When we saw the phone described on paper, we must have jumped (at least) 15 meters into the air: we're talking about a smartphone that is sold at around ?150, and whose audio features are designed by the DTS (DTS Studio Sound) team. According to the manufacturer, the product is compatible with non-compressed (16-bit/44.1kHz) files, and capable of reproducing sound via its loud speakers, which are good enough to replace the sound emitted by many small on-the-go speakers.
Tempted by the offer, Qobuz entered into the unknown to find out whether the Acer Liquid Z500 really is as good as it sounds.
Although the price of ?149 is truly astonishing, it soon becomes clear that the model is undoubtedly aimed at a younger audience. Equipped with a HD screen with a diagonal of 5 inches (IPS screen of 1280x720 pixels), the Z500 is a 3G smartphone, also containing a little slot of 4 GB (possible + microSD 32 GB) and of 1GB of RAM.
Despite the low price, the Z500 contains an 8 MP camera, which works under Android 4.4.2 and integrates an electronic audio that is compatible with MP3, AAC, WAV and WMA. Acer has also announced that the model is compatible with WAV/WMA files in 16-bit/44.1kHz (CD quality). Luckily for us, it is also accepts FLAC files in 16/44.1kHz.
The model?s originality is down to the inclusion of the DTS Studio Sound on the casing. According to our information, this creates a ?Sound Enhancement?. This improves the sound of both the little front facing loud-speakers with a power of 0.7W, as well as the tunings (high pitched, bass, etc - see our main image).
The phone also contains a Mediatek Quad-Core 1.3GHz processor, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth; an impressive array of features for a product offered at ?149 without subscription.
But what about the audio features?
One should primarily note that the sound created by the loud speakers is no more than a ?booster?. It is not comparable to the HTCM8, nor the iPhone 6 Plus, or the Sony Z2 (or 3), rather acting as a sound booster, which needs the support of a portable speaker to truly ?make some noise?.
When playing files in CD quality (16bit/44.1kHz) via its headphone output, the Z500 delivers a sound that is decent, but slightly aggressive, lacking dynamism and body. Although the sound is rather dry, it really isn't too bad. The rendering of the bass is decent, and the set can even hold its own when playing truly excellent recordings. Having said that, we wouldn?t go so far as to recommend the device to someone who desires a smartphone which truly ?sounds? good.
The Z500 is able to store and play certain files of 24bit/44.1kHz (which is undoubtedly within its electronic allowance), however the sound it creates is practically identical to what we have described above. The model certainly isn?t ground-breaking, but seeing as the Z500 ?only? costs ?149, you can?t expect it to sound quite like the HTC One, Samsung Galaxy, i-Devices or Sony Z2 (to state only a few).
To sum up, for a ?young? product at a low price, the Liquid Z500 does the job, but don?t expect it to reach new heights regarding high quality on-the-go audio. Whether DTS is integrated or not, the device remains discrete and not likely to create a mind-blowing listening experience. However Qobuz congratulates the manufacturer's effort, which is undoubtedly praiseworthy.
If you are a manufacturer, importer, distributor or actor in the domain of sound reproduction and you wish to contact us, please do so using the following address: newstech@qobuz.com
If you are passionate about our Hi-Fi Guide and you wish to contact us, please do so using the following address: rubriquehifi@qobuz.com
PP Garcia pour Qobuz
Twitter @ppgarcia75