Sunday debate: Stereo speakers vs minimal bezels

29 October 2017
Is having a second speaker worth the extra bezels - Paul and Ivan lay

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  • K
  • Kirk
  • UD{
  • 31 Oct 2017

lol, 31 Oct 2017Beats are not for "Audiophiles" IMHO.The moment I read that he claimed to be an audiophile and proceeds to showcase beats, I instantly knew this was coming...

    • D
    • AnonD-205566
    • Gx7
    • 31 Oct 2017

    AnonD-712125, 31 Oct 2017We all know what minimal bezels can do to a phone, thanks t... moreYeah... No. You actually do need stereo speakers while watching videos, because that's when you'll be holding your phone relatively close to your face thus taking advantage of the stereo setup - YES, there is separation, that guy that keeps saying there's not enough separation must be holding his phone four feet away from his face (to each their own, my point is that I can clearly notice the separation on my X Pure when I'm watching, say, Netflix).
    You actually don't need the stereo setup for listening to music, since the phone is way more likely to be lying on your table or countertop and there's no way you'd be able to tell each channel appart.

      • D
      • AnonD-712125
      • rRU
      • 31 Oct 2017

      We all know what minimal bezels can do to a phone, thanks to Samsung and other companies. So I'll talk about stereo speakers on a cell phone. The main reasons we need speakers on a phone are to listen to music, watch videos and making phone calls. When watching videos all you need is a loudspeaker not necessarily a stereo speaker, same thing when making a phone call, you don't need a stereo speaker. Only time you could possibly need a stereo speaker is when listening to music, but how many of us actually use the speaker to listen to music. When we're home we're usually using our home speakers or home theater system to listen to music. When we're outside, we're usually using our headphones, nobody listens to music on their speaker when you're out in the streets. I'll give it that is a cool feature to have stereo speakers on your cell phone but it's not really necessary. I'd rather have a compact and sleaker phone then stereo speakers on a bulky phone.

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • JG0
        • 31 Oct 2017

        L0lip0p, 30 Oct 2017The purpose of stereo speaker in a smartphone is not to ple... moreThe stereo speakers in phones are not really useful, because the speakers are so close to eachother that you don't or barely hear the stereo anyway. So the best solution is to use the best quality mono speaker (for example HTC's speaker in mono form), and place it at the bottom-right corner on the BACK, like it was on older Samsung phones like Galaxy S2 (not on the bottom edge like in S8). That way if you use the phone in reverse-landscape, none of your fingers or palms will cover the speaker (or normal landscape orientation if the speaker is placed on the bottom-left corner on the back).

        I'm not really against the stereo speakers. If the phone has it it's good, it's just not important.

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • JG0
          • 31 Oct 2017

          Raky, 30 Oct 2017I don't mind some bazels up and down, for a grip, and since... moreThe reason why you cover the phone's speaker with your palm is that the speaker is on the bottom edge. This idiot design was started with Galaxy S6 (when Samsung started copying iPhones).

          The solution for this problem is not the stereo speakers, but to move the mono speaker to the back, to the same place as it was in Galaxy S5 and older phones.

            • l
            • lol
            • YUf
            • 31 Oct 2017

            Anonymous, 31 Oct 2017To dear Audiophile Mr.Paul! Get Sennheiser, Shure, Audio Te... moreBeats are not for "Audiophiles" IMHO.

              • G
              • Gio
              • n3y
              • 31 Oct 2017

              why not both ?

                • D
                • AnonD-595251
                • t0L
                • 31 Oct 2017

                I'd go with bezels because those Stereo Speakers ain't got nothing on a good pair of headphones. It's a waste to enjoy good content without lows.

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • ELT
                  • 31 Oct 2017

                  To dear Audiophile Mr.Paul! Get Sennheiser, Shure, Audio Technical, Beyerdynamic, Creative, Sony and even Philips earphones! Then come back do call yourself:
                  Audiophile xD

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • Lfq
                    • 31 Oct 2017

                    This is a stupid argument. The two things; stereo speakers and bezeless screens are NOT mutually exclusive. You can have BOTH and be happy. The speakers are in the guts of the machine not resident on the screen. Seems like you guys make shit up just to justify your existence.
                    Try discussing something "meaningful and significant" like no more phones (or very few) with removable batteries. To me THIS is very important. Batteries have a limited life and need to be changed from time to time AND, I want, no DEMAND to have the ability to change to a fully charged battery on the fly. Why do they prevent me from doing it. AND it is not true to sacrifice IP68 in doing so. It is about the tech and engineering the hardware. This is a more important issue than stereo speakers vs bezeless screens. IMHO

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • vgN
                      • 31 Oct 2017

                      Bezeless is really looking good but Im scared about getting drop, you know that 18:9 display its will be expensive right even worse with fragile. About stereo speaker Its good too but I always use headphone to listen musics.

                        Anonymous, 30 Oct 2017Have you tried a so-called bezzless phone? I mean, really g... moreI don't need to. Beyond practical and very fragile, this is the definition of companies draining money of of mondless masses through services with such phones.

                        I would never get a phone without stereo speakers.

                          • ?
                          • Anonymous
                          • tj8
                          • 31 Oct 2017

                          Lordkaos, 30 Oct 2017LOL...You consider yourself an Audiophile and use Beats he... moremost of my audipphile friends use either sony, sennheiser, or audio technica. "beats" is usually used by juveniles who try to look cool

                            Stereo speakers is better than mono or even cheap mono speaker, when you watch video or YouTube the mono cheap sound is unpleasant, stereo speakers is best for quality sounds.

                            Bezelless is a trend, when people drop their bezelless smartphone they could start thinking to buy a new one, thus bezelless is impractical unless the quality is good enough.

                              • D
                              • AnonD-653225
                              • qI0
                              • 31 Oct 2017

                              dexterouz, 30 Oct 2017Wrong poll option - "Bigger bezels are fine if it means bet... moreIt says bigger bezels are fine IF it means better audio. There's your condition right there.

                                • ?
                                • Anonymous
                                • 39x
                                • 30 Oct 2017

                                DenisXD, 30 Oct 2017There is no denial that some bezeless phones look beautiful... moreHave you tried a so-called bezzless phone? I mean, really give it a go and used it over a fairly long period to make a fair assessment? If so, which ones have you tried and for how long?

                                  There is no denial that some bezeless phones look beautiful, there is no debate here. As much as I like the lg v30, I don't like single speakers.

                                  If people know me here they know that I'm a Sony guy, and if you are a Sony guy you can't go without stereo speakers. I actually find the bezels useful because when I play playstation games I have some space between my thumbs and the on screen buttons, when i watch a movie I have my thumbs at the bezels too sometimes, so yeah I really don't mind them at reasonable sizes like on the xperia flagships, as long as they have a speaker at each bezel.

                                  So I picked audio of course. Mind you I also listen to music via headphones (got a nice 50 buck Sony headphones too), but nothing beats late night movie times with a special someone next to your shoulder, watching movies in the bed together in stereo.

                                    • D
                                    • AnonD-711932
                                    • 4J2
                                    • 30 Oct 2017

                                    I for one am tired of people discounting some folks need for acceptable and loud sound from a phone without the need for separate headphones or a Bluetooth speaker.

                                    I work in a factory. When I get a smoke break, I go outside where it's still loud. I'll scan Facebook and a friend will post a short video perhaps, and I'm forced to either put my phone up to my ear, or attempt at cupping the phone with my hand to hear anything. I love my Note 4, but HATE the speaker location on the back. Is it better when I can use my kickstand case and bounce the phone off a table? Yes. When a table is available. Most of the time, I'm outside, it's still loud, and I'm trying to enjoy a smoke and watch a stupid Facebook or YouTube clip. God forbid I want to watch a short sports highlight of a game I missed because I was working. Whatever it is, I'd like to hear it, and I can not work with headphones in my pocket or left around my neck.

                                    Sound volume, quality, and speaker placement, for me, was one of the most important aspects in my choice for a Note 4 replacement. Next, was battery life, and not going to a smaller screen. (I read the news frequently while on break as well.) I pre-ordered the Pixel XL 2 and hope I can live with some of the issues that have been reported. (Google upping the warranty an additional year likely saved another pre-order cancelation.)

                                    Bezel size is so low a priority for me that it didn't weigh into my decision at all. It was screen size and front speakers first and foremost. I can't even lay in bed with the phone on the blanket and watch a little video clip without the sound being muffled on the Note 4. Speaker placement alone with this phone has been the worst thing about it for nearly 3 years now. Being on Verizon had kept my phone choices limited, and I'm crossing my fingers I love my XL2. However, I will return it in a heartbeat and try a U11 Plus if announced with a 6" screen as expected if I'm not happy with my new Pixel.

                                      • f
                                      • funkboy
                                      • 3XV
                                      • 30 Oct 2017

                                      put the speakers on the side/bottom, not on the front...

                                        Wrong poll option - "Bigger bezels are fine if it means better audio" - It doesn't necessarily mean better audio if the manufacturer has not taken any initiative to add a stereo. Also, the slim bezel can also have stereo speakers.