An App That Makes Your MP3s Sound Better
Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 7:07PM
I don't care what kind of math the acoustic boffins trot out. MP3s sound bad when put up against CDs or vinyl. I hear a harshness in the high end. The compression induces listener fatigue. And I have a theory (based in real neuroscience) that acoustic masking principles used in the MP3 algorithm reduce the emotional impact of music.
That's why I spent part of the afternoon roadtesting Bongiovoni Acoustics' DPS app on my iPhone.
Here's their blurb:
Bongiovi DPS improves the clarity of your mobile library* across all frequencies and provides cleaner, deeper bass response. You will hear detail that you never heard before. DPS analyzes the audio signal in real-time and optimizes it for playback through any device connected to your headphone or line-out jacks**. It also compensates for differences in volume between songs and enhances dialogue and sound effects for personal videos and podcasts.
Sounds like a big promise for a free app (99 cents for the ad-free upgrade). So I thought I'd try it out.
My results have been mixed to good using standard Apple earbuds. FIrst, I listened to a song I know inside and out as an untreated MP3. Then I listened to the same song through the Bongiovoni app. I heard nuances in the Who's "Who Are You" that had been buried in MP3 murk. Same thing for the Stone Roses' "She Bangs the Drums" and Dire Straits' "Telegraph Road." Some NIN sounded pretty good, too.
However, when using the setting "earbuds with microphone" (because that's what I was using), I thought I detected some bass distortion. Changing the setting to "earbuds without microphone" seemed to solve that.
If you get a chance, try out the free app. I'd be interested in hearing your opinion. Download it here. And if you want to read more about the technology created by Bon Jovi's cousin (no, really), go here.
Reader Comments (6)
I tried the app using my iPhone and my
Sennheiser 555's which generally produce
wonderful tones. I must admit that I was
impressed with this app, especially when
listening to Elbow's One Day Like This
and its epic string sections. The app
added an overall 'fullness' to the music
particularly to some of the lower bass
tones. Overall, I'd recommend the app
Without knowing the technical specifications of the encoded audio (128kbps 44.1khz, for example), you're talking in generalities. My 192kbps sound tonnes better than 128kbps ones but that would be the case regardless of the headphones or speakers... and as such, I'm deeply suspicious.
Can you give us details on what type of MP3 (but why not M4A) either of you have used for comparisons sake?
I use high bit rate MP3's and AAC encodings whenever possible. 320Kps Variable bit rate if I'm doing the encoding myself. With a pair of Shure 535 in-ear monitors I've been really happy with the quality of sound I get. Granted, I haven't listened to a cd or LP directly through these cans because I don't have a conventional stereo at home anymore (sign of the times?). I'll check out the App and let you know what I think. The quality of headphones, like the quality of speakers is the most important factor to good sound (besides source quality). The best source will sound awful on crappy headphones and iPhone headphones are among the crappiest.
I was driving in my car this morning which has a great high end stereo and I was thinking exactly that. "These mp3's sound crappy played through my iPod, I prefer CD's" I would love to test this app out in the car and see if it makes a difference there.
First impressions...
The soundstage for most songs is huge with this app.
Bought the full version as it had a setting for my Shure headphones. Didn't like it at first but it was the best one for my cans. Cool.
Would have liked to compare the treated sound to the same song running the EQ I like on my iPhone. Without the DPS songs like they had no EQ on them at all and they're going to sound flat anyway.
Would like the App to go back to the playlist I'm in instead of going back to the root menu when I try and pick a different song.
Occasionally on very busy songs - Caravan by Rush, Bridge Burning by Foo Fighters - I felt like I was getting a "pumping" sensation similar to some active noise cancelling headphones. Nothing I can articulate any better than that but it was there.
App kills the battery on my iPhone really fast.
Going to try it in the car tomorrow. The stock radio in my Pontiac G5 needs all the help it can get.
Oh ya, Alan, can you approve my friend request on Facebook? I'd love to add to the discussions there and we know a ton of the same people from my years in Hamilton/Toronto Radio.
Cheers,
Sean
My experience has been surprising and pleasing overall. When I got the app I spent a good 15 minutes in the car flipping bak and forth between the app and the regular mp3 and marveling at the difference. I've never done the same experiment with CDs or .wav files so it was my first experience in realizing the low quality of mp3s (or M4As, rather. Most of my library comes from the iTunes store). When I got home I spent another 15 minutes on my much higher quality surround sound system.
The app is particularly effective in acapella tracks because they have such a broad range of frequencies that are easily distinguishable and well enhanced.
The app struggles a bit from time to time, especially with lower bit rate mp3s or songs with lows production value. It "enhances" things like static or badly leveled highs.
I also don't think it buffers too far ahead of the song. Opening and using other apps (or even Bongiovi itself) can cause the playing song to skip like a discman without antiskip.
Overall, I'll continue using this app as much as I can. The downsides are minor and the iodized are huge. Especially for a free app.