Then, as my Tidal playlist continues, it separates and celebrates the Hohner Clavinet in Bob Marley's Could You Be Loved from the rest of the mix. Listening with wired in-ear headphones, the Xperia 1 V extends the bass floor in OutKast's Ms. It is a more sensory experience than I've felt with any other smartphone. I watch a wildlife reel on YouTube and as an eagle flaps its wings, the phone shakes in response, irrespective of the full and rich ambient soundscape. Sonic articles seemingly flit and dart around the device as it rests in your hands in portrait mode. With no headphones paired, this is as good a listen for movie and TV content as you'll find in a phone. So special, in fact, that they're almost as good as some of the best stereo speakers we've tested, only much smaller. I really enjoy it – but then, I happen to know that dancers move in response to vibrations (humans feel certain bass registers we cannot actually hear anything lower than 20Hz) as much as audible sound.Īnyway, these speakers are special. Sony has been championing this for a while, but in case you've yet to be acquainted: this phone can shake to the beat of your tunes. Nor do they boast a 'Dynamic vibration' slider that pops out when you tweak the volume. Not too many hi-res players tote forward-firing stereo speakers with improved amplification for a fuller sound.

Tidal's 'New Arrivals: 360 Reality Audio' playlist is a great way to give the Xperia 1 V a whirl… (Image credit: Future)

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