In the market of players for Apple devices, especially when it comes to playing high-resolution audio – all sorts of FLAC, DSD, and APE files – two serious players stand out: Flacbox and VOX. Both applications, it would seem, are aimed at the same audience – audiophiles and those who do not want to put up with the limitations of the standard “Music” application. But they implement this task in completely different ways. These are not just two identical players, you know; they are about different things.
Flacbox is more about local control and third-party clouds, while VOX is a kind of closed ecosystem with its own cloud and integrations. And the choice between them is, in fact, a matter of the philosophy of using music. Let’s dive into the technical details and see what each one is capable of.
Table of Сontents
Flacbox – Local Control And Cloud Flexibility
Flacbox, developed by Everappz, relies on the versatility of data storage. Its key feature is the ability to connect to a huge number of third-party cloud services and local servers. Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Box, iCloud Drive, as well as NAS servers via SMB and DLNA protocols – the list is impressive.
You are not tied to a specific developer’s cloud. You just upload your hi-res files where it is convenient for you, and Flacbox pulls them up. You can stream, and you can download for offline access. For many users who already have terabytes of music on their servers or in the cloud, this is, well, critically important.
In terms of formats, Flacbox is a truly omnivorous monster. It supports FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, APE, DSD, OPUS, and a bunch of other things. The developers also added detailed control over the audio output – you can manually change the sample rate, which, again, is important for audiophiles.
But there are also drawbacks. Some users complain about the lack of gapless playback (playback without pauses), which can be a problem for listening to live concerts. The interface is sometimes called a bit confusing, although functional. Plus, Flacbox is strictly for the Apple ecosystem: iOS and macOS. It does not have versions for Android or Windows.
VOX – Minimalism, Own Cloud, and Streaming
VOX, from Cupertino, goes a different way. It has a very minimalistic, elegant interface based on gestures. It looks modern; that is a fact.
VOX also supports a wide range of formats, including FLAC, ALAC, DSD, MP3, APE – in general, everything is okay with formats. It has its own audio engine based on BASS technology, which, they claim, provides excellent sound quality. There are equalizers and a BS2B function to improve the stereo effect in headphones.
The key difference is how it works with the library. VOX offers its own cloud storage, previously called Loop, now simply VOX Cloud. Uploading music there, in theory, gives you access to your library from any device where VOX is installed – Mac, iPhone, iPad, and, importantly, they have a version for Windows. This is, of course, a cool feature – cross-platform compatibility in action.
VOX also integrates with streaming services, such as SoundCloud and Qobuz. You can collect playlists from different sources – your files, SoundCloud, and radio stations.
The VOX monetization model – freemium with strong pressure on subscriptions. There is a free version, but it is very limited; many functions, including the equalizer and cloud access, require a paid subscription. Users sometimes complain about problems with support and that functionality “breaks” in updates. And by the way, it does not have a Wi-Fi transfer function, like Flacbox, which can be inconvenient for direct file uploading.
Comparing Technical Nuances
Both players are aimed at quality, but the methods are different.
- Working with files: Flacbox takes files from your clouds or NAS. VOX wants you to use their VOX Cloud for full sync.
- Cross-platform compatibility: Flacbox – Apple only. VOX – Apple and Windows.
- Playback functions: Flacbox is strong in audio output settings and DSD formats. Evermusic (from the same developer) has gapless, but not Flacbox. VOX has gapless, BS2B, equalizers (in the subscription).
- Interface: Flacbox is more classic, functional. VOX – minimalistic, based on gestures.
MusConv – For Solving Other Tasks
In the context of all these services and players that try to offer their solution for listening to music, there is another problem – how to transfer all this wealth from place to place? If you decide to leave Spotify for Qobuz (which VOX supports) or vice versa, you need to drag all your playlists. Doing it manually is not an option.
This is where MusConv comes into play. This is a completely different tool that solves the problem of moving musical data. It automates the process of transferring your playlists, albums, and favorite tracks between various streaming services – they support more than 125, by the way. It works great with virtually all operating systems – Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. This is a technically advanced solution for managing your digital music life, and not a player as such.
Summary: What to Choose for an Audiophile?
The choice between Flacbox and VOX – that is a choice between flexibility and an ecosystem.
- If you need maximum control over where your files are stored (NAS, different clouds), and you want to fine-tune the audio output on iOS/macOS – your choice is likely Flacbox.
- If you care about a minimalistic design, cross-platform compatibility with Windows, streaming integration, and you are willing to pay for a subscription to VOX Cloud – then VOX might be interesting.
Both players offer excellent sound quality and format support. But they are, you know, for different people with different habits and requirements.
Read also: Flacbox Vs Evermusic
