iPhone volume / bass response versus iPod Video 5th gen?

[a6equj5]

I currently have a 30gb iPod Video. I recently purchased an iPhone with the hopes of activating it on prepaid. I've got easy access to my computer every day, so I don't have a problem with rotating a random playlist to refresh music on my iPhone. I have not activated it yet due to concerns about audio quality.

I've read that the iPhone lacks bass response and volume when compared to 5th gen iPod Videos.

Can anyone confirm this? I'm using large closed headphones (Sennheiser 212 Pro's). Due to the shape of my ears, I cannot use earbuds or in-ear headphones.

Has anyone compared the iPhone with an iPod Video, in terms of volume and bass response? I listen to a lot of hard rock, metal, and electronic music, so this would definitely be a dealbreaker.

I had preordered a 16gb Touch, but due to the screen problem and other substandard issues with it, I've canceled my preorder and am considering opening my iPhone to activate it. (I've had it a week in the shrink wrap trying to decide...)

[a6equj5]

Anybody able to help me out? I know someone out there has to have an iPhone and a 5th gen iPod Video lying around...

[deftdrummer1]

I have an ipod video and iphone in hand and I am using the apple iphone buds. My sample song was ZZ top's "pearl necklace" and the iphone is just a little bit quieter. In addition to being quiter at near full volume, the sound quality on the video seems to be a little bit more crisp. Thats just my subjective observations though.

[philapod]

You listen to your devices at FULL VOLUME? ARE YOU FREAKIN DEAF! lol
no offense hehe, it's just kinda funny to me, cause I think my iPhone is pretty dang loud at 1/2 volume. just my subjective observation tho, hehe.

ps - i'm not saying you should turn it down or anything... keep on rockin

[deftdrummer1]

Well I more so put the volume at full blast to test clipping, distortion etc. I just listened for a second. On a side note, when riding to school with the iphone sometimes traffic makes me have to use near full volume.

[a6equj5]

Thank you for comparing them for me.

Did you use the same EQ/sound check settings on both? Also, I know it's hard to compare bass response when using earbuds, but did you notice any lack of punch from the iPhone when compared to the Video?

[HAL99]

You listen to your devices at FULL VOLUME? ARE YOU FREAKIN DEAF! lol
no offense hehe, it's just kinda funny to me, cause I think my iPhone is pretty dang loud at 1/2 volume. just my subjective observation tho, hehe.

ps - i'm not saying you should turn it down or anything... keep on rockin

Please stop saying hehe.

[eriqesque]

I find the sound quality on the iphone
better than any previous iPod.
I do think it is subjective however.

[deftdrummer1]

I am starting to think something is wrong with my iphone now. I have it one notch down from full volume for most of the day and that is what I would consider medium / loud. And I have pretty good hearing.

[a6equj5]

Please stop saying hehe.

STFU, troll more.

Or better yet, go post your constructive comments on the Dragonball Z forum you came from.

[floepie]

I do find the bass to be a bit more pronounced on the video but ever so slightly. It also seems that the video emphasizes the mid-range as well. However, the iphone seems to offer a more 3-d spatial sound for lack of a better way to put it. It just seems to surround you more and feels more textured. I'm not sure which I prefer as it would depend on what type of music I would be listening to. Have you found any other links in which the 2 were compared?

[a6equj5]

Other than the replies in this post, I haven't found any direct comparison. I did get access to an iPhone that my nephew has and compared it with my 5th gen Video. They did seem very similar, but I was only able to test it out for about 5 minutes.

[Complexis]

If you are a really big audiophille, you can probably tell the diff in a split second. I think, judging by the sound, the iPhone is worse in quality than the 5.5G, but that is just my own observation. I think the iPhone has a good treble for higher music, but for lower music, the iPod Touch has the better bass.

[ocellnuri]

I'm so glad to see someone else talking about this issue.

I've got a 60gig 5G Video and a iPhone... and I have noticed quite a difference.

I have V-Moda Vibe cannalphones, and the iPod seems to have much tighter base response and clearer mids and highs. The iPhone also seems to clip easier.

Where the difference is most obvious to me is in my car. I've got a dock-line-out connector going line-in into a Panasonic head unit with 2 x 12" subs. I listen to the iPod through it almost constantly, and something seemed amiss with the iPhone the second I plugged it in. The soundstage feels condensed and separation is worse. The bass feels less solid and punchy and highs aren't as clear and crisp.

This is all with no EQ (I can't stand EQs on Apple's devices... instant clipping) and with the same settings on the head unit.


The convergent convenience of the iPhone has been enough for me to put up with the quality differences in causal use, but if I really want to enjoy an album I have to grab the iPod.

I will say that I'm probably a great deal pickier than most listeners, so things may not seem as severe as I'm making them out to be to more casual listeners. I DO think that there is a difference between the devices, with the 5G iPod coming out on top quality wise. It's a shame too, I'd love to sell the iPod and go to one device.

[deftdrummer1]

ocellnuri you're making me miss my old setup in my car. It was pretty much on par with what you got only with a 3rd gen ipod (best sound quality I ever heard from an ipod to date) boy do I miss that ride. I know exactly what you are talking about with the sound quality. Oh the days before volumizing......