once you’ve chosen your phone or decided to stick with your current one, it’s time to move on to the next step: playing music on your phone.

Playing Your Music

You have the device in your hand, but you still have some work to do. While the hardware you use to listen to music is important, the software you use can make a big difference in how your music sounds. We’ll dive into the details later, such as bitrate, file compression, and wired vs. wireless headphones. But for now, let’s focus on the music app you’re using and the equalizer that lets you customize the sound of your music.

Music Apps

There are many music apps to choose from on Android. You have streaming services like Spotify and Google Play Music, as well as local playback options like PowerAmp and Pi Music Player. It can be tough to decide which one to use when there are so many choices, but it’s crucial to find the right music player for you. Keep in mind that if you want to use a streaming service like Spotify, you have to use their dedicated app. The same goes for other streaming services like Apple Music, Tidal, and Google Play Music.

Now, let’s focus on local playback apps. These are the apps that let you play local files on your mobile device without a paid subscription. If you have a collection of downloaded or ripped music, these apps are perfect for you:

Let’s talk about a couple of music player apps for Android that I think are worth checking out. First up is Poweramp. Now, I have to be honest, Poweramp doesn’t win any awards for its looks. It’s not the most attractive app out there. But don’t judge a book by its cover, right? You can actually customize the appearance of Poweramp with different colors and designs, but I’ll admit that it doesn’t change the fact that the app has some flaws. Despite that, there are a few skins that I recommend, like this one that gives Poweramp a more modern and stylish look. So, if you can look past the not-so-pretty interface, Poweramp offers some great features.

One of its biggest strengths is its ability to play almost any type of audio file you throw at it. Whether it’s the standard MP3 or AAC files you’ve downloaded online, or lossless file formats like WAV, FLAC, and ALAC (which is great if you’ve switched from iOS to Android), Poweramp handles them effortlessly. The app’s audio playback capabilities are really top-notch, and it’s one of the main reasons why people love it.

Next, let’s talk about Google Play Music. Now, this is more than just a music streaming service, because it’s also the default music app on most Android phones. So, if you have a Pixel phone or a newer Samsung device, chances are you already have Play Music installed. Now, I’ll be honest again, it’s not the most visually impressive music player out there, but it gets the job done. Play Music offers some cool features like an equalizer and free ad-supported radio stations, similar to Pandora.

But here’s the really cool part. With Play Music, you can upload up to 50,000 songs to Google’s servers for free. This means you can access your personal music library on any device, anywhere you go. And if you have lossless files like FLAC or ALAC, Play Music can handle those too, although they will be converted to the MP3 format once uploaded. So, if having your own music collection with you at all times is important to you, then Play Music is definitely worth considering.

So, there you have it. Two music apps for Android that I think are worth giving a try. Despite their flaws, both Poweramp and Google Play Music offer some impressive features that can enhance your music listening experience.

When it comes to music player apps, BlackPlayer definitely stands out. One of the reasons why it’s on the top of our list is its stunning, minimalist design. The app’s dark theme looks fantastic, especially on modern AMOLED displays. Plus, the layout is so well-organized that you can easily find the exact song you’re looking for.

What’s even better is that BlackPlayer uses your phone’s decoder, so it supports various audio file types depending on your device. If you have a newer phone, you can expect it to handle standard audio files flawlessly, as well as FLAC and AAC formats.

Another great feature of BlackPlayer is its built-in equalizer. This means you won’t need to download a separate equalizer app. It’s a one-stop shop for all your music needs.

If you’re a fan of Poweramp but want a more modern design and functionality, BlackPlayer is the perfect choice for you. Its sleek interface and efficient features make it a standout music player. Give it a try and see for yourself!

Let’s talk about two music players that might catch your interest: jetAudio HD Music Player and Neutron Music Player.

First up is jetAudio. Now, I won’t lie, it’s not the most visually appealing app out there. But that’s not why you should consider using it. jetAudio comes packed with features and enhancements that can really take your music experience to the next level. Imagine having a 20-band equalizer, a full tag editor, and cool sound effects like reverb and bass all in one app. Not only that, but it supports almost every audio file you can think of and even lets you choose between light and dark themes. And the best part? All of this can be yours for just $3.99. If you’re someone who enjoys tweaking the sound of your music, jetAudio is definitely worth checking out.

Now, let’s move on to Neutron Music Player. I have to admit, it’s not the most attractive app either. But don’t judge a book by its cover, right? Neutron is unique because it has its own independent audio engine, meaning it can deliver better audio quality regardless of what software your Android device has. This makes it a go-to choice for audio professionals who really care about sound. With Neutron, you can play all kinds of audio files, both from your device and from network collections. And if you’re into equalizers, you’ll be happy to know that it offers 21 presets to fine-tune your music just the way you like it. Yes, the app can be a bit complicated, and the interface could use some updating. But if you’re willing to look past that, you’ll find a music player that’s truly in a league of its own.

So there you have it, two music players with their own unique charms. Whether you’re all about customizing your sound or you’re an audio pro in search of the best quality, jetAudio and Neutron Music Player have got you covered. Give them a try and let your music take on a whole new life.

So, here’s the thing: if you’re going the streaming route, you can pretty much skip the whole process of choosing a local music player. But when it comes to picking a streaming service, you’ll definitely want to stick with me. Why? Because I’ve delved deep into the audio quality of all the major streaming players in our Listening to Music section below.

Equalizers

If I’m being completely honest with you, an equalizer might not be the most important thing in the world when it comes to perfecting your music sound on Android. Actually, if you’re inexperienced in tuning high and low frequencies to your liking, an equalizer might do more harm than good. Your phone is usually already tuned to make all audio – from hip-hop to pop, country to electronic, and even podcasts and audiobooks where voices are the main sound – sound good. It’s a one-size-fits-all approach. But here’s the catch: nothing ever sounds perfect with this tuning method. For example, hip-hop needs a heavy bass for its beat, but if you have a heavy bass sound while listening to a news podcast, it can drown out and muffle the voices. That’s where equalizers come in handy. They allow you to fine-tune your music to one sound and make adjustments as needed.

Not all phones come with a built-in equalizer, so you’ll have to turn to the Play Store to find one. Some devices, like Samsung’s Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S8, have equalizers built in by default. You can access them by going into the app’s settings menu. Other phones, like Google’s Pixel series, have a basic equalizer made by Google. To check if your Android phone has a preinstalled equalizer, open up Google Play Music, which is included on all modern Android phones. In the settings menu, you’ll see an option to select “Equalizer” under your playback settings. If you don’t see this option or it’s grayed out, your phone may not have an equalizer included in its software. Otherwise, go ahead and click on the setting. This will bring up your system equalizer, where you’ll find several options. Samsung’s equalizer, for example, has dials for Bass, Treble, Instrument, and Vocal, as well as presets for different sound variations. If you prefer a more traditional equalizer with frequency sliders, you can access it through the Advanced tab.

So here’s the deal with Google’s equalizer: it’s way simpler than the other ones out there. You won’t find any fancy dials for tweaking instruments or vocals here. Instead, it’s just a basic five-slider EQ that lets you adjust frequencies from low to high. It may not be as powerful as the ones on computers or fancy music apps like Poweramp, but considering it’s free, it’s surprisingly handy.

Now, let’s talk about how it works. The EQ graph has sliders from left to right, with lower frequencies on the left and higher frequencies on the right. Moving these sliders can change the amount of bass or treble in your music, making your listening experience better or worse, depending on your preferences. Google also hooked us up with some preset EQ settings for different genres of music. You’ve got options like classical, dance, rock, pop, jazz, and hip-hop. Each preset sets the sliders to a standard setting that’s tuned specifically for that genre, so you can get the best sound for your tunes.

Now, if you’re rocking a Pixel 2 XL like us, the EQ will work its magic on the phone’s speakers. But if you want some extra oomph with bass boost or surround sound, you’ll need to plug in some headphones or connect to Bluetooth speakers.

If you’re hunting for the equalizer in your Google Play Music settings and coming up empty, don’t worry. There are a few options for adding an EQ to your device through the Google Play Store:

• If you’re looking for a powerful equalizer app for your phone, Equalizer is the one you’ll want. It may be a bit outdated, but its visual design still stands up against others on the market. Plus, it offers presets that let you customize your music on the go, without any pesky ads. The more advanced features, like the EQ graph, are locked behind a paywall, so make sure to try them out before upgrading. While Equalizer may not receive any future updates, it remains a solid choice on the Play Store.
• Equalizer + Pro is like a modern successor to Equalizer. It’s kept up to date, has a cleaner interface, and comes in a free version as well as a $2.99 Pro version. The Pro version gives you the full experience with no in-app purchases or ads. It also includes a Bass Boost mode, a visualizer, a DJ mode that removes gaps between songs, and the ability to save custom presets. On top of that, you get a 7-band equalizer and 10 presets with the free version. Overall, if you’re willing to invest a bit, Equalizer + Pro is definitely worth it.
• If you want a basic, user-friendly equalizer, Equalizer FX is the app for you. It has a sleek design and offers a five-band equalizer like Google’s standard version. You can adjust the strength of your bass and treble and choose from 12 different presets. It also allows you to set widgets on your homescreen for easy sound control. Additionally, it has a loudness enhancer for outdoor listening. The only downside is that it doesn’t support additional audio bands. Nevertheless, Equalizer FX is a well-designed app and perfect for beginners in the world of equalizers.
• Music Volume EQ is a solid equalizer app, though it may not be the most exciting. It has a professional studio look and features a standard five-band equalizer. You can boost your bass, control your volume, and even use a music visualizer. The app also offers customization settings and a handy homescreen widget for quick adjustments. However, it does come with ads and lacks an option to remove them. Music Volume EQ recommends using Bluetooth headphones, making it a great choice for those without a headphone jack.

When it comes to choosing an equalizer, it’s important to make sure it works with your music app before you spend any money on an upgrade. If you end up buying an equalizer that doesn’t work with your player, don’t worry! In most cases, you can get a refund from Google Play within the first fifteen minutes of your purchase.

Listening to Your Music

You’ve made your phone and music app choices, and you’ve settled on an equalizer. But now that it’s time to actually listen to your music, you may find yourself faced with some tough decisions. Should you use wired headphones or switch to Bluetooth? If you want to stream music over the internet instead of listening locally, how do you choose the best service for quality audio? Should you get a Bluetooth receiver for your home speaker system or go with Chromecast Audio? Don’t worry, I’ll answer all these questions and more. Let’s explore the best ways to listen to music on Android!

Wired vs. Wireless

For some users, the choice of how to listen to music may be limited. Owners of the Moto Z2 Play or Google Pixel 2, for example, can use wired headphones, but they’ll have to give up their USB-C charging port. However, whether you have the latest Pixel 2 XL or an older Galaxy S8+, wired or wireless audio is a choice that every smartphone owner can make. If you’re trying to decide between getting a new set of wired headphones or going completely wireless, here are the pros and cons of each option:

The Advantages of Wired Headphones

When it comes to headphones, you can find wired ones at all price points, ranging from as low as $9 to as high as $999. Using wired headphones offers some distinct benefits that are worth considering. The 3.5mm headphone jack, a technology that has been around for almost a century, is a widely used and versatile feature. It’s a tiny version of a technology that dates all the way back to 1878.

While some companies like Apple argue that it’s time to move forward and leave the headphone jack behind, the fact remains that the 3.5mm port is everywhere. It can be found on your laptop, in the aux port of your car, and on almost every gadget or technology device you own. This level of compatibility means that if you ever forget your headphones on the way to the gym, you can easily find a pair at your local corner store or gas station that has a 3.5mm jack.

So, here’s the thing about earbuds – they don’t have to cost you an arm and a leg to sound amazing. Some earbuds that are only $20 actually sound incredible. Of course, not all cheap earbuds are great, but you can find some real gems for less than $100. If you prefer on-ear or over-ear headphones, you should check out Audio-Technica’s ATH-M50x. These babies have a legendary sound balance and won’t break the bank at under $150. Sennheiser also offers some fantastic studio headphones that sound just as good and have a premium design, although they may be a bit more expensive. The point is, there’s a whole world of options out there to fit your budget and personal style.

Now, I know wired 3.5mm headphones aren’t perfect. One issue is their size – they take up space inside your device that could be used for other cool stuff like a bigger battery or special features. Plus, if you accidentally yank the cable out, you could damage the port for good. Some people argue that the 3.5mm port is outdated and that we should switch to digital audio through USB-C. But, let’s not forget that digital audio has its own set of problems, like DRM-protected audio streams. And honestly, most people still think analog 3.5mm headphones are the best when it comes to quality and affordability – and sometimes, you get lucky and get both.

Wireless

Have you ever gone for a run with regular earbuds or tried to workout at the gym while listening to Big Sean and lifting weights? It’s not like wires make it impossible to be active, but once you’ve experienced the freedom of wireless audio, going back just doesn’t feel the same. Being able to keep your phone in your hand or nearby while at the bench is worth the little extra effort of pairing it over Bluetooth. It may seem like a small thing, but once you’ve had a taste of it, there’s no turning back.

Bluetooth earbuds are getting cheaper these days, with brands like Anker and SoundPEATS offering options for as low as $15 to $40 on Amazon. Each brand has its own unique features and functions. Additionally, the battery life of “neckbuds” (earbuds with a plastic piece or wire around the neck) is getting better. The newer models can last up to 7 or 8 hours on a single charge. Anker is particularly good at this battery game. Most of their neckbud models last around 8 hours, but their Anker SoundBuds Curve model has an impressive 12.5-hour battery life. That’s enough juice to last you through a full work day and an hour-long gym session. Pretty impressive, right?

The audio quality of these wireless earbuds has also improved, although they may not match the sound of a high-end wired pair. However, if you’re used to buying cheap earbuds from Walmart, like JVC Marshmallow ones for around $10, spending an extra $10 for wireless models will get you a similar level of audio quality.

Unfortunately, the truly wireless earbuds (without a neck piece or wire connecting them) haven’t made much progress in terms of battery life or sound quality. Only Apple’s Airpods have seen any real success in this area. Most competing models have some kind of flaw like poor connectivity, terrible battery life, or subpar sound and microphone quality. Also, the advantages of owning the $159 Apple AirPods are mostly limited to iOS and MacOS devices, making them largely useless for Android users.

Even if you find wireless earbuds with 8-hour battery life or over-the-ear headphones with 20-plus hour battery life, you’ll still have to add another device to your daily charging routine. And if you happen to forget to charge your earbuds before hitting the gym, it’s going to be a long run without any tunes.

When it comes to headphones, wired ones are ultimately the easier and more affordable option. They also tend to provide better sound quality than wireless Bluetooth headphones. However, there are some situations where switching to wireless headphones can be a decent compromise. The difference in sound quality between wired and wireless headphones has become much smaller over the past few years. While Bluetooth still doesn’t quite match the high standards of wired headphones, it has come close. So, it’s not unrealistic to use Bluetooth earbuds as your everyday headphones. Just keep in mind that you’ll have to deal with their larger size and the need to charge them regularly.

Local vs Streaming

Streaming music has become incredibly popular, with many people relying on services like Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play Music, Pandora, and Tidal. However, depending on your streaming settings and the service you use, you might sacrifice some sound quality to save data while listening to music. On the other hand, local playback, like playing music from CDs or downloading lossless versions from stores like HDTracks, can offer better sound quality. It all depends on factors like bitrate and compression format. If you’re using a good local playback app like Poweramp, you’ll likely experience better sound quality than any streaming service can provide.

Still, streaming music is the preferred method for most people in 2018. Here’s a quick overview of the most popular services and whether they are known for having particularly strong audio quality on Android:

Spotify: Many college students and office workers choose Spotify as their go-to music player because of its free tier. However, there are some limitations to using the free version. When using Spotify on desktop, the audio quality is set to 160kbit/s using the Ogg Vorbis format. On Android, the audio quality is even lower at just 96kbit/s in Ogg Vorbis. Although this isn’t terrible, you’ll need to pay for the Premium plan to access better audio. With Premium, you can stream and download music at up to 320kbit/s on Extreme mode, which is noticeably better than Normal mode.

Google Play Music: As the default music app on Android, Google Play Music is popular among Android users. You can adjust the quality settings for streaming and downloading songs in the app’s settings. Setting it to High or Always High will provide better sound quality than Normal or Low. However, the app doesn’t clearly describe what to expect from each quality level. In general, the High setting sounds similar to Spotify’s Extreme option (320kbit/s) and has a similar bitrate.

Apple Music: Apple Music is loved by many Android users because it can sync with their iTunes library. While the app may not offer a perfect Android-exclusive experience, it maintains a good level of audio quality. Apple products have never focused on hi-fidelity audio, but their music service still delivers above-average quality. Unlike Google and Spotify, Apple doesn’t allow users to adjust the audio quality settings. However, the streaming bitrate is a perfectly acceptable 256kbit/s with AAC encoding.

• Tidal: Tidal has always boasted about its high-quality audio, claiming to offer a much better listening experience compared to Spotify and Apple Music. For $9.99 a month, you can enjoy a 320kbit/s stream encoded in AAC, which sounds superior to Spotify’s Ogg Vorbis. But if you’re a true audiophile, you’ll need to shell out $19.99 a month for the “Hi-Fi” plan. While it’s double the price of the standard plan, you’ll get access to FLAC and ALAC tracks streaming and downloading at a fantastic 1411kbit/s download rate. Just make sure you have headphones or speakers that can handle that level of audio quality before you upgrade to the Hi-Fi tier.
• YouTube: YouTube has been making a big deal about its music streaming capabilities for a while now. They’ve created the YouTube Music app, allowed songs to be saved offline with YouTube Red, and even included YouTube videos in Google Play Music. But here’s the thing about listening to music on YouTube: the quality of the content depends on the person who uploaded it and what file they used. So, your chances of finding anything better than a standard 320kbit/s song upload are pretty slim. Even if someone uploads a lossless version of a song, YouTube’s compression system will most likely lower the audio quality. The trick to finding better audio on YouTube is to look for videos uploaded in 1080p or higher. Better video quality usually means better audio quality too. Just try watching a 240p video and listen to how the sound is compressed. But if you value consistent sound quality, you might want to consider other options besides YouTube.
• Pandora: Pandora was the original free audio streaming service on the web. It started as an internet radio station and has now evolved into a Spotify alternative. While many people have moved on to other streaming services, some loyalists remain with Pandora because of its classic recommendation engine. Unfortunately, if you care about audio quality on your Android device, we recommend skipping Pandora for now. Even with Pandora’s $9.99 premium plan, the highest audio tier on mobile only provides 192kbit/s audio. Pandora has hinted that they’re working on bringing 320kbit/s streams to mobile, but until then, there are other services that offer higher fidelity audio streams.

If you’re looking for a simple answer, I suggest sticking with either Spotify or Tidal. Spotify offers good quality at a fair price, while Tidal’s premium plan provides the best quality possible. Most modern streaming services, except for Pandora and YouTube, offer 320kbit/s streams, so you can stick with your current plan if you prefer.

Bluetooth vs. Cast

When we talk about listening to music wirelessly, we usually mean Bluetooth. However, Bluetooth is not the only audio standard available. Google’s Cast standard is another great option for enjoying music at home. You can use it with Cast-enabled speakers or a Chromecast adapter that costs $35. Originally designed for streaming videos, Google’s Cast system actually sounds pretty good if you’re not mirroring your device’s screen over the network. In 2015, Google released the second-gen Chromecast adapter and the Chromecast Audio, which is a small, record-shaped adapter with an aux-out port for your existing speakers.

Let me tell you why choosing Cast over Bluetooth for your home stereo system is a smart move. But first, keep in mind that Cast requires a WiFi network to function properly. Once you’ve got that sorted, you’ll discover that Cast offers a more satisfying experience:

• A Chromecast Audio unit is always ready and available, as long as it’s plugged in. No more worrying about turning on the device or dealing with syncing. It’s a reliable system that just works. To ensure your stereo is always on when you need it, try using a Google Home Mini and a smart plug that lets you switch it on with your voice.
• If you’re connected to the same WiFi network as your Chromecast or Chromecast Audio, your phone is always ready to connect to your stereo. Most major music apps and streaming services support streaming music from your phone to your speaker set. Plus, with Guest Mode, it’s easy for anyone to connect to your device, whether they’re on your network or not. It’s perfect for parties or holidays when you want to share content.
• Even if your app doesn’t have direct support for Chromecast, the Chromecast Audio unit allows you to cast any sound from your phone without any issues. This is because the Audio unit focuses all its processing power on casting audio, ensuring that there are no major sound problems when using unsupported apps like Amazon Prime Music or Apple Music. It’s a smart feature that comes in handy.
• When it comes to audio quality, Chromecast and Chromecast Audio both outperform your average Bluetooth receiver. While Bluetooth speakers can sound great, if you want the best wireless sound for your home-based speaker set, Chromecast, and specifically Chromecast Audio, is the way to go. You’ll notice the difference in sound quality.

When it comes to Chromecast’s audio standard, the main issue is its reliance on WiFi. However, this actually makes sense in some ways. With WiFi capabilities, the device is always ready to go without the hassle of syncing or reconnecting to your phone. Instead of streaming directly from your device, Chromecast fetches a custom URL with the content you want from the internet and plays it back to you on your device. You can control it with your phone or Google Assistant. The biggest problem with Chromecast is that it sometimes forgets that something is being played on its network. The audio keeps playing, but you may have difficulty reconnecting to the device, which can be frustrating. Nonetheless, Chromecast offers a better wireless experience than Bluetooth as long as you’re in an area with WiFi support. It’s a great choice if you want a higher standard than Bluetooth, but don’t expect to use Cast-enabled headphones.

If it’s not clear, there are many factors that contribute to your audio experience on Android. From the music app you use to your choice of headphones (wired or wireless) and the phone you’re using, there are countless variables that can make a difference. For the average person, all of this may seem like overkill. Most people can enjoy quality audio by using decent wired headphones and ensuring their streaming services are set to high quality (or by using audio tracks with a bitrate of 320kb/s, if you don’t use a streaming service).

Only 20 years ago, digital audio quality was terrible. You either had to use expensive software to rip content from CDs or download low-bitrate tracks from online music stores like Ritmoteca or Napster (sometimes with questionable legality). But now, thanks to improvements in digital fidelity, faster internet connections, and advancements in mobile devices, you can carry your favorite songs with you at higher qualities. Even if you don’t invest in a high-end phone like the LG V30 or expensive headphones and a premium Tidal plan, you can still enjoy better audio quality than ever before, thanks to improvements in audio technology. This general increase in audio quality is great news for the music industry. While many people still use their Apple Earbuds or the headphones that come with their devices, more and more users are paying attention to the quality of their music. That’s beneficial for the industry, the musicians, and most importantly, for those who love clear and high-quality sound.

What to Do if Your Android Device Overheats

One Idea on “How to Get the Best Sound from Your Android Phone (Apps, Equalizers, and More)”

Shannon Tittle says:

This article provides a lot of information, but it doesn’t cover how to get high-quality music playing through Bluetooth in a car audio system. For example, my 2017 Altima Sr Midnight Edition has a voice command system, and when I use Google Music streaming and the stop equalizer, it actually lowers the volume on my Pixel XL. I assume this has to do with what’s referred to as negative feedback. Previously, I had a ZTE Max 2, a simple phone that came with a preloaded Dolby Digital third-party app. The sound quality was much better. I’m not the type to root my phone because I believe it can be risky and cause serious problems. It’s just not worth the hassle. And yes, I tried this on the same vehicle.

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William Sattelberg

William has been with TechJunkie since 2017, writing about smartphones, games, streaming media, and anything else that technology touches in our current age. He also works as a video producer, writing and recording scripts for our video team and editing videos for TechJunkie’s YouTube channel. William graduated from SUNY Fredonia in 2016 with a degree in Video Production and currently lives in Buffalo, NY.