The best-sounding MP3 players
By James Kim on 21 June 2005
Determining the best-sounding player is a tricky task since many of the top devices utilise the same sound chips. In fact, unless you have the golden ears of an audiophile, it's difficult to notice the difference between devices.
Still, we, the editors and CNET Labs, put them to the test using a playlist ranging from Air to Bob Dylan, comprising a variety of genres encoded at 320Kbps VBR MP3, setting equal volume levels, and disabling any EQ or sound-effects settings.
Using a pair of our trusty Grado headphones, we judged sound quality in a blind sound test and came up with some consistent (and interesting) results.
Described as "warm" and "true", the sound quality of the iRiver H320 fared very well and Creative's Zen Touch was described as "tight" and "hiss-free".
But it was the brand-new Sony NW-HD5 that consistently ranked number one, delivering MP3s "with a crispy warm seal." Which consistently ranked last? Apple's iPod Photo.
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Topics: digital, nw-hd5, h320, iriver, ipod, player, drive, zen, hard, creative, audio, portable, disk, music, mp3, touch
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Comments (5)
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Cameron commented on 18/03/2008 14:52 Report abuse
Where did you find the QoolQee? I can't find it anywhere. I am in Australia.
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Ian commented on 07/01/2007 21:56 Report abuse
I am really into my sound quality, and think that the lesser known QoolQee K7 will totally obliterate the line up you have here. This MP3 player doesn't have the standards chips in it, it employs a Wolfson 24 bit DAC and boy does it deliver. I even plugged it into my separates system running through Sugden pre power amps and the sound is still very good.
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Anon commented on 07/08/2005 14:50 Report abuse
Yeah, where's the iAudio X5? It sounds as good, if not better than the Sony... and it's now in stock with most online MP3 retailers as well as many retail stores!
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pete commented on 08/07/2005 23:10 Report abuse
Hey, I read this same review on cnet.com, but where is the Cowon iAudio X5? You seem to have omitted it from your re-write of James Kim's review. Just wondering is all.
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fghh commented on 08/07/2005 12:19 Report abuse
That ipod must be the smallest mp3 player in the world. 1.6 mm thick wow!!
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