Of the many things that phones replaced, portable music players were one of the most widely used. Even today, if we talk about the primary uses of a phone outside of calling and internet access, music playback and entertainment are right at the top. Talking about music playback, today's smartphones give a stiff competition even to high-definition music players with the help of apps.

Download High Quality Music from Tidal on Android. It is pretty much the to download Tidal music on Android, but first you need to install the Termux app, which allows you to run Python script and other scripts. Watch the video below to see how it works.

These apps support uncompressed audio formats such as FLAC, which audiophiles swear by. With support for high definition audio formats users get a more immersive audio listening experience, as compared to Mp3's.

Here we will be talking about 5 of such great audio player apps for Android phones that support FLAC. While there are paid apps available with a ton of features, we have focused on free apps also that offer almost similar functionality. However, even before we begin, we have to understand what is FLAC and why is it relevant.

What is FLAC

Some artists and services choose to put their music up for free, and they do so in a way that allows you to download it legally. Ektoplazm is a source for awesome quality electronic music. WAV/MP3/FLAC Last.fm has a free music section. Downloading and listening are two different topics. If you provide a FLAC File, then Google Play Music is one app that plays them back. However, that app won’t deliver FLAC-encoded content to you. The Best Android Apps for Hi-Res Audio. You’ve got a few great options for music players on Android with support for hi-res playback. If you’re looking for a one-stop shop, USB Audio Player PRO, also known as UAPP, might be your best option. For $8.99, the app supports hi-res formats like FLAC, MQA, and DSD up to 384kHz / 32-bit. The UI is easy to navigate, and it can play most audio files, including hi-res FLAC and WAV. It has a DSP manager with the standard DSP plug-ins you’d expect to find – advanced limiting, crossfading, dB limiting, resampling, and even downmixing channels. It also supports downloading or streaming music from UPnP media servers.

FLAC or Free Lossless Audio Codec is a popular alternative to MP3's. Download google play services apk for android 4.2.1. It helps record lossless audio, but with compression. Therefore, if you use an uncompressed audio file, you will have to give up as much as 100 MB of storage space for a nominal song. While using FLAC, the same can be save in as much as 50 MB, without any loss in the audio quality.

So, now that we understand it and why is it important, lets talk about 5 free apps on Android that support FLAC.

1. VLC for Android

VLC or video lan client is one of the most popular audio/video playback software today for both desktop and mobile platforms. The reasons for its popularity include, simple interface, low resource demand and above all, support for most popular media formats. All the codecs are integrated into the player and you won't have to download anything other than the player.

While it might not be the best looking or the most feature-rich audio player out there, it certainly is the most useful. It supports playlists, has a very useful graphic equalizer and it can support media playback from a variety of sources both online and offline.

While free apps are generally supported by advertisements, VLC comes minus all that. It's a free to use application that promises to remain free. With support for both audio as well as video playback, this is a must have application for your phone.

Also Read: How to Add Extensions to VLC PlayerDownload VLC for Android from Google Play Store

2. AIMP

Another popular, yet free application is AIMP. This one here is purely and audio player and hence its design and functionality is specifically for a seamless use. Other than FLAC, it also supports a wide list of uncompressed music formats.

If you are looking for some easy customization. AIMP comes integrated with light and dark themes, while there is also support for custom themes. Along with high definition audio playback, this player also support internet radio playback and live streaming.

Similar to the VLC player, AIMP also has a very light installation package and does not need many resources to work well.

Note: AIMP is available for all phones running Android version 4.0 and above, however AIMP might be a little unstable on some Xiaomi devices running MIUI.Download AIMP from Google Play Store

3. PI Player

If you are looking for a no-nonsense, lightweight and feature-rich audio player, Pi Player is the one for you. It has an intuitive and responsive user interface based on material design. With support for most audio formats, this player also comes with 3D audio control. With this users can control reverb and spacing for a great music listening experience.

Another interesting feature of the Pi Player is its ability to share files over the internet. All you need to do is share a file which is secured by a numerical key and anyone with access to that key can download files, without any limitations.

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With this player, you can also update missing information on your tracks and similar to many paid apps, this also supports lock screen media playback control with full screen album art.

Download PI Player from Google Play Store

4. Pulsar Music Player

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Similar to VLC player, Pulsar is another great ad-free audio player that fully supports uncompressed, lossless music playback. The amount of features it offers is very similar to those offered by paid apps. While playing music, it can automatically download missing album art. With the user interface based on material design, it is very simple to use.

It comes with support for Android auto, which means that if your car player supports it, this becomes the native music playback app. Also if you use Google Chromecast, you can easily stream your music to you TV or music player connected to one.

Another interesting feature on Pulsar is its integrated sleep timer. Using this, you can easily tell the player to turn off music playback after a certain time period. Very useful if you have a habit of listening to music before going to bed.

Download Pulsar Music Player from Google Play Store

5. PowerAMP

Although, PowerAMP is a paid application, it does offer a limited day trial and if you are looking for a powerful audio player, you should definitely try this one.

It supports all know audio formats and has a number of customization options for users. It comes with 4 widgets that are fully customizable, and even the lock screen playback screen is customizable to an extent.

There is a 10-band graphic equalizer with 3D audio expansion and supports automatic download for missing album art. One of my favorite features in this is the ability to resume media playback, once you reconnect your wired or wireless headphones.

Download PowerAMP from Google Play Store

Where To Get FLAC Files?

There are a number of websites that sell and distribute FLAC music files. I personally like them because there is a noticeable difference in the quality. I personally use HD Tracks, they have an exhaustive list of hi definition music.

However, if you are not an audiophile, and you listen to MP3's most of the time, then also these players make absolute sense for the features they offer.

Also Read: 13 Google Play Music Tips and Tricks for Best Music Experience
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Also See#Android apps

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Did You Know

Since its launch, Shazam has been used more than 30 billion times to identify songs.

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You wouldn’t buy a Tesla only to equip it with the cheapest available tires. No, that’d be silly. Yet, when it comes to FLAC audio, we let our excitement get the best of us. Rather than making sure we have the necessary equipment to get the most out of our beloved lossless files, we buy FLAC albums in droves and think our current setups are good enough. Time to gather those Michelin-quality audio products for the best listening experience possible.

What is FLAC and why should you care?

Android Authority The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 supports FLAC files, along with any Android device running Android 3.1 or later.

FLAC stands for Free Lossless Audio Codec, and it’s a digital audio format similar to that of the MP3 file. There are plenty of intricacies surrounding various file formats, but all you need to know now is that FLAC files do not discard data, while MP3s do. Audio purists are drawn to FLAC because it leaves the recording untouched. Chicago-based musician Rymo. shared his thoughts with me about the importance of FLAC audio,

It’s the closest [listeners] can get to hearing studio quality resolutions in the age of streaming. Its availability and increasing popularity makes it easier to get more from a sound source—something that was an obsession during the days of vinyl, but has been replaced by an obsession with having access to a massive catalog of music.

—Rymo.

All right, time to get down to it and learn how to get the most out of those FLAC files.

Step 1: Make sure your device supports FLAC playback

All Android smartphones and tablets support FLAC audio playback so long as they run on Android 3.1 or later. Unless you’re using a technological dinosaur, chances are your smartphone will support FLAC files. As of iOS 11, iPhones also support FLAC playback; previously it only supported ALAC, Apple’s proprietary lossless codec. For anyone using an iPhone 5S or later-released iPhone, you’ll be able to use FLAC files without converting them to ALAC or playing through a third-party app.

Step 2: Invest in quality audio hardware

Drop The Massdrop x O2 SDAC is an excellent choice for listeners in need of a DAC.

That’s right, getting the most out of premium audio isn’t the most budget-friendly endeavor. Those gas station earbuds you picked up last week? Yeah, they won’t be doing you any favors here; each piece in the hi-res audio machine matters. This doesn’t mean you have to get the most expensive headset your credit limit allows, nor should you, but it does mean you should feel comfortable throwing down more than $50 on headphones.

Do you need a DAC for FLAC?

A digital-to-analog conversion unit (DAC) is rarely ever a necessity when working with modern hardware. Digital music has since advanced from the days of DIY DACs, and integrated hardware found in your smartphone is well equipped for high-bitrate playback.

In general, you're going to want to use the money you'd spend on a DAC on storage instead.

The only reason you should get a DAC in 2020, is if your source device (e.g. computer) is introducing noise, or if it’s unable to output files at their native specs. According to Albert Yong of Bowers & Wilkins, FLAC comes in a variety of flavors ranging from 4 to 32 bits and a multitude of sample rates. The fact of the matter is that you’re unlikely to need a DAC for consumer FLAC files like those from Bandcamp, Qobuz, Tidal, Deezer.

In general, you’re going to want to use the money you’d spend on a DAC on storage instead.

Why good headphones matter with FLAC

The Philips Fidelio X2 headphones are a relatively affordable way to step-up your at-home audio setup.

If you want to appreciate all of the untouched harmonic resonances living in your FLAC files, then you need headphones that can reproduce them accurately. There’s no need to go overboard on spending, as there’s a point of diminishing returns, but you bet your bottom dollar the Sennheiser HD 598 SE sound better than the Jabra Move Style Wireless. Those who want to observe a realistic sense of 3D space should consider open-back headphones. You don’t have to go crazy; even the $99 Grado SR80e will do wonders for a high-resolution file.

Have realistic expectations. If a file was mixed poorly, those flaws will sound more apparent in a FLAC file than MP3

This is a double-edged sword, however; once you get a good pair of headphones, you may notice imperfections in low-resolution audio files, and not the charming imperfections found in guitar distortion from your favorite garage-grown band. A headset that accurately reproduces detail and clarity makes high-quality files sound great and low-quality files sound less so. Plus, just because it’s a lossless audio file doesn’t guarantee that the recording and mixing methods were top-notch. Any production and post-production errors that were easy to ignore in an MP3 will be that much worse with a FLAC file.

Related: Best headphone amps

Now, another question often fielded to us is, “Do I need an amp?” There’s no reason to overcomplicate this: if you can get your music up to a pleasurable volume with loudness to spare with your existing setup, you don’t need an amp. On the off chance that you’re unable to reach a comfortable volume, a headphone amplifier may be in the cards for you. If that’s the case, please direct your attention to Mr. Thomas’ headphone amp guide.

For readers not yet ready to embrace the audiophile bug and incur some financial costs, FLAC audio may not be the investment to make today.

How to enjoy lossless audio on a budget

Although Tidal HiFi is relatively expensive, it saves you a lot of money if you often buy FLAC albums.

Those doing mental math may be a bit overwhelmed by the costs you’re about to incur. As someone who prides herself on her frugality, I’m happy to share basic workarounds to costly headphones.

Sure, $100-plus is pretty reasonable in the grand scheme of audio gear, but it’s more than a drop in the bucket for many of us. An easy way to save money is to buy used or refurbished products, especially on name brands like Sennheiser or Audio-Technica. Not only does this lessen the cost to you, but it also reduces waste and resource scouring which is neat, too.

Let’s say you’re not particularly picky about your music. Well, there are great options out there with low-cost or even free FLAC albums. Bandcamp is a great resource as many lesser-known artists will make their albums available as hi-res downloads for free. If you’re able, you should support the artist, but this remains a legal avenue for audiophiles to get their free kicks.

Alternatively, those who frequently purchase lossless albums may find a subscription to Tidal HiFi or Qobuz Studio Premier worth it. For $19.99/mo or $14.99/mo, respectively, you’re afforded access to thousands of high-resolution files at any time. That means by streaming just one or two albums a month means you’ll break even. The drawback to these services is that you don’t own the content once you end your subscription, but some may easily reconcile with this.

Step 3: Find a proper fit with your headphones

Higher-quality earphones usually include more ear tips options than cheap earbuds.

I’ve written it before and I’ll write it again: your headset—or in this case, your audio format—is only as good as the seal you achieve. Similar to high-quality Bluetooth codecs, lossless audio doesn’t really matter once auditory masking makes itself present.

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In short, auditory masking is when a loud sound makes it more difficult to perceive a relatively quieter one. This is because our brains have limited bandwidth when it comes to auditory processing, which was useful when caves were common shelter and finger painting was high-brow entertainment. Today, it’s less likely that we’ll need to be keenly aware of a large, looming predator, so this is yet another example of how our physiology has yet to catch up with the modern lifestyle.

If your headphones don't fit properly, you won't hear all that high-res audio files afford.

How does this translate to degrading sound quality? Well, when a loud external noise (e.g. passing car) permeates the physical barrier of your earphones, our brains raise the alarms and focus on the loud, threatening sound over the quieter music. It’s not that your music decreases in loudness anytime a train car breezes by, it’s that our brains have shifted focus as a means of survival. Again, brilliant job, evolution, but not the best for enjoying music.

Combating this phenomenon is simple though; take a few minutes to find a proper fit. For over-ear headphones, this means adjusting the headband and yoke until a seal is formed around the ear. Anyone using earbuds should experiment with the provided ear tips for a cogent seal. If none of the supplied options work, you may need to look into third-party options. Regardless of what variety of headset you prefer, optimal audio quality will only be achieved with an appropriate fit.

FLAC files aren’t always appropriate or worth it, since they require so much storage space. If you’re working out, a regular MP3 will be just fine.

While I certainly appreciate lossless audio formats and take the time to enjoy them from my home, it’s ok to forgo FLAC files. They’re more cumbersome and costly than MP3s. Plus, not everyone cares for high-fidelity audio, and that’s ok—enjoy your music how you want not how someone tells you it should be enjoyed. This article is just a simple reminder of things to keep in mind for FLAC fans, whether you’re just starting your hi-res audio endeavors or consider yourself a lossless audio veteran.

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