willland Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 My Sprint account says I am due for another upgrade and I am seriously considering an HTC One M8 or M8 Harman Kardon version. I currently have a Samsung Galaxy S2 and was considering the Galaxy S4 which my wife just got free or S5 if I can get it for under $50.00. I have read a ton about the HTC and all things point to it for music with it's "superior" DAC(as phones/tablets go) and streaming capabilities. What say you? Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockOn4Klipsch Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 The hk edition from my understanding contains the same hardware and DACs as the nonbranded hk edition. It's simply a software enhancement that can be ported to the standard m8 edition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted August 2, 2014 Author Share Posted August 2, 2014 The hk edition from my understanding contains the same hardware and DACs as the nonbranded hk edition. It's simply a software enhancement that can be ported to the standard m8 edition. Thanks for your reply. Yeah, I read that and also read that the hardware and DACs of the basic One M8 are pretty darn good for the music enthusiast. Considering most music streaming(Pandora, Spotify, etc.) from a SMART phone is highly compressed, that HK feature may be worth the small premium over the standard HTC One M8. In reality, maybe the vanilla version would be good enough for most music applications? Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattSER Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 I've owned both phones, first the HTC and now the Galaxy, and listened to the both using Klipsch R6 in-ear buds. I can tell you that Spoitfy on the HTC sounds noticeably better and more detalied. And the built-in music app sounds MUCH better than the Galaxy's. Also, if it matters to you, the Galaxy's built-in speaker is a total joke compared to the HTC's. Overall, I think the Galaxy is the better phone(especially the screen) and it plays my R6s louder than the HTC which I appreciate for small periods here and there, but if sound quality is your priority I'd have to recommend the HTC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted August 2, 2014 Author Share Posted August 2, 2014 I've owned both phones, first the HTC and now the Galaxy, and listened to the both using Klipsch R6 in-ear buds. I can tell you that Spoitfy on the HTC sounds noticeably better and more detalied. And the built-in music app sounds MUCH better than the Galaxy's. Also, if it matters to you, the Galaxy's built-in speaker is a total joke compared to the HTC's. Overall, I think the Galaxy is the better phone(especially the screen) and it plays my R6s louder than the HTC which I appreciate for small periods here and there, but if sound quality is your priority I'd have to recommend the HTC. That is what I am hearing across the board. HTC for music prowess, Samsung for better feature set. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 I have the M8 and all I can say is go for it! I think the Harman Kardon addition is BS if you have to pay any extra to get it...they are all the same on the inside and the HK software can be added to the standard M8. So all you have left is that funky color combo. The phone is awesome in everyway. The only thing I will tell you flat out is stay as far as possible away from HTC made accessories.... they are flat out garbage. The included ear buds are darn good! Sadly they best my Klipsch S series ear buds (can't recall the model #) in the tonal balance department. The Klipsch have better detail but lack bass and overall balanced sound in comparison. I even think the camera is darn good regardless of its mega pixel rating. The build quality of this phone is leaps and bounds above anything I have ever owned. I've owned Cell phones since they came in a bag and were called "Car Phones"... While I have not played with the Samsung long term I did look it over at a store and to me the thing is a cheap POS in comparison build quality wise....Samsung phones have always been cheaply made POS IMHO. If Google had not destroyed Motorola I'd still be Motorola all the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 (edited) One more thing you don't have to listen to streaming music... Buy 128 gig card and put high bit rate MP3's on the phone...I have about 8000 songs on mine in high bit rate MP3 and they sound really good on my ear buds while mowing the lawn (only time I use them) and steaming Bluetooth to the GMC Seirra.... Edited August 2, 2014 by NOSValves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WMcD Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 I have the original HTC One. A good feature for me is the FM radio. If data usage is not an issue you could stream your favorite station from the Internet, of course. One area where it is irreplaceable is at the health club where the audio from the TV's is broadcast at low power on the FM band. Something to consider. Few cell phone have this. WMcD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted August 2, 2014 Author Share Posted August 2, 2014 I have the M8 and all I can say is go for it! I am leaning that way but not for the current Sprint upgrade price of $149.00. I'll wait until it drops below $75.00 and take another look. I think the Harman Kardon addition is BS if you have to pay any extra to get it...they are all the same on the inside and the HK software can be added to the standard M8. Actually, with Sprint they are the same price. The included ear buds are darn good! I read that too in many a review but I only rarely use earbuds so that will not be a deciding factor. The build quality of this phone is leaps and bounds above anything I have ever owned. That is pretty clear after one look. Pick it up and it is obvious. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 The real shocker is when you pull out the sim card or storage card slot.....the darn thing is completely machined metal... its a small thing but impressive. It's hard not to support a company that builds with such quality and attention to detail... By the time the price of the phone is what you want it will be old news and something better will be available. No big deal if you don't mind being a step back in the chain. I got my HTC free from Verizon...but I have been with them since before they even existed... I always let my contract run put and wait about two months and then push them via a supervisor for a deal. They always give me exactly what I want for free. Been doing it for about 10 years now. Of course my family share account has 6 phones on it so I'm sure that helps also! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted August 2, 2014 Author Share Posted August 2, 2014 (edited) It's hard not to support a company that builds with such quality and attention to detail... I totally agree with that. By the time the price of the phone is what you want it will be old news and something better will be available. No big deal if you don't mind being a step back in the chain. I am not an early adopter, I usually wait until the dust settles or until the next model is introduced. I bought my Samsung Galaxy S2(49.99) about a month after the S3($249.99) came out. Bill Edited August 2, 2014 by willland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porn_Star Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 (edited) i agree with the build quality, htc seems to out do samsung, but i believe samsung uses more plastic to keep from impeding with the internal radios and get a little better reception. I'm pretty sure apple stepped away from the aluminum for the same reasons. i have samsung, and i have for quite some time, their screens are by far better looking than htc, or any other brand for that matter imo. as far as audio quality, it plays lossless and sounds pretty damn good on my mode 40 and image x10, i can't really tell much difference from my phone to mac book pro in lossless quality sound. i also have a friend who loves htc, but seems to always have problems with it. Edited August 2, 2014 by Porn_Star Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattSER Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 (edited) Yes, I had to ditch the HTC after going through two of them and experiencing continual problems with both. The microphone went out on the first one and the second had a terribly unacceptable redish tint in dark areas of photos and refused to send or receive MMS after repeated attempts to fix it.The Samsung definitely feels cheaper in my hand and is the only phone I felt the need to buy a case for, but so far, problem free. Edited August 3, 2014 by mattSER Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 You had two HTC M8's and had that kind of trouble? I've had mine for 3 months and not a single issue....I mean I think I have shut it off twice in 3 months.......absolutely flawless so far knock on wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattSER Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 Yes, I'm assuming I got unlucky twice in a row. The first was a first-gen One and the second was an M8. My buddy has had his M8 for quite a while now with no problems, and my previous phone was an HTC Evo 3D that served me incredibly well for over two years. I just couldn't afford anymore trips to the phone store and decided to try the Galaxy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted December 30, 2014 Author Share Posted December 30, 2014 I finally took the plunge to replace my aging Samsung Galaxy S2 with the HTC One(M8). Love it, love it, love it. I was patient and had to wait for it to drop to .99. Still figuring some of the specifics out but very pleased so far especially with music, both with built in speakers and connected(3.5mm out) to my rigs. Very clear audio upgrade over the Galaxy S2. It appears onboard DAC's are of pretty high quality as SMART phones go. So far no reception issues(Sprint) and I spent a week in the mountains of western NC. Also looking forward to the highly anticipated Lollipop 5.0.1 Android update which "should" come in a week or so. Thanks for the enthusiastic endorsements that helped me make my decision on with the HTC One. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 I have a LG G3 and a HTC One Harmon Kardon... it seems like a very well made phone, very stout. I prefer the LG interface, but the sound on the HTC is really quite good for a tiny phone. zero issues with either. out of the two I prefer the G3 overall, but the HTC is a great unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhound Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 I finally took the plunge to replace my aging Samsung Galaxy S2 with the HTC One(M8). Love it, love it, love it. I was patient and had to wait for it to drop to .99. Still figuring some of the specifics out but very pleased so far especially with music, both with built in speakers and connected(3.5mm out) to my rigs. Very clear audio upgrade over the Galaxy S2. It appears onboard DAC's are of pretty high quality as SMART phones go. So far no reception issues(Sprint) and I spent a week in the mountains of western NC. Also looking forward to the highly anticipated Lollipop 5.0.1 Android update which "should" come in a week or so. Thanks for the enthusiastic endorsements that helped me make my decision on with the HTC One. Bill I love my M8! Oh and if you don't have the poweramp app I would recommend getting it AWESOME media player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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