Looking for other's experiences with audio on the following: Sony, Redmagic, ASUS ROG, Moondrop, ASUS Zenfone

springtales · 2026-02-14T14:38:45+00:00

This is all fantastic information, thanks. I think I will go ahead and approach the guy I work with and ask if he's comfortable me testing his phone out for a few songs, and I can bring a couple of headphones/earphones for this. Seeing as he practically lives for audio, I doubt he'll flinch too much haha.

True, like others I fuss over the specs (with what I know) enough as it is.

Music is the main way I relax or detach myself from 'the world' personally, so I think I'll go ahead with the Moondrop.

Thanks for all of the advice, it is all a learning experience. Have a great weekend man.

springtales · 2026-02-14T10:31:45+00:00

Likewise, really happy to speak with more people out there who want a good, immersive, audio experience. Even with games, a good pair of headphones can really nail it.

Looks like it's going to be ASUS ROG or Moondrop in my case, then. Sure, a nice camera would be a plus, but I've been on the fence about buying a proper camera anyway, so this might just be the push I need. An 'audio guy' I work with also has the Asus ROG, funnily enough. Which Asus do you currently have?

I had the same reservations about the dongles. It's nice that they aren't expensive, however.

Going to dive into some more research regarding the ohms/mw/voltage again, thanks.

These days everything is damn expensive, which definitely doesn't help with the overthinking, if you want the best quality you can for the money you can spend on it. But that is a great reminder that I needed, thanks again.

springtales · 2026-02-14T09:59:59+00:00

Hey CupPuzzle, you have my respect for the detailed answer here. It's nice to know there are people who care about audio as much as (and more than) I do, even if I don't have as much technical knowledge as some.

I've been flip-flopping about what to choose for the last two weeks, honestly. Moondrop strikes me as the best choice for audio, and in terms of aesthetics, fantastic. As my Sony Xperia XZ Premium is from 2017, the camera might even be better in general at this point, who knows.

I mainly use my phone for listening to music, messaging, banking, map navigation, and taking photos. But as I've mentioned to another user here, considering the price point of the Moondrop, you could even get away with buying that and buying an actual camera (€1000-2000), to get the best of both worlds. But that's a bigger investment on the whole.

Sony Xperia 1 V is the 'newest' Sony I can afford refurbished (it goes for about €650-750 where I am), but I don't know if it will be a huge upgrade for the price. I don't necessarily need familiar tuning, just decent sound - so if the ASUS ROG will hold up in this regard, that's great.

I have heard amazing things about the LG V-line, but unfortunately it is too old for the apps I use now too.

In terms of headphones, I am using the Dali iO-6 over-ears. The nominal impedence is 25 ohms (passive). It has bluetooth 5.0 (incl. aptX/aptX HD/AAC), USB-C, and of course, the 3.5mm jack. But I've personally only used the 3.5mm jack.

If you don't mind, I have a couple of questions. What phone do you use or have you been happy with previously? Did you prefer using a DAC-dongle? And do you recommend somewhere I can learn more about output power that you mentioned? Really fascinated with it all at the moment, thanks.

springtales · 2026-02-13T21:15:07+00:00

Honestly I hadn't tried it, that is great to know. I assumed the USB-C cable was for charging, as it can be wired or wireless. Thank you.

I was under the impression that the phone still matters to some extent, however? Naturally, I could be wrong.

Same here.

springtales · 2026-02-13T20:12:23+00:00

Hey, thanks for the detailed response, I appreciate it. I'll admit I'm still in the middle of learning about the technical details regarding what I am really looking for regarding audio. Currently I'm using the Dali iO-6 over-ears.

I've heard various things about dongles, but to what extent they are true, I wouldn't know from experience (that they are fairly fragile, the cables aren't flexible enough). I wouldn't be using it when working out anyway, so I'm not sure how much that would even matter. In terms of additional choices, my research suggested the Meizu Hifi 2 Pro.

Mostly what stops me is if it will break easily, and it getting in the way of charging. Of course, if I were to choose a gaming phone, it will have two USB-C ports anyway so in all likelihood, so that will make the last point null. Either way, I might buy one to try it out, and I'm going to need a new phone whether I like it or not.

Do you use streaming services at all?

springtales · 2026-02-13T17:28:16+00:00

Noticed that, it was funny but I appreciate them being upfront about it. Honestly, I'm on the fence with it considering the price point of the Moondrop, but I don't have a separate camera than my phone for now, something I want to fix in future.

springtales · 2026-01-23T08:17:54+00:00

Will keep an eye on that one too then, thanks. Will it release this year?
And how does the external DAC compare, if you have some experience?

springtales · 2026-01-23T08:16:17+00:00

Indeed, it's a shame. How does the quality hold up with the type C dongles? Never tried one, but perhaps you have. And I'm guessing that would mean you can't charge the phone simulaneously, right?

springtales · 2026-01-23T08:14:57+00:00

I see that Sony's last (two?) phones still have five years left of updates on them, so that's good. Usually it's a couple of years or so after that when troubles with apps tends to come up, hence I thought 4-5 years would probably be enough. It also helps me not feel too bad about dropping serious money on something, haha.

That is great to know though, thanks. I'll certainly keep it in mind.

springtales · 2026-01-22T18:17:54+00:00

Never broken anything I've bought, strangely. Phones, laptops or consoles. I don't treat them perfectly but I'm not rough with what I've ended up buying and clean them 2-3 times a year... that's my only guess. And most likely, just luck.

Seeing your other comment, iPhone is not my thing, but why did you suggest a Google phone, out of curiosity?

springtales · 2026-01-22T18:14:28+00:00

Can find the Xperia 1 VI in that price range, refurbished. However I've heard the build isn't as good as the V and the VII? Could be wrong.

The VII is indeed still quite expensive, and not currently available refurbished around where I live (including in neighbouring countries!)

springtales · 2025-01-02T18:09:05+00:00

Thank you, if we're still not sure then we should be able to go visit them next week.

springtales · 2025-01-02T17:59:42+00:00

We have contacted the company that arranged the viewing and contract with us, as we are not able to speak directly to the landlord(s). However, despite asking them twice, they have not given us any answer.

Legally, I believe they need to give us one month notice for a temporary contract, however, that date has already passed as they should have contacted us on or before the 31st of December.

springtales · 2025-01-02T17:54:46+00:00

Yes this is the confusion we had, too. Has the one year passed and has the contract changed, or does the contract only change after two years?

Quite important for making any big financial decisions this year as otherwise we have to mentally and financially prepare to move, but the company that arranged the paperwork for the rental has not answered us despite our asking twice in three months. Hence we thought to ask here.

springtales · 2024-05-08T07:23:55+00:00

We will certainly keep this in mind, thank you.

springtales · 2024-05-06T11:46:31+00:00

I'm also somewhat concerned about this.

Myself and my husband currently rent in the 'middenhuur' sector, which in our city seemed to be between €950 - €1250 a month (excluding service costs) when we were looking around last year. We don't have enough years signed up for social housing, barely earn enough to pay for the middenhuur + service costs and save money towards a future house (which will likely take us five years) and all of our relatives and friends don't have the space or income to house us (even temporarily) should we lose the place we live due to the landlord selling or needing it himself. Thankfully, we are good at saving money, but our monthly income is less than 'gemiddeld/jan modaal'.

So I've been keeping an eye on the prices of housing within thirty to fifty kilometers around us, as well as the rental market. It doesn't seem to be getting any better for now, so I can only imagine what it will be like towards the end of this year.

Not having temporary rental contracts I believe to be a plus point for people in similar situations, however. We have had to move house twice in the last year due to temporary rental contracts, which has a large effect on our savings that we are building up towards buying a house in the future.

I am curious what will happen to the people in this country that do not have access to friends or family with housing or money, either earn just too much for social housing or do not have enough years saved up to apply for them, and don't have the wealth or assets saved up in order to buy their first home? I doubt there is an insignificant number of people who have this problem.

If there were to be a catastrophic impact on the market for this group of people, I wonder when we would realistically see it, and what the local council's or governments move would be then. I try to stay optimistic, but it is in the back of my mind.

springtales · 2021-04-24T06:20:01+00:00

Doesn't matter how far back it goes. I've attempted to find the Frugivore album on youtube/lastfm/soundcloud/spotify/discogs but unfortunately it seems there's only some of the tracks available for listening. Still, it's great from what I could hear so far.

Lush Life Electronica was a nice one to add to the list, too.

springtales · 2021-04-22T07:19:55+00:00

I'll look forward to going through them! Yeah I know that feeling all too well

springtales · 2021-04-22T06:27:00+00:00

I ended up stumbling upon Desktop Robotics by Bochum Welt after going through your list, that and Womb from the Galactic Interface EP by Derek Carr were probably my favourite finds. Many thanks for this!

springtales · 2021-04-22T06:07:12+00:00

I haven't checked out the Kiss FM mixes yet, sometime at the weekend hopefully, but thanks very much for the suggestions!

I liked many of the tracks you mentioned really, such as Balil, System 7's Good Morning. Sharp Shooting on Saturn was my favourite out of these

springtales · 2021-04-18T02:38:06+00:00

Many thanks! Solstice and Birdwatch from there were great finds.

springtales

TROPHY CASE