LG Prada Review - Audio Quality
The LG Prada is a phone that's all about style, but style won't help you out if the people you call on it can't hear you. To test the quality of the calls that you make over phones like the Prada, we use
SoundCheck, a professional audio analysis package from Listen, Inc., with a Brüel & Kjær Head and Torso Simulator (H.A.T.S). This picks up sound just like a human head and ear, enabling us to precisely measure the quality of the sound the phone sends and receives. This set-up is used by industry professionals the world over to test audio products. For more details on how we test, see
here/.
Sound Receive Frequency Response (7.42)
In this test, we measure the frequency response of the phone being used as a handset (where you hold it to you ear) for the sound it receives, such as someone talking to you over the phone. The LG Prada did reasonably ; the frequency response of the Prada (shown by the red line on the graph) only went outside the limits set by the standard we test against on a couple of spots. However, the curve was rather oddly shaped, with low frequencies not getting the response we would like to see, and high frequencies getting a higher response than they really should. What this means is that voices could sound reedy, with the high frequencies being overly exaggerated.
Sound Send Frequency Response (7.85)
The frequency response of the sound that the LG Prada sends (such as you speaking into the phone) was a little better; the frequency response curve was mostly flat and mostly within the limits that the standard we test against sets. It also followed the shape of the limits well, so your voice should sound fine to those you talk to.
Handset Side Tone (1.43)
Side tone is the measure of how much of your own voice the cell phone plays back to you so you can hear yourself speak and don't shout. The LG Prada had a problem here; we measured the side tone at -9.43 Decibels, significantly more than the -18 decibels that the standard we test against calls for. This means that your own voice may be louder in your ear than it needs to be, so you might find yourself whispering and the person on the other end asking you to speak up.
