Version: 2008
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CNET'S QUICK GUIDE: MP3 player audio quality

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The best-sounding MP3 players: distortion


Distortion is a measurement of the total distortion and noise relative to the output level; higher absolute numbers are better. In this test, the Apple iPod Shuffle and the Samsung YP-Z5 performed admirably, while both iRiver models and the Cowon iAudio X5 ended up at the back of the pack.

Distortion (longer bars are better)
 Measured in dB  
Apple iPod Shuffle
-69.6 
Samsung YP-Z5
-68.8 
Apple iPod (5G)
-65.4 
Archos Gmini 402 Camcorder
-60.6 
Apple iPod Nano
-60.5 
Creative Zen Micro Photo
-58.3 
Creative Zen Vision:M
-58.0 
Sony PSP
-55.0 
Cowon iAudio U3
-54.9 
SanDisk Sansa c150
-54.7 
iRiver U10
-50.4 
iRiver T10
-50.4 
Cowon iAudio X5
-50.1 

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