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Who would have recently thought that mobile phones would become quite a good source of sound? New products from Chinese manufacturers are increasingly pleased with the use of a full-featured DAC (yeah, usually ESS Saber 9018K2M) and more or less decent gain (yeah, usually done on the datasheet'u ESS). But much more surprised was the announcement of the phone Boost 3 from the Russian company It made another big step towards a quality sound.
Immediately I will warn you that I am quite nerdy to the phones and satisfy me quite simply (just a simple iPhone 6 Plus), so do not expect me to be particularly critical of Boost 3. I do not play on the phone in games, I use little application (my main phone from Apple and all the software is on it). So for me Boost 3 is primarily a sound, and I consider it for myself more like a cool media player with Android on board and supporting LTE (I'm joking, of course, but in every joke ...).
First, let's look at the theory a little.
The sound in the phone, like in any modern player, is stored digitally, and we listen to an analog signal (I will not go into details about the digitization of the signal now), so the first thing to do is to convert the signal from a "digit" to an analog . Almost any modern chipset for mobile phones already has a so-called "codec" - a microcircuit that can convert digital to analog and vice versa. The only problem is that these codecs do not differ in the quality of their work, so they will not work to get high-quality sound. Specialized microcircuits of digital-to-analog conversion, designed specifically for use in audio equipment, come to the rescue. Especially popular in mobile solutions was the Saber 9018K2M chip from ESS. This is the "younger" version of the very popular 9018 chip, optimized for use in mobile devices. It is characterized by a large dynamic range, low noise level and in general a very good sound.
But only the DAC chip for high-quality sound is small, the received analog signal should be properly amplified, so the amplifier plays no less (if not more) role than the converter. The mobile device imposes on the audiotrack in general and the amplifier in particular a lot of limitations in size, energy consumption, heat transfer and even immunity to electromagnetic interference, so what works well in desktop or even portable highly specialized sound solutions will not work normally in a mobile phone . Therefore, smartphones need a special approach.
Chinese manufacturers have been using the Saber 9018K2M for many years in their devices, although their approach to amplification is not very different. Usually they either use amplifiers in full accordance with the recommendations of the ESS themselves (for example, Meizu), or they put the simplest amplifier to optimize energy consumption (for example, Alcatel). Such an approach gives a good result, but you can always achieve the best if you approach the development of an audio track with the mind. This is what Highscreen thought and attracted to the development of the amplifier of his phone Michael Orlov, a Moscow electronics engineer, well-known in the circles of fans of high-quality sound under the pseudonym of sanmigel. Michael has been working in portable audio for many years, so he developed an amplifier for the new phone that uses ADA4897-2 from Analog Devices. This made it possible to achieve sound, noticeably better than that of competitors.
But, of course, no hardware can work properly without the software, and even an excellent audio track will be useless if the native mixer Android is on the way to the sound. That is why the developers of the phone tried and made so that all the player programs play through the DAC and amplifier. In addition, the firmware includes a player Muz_On, made based on the popular USB Audio Player Pro. He can play high-resolution files without downsampling (programmatically reducing the sampling rate). Also, the developers thought about the banal comfort of music lovers and added a 50-step volume control (usually for Android phones less) and the Gain switch, which allows you to slightly reduce the power of the phone for use with sensitive "gags".
It must be understood that even the best audio track and licked software will not give anything without quality headphones. That is why Highscreen cooperated with the wonderful masters of sound from Fischer Audio and offered all buyers of the phone a discount on the Fisher's headphones (at the time of writing the promotional discount is 20%), so there will be no problems with good headphones to the phone.
The last thing that should be mentioned in the introduction to the survey is the price. Cost At the time of writing this article is 19 900 rubles, but just the other day it came out , which doubled the amount of built-in flash memory (now it's 32 GB) and added an additional gigabyte of RAM (now it's 3 GB) and also made the case black. The price for this option is only 1000 rubles higher. To be honest, I do not even understand why you can not choose a Pro version. Judging from the players' point of view, the price of the phone is very, very good, the Boost 3 can compete with players of a similar price, losing quite a bit. But here we still have a full-fledged smartphone, which gets almost free bonus.
Specifications
- Operating system: Android 5.1 Lollipop
- Processor: 8-core, MediaTek MT6753, 1.3 GHz
- Video processor: Mali-T720
- Screen: Full HD IPS 5 "1080 x 1920, OGS, Curved
- SIM Card: 2 × MicroSim
- Battery: removable, complete with 2 batteries for 3000 mAh and 6000 mAh
- Networks: GSM / GPRS / EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz); 3G / HSPA + (900/2100 MHz); 4G / LTE (3/7/8/20)
- Camera: 13 megapixel, ISOCELL-matrix, AF, led-flash
- Lens: F / 2.0, 6 lenses
- Front camera: 5 megapixel, AF
- ROM: 16 GB (32 GB in the PRO version)
- RAM: 2 GB (3 GB in the PRO version)
- Memory card: MicroSD (with SDHC support)
- Audiotact: ESS9018K2M + ADA4897-2
- Wireless interfaces: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Navigation: GPS, GLONASS
- Dimensions: 141 mm × 71.4 mm × 9 mm with battery at 3000 mAh; 141 mm × 71.4 mm × 13.9 mm with battery for 6000 mA / h
- Weight: 140 g with battery at 3000 mAh; 200 g with battery for 6000 mA / h
Packing and delivery kit
I do not know if it's worth writing about the box, it's quite good, and I think, with the current level of technology development, it can not be otherwise. Thick cardboard, according to tradition, the phone rests on top, carefully packed under it - complete accessories, which are many.
In addition to the phone, you will receive: a charger with a USB connector, a microUSB cable, two 3000 mAh and 6000 mAh batteries and two rear covers for small and large batteries. It is two batteries that make up the main "chip" of this model, in addition to sound, of course. You can choose which version of the phone you prefer - stylish and thin or thicker, but long-lived. It is a pity, however, in the kit there is no external charging for the batteries to charge the second battery without the phone.
In Highscreen, we carefully prepared all the necessary accessories - a couple of models of covers (each of them exists for a thick and thin version of the case) and a protective film on the screen. Accessories in addition to good quality are pleased and affordable prices, so immediately it is worth paying attention to them in the corporate online store.
Design and management
Actually, the appearance of the phone, in my opinion, is very good, especially in the thin version. Of course, this is not the iPhone and not the flagships from the leading manufacturers, but for the price of 2-odd times less, Boost 3 looks and feels in hand just great. Highscreen clearly found that screen size, when it is very convenient for most yuzkeysov, but the phone has not yet turned into a perfect shovel. The device successfully folds into the hand and does not pull the pockets excessively thick. Moderate weight perfectly complements the image of a highly portable device.
Installing a 6000 mAh battery transforms the phone, the thickness becomes very solid, the lid with ribs looks easier, and it occasionally creaks with strong pressure. The enlarged battery also leads to a disbalance in the mass balance and the phone lays worse in the hand. But all this is quite a moderate fee for that lifetime, which is capable of showing Boost 3 with a large battery.
There are two MicroSIM sockets under the cover (one of which I unfortunately unfortunately broke due to the use of an adapter with NanoSIM) and a microSD slot.
The front panel is almost completely occupied by the screen, it slightly falls short of the iPhone, but even on my spoiled Apple look - good. It really exceeds the screens that even top players offer. With such a screen, you can easily watch a movie with a cool sound, climb on the Internet or enjoy watching your favorite album cover. The screen pleases with viewing angles, and good behavior in the sun. The very edges of the glass covering the front panel are made with small roundings, which gives the appearance of the phone a certain charm.
The control buttons are standard, on the one side of the screen there is a normal volume rocker, on the other - on / off buttons and a programmable button, on which you can assign different functions in the menu (I chose the camera). Traditional three buttons under the screen - touchscreen with backlight. In general, the controls are located successfully, it is easy to operate the device. I would like, of course, individual buttons to control the playback, but what not, that is not.
I specifically did not start any hardware benchmarks, because in everyday use the phone does not lag and does not brake, so I decided to behave with it as with Apple products and assume that the performance is sufficient. Approximately the same with the camera, it lags behind the quality of the iPhone 6 Plus, but under normal lighting its results are more than good, and in the dark, still without a sure Sony NEX can not do in any way.
Manages the phone Android 5.1, I do not know if it will be released under it 6, I think it's unlikely, but I want to say thank you to the developers that they did not cling any third-party launchers and embed unnecessary software into the firmware.
Naturally, I ran a battery life test, since my phone works mostly with a player, then I tested it the same way. With the wireless interfaces turned off, Boost 3 played FLAC with a resolution of 44.1 / 16 for 12 hours 25 minutes (player, naturally, Muz_On) with a 3000 mAh battery. Charging the phone is long enough, a thin battery charges slightly more than 5 hours from the charger for the iPad.
Sound
To listen to the phone, the following headphones were used:
- ZMF Omni
- Oppo PM-3
- Dunu DN-2000J, Titan 1, Titan 3 and Titan 5
- Lear LHF-AE1d
- Ambient Acoustics AM10
The first thing that captivates in Boost 3 is power. I do not know the exact figures, but the phone does a good job even with 250-ohm headphones, it's not necessary to talk about sensitive IEMs. More precisely, we just have to say "thank you" to the developers for the 50-step volume control and the ability to reduce the gain).
The filing of the phone is somewhat reminiscent of HUM Pervasion (not 100%, but the general tendency to sound), Boost 3 also tries to play "deliciously", delivering sound very tightly and densely, at the cost of small losses of detail.
The bass is quite fast and has surprisingly good resolution. If you lightly carp, then it just does not have enough depth and bodilyity, but in reality it is not very pronounced and personally does not bother me at all. If the owner wants a more weighty bass - you can take the headphones pobasovitej and get the desired density. But in terms of speed and texture of the bass, this smartphone is able to compete with the players of its price segment on an equal footing, and the rest of the phones it bypasses without straining.
The average frequencies in general do not cause any complaints. They are a little smoothed out, but it's done very carefully using programmer's terms, it's "not a bug, but a feature." At the price of a small loss of permission, we get an engaging and musical pitch, which provides the player with sufficient tolerance to the quality of the recordings. The width of the imaginary scene is slightly less than average, but the depth is very well worked out, and it captivates, creating a pleasant effect of sound realism, especially in live recordings. Tools seem slightly accented, which also adds a "taste".
The upper frequencies are also accurately ottyuningovany. I generally have a feeling (perhaps erroneous) of the fact that the sound of the player was carefully and carefully tuned to achieve the desired result. If the developers simply took a DAC with the same Alcatel with 9018K2M, they added a simple amplifier and got a good result, because of the chips used, in Boost 3 the sound was more than serious, and the RF was an obvious confirmation. They are clearly muted in order not to create sharpness and ringing, but they do not seem sluggish and smeared, perfectly coping with their task of giving a melody of lightness.
Developers have managed to almost completely avoid interference from radio modules, even in very sensitive plugs they are barely audible, the same goes for the noise of the amplifier, but I would advise in any case to choose something with an impedance of at least 32Ω. Still, I note that it's very good for Boost 3 to watch movies in headphones, the sound of the video is also very pleasing.
Compatibility
If you decide to buy this phone and you do not yet have your favorite headphones, I advise you to use the discount offered and pick up something from the Fischer Audio headphones. Quality headphones - just the necessary attribute for a full disclosure of this model, and good discounts on the road are not lying. The power reserve of Boost 3, of course, will suffice for most overhead models, although high-impedance headphones will nevertheless open better with a desktop amplifier. I liked Boost 3 with FA Dubliz, Lear LHF-AE1d, Dunu Titan 3. Out of the overhead models, well-forgotten FA Oldskool 33 1/3 and the unloved Koss Porta Pro (I at one time mocked them a little, and I like the result) , from the "full-size" headphones Takstar and Oppo PM-3 behave very well. Of course, the list of cool headphones, which will be great to play with this phone, is not limited to these models.
Due to the flavor feed, Boost 3 is quite uncritical to the quality of records, even not very good tracks can be listened to (6 points on a conditional 10-point scale). Genre too it came out very versatile, the phone very well for its price copes even with complex records such as orchestral classics and brutal metal.
A few traditional examples
Yes - South Side of the Sky. I have already said many times about what wonders Stephen Wilson does with old prog-rock records. Did not become an exception and the classic Yes, neatly remixed and reassembled by him again this year. Surprisingly, in the process of "major repair" sound Wilson carefully preserves the atmosphere of recording and small nuances of sound. That's Fragile technically sounds like it was recorded just a couple of years ago, although the sound itself clearly sends us to more than 40 years ago. Boost 3 copes very well with the transfer of this track, especially with its rhythm section, which sets the whole basis of the composition.
Bijelo Dugme - Pjesma mom mlađem bratu. And another remaster, this time made by the author himself, Goran Bregovic. By 1980, the classics of the Yugoslav rock scene "The White Button" came under the influence of a new wave, so the album "Doživjeti stotu" surprised fans with an unusual lightweight sound that mixed everything from electronic music to punk. At the same time, "Song to my younger brother" sounds like a greeting to the previous works of the band: an interesting melody, rich vocals, beautiful symphonic arrangements, small insertions of heavy guitar and chorus - all this reminds the band's past epic paintings. Boost 3 and then shows itself from the best side, carefully transferring the lyric atmosphere of the track.
Eluveitie - Slania's Song. It is unfortunate that Eluveitie was stuck in self-plagiarism and attempts to repeat their classical works, because in due time they became a breath of fresh air, which the European metal scene lacked. A spectacular cocktail of folk and brutal metal with a male growl and pure female vocal sounded very unusual and interesting. Adding to this hit tunes with clinging reefs, we get a band, not without reason becoming the headliner of many festivals. Naturally, their music is a difficult test for the source, which, incidentally, Boost 3 passes with honor. His permission is enough to not dump all the music in a heap, and effective medium frequencies emphasize all the anger and brutality nested by musicians in the recording.
conclusions
I'm not afraid of a loud statement, but Highcreen made a phone with the best sound in the world among the phones (in many respects it is Mikhail's credit). It is also good when used for its main purpose: high-quality screen, normal (though not top-notch) hardware, two batteries in the kit, a decent camera - all this is there. Android adds to the music capabilities of the player nice bonuses such as support for streaming services (especially great in the light of the availability of LTE) or DLNA. I'm not talking about the fact that on the phone you can easily glance in the road movie.
Of course, specialized players of a similar price segment sound even better, but in this case we are talking about a universal device that has a lot of functions that are not available to ordinary players, so the Higscreen Boost 3 is fairly easy to become a leader in terms of price and performance. Качество его звука порадует любого слушателя, не страдающего аудиофилией в терминальной стадии, а для неискушенного меломана и вообще может стать откровением.
The article is based on materials .
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