This has depressed me (as much as a device can at any rate), but the N4 has the weakest audio output of any device I have tested. I tested two N4s and same result. The audio output is WEAK from the jack and that is with 16ohm buds (Klipsch). I turned up to 13 (90%) and boosted the EQ to help out. 100% exhibited slight distortion that is indicative of weak output.

Folks can forget using higher ohm headphones IF there is no way to increase the gain and volume, or even using 16ohm on a subway. I am stunned since find the S4 and N3 not exactly loud, but passable. N4 output is weak compared to them. I became concerned when GSMarena reported half the output of the iPhone and one third less than the G3.

Sad too, since the audio features and sound quality are nice- if listening in bed or a library. More sad IMO that GSMarena did not test headphone output when noticed such a huge output difference.

I am hoping Poweramp can access the gain and volume and hardware level to override this apparent travesty of weak volume. Stock app IMO is mainly useless for headphones due to the volume.

 

The sad thing is the output was weak with 16 ohm buds, which is essentially the lowest ohm buds there is. People are in for a shock if expecting to power anything above that. Truly epic fail IMO and ditto for reviews not pointing it out.

Perhaps the apparent 10/23 date is for the better now, since time to see if the volume can be increased with an app or through root. Frankly I am bummed now since this makes no sense.

The main thing that sucks is the Samsung stock music app is actually very nice, but little good with the weak a$$ output.

 

No way to spin it. Reviews that actually measure the output point out the weak output and I heard it myself. I need to now test and see if Poweramp can override the low volume setting. Some devices it will, some it will not.

The iPod 5, iPhones, M8, G3, S4 and N3 all have better output. Samsung appears to have got some serious stupid with the audio output on the N4.

The app though is one of the best I have used and even has a vacuum tube setting to emulate the warmth of analog. It actually does a decent digital emulation of the warmth tube amplification has. Note to audiophiles, I KNOW that is a sacrilege to say, but just pointing out the warmth is there. Still digital- I get that

What I do NOT get is the weak output that renders the great stock app WORTHLESS for wired headphone use. I do not use bluetooth headphones. Too many very good wired headphones on hand that work very well.

 

18 ohm was of course lower and to the point that even 100% volume is inadequate. My guess is people with Beats or other high ohm headphones are going to be trying to figure why the volume will not go up. It can't!

Somebody with Poweramp please test if the volume can be increased over the stock option. The BB devices did not have the Play market open so could not test myself.

 

Phonearena has a chart listing the output as half the iPhone and one third less than the G3. I tested the music app as noted above on the black and white versions. I kept thinking it was GSMarena.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Review - Camera and Multimedia

 

The speaker is fine. It is the output from the 3.5mm jack and the stock music app.

 

Nothing has been implied about the speaker. It is Marshall amp loud compared to the audio jack output for headphones.

Added: I get the impression some folks do not appreciate there is a physical audio line difference between the audio jack and speaker. These are not linked in series, but in parallel to the chipset audio out line.

 

Test for yourself

 

The sound output is LOW using the stock app and reviews have pointed out the low volume output. It is literally 60% lower than iPhone as an example. The S4 has low output too, but not this low.

I retested devices at BB and audio impression has not changed. The stock app is low with 16 ohm and low to the point of being worthless with higher ohm buds.

Poweramp though improved the output with gain and volume increase options. Sound quality is very good. The stock app IMO is worthless unless in a very quiet place. I would say also with noise cancellation phones too, but they usually have higher that 16 ohm impedance.

Either you all have bionic ears, or tried Note 4s that were different from what I tested and what Phonearena and others tested. Stock app = low output.

Audio fans would be best served getting Poweramp IMO.