No more EQ in lollipop???

[Sergioo]

Hello, I've just updated my xperia Z1 compact to lollipop 5.0.2.
Since then, the EQ and sound effects of the phone do not work anymore with any player, apart for the Sony Walkman (apparently, i was told, because it uses the api blabla, no idea).
I was told that this is a deliberate and definitive and not bypassable choice of Google.
I can't imagine why!?
It's sadistic! I absolutely needed those effects!
There was a "clear bass" thing which is a nice bass boost, and no matter how much i EQ the bass on the player, it's never like the bass boost. And there was a sort of reverb to improve soundstage.
Walkman is sh....
I want to keep using Neutron.
Why did they do so?
Is it really definitive?

 

[Hadron]

Well if there is a new API (the thing you decided to dismiss) then there is nothing to stop any app using that. Of course if that is a Sony API rather than an Android API it's less likely anyone will.

I've just tried the equalisers with Neutron and PowerAmp on my HTC (running 5.0.2) and they still work. I've no idea where the specific settings you name are, so cannot test those (never seen "clear bass" in Neutron's settings for example, though I personally prefer to use a flat EQS so might have overlooked it if it's buried deeply enough).

But the first thing to clarify would be whether the settings you are talking about are player settings or Sony settings. Because if the latter it's a matter of asking the developer's whether they can support a manufacturer-specific tweak rather than an android feature.

 

[El Presidente]

But the first thing to clarify would be whether the settings you are talking about are player settings or Sony settings. Because if the latter it's a matter of asking the developer's whether they can support a manufacturer-specific tweak rather than an android feature.

Sony, on most of the Xperia Z range I've seen, there's a decent set of equalisation options with Settings -> Sound. One of those is Clear Bass.

 

[Hadron]

OK, so this is a Sony sound setting that isn't playing nicely with third party players on the OP's phone since the update. I suspected that might be the case.

Do you still have a Sony? Just wondered whether you'd had the same experience (if on lollipop)?

Anyway, sounds like whoever said it was a Google change was either guessing or trying to pass the buck.

 

[El Presidente]

Yeah, still got my Sony.

I had a lollipop update waiting for it this morning, but EE were replacing it in the afternoon so I didn't bother updating. No update on my new handset.

 

[Sergioo]

I must admit, I don't even know what an API is.
What I meant is that the audio effects of the phone (= of Sony, not of android) which till before the update were working always, no matter which player I was using, now they only work with the Sony Walkman.
So is there a solution?
If there is no solution (= if it's something which the programmer of Neutron or I cannot bypass), can I downgrade version of Android?
Anyway I have been suggested viper4android, which needs rooting, so I was thinking to finally root.
I've read the sticky thread and the other suggested one, but those are just generic suggestions.
Where could I learn how to root my phone?
I'm afraid of doing it, because when I start learning something I tend to become obsessive and each door opens another door...
And I've no time now.
It would be ideal if someone could eventually guide me

 

[Hadron]

API = Application Programming Interface. Tools to allow people writing apps to use the device or OS's features.

I don't know any of the internals of Sony's software, so cannot say what's changed and hence whether it can work with other applications. It sounds like previously you just set this and it affected the sound globally in any app (like the "Beats Audio" switch in my M7's software). But if it doesn't now that implies some change in the way it works. If this requires an app to use a Sony-specific API then obviously that would be a complication for a developer who is trying to support many different devices. And it's possible that you need to use tools from the API to make it work but that Sony have not published the API, which would make it hard for anyone but Sony to use it. But please note that I know nothing beyond what you've said (plus what an API is), so this entire paragraph is pure speculation on my part - I'm just thinking aloud here, nothing more.

As for rooting, the Z1 Compact, I'm afraid our own Z1 Compact Root forum is very quiet indeed. I've tried scanning a few threads at XDA, but the sort of advice I'm finding often seems to start with "roll back to KitKat" (which of course might solve your problem by itself!). The best collection of tools for modifying the Z1 Compact seems to be this thread, but as I've never tried to modify a Sony I can't really offer much advice on any of the stuff there.

Actually the main thing that's kept me from buying an Xperia Z Compact model so far has been the rather limited development community for these devices. Apart from that they are in many respects the phones which best meet my personal preferences.