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Study: what impact on sound quality for the iPhone 7 audio/Lightning adapter?

The German magazine
c't magazine for computer technologycarried out tests and measurementsof
iPhone7 audio output with Jack-Lightning adapter, in
comparison with the direct audio output of the iPhone 6s and the impact of
the adapter on the sound quality. In the presence of an iPhone 7 amputated of its
headphone jack, we are entitled to ask ourselves the questionloss or
audio quality gainvia the Jack-Lightning adapter
provided. Here is what the technicians from across the Rhine report to this
propos :

They compared different devices, including an iPhone 7, an iPhone 7 Plus, a
iPhone 6s and an iPad Air, with or without the Jack-Lightning adapter depending on the
case. With high definition music encoded in 24 bits, the adapter
causes a dynamic loss of 4.5 dB(104.1 dB dynamic
for the iPhone 6s jack, 99.6 dB dynamic range for the iPhone 6s and 7 Plus
with Jack-Lightning adapter).

With 16-bit music files, the difference is less obvious, but
the adapter still causesa loss of 1.8 dB of
dynamic. On iPad Air, it's similar, although the adapter does a
little better than on the iPhone, without however matching the dynamics of the sound of the
live jack socket.

In terms of frequencies, we do not noteno difference.
Only the harmonic distortion rate (THD) is less good with adapter,
reaching 0.002%, while without an adapter the tests give 0.001% of
THD. At this level,the difference remains imperceptible.

Concerning the dynamics, it is of no consequence for most people and
ears not accustomed to high definition music, especially in the case
music files in MP3, AAC or equivalent compressed format with
losses (via streaming such as Spotify, Deezer and Apple Music in particular).

On the other hand, for 24-bit music, which is notably offered by
QobuzorTidal,
the loss of quality caused by the adapter may beperceived by the
audiophiles turned away. This could result in an increase in
levelbackground noise.

To see if these results are confirmed in future tests. He
It is also possible that third-party manufacturers will develop their own in the future.
own adapter a little more high-end to be able to benefit from
full of high quality music files.

Read for more information aboutl’iPhone 7:

Source

i-nfo.fr - Official iPhon.fr app

By : Keleops AG

Editor-in-chief for iPhon.fr. Pierre is like Indiana Jones, looking for the lost iOS trick. Also a long-time Mac user, Apple devices hold no secrets for him. Contact: pierre[a]iphon.fr.

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