If you're about to jump on the portable audio bandwagon, make sure you get what really suits your needs.
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Avoid paying for more features than you need. Many high-end players come with perks such as recording (line-in, voice or FM) and FM radios, but each feature adds to the unit's price. If you just want to listen to digital music, keep the player simple. |
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If you plan to carry the player in a bag, don't buy one without an in-line remote (one attached to the wire between the device and the headphones). The best in-line remotes even have an LCD and clip to the strap on your bag, so the main device can remain stowed away. |
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Don't underestimate the MP3 CD player. If you have a CD burner and don't plan to use the portable audio device for active pursuits, MP3 CD players offer an economical solution. These devices usually have in-line remotes, cost well under AU$200 and offer a user experience that's comparable to that of a more expensive hard drive-based option. Best of all, you can buy a 650MB blank CD for less than 50 cents. |
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Never buy a flash player without an expansion slot unless you're sure that it has enough memory. There's nothing worse than paying good money for a player, then deciding that you need to carry more songs. In that case, you will have to buy a new unit with a larger amount of memory instead of expanding the unit you already have. |
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Don't buy a device with an unattractive design. Study the product photographs or brochures carefully before making your decision. Since the MP3 player you buy will be carried in public, you might as well get something that looks good. |
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Why pay for more memory than is necessary? Unless you need to put all your tunes on a single device, consider a high-capacity flash player (1GB) or a mini hard drive player (4GB); if you swap new songs in every week or so, these players feel much larger than they actually are. |
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If you're a fitness fan, make sure it ships with an armband -- not a neck strap or a belt clip. We find that armbands work best for active users; neck straps let the player bounce against your chest, and belt clips can put wires in your way. |
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Don't buy a unit that doesn't play loudly enough. If you like your tunes blaring, 5 mW per channel is generally not enough. If you've already purchased a player that lacks the decibels you crave, invest in headphones that have high sensitivity. We really like Beyerdynamic's DT 231 headphones, which require much less power to output high volumes. |
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If you plan on digitising vinyl or cassettes, don't buy a player without line-in recording. It's much easier and faster to convert LPs and tapes to MP3s using a portable player than a computer. |
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If you're a frequent flier, avoid a player with poor battery life. Apple's iPod is a great player in many respects, but it lasts only about six hours per charge -- not enough to get a body across the country, including all the standing in lines and transportation to and from the airport. |
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