diff --git a/app/src/androidTest/java/de/test/antennapod/service/playback/PlaybackServiceMediaPlayerTest.java b/app/src/androidTest/java/de/test/antennapod/service/playback/PlaybackServiceMediaPlayerTest.java
index 7862e986d..68a0ecd08 100644
--- a/app/src/androidTest/java/de/test/antennapod/service/playback/PlaybackServiceMediaPlayerTest.java
+++ b/app/src/androidTest/java/de/test/antennapod/service/playback/PlaybackServiceMediaPlayerTest.java
@@ -53,7 +53,10 @@ public class PlaybackServiceMediaPlayerTest extends InstrumentationTestCase {
         super.setUp();
         assertionError = null;
 
+        final Context context = getInstrumentation().getTargetContext();
+
         // create new database
+        PodDBAdapter.init(context);
         PodDBAdapter.deleteDatabase();
         PodDBAdapter adapter = PodDBAdapter.getInstance();
         adapter.open();
@@ -62,7 +65,6 @@ public class PlaybackServiceMediaPlayerTest extends InstrumentationTestCase {
         httpServer = new HTTPBin();
         httpServer.start();
 
-        final Context context = getInstrumentation().getTargetContext();
         File cacheDir = context.getExternalFilesDir("testFiles");
         if (cacheDir == null)
             cacheDir = context.getExternalFilesDir("testFiles");
@@ -167,6 +169,11 @@ public class PlaybackServiceMediaPlayerTest extends InstrumentationTestCase {
 
             }
 
+            @Override
+            public void setSpeedAbilityChanged() {
+
+            }
+
             @Override
             public void onBufferingUpdate(int percent) {
 
@@ -236,6 +243,11 @@ public class PlaybackServiceMediaPlayerTest extends InstrumentationTestCase {
 
             }
 
+            @Override
+            public void setSpeedAbilityChanged() {
+
+            }
+
             @Override
             public void onBufferingUpdate(int percent) {
 
@@ -308,6 +320,11 @@ public class PlaybackServiceMediaPlayerTest extends InstrumentationTestCase {
 
             }
 
+            @Override
+            public void setSpeedAbilityChanged() {
+
+            }
+
             @Override
             public void onBufferingUpdate(int percent) {
 
@@ -381,6 +398,11 @@ public class PlaybackServiceMediaPlayerTest extends InstrumentationTestCase {
 
             }
 
+            @Override
+            public void setSpeedAbilityChanged() {
+
+            }
+
             @Override
             public void onBufferingUpdate(int percent) {
 
@@ -448,6 +470,11 @@ public class PlaybackServiceMediaPlayerTest extends InstrumentationTestCase {
 
             }
 
+            @Override
+            public void setSpeedAbilityChanged() {
+
+            }
+
             @Override
             public void onBufferingUpdate(int percent) {
 
@@ -516,6 +543,11 @@ public class PlaybackServiceMediaPlayerTest extends InstrumentationTestCase {
 
             }
 
+            @Override
+            public void setSpeedAbilityChanged() {
+
+            }
+
             @Override
             public void onBufferingUpdate(int percent) {
 
@@ -586,6 +618,11 @@ public class PlaybackServiceMediaPlayerTest extends InstrumentationTestCase {
 
             }
 
+            @Override
+            public void setSpeedAbilityChanged() {
+
+            }
+
             @Override
             public void onBufferingUpdate(int percent) {
 
@@ -659,6 +696,11 @@ public class PlaybackServiceMediaPlayerTest extends InstrumentationTestCase {
 
             }
 
+            @Override
+            public void setSpeedAbilityChanged() {
+
+            }
+
             @Override
             public void onBufferingUpdate(int percent) {
 
@@ -707,6 +749,11 @@ public class PlaybackServiceMediaPlayerTest extends InstrumentationTestCase {
 
         }
 
+        @Override
+        public void setSpeedAbilityChanged() {
+
+        }
+
         @Override
         public void onBufferingUpdate(int percent) {
 
@@ -775,6 +822,11 @@ public class PlaybackServiceMediaPlayerTest extends InstrumentationTestCase {
 
             }
 
+            @Override
+            public void setSpeedAbilityChanged() {
+
+            }
+
             @Override
             public void onBufferingUpdate(int percent) {
 
@@ -880,6 +932,11 @@ public class PlaybackServiceMediaPlayerTest extends InstrumentationTestCase {
 
             }
 
+            @Override
+            public void setSpeedAbilityChanged() {
+
+            }
+
             @Override
             public void onBufferingUpdate(int percent) {
 
@@ -962,6 +1019,11 @@ public class PlaybackServiceMediaPlayerTest extends InstrumentationTestCase {
 
             }
 
+            @Override
+            public void setSpeedAbilityChanged() {
+
+            }
+
             @Override
             public void onBufferingUpdate(int percent) {
 
@@ -1056,6 +1118,11 @@ public class PlaybackServiceMediaPlayerTest extends InstrumentationTestCase {
 
             }
 
+            @Override
+            public void setSpeedAbilityChanged() {
+
+            }
+
             @Override
             public void onBufferingUpdate(int percent) {
 
diff --git a/app/src/androidTest/java/de/test/antennapod/service/playback/PlaybackServiceTaskManagerTest.java b/app/src/androidTest/java/de/test/antennapod/service/playback/PlaybackServiceTaskManagerTest.java
index 5c3d32960..6ab6e5c61 100644
--- a/app/src/androidTest/java/de/test/antennapod/service/playback/PlaybackServiceTaskManagerTest.java
+++ b/app/src/androidTest/java/de/test/antennapod/service/playback/PlaybackServiceTaskManagerTest.java
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ public class PlaybackServiceTaskManagerTest extends InstrumentationTestCase {
         super.setUp();
 
         // create new database
+        PodDBAdapter.init(getInstrumentation().getTargetContext());
         PodDBAdapter.deleteDatabase();
         PodDBAdapter adapter = PodDBAdapter.getInstance();
         adapter.open();
diff --git a/app/src/androidTest/java/de/test/antennapod/storage/DBNullCleanupAlgorithmTest.java b/app/src/androidTest/java/de/test/antennapod/storage/DBNullCleanupAlgorithmTest.java
index 74b34a176..7925941ec 100644
--- a/app/src/androidTest/java/de/test/antennapod/storage/DBNullCleanupAlgorithmTest.java
+++ b/app/src/androidTest/java/de/test/antennapod/storage/DBNullCleanupAlgorithmTest.java
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ public class DBNullCleanupAlgorithmTest extends InstrumentationTestCase {
         assertTrue(destFolder.canWrite());
 
         // create new database
-        PodDBAdapter.init(getInstrumentation().getTargetContext());
+        PodDBAdapter.init(context);
         PodDBAdapter.deleteDatabase();
         PodDBAdapter adapter = PodDBAdapter.getInstance();
         adapter.open();
diff --git a/app/src/androidTest/java/de/test/antennapod/storage/DBTasksTest.java b/app/src/androidTest/java/de/test/antennapod/storage/DBTasksTest.java
index 3d4e78f8f..785d32e93 100644
--- a/app/src/androidTest/java/de/test/antennapod/storage/DBTasksTest.java
+++ b/app/src/androidTest/java/de/test/antennapod/storage/DBTasksTest.java
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ public class DBTasksTest extends InstrumentationTestCase {
         context = getInstrumentation().getTargetContext();
 
         // create new database
-        PodDBAdapter.init(getInstrumentation().getTargetContext());
+        PodDBAdapter.init(context);
         PodDBAdapter.deleteDatabase();
         PodDBAdapter adapter = PodDBAdapter.getInstance();
         adapter.open();
diff --git a/app/src/androidTest/java/de/test/antennapod/ui/MainActivityTest.java b/app/src/androidTest/java/de/test/antennapod/ui/MainActivityTest.java
index 4e214cf81..d4c9fa2f7 100644
--- a/app/src/androidTest/java/de/test/antennapod/ui/MainActivityTest.java
+++ b/app/src/androidTest/java/de/test/antennapod/ui/MainActivityTest.java
@@ -41,10 +41,12 @@ public class MainActivityTest extends ActivityInstrumentationTestCase2<MainActiv
     @Override
     protected void setUp() throws Exception {
         super.setUp();
-        uiTestUtils = new UITestUtils(getInstrumentation().getTargetContext());
+        Context context = getInstrumentation().getTargetContext();
+        uiTestUtils = new UITestUtils(context);
         uiTestUtils.setup();
 
         // create new database
+        PodDBAdapter.init(context);
         PodDBAdapter.deleteDatabase();
         PodDBAdapter adapter = PodDBAdapter.getInstance();
         adapter.open();
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/activity/MediaplayerActivity.java b/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/activity/MediaplayerActivity.java
index 50daf163f..4911f61bc 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/activity/MediaplayerActivity.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/activity/MediaplayerActivity.java
@@ -173,12 +173,21 @@ public abstract class MediaplayerActivity extends AppCompatActivity implements O
                 super.setScreenOn(enable);
                 MediaplayerActivity.this.setScreenOn(enable);
             }
-        };
 
+            @Override
+            public void onSetSpeedAbilityChanged() {
+                MediaplayerActivity.this.onSetSpeedAbilityChanged();
+            }
+        };
+    }
+
+    protected void onSetSpeedAbilityChanged() {
+        Log.d(TAG, "onSetSpeedAbilityChanged()");
+        updatePlaybackSpeedButton();
     }
 
     protected void onPlaybackSpeedChange() {
-        updateButPlaybackSpeed();
+        updatePlaybackSpeedButtonText();
     }
 
     protected void onServiceQueried() {
@@ -628,25 +637,50 @@ public abstract class MediaplayerActivity extends AppCompatActivity implements O
         if (media != null) {
             onPositionObserverUpdate();
             checkFavorite();
-            if(butPlaybackSpeed != null) {
-                if (controller == null) {
-                    butPlaybackSpeed.setVisibility(View.GONE);
-                } else {
-                    butPlaybackSpeed.setVisibility(View.VISIBLE);
-                    if (controller.canSetPlaybackSpeed()) {
-                        ViewCompat.setAlpha(butPlaybackSpeed, 1.0f);
-                    } else {
-                        ViewCompat.setAlpha(butPlaybackSpeed, 0.5f);
-                    }
-                }
-                updateButPlaybackSpeed();
-            }
+            updatePlaybackSpeedButton();
             return true;
         } else {
             return false;
         }
     }
 
+    private void updatePlaybackSpeedButton() {
+        if(butPlaybackSpeed == null) {
+            return;
+        }
+        if (controller == null) {
+            butPlaybackSpeed.setVisibility(View.GONE);
+            return;
+        }
+        updatePlaybackSpeedButtonText();
+        ViewCompat.setAlpha(butPlaybackSpeed, controller.canSetPlaybackSpeed() ? 1.0f : 0.5f);
+        butPlaybackSpeed.setVisibility(View.VISIBLE);
+    }
+
+    private void updatePlaybackSpeedButtonText() {
+        if(butPlaybackSpeed == null) {
+            return;
+        }
+        if (controller == null) {
+            butPlaybackSpeed.setVisibility(View.GONE);
+            return;
+        }
+        float speed = 1.0f;
+        if(controller.canSetPlaybackSpeed()) {
+            try {
+                // we can only retrieve the playback speed from the controller/playback service
+                // once mediaplayer has been initialized
+                speed = Float.parseFloat(UserPreferences.getPlaybackSpeed());
+            } catch (NumberFormatException e) {
+                Log.e(TAG, Log.getStackTraceString(e));
+                UserPreferences.setPlaybackSpeed(String.valueOf(speed));
+            }
+        }
+        String speedStr = String.format("%.2fx", speed);
+        butPlaybackSpeed.setText(speedStr);
+    }
+
+
     protected void setupGUI() {
         setContentView(getContentViewResourceId());
         sbPosition = (SeekBar) findViewById(R.id.sbPosition);
@@ -874,20 +908,6 @@ public abstract class MediaplayerActivity extends AppCompatActivity implements O
         }
     }
 
-    private void updateButPlaybackSpeed() {
-        if (controller != null && butPlaybackSpeed != null) {
-            float speed = 1.0f;
-            try {
-                speed = Float.parseFloat(UserPreferences.getPlaybackSpeed());
-            } catch(NumberFormatException e) {
-                Log.e(TAG, Log.getStackTraceString(e));
-                UserPreferences.setPlaybackSpeed(String.valueOf(speed));
-            }
-            String speedStr = String.format("%.2fx", speed);
-            butPlaybackSpeed.setText(speedStr);
-        }
-    }
-
     @Override
     public void onStartTrackingTouch(SeekBar seekBar) {
         if (controller != null) {
diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index 2d42a5759..046a9d4f9 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ project.ext {
     rxJavaVersion = "1.1.0"
     rxJavaRulesVersion = "1.1.0.0"
 
-    audioPlayerVersion = "v1.0.14"
+    audioPlayerVersion = "v1.0.16"
 }
 
 task wrapper(type: Wrapper) {
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/service/playback/PlaybackService.java b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/service/playback/PlaybackService.java
index 9ca05d1f7..729ea9e7a 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/service/playback/PlaybackService.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/service/playback/PlaybackService.java
@@ -141,6 +141,11 @@ public class PlaybackService extends Service {
      */
     public static final int NOTIFICATION_TYPE_PLAYBACK_SPEED_CHANGE = 8;
 
+    /**
+     * Ability to set the playback speed has changed
+     */
+    public static final int NOTIFICATION_TYPE_SET_SPEED_ABILITY_CHANGED = 9;
+
     /**
      * Returned by getPositionSafe() or getDurationSafe() if the playbackService
      * is in an invalid state.
@@ -512,8 +517,11 @@ public class PlaybackService extends Service {
 
         @Override
         public void playbackSpeedChanged(float s) {
-            sendNotificationBroadcast(
-                    NOTIFICATION_TYPE_PLAYBACK_SPEED_CHANGE, 0);
+            sendNotificationBroadcast(NOTIFICATION_TYPE_PLAYBACK_SPEED_CHANGE, 0);
+        }
+
+        public void setSpeedAbilityChanged() {
+            sendNotificationBroadcast(NOTIFICATION_TYPE_SET_SPEED_ABILITY_CHANGED, 0);
         }
 
         @Override
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/service/playback/PlaybackServiceMediaPlayer.java b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/service/playback/PlaybackServiceMediaPlayer.java
index 3ab26eb22..aa51840a7 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/service/playback/PlaybackServiceMediaPlayer.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/service/playback/PlaybackServiceMediaPlayer.java
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ import android.view.WindowManager;
 
 import com.bumptech.glide.Glide;
 
+import org.antennapod.audio.MediaPlayer;
+
 import java.io.IOException;
 import java.util.concurrent.CountDownLatch;
 import java.util.concurrent.LinkedBlockingDeque;
@@ -1016,6 +1018,8 @@ public class PlaybackServiceMediaPlayer implements SharedPreferences.OnSharedPre
 
         void playbackSpeedChanged(float s);
 
+        void setSpeedAbilityChanged();
+
         void onBufferingUpdate(int percent);
 
         boolean onMediaPlayerInfo(int code);
@@ -1036,6 +1040,7 @@ public class PlaybackServiceMediaPlayer implements SharedPreferences.OnSharedPre
                 ((AudioPlayer) mp)
                         .setOnBufferingUpdateListener(audioBufferingUpdateListener);
                 ((AudioPlayer) mp).setOnInfoListener(audioInfoListener);
+                ((AudioPlayer) mp).setOnSpeedAdjustmentAvailableChangedListener(audioSetSpeedAbilityListener);
             } else {
                 ((VideoPlayer) mp)
                         .setOnCompletionListener(videoCompletionListener);
@@ -1050,7 +1055,7 @@ public class PlaybackServiceMediaPlayer implements SharedPreferences.OnSharedPre
         return mp;
     }
 
-    private final org.antennapod.audio.MediaPlayer.OnCompletionListener audioCompletionListener =
+    private final MediaPlayer.OnCompletionListener audioCompletionListener =
             mp -> genericOnCompletion();
 
     private final android.media.MediaPlayer.OnCompletionListener videoCompletionListener =
@@ -1060,7 +1065,7 @@ public class PlaybackServiceMediaPlayer implements SharedPreferences.OnSharedPre
         endPlayback(false);
     }
 
-    private final org.antennapod.audio.MediaPlayer.OnBufferingUpdateListener audioBufferingUpdateListener =
+    private final MediaPlayer.OnBufferingUpdateListener audioBufferingUpdateListener =
             (mp, percent) -> genericOnBufferingUpdate(percent);
 
     private final android.media.MediaPlayer.OnBufferingUpdateListener videoBufferingUpdateListener =
@@ -1070,7 +1075,7 @@ public class PlaybackServiceMediaPlayer implements SharedPreferences.OnSharedPre
         callback.onBufferingUpdate(percent);
     }
 
-    private final org.antennapod.audio.MediaPlayer.OnInfoListener audioInfoListener =
+    private final MediaPlayer.OnInfoListener audioInfoListener =
             (mp, what, extra) -> genericInfoListener(what);
 
     private final android.media.MediaPlayer.OnInfoListener videoInfoListener =
@@ -1080,7 +1085,16 @@ public class PlaybackServiceMediaPlayer implements SharedPreferences.OnSharedPre
         return callback.onMediaPlayerInfo(what);
     }
 
-    private final org.antennapod.audio.MediaPlayer.OnErrorListener audioErrorListener =
+    private final MediaPlayer.OnSpeedAdjustmentAvailableChangedListener
+            audioSetSpeedAbilityListener = new MediaPlayer.OnSpeedAdjustmentAvailableChangedListener() {
+        @Override
+        public void onSpeedAdjustmentAvailableChanged(MediaPlayer arg0, boolean speedAdjustmentAvailable) {
+            callback.setSpeedAbilityChanged();
+        }
+    };
+
+
+    private final MediaPlayer.OnErrorListener audioErrorListener =
             (mp, what, extra) -> {
                 if(mp.canFallback()) {
                     mp.fallback();
@@ -1096,7 +1110,7 @@ public class PlaybackServiceMediaPlayer implements SharedPreferences.OnSharedPre
         return callback.onMediaPlayerError(inObj, what, extra);
     }
 
-    private final org.antennapod.audio.MediaPlayer.OnSeekCompleteListener audioSeekCompleteListener =
+    private final MediaPlayer.OnSeekCompleteListener audioSeekCompleteListener =
             mp -> genericSeekCompleteListener();
 
     private final android.media.MediaPlayer.OnSeekCompleteListener videoSeekCompleteListener =
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/util/playback/AudioPlayer.java b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/util/playback/AudioPlayer.java
index f0850e6df..846733882 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/util/playback/AudioPlayer.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/util/playback/AudioPlayer.java
@@ -1,8 +1,11 @@
 package de.danoeh.antennapod.core.util.playback;
 
 import android.content.Context;
+import android.content.SharedPreferences;
+import android.preference.PreferenceManager;
 import android.util.Log;
 import android.view.SurfaceHolder;
+
 import org.antennapod.audio.MediaPlayer;
 
 import de.danoeh.antennapod.core.preferences.UserPreferences;
@@ -12,8 +15,17 @@ public class AudioPlayer extends MediaPlayer implements IPlayer {
 
 	public AudioPlayer(Context context) {
 		super(context);
+		PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(context)
+				.registerOnSharedPreferenceChangeListener(sonicListener);
 	}
 
+	private final SharedPreferences.OnSharedPreferenceChangeListener sonicListener =
+			(sharedPreferences, key) -> {
+				if (key.equals(UserPreferences.PREF_SONIC)) {
+					checkMpi();
+				}
+			};
+
 	@Override
 	public void setScreenOnWhilePlaying(boolean screenOn) {
 		Log.e(TAG, "Setting screen on while playing not supported in Audio Player");
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/util/playback/PlaybackController.java b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/util/playback/PlaybackController.java
index 0ad286093..1409ffe09 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/util/playback/PlaybackController.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/util/playback/PlaybackController.java
@@ -336,6 +336,8 @@ public abstract class PlaybackController {
                 case PlaybackService.NOTIFICATION_TYPE_PLAYBACK_SPEED_CHANGE:
                     onPlaybackSpeedChange();
                     break;
+                case PlaybackService.NOTIFICATION_TYPE_SET_SPEED_ABILITY_CHANGED:
+                    onSetSpeedAbilityChanged();
             }
         }
 
@@ -362,6 +364,8 @@ public abstract class PlaybackController {
 
     public void onPlaybackSpeedChange() {}
 
+    public void onSetSpeedAbilityChanged() {}
+
     public void onShutdownNotification() {}
 
     /**