I have Rockbox in iPod Nano, but it doesn't sound as good...

[Nik]

as the music from the original firmware.

So I'm switching back and forth to listening music in Apple's firmware and "playing" around with Rockbox. Anyway to make Rockbox sound as good? Like sound settings or something.

[LambdaCalculus]

First, don't write part of your message into the thread name. Use a descriptive title (e.g. "Adjusting Audio Settings on my iPod nano"), and post your entire question into your first posting.

Second, this question is posted in the wrong topic. Make sure to post in the correct topic(s) next time.

Third, you can also read the manual: http://download.rockbox.org/manual/rockbox-ipodnano/rockbox-buildch6.html#x9-920006

In the Settings menu, go to Sound Settings, and go to town from there.

[scorche]

Fourth, see http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?topic=6139.0

[Nik]

I was wondering which forum to post in but I thought this is a pretty general question, sorry about that.

I know about sound settings but by default it doesn't sound as good, and I'm not an expert on making the changes. Both RB and Apple FW, I have disabled EQ.

scorche: that topic seems to be trying to say both sounds the same, but they don't. In Apple FW, they sound more powerful.

I would appreciate if someone actually does help me, and please excuse my mistake on posting on the wrong forum. Maybe a mod can help me move it to the audio section.

[Llorean]

No, that thread says "objectively they output nearly identical audio, so if you say they sound different either you have different settings, or you're suffering from placebo effect."

[Nik]

 

The difference is pretty huge for me. Do you guys have Nanos to hear the difference too? As I said, both settings are on default. I switched back and forth many times to hear the difference. Sometimes there are "hiccups" in rockbox too.

I'm not here to diss Rockbox, I love it. If someone knows what I'm talking about and knows how to set it to sound better, please help. Thanks.

[Llorean]

As I said, the placebo effect does exist. Why don't you perform an RMAA analysis yourself, and show us the difference on an objective measure, it will likely give us a clue as to what might be the problem. Google "Rightmark Audio Analyzer"

As to the hiccups, what WPS are you using, and what format and bitrate is your audio?

[Nik]

Whats WPS?

Anyway I done the test on Rightmark but what am I suppose to do now? I'll just post 2 graphs which I think make sense.

The quality for this file is 223 kbps VBR...

http://img412.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dynamical9.png
http://img164.imageshack.us/my.php?image=noiseaf0.png

[GodEater]

WPS = While Playing Screen - which alot of people think of as "theme" although that's not quite right.

[Nik]

It's the "now playing" screen. I'm using Rockbox theme, that yellow one, if it matters.

Ver is r13806-070706.

[safetydan]

From those graphs I'd say you have the volume under Rockbox lower than you do when playing under the original firmware. No other differences really stand out. Are you sure you've matched the volume between Rockbox and the original firmware?

[Nik]

Any easy way to do that? I make both volume max and thought they'll be the same...  

Since you say those graphs look normal then nvm... it seems like nobody here believe me. It's not placebo effects if it sounds obviously better on Apple FW.  

[safetydan]

In most cases, louder sounds better regardless of other settings. If you're settings result in Rockbox having a lower voulme, then it will sound worse to you.

Check that you have fully disabled the equalizer and that replaygain is disabled. Maybe reset your settings to the defaults and see if Rockbox sounds better.

[cpchan]

Since you say those graphs look normal then nvm... it seems like nobody here believe me. It's not placebo effects if it sounds obviously better on Apple FW.  

How do you know if it is not placebo effect if you haven't AB them blindly? Also, as safetydan said, you have the music on louder in Apple's OF- the general masses tend to equate louder with better.

Charles

[linuxstb]

The difference is pretty huge for me. Do you guys have Nanos to hear the difference too? As I said, both settings are on default. I switched back and forth many times to hear the difference. Sometimes there are "hiccups" in rockbox too.

The default settings for the Apple firmware and Rockbox could well be different - we don't know exactly what the Apple firmware does to the sound.  Also, Apple's firmware may enable features by default which are disabled by default in Rockbox.

Even maximum volume may be different - even though the DACs might set to the same volume, the Apple firmware could be increasing the volume by digitally processing the audio.

If you want to change how Rockbox sounds, try adjusting the equaliser (which will use more CPU, and might introduce more of the hiccups you describe), or the bass/treble settings (which are in hardware, and won't use any CPU).  A slight boost on the bass might be what you want.