Version: 2008
  • On GameFAQs: Is it OK to lay my Wii down on its side?
advertisement
Click Here

The best feature-filled MP3 players
Jasmine France
Jasmine France,
associate editor
Judging from the hordes of iPod users out there--not to mention the Shuffle's swift ascension to the top of the flash player chart--the majority of MP3 player owners value simplicity over a dizzying array of features. But I know that there must be some users like me somewhere--that is, people who want a portable audio device that does more than play back MP3s and one other type of music file, be it AAC or WMA. Now, unlike the Shuffle, the iPod and the iPod Mini aren't totally barren; both include calendar and contact-syncing capabilities as well as a couple of games, which, I admit, are a great way to pass a few otherwise boring minutes. But where's my FM radio, as well as audio-recording capabilities and support for on-the-go subscription music services? (I have a hunch I may soon have to eat my words on that last one.) All of the players below include at least two of the aforementioned features, in addition to one or more extras, such as USB hosting capabilities, photo or video support, and onboard organizational tools.

Remove from list Remove from list Remove from list Remove from list Remove from list Remove from list
Product name Cowon iAudio X5 (20GB)
Cowon iAudio X5 (20GB)
iRiver H10 (5GB, Lounge Gray)
iRiver H10 (5GB, Lounge Gray)
Samsung YEPP YP-T7X (512MB)
Samsung YEPP YP-T7X (512MB)
Creative Zen Micro (5GB, red)
Creative Zen Micro (5GB, red)
Cowon iAudio U2 (1GB)
Cowon iAudio U2 (1GB)
iRiver H320 (20GB)
iRiver H320 (20GB)







Review date July 20, 2005 February 17, 2005 April 1, 2005 November 12, 2004 November 9, 2004 January 25, 2005







Editors' rating
(Editors' rating explained)







Buying choices
Prices from online stores:
processing...

Searching for pricing data...


Prices from online stores:
processing...

Searching for pricing data...


Prices from online stores:
processing...

Searching for pricing data...


Prices from online stores:
processing...

Searching for pricing data...


Prices from online stores:
processing...

Searching for pricing data...


Prices from online stores:
processing...

Searching for pricing data...









Product videos   Watch video Watch video
 
  Watch video Watch video
 
  Watch video Watch video
 
  Watch video Watch video
 
  Watch video Watch video
 
  Watch video Watch video
 







Review summary The great-sounding Cowon iAudio X5 looks like an iPod killer on paper, but this palm-size music and video player suffers from mediocre music browsing and some key design missteps. As iRiver's first 5GB entry, the H10 includes nearly every coveted feature, but navigating the player controls can frustrate some users. We'd like to see a few improvements to the Samsung YEPP YP-T7, but it should be a top choice for those who want an MP3 player with tons of features. The colorful and versatile Creative Zen Micro will make lots of users happy. The stylish, flash-memory Cowon iAudio U2 crams great sound quality, an FM radio, and line-in recording into a tiny package. As did the phased-out H120, the H320 will attract those who value features as well as superior audio playback and recording quality over style.







Product series See all products in this series See all products in this series See all products in this series See all products in this series See all products in this series See all products in this series







My Products







User comments Be one of the first to rate this product! Be one of the first to rate this product! Be one of the first to rate this product! Be one of the first to rate this product! Be one of the first to rate this product! Be one of the first to rate this product!
Basic Specs
Weight 5.1 oz 
3.4 oz 
1.4 oz 
3.8 oz 
1.2 oz 
6.5 oz 







PC interface(s) supported Hi-Speed USB  
Hi-Speed USB  
Hi-Speed USB  
Hi-Speed USB  
USB  
USB 2.0  







Flash memory installed Info unavailable 
No built-in memory  
512 MB 
Info unavailable 
1 GB 
Info unavailable 







Flash memory form factor Info unavailable 
Info unavailable 
Integrated  
Info unavailable 
Integrated  
Info unavailable 







Digital storage media capacity 20 GB 
5 GB 
Info unavailable 
5 GB 
1 GB 
20 GB 







Digital player signal-to-noise ratio 95 dB 
90 dB 
89 dB 
98 dB 
95 dB 
90 dB 







Digital Player total harmonic distortion Info unavailable 
0.1 % 
Info unavailable 
0.1 % 
Info unavailable 
Info unavailable 







Dimensions (WxDxH) 2.4 in x 0.6 in x 4.1 in  
3.8 in x 2.2 in x 0.6 in  
1.5 in x 0.6 in x 2.4 in  
2 in x 0.7 in x 3.3 in  
1 in x 0.7 in x 2.9 in  
2.4 in x 0.9 in x 4.1 in  







Resolution 160 x 128  
Info unavailable 
96 x 96  
160 x 104  
128 x 64  
220 x 176  







Battery technology Lithium ion  
Lithium ion  
Lithium polymer  
Lithium ion  
Lithium polymer  
Lithium polymer  







Mfr estimated battery life 14 hour(s) 
12 hour(s) 
10 hour(s) 
Info unavailable 
20 hour(s) 
16 hour(s) 







Software type Cowon jetShell , Cowon jetAudio  
Drivers & Utilities  
Samsung Multimedia Studio , Drivers & Utilities  
Drivers & Utilities , Creative MediaSource  
Cowon jetAudio  
Drivers & Utilities  







 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Product name Cowon iAudio X5 (20GB) iRiver H10 (5GB, Lounge Gray) Samsung YEPP YP-T7X (512MB) Creative Zen Micro (5GB, red) Cowon iAudio U2 (1GB) iRiver H320 (20GB)







Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications







Price range  
This product is currently not in stock at any of our online merchants. Check the manufacturer's Web site for more information.

 
  Check latest prices
$79
from 1 store
 
  Email me when this product is available
 
  Email me when this product is available
 
  Email me when this product is available
 
  Email me when this product is available