Year Brand Series DAC / AMP Sound signature Price Rom + Expand?
Size (inch) Note
2018 vivo Nex Ultimate / S CS43199 + SMM66322 N/A $710 - 800 128/256 + No 6.59 Recommended
2018 vivo Nex AK4376A N/A $610) 128 + No 6.59
2018 LG G7 ES9218P Should be same as LG V30 $700) 128+ Yes 6.1
2018 Huawei Honor 10 AK4376A with Huawei Histen N/A Probably buy to review this :) $410- 460 64/128+No 5.84
2018 Meizu 15 Cirrus Logic CS35L35 N/A $400 - 444 64/128+No 5.46
2018 Meizu 15 Plus Cirrus Logic CS35L35 + CS47L89 N/A $475 - 524 64/128+No 5.95
2018 vivo X21 / 21 UD AK4376A with Deep Field Effect N/A $550 - 680 128 + No 5.9
2017 vivo X20 Plus ES 9318 N/A $530) 64 + Yes 6.4
2017 vivo X20 AK 4376A N/A $455-515 64,128 + Yes 6
Great details, 3D stage. Clear and euphonic mid, detailed Recommended;
2017 64/128 + Yes
LG V30 / 30+ ES9218P bass, very balanced in every frequency, MQA Support $530) 5.7 Price drop
Need an adapter to shine, clear mid with natural bass and Recommended;
2017 64/128 + No
Meizu Pro 7 Plus CS 43130 detailed $330-410 5.7 Price drop
Recommended;
2017 64/128 + No
Meizu Pro 7 CS 43130 N/A $250-300 5.2 Price drop
2017 HTC U11 either Dedicated or snapdragon N/A but should sound similar to HTC10 $760) 64/128 + Yes 5.5 No 3.5 mm port
2017 ZTE Nubia Z17 N/A N/A $500-630 64/128 + No 5.5
2017 LG G6 Plus ESS Quad N/A but should sound nearly same as LG G6 $590) 128 + Yes 5.7
2017 vivo x9s AK4376 N/A $400) 64 +No 5.5
2017 vivo x9s plus ES 9318 [Link] $490) 64 +No 5.9
2017 LG G6 Quad (h870ds) ESS Quad V20 with lesser bass and have clearer treble. $500) 64 + Yes 5.7
2016 HTC 10 either Dedicated or snapdragon 32/64 + Yes
[Link]
$400) 5.2
Super
2016 64/128 + No Recommended,
vivo xplay6 ES 9038Q2M + 3 * OPA1611 [Link] $550) 5.5 Price drop
2016 vivo x9 AK4376 Neutral and fun. Good for pop rock $400) 64/128 + No 5.5
2016 vivo x9 plus ES 9018Q2M + ES9603 N/A $500) 64/128 + No 6.2
2016 vivo x7 AK4376 N/A $320) 64 + No 5.2
2016 vivo x7 plus AK4376 N/A $390) 64 + No 5.7
Low gain = Balanced but toward a little cold, 3D, audiophile
2016 External mode and High gain = more warm and impactful 64 + Yes
LG V20 ESS Quad with better controlled treble $350) 5.7 Recommended
2016 LG G5 B&O Hifi Plus B&O Hifi Plus Bright, extended treble, wide soundstage, lack of depth ss $300) 32 + Yes 5.3
2015 Meizu PRO 5 ES 9018K2M + OPA1612 warm, 3D, high level of instrument separation $250) 32/64 + Yes 5.7 Recommended
colder mid than Pro5. lesser power than pro 5. good
2016 Meizu Pro 6 Plus 64/128 + No
ES 9018K2M + AD45275 separation still weird soundstage $350) 5.7
2016 Onkyo Granbeat thin mid, wide ss. Transparent. TOTL separation, 128 + Yes
2 x ES9018K2M + 2 x ES9601K good for string and soft music $780) 5.5
2016 ZTE Axon 7 AK4490EN with DSP Codec AK4961 Bright, V-shape, soundstage and separation not bad. $250) 64 + Yes 5.5
2016 ZTE Axon 7 mini AK4962 with combined DAC N/A $160) 32 + Yes 5.2
2016 ZTE Nubia Z11 AK4376 N/A $300) 64 + Yes 5.5
2016 super wide ss. Lack of depth. Top notch detail and treble, 64/128 + No
Letv / LeEco Max x900 ES Hifi verified by AKG V-shape sound. Impactful. Great for Rock, metal, EDM $250) 6.3 Recommended
2016 Natural, calm and balanced with tendency to little warm, 64 + No
Letv / LeEco Pro x800 ES Custom chip musical $200) 5.5 Recommended
2016 Letv / LeEco Max Pro x910 ES Hifi verified by AKG N/A but I think sound should be near letv max $300) 128 + No 6.3
2015 vivo x6 plus ES9028Q2M + ES9603 [Link] $430) 64 + Yes 5.7
2015 vivo x6 AK4375A N/A $370) 64 + Yes 5.2
2015 vivo xplay5s ES 9028Q2M + OP1612 128 + No
[Link]
$550) 5.4
2015 Lenovo Vibe X3 ES 9018K2M Bright and fun. Good for pop rock $250) 32/64 + Yes 5.5 Recommended
2015 LG V10 ES 9018K2M + SABRE9602 Warm, good detail, 3D stage $250) 32/64 + Yes 5.7
2015 xiaomi mi note / pro ES 9018K/Q2M + OP1612 Sound like Fiio x3ii both in quality and quantity (I meant it) $200) 64 + No 5.7 Recommended
2015 ZTE Nubia Z9 AK4375A N/A $200) 64 + No 5.2
2014 vivo xshot CS4398 Warmish, engaging bass, 3D Low power output $150) 16 + Yes 5.2
2014 vivo x5max ES 9018K2M + OP1612 Colored, Fun, impactful, 3D $200) 16/32 + Yes 5.5
Internation model: AK4375 International model: Crispy treble, lack of bass
2014 16 + Yes
vivo x5pro Chinese model: CS4398 DAC + MAX97220 Chinese Model: Musical, a little warm, 3D, nice vocal $150) 5.2
2014 Meizu MX4 PRO Warm mid, euphonic vocal, nicest 3D soundstage 32/64 (rare)
ES 9018K2M + OP1612 I've ever tested. Most musical phone in 2014 $150) 5.7 Recommended
2014 Oppo Find 7 / 7a N/A Extended treble and nice vocal. $100) 32 + Yes 5.5
2013 vivo xplay3s ES 9018K2M + OP1612 Big soundstage, Detailed yet fun $150) 32 + No 6
Note: vivo v series is not that good compared to other phones listed here. so I don't feel like putting them here ~ Only get either X or Xplay series for vivo.
sony xperia series might be a good option if you like its bass and impact. if you like details, good separation?, grab other phones. They are a lot that can do better at the price range~
want tablet? huawei mediapad m3 and ipad pro would work out for you~
If you didnt find some brands here. It is because I didn't experience them yet, so can't comment / recommend them here.
I think the list is a large pool enough for you to choose.
Year Brand Series DAC / AMP Sound signature Price Rom + Expand? Size (inch) Recommended by
2017 Umi Z Pro NXP something [Link]
$270 32+ Yes 5.5 Bsphong
This section is for none-mainstream devices that is recommended by random users from the thread.
Since I didn't test it myself or have least knowledge on this genre. I wont be responsible when you bought and didn't find it good.
You have my warn now.
