What sync profile for converting 24 bit to 16 bit when syncing to phone?

[F1nchy]

Hi guys

I've just upgraded my phone from a Pixel 6 Pro to an 8 Pro and now have 512GB storage on it so want to put flacs on instead of mp3/aac, but I also have a fair amount of 24 bit flacs in my collection.

From what I've read it looks like playing 24 bit on my phone via Bluetooth will just convert them down to 16 bit on the phone, so there's no point in using up the extra storage the 24 bit uses on the phone, so I need to set MM5 to convert any 24 bit down to 16-44 when syncing - what is the best way to achieve this in the sync profile settings for the phone under Devices?

Thanks!

[IanRTaylorUK]

Hi,

I would try to find out if the phone itself has a DAC and then what the spec of the DAC is. I know some phones (often those without a 3.5mm headphone jack) rely on a USB C sound dongle. So it might be a case of looking at the combination of phone / dongle / headphone (or speakers).

For example, my phone claims to be 24 bit / 192 kHz audio BUT the proprietary codec for the blue tooth headphones in 24 bit / 96 kHz. Once you have this information - you might want to test of few files to find out if you can notice any difference!

If you decide on the quality that works for you, then (assuming you use MM5 to sync via USB or WiFi) you can set the "Auto-Conversion" under the Sync-Profile for the device where you map the format in the MMW5 library to the "format on the device" and the supported formats for the device. This is all under the Devices and Services node.

I estimate a 512GB storage card will hold around 10k FLAC files at a reasonable high quality.

Hope this helps

[F1nchy]

Thanks.

Doing a bit of research. The things I listen through are Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones and WF-1000XM4 earbuds and a Sonos Roam. It look like the Pixel 8 Pro does support 24 bit playback on the Sony's but not on the Sonos Roam (which does play 24-44 but not via bluetooth).

I'll have a comparison listen and see if I think it's worth having 24 or 16 bit flacs on the phone, but if I want MM5 to convert anything above 16-44 flacs down to 16-44 what settings do I need to use for converting?

In this option here;
https://imgur.com/a/ZpOWTff

[Lowlander]

You'd need to work with Sample Rate and Audio Bit Depth settings.

[F1nchy]

Ah, ok, so if I set it to convert anything with a bit rate of 17 or more, then convert it to 16 bit 44100hz?

Like this?
https://imgur.com/a/n7Cdnnq

[Lowlander]

Yes (note that screenshot was incorrect one).

[F1nchy]

Yes (note that screenshot was incorrect one).

Sorry, which screenshot? The first or second? Was the second correct?

[Lowlander]

Second one, seems the same as first.

[F1nchy]

Ah, sorry, it was the same one, my mistake!

I meant this one;
https://imgur.com/a/nyzpaqN

[Lowlander]

You can try Bits per sample set to Default, however I assume you may have to set explicitly to 16.

[F1nchy]

Oops, yes, though I had, must have not saved it!

https://imgur.com/a/ZJlX63y

I guess I'd need to delete the flacs off my phone so it syncs them back over as 16 bit won't I? Or will it automatically replace any 24 bit with 16 already on the phone?

[Lowlander]

You'll need to delete and re-sync.

[F1nchy]

Ah, ok, thanks for clarifying

[IanRTaylorUK]

The Sony headphones are good. You will also find some resources with sample files for comparison of different but rates:

https://helpguide.sony.net/high-res/sam ... index.html

Also consider a few Auto-Playlists - for example "250 Highest Bit Rate FLACs in your Library". Remember you won't duplicate the files on the device if a track appears in say an "Album" Playlist and an "Auto" Playlist.

Lastly, the Wavelet Android App provides headphone specific equaliser adjustments so you may want to try this as well.

[F1nchy]

The Sony WH-1000XM4 and WF-1000XM4 do sound great, I've been very happy with them (especially the noise cancelling on the headphones on a recent 7 hour flight!)

After connecting each to the Pixel 8 Pro via bluetooth and looking at the HD Audio settings under Settings>Developer options I can see that both the Sony's support 24 bit playback, but the Sonos Roam only supports 16 bit.

In that option I can change the bit rate and sample rate when connected to either of the Sonys. It plays really well at 24-44 but I found that when I increased the sample rate to 96kHz and above it was a bit stuttery, but as the audio on my phone (synced from MediaMonkey) is 16 bit and 24-44 that's fine.

I convert anything I download above down to 24-44 for my main MediaMonkey collection as my Sonos system only supports up to 24-44 - I keep an archived copy of the original 24-96/24-192 in case they change that in the future!

I'll do a bit of testing with Qobuz as well when I get the chance, as that supports up to 24-192.

I am a huge fan of smart playlists, I have hundreds and regularly rate tracks, add tempo, mood, occasions, etc to my tags to make them very flexible. Smart playlists allows me to create playlists way better than any streaming service can do - no one knows my tastes like I do!

Someone else recommended the Wavelet app to me a while back and I've found it really good, but it doesn't always seem to like MediaMonkey and sometimes comes up with error messages. Likewise with Qobuz, seems fine with Spotify though.

I'm hoping that was just an issue with Wavelet and my Pixel 6 Pro, hoping it works better on the 8 Pro!