Another critical aspect of the design was the audio processing algorithms. The WCD9341 datasheet mentioned that the chip supported advanced audio processing features, such as acoustic echo cancellation (AEC) and noise reduction (NR). Emma was pleased to see that the chip could help her design to provide a more immersive audio experience.
Based on Android kernel commits and XDA-developers reverse engineering:
| Parameter | Value | Condition | |-----------|-------|------------| | (A-weighted) | 126 dB | 48 kHz, 0 dBFS, 3.3V supply | | DAC THD+N | -108 dB (0.0004%) | 1 kHz, 0 dBFS, 32Ω load | | Headphone Output Power | 2× 45 mW | 32Ω, 1% THD | | Headphone Output Level | 1.2 Vrms (max) | Class-H mode, 16Ω | | ADC SNR (MIC path) | 102 dB | 24-bit, 48 kHz, A-weighted | | ADC THD+N | -94 dB | 1 kHz, -3 dBFS | | Crosstalk | -110 dB @ 1 kHz | DAC to DAC, 32Ω | | Dynamic Range (DSD64) | 112 dB | DSD direct mode | | Sample rates | 8 kHz – 384 kHz | PCM; DSD64/128/256 | wcd9341 datasheet
From the datasheet’s functional block diagram:
Unlike standard codecs, the WCD9341 features a powerful integrated headphone amplifier. The datasheet typically lists: Another critical aspect of the design was the
: Engineered for extremely low Total Harmonic Distortion plus Noise to provide "pure, premium sound".
: Crackling or heavily muffled sound across speaker and headphone paths. Based on Android kernel commits and XDA-developers reverse
: Unlike many mobile codecs that convert DSD to PCM, the WCD9341 can process DSD signals directly, preserving the original audio quality for audiophile-grade listening.
: It functions as an audibly transparent DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) and amplifier, engineered to match or exceed the performance of professional-grade audio setups in mobile form factors. High Performance Metrics SNR & Dynamic Range