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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.

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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
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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.







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My Products







User comments 8.4 Excellent (from 158 users) 7.0 Very good (from 107 users) 8.4 Excellent (from 42 users) 7.9 Very good (from 18 users) 7.1 Very good (from 127 users) 8.0 Excellent (from 306 users)
Basic Specs
PC interface(s) supported Info unavailable 
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Hi-Speed USB  
USB  
Info unavailable 







Flash memory installed Info unavailable 
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1 GB 
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Flash memory form factor Info unavailable 
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Integrated  
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Digital storage media capacity Info unavailable 
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5 GB 
1 GB 
Info unavailable 







Digital player signal-to-noise ratio Info unavailable 
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98 dB 
95 dB 
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Digital Player total harmonic distortion Info unavailable 
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0.1 % 
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Dimensions (WxDxH) 2.4 in x 0.6 in x 4.1 in  
2.2 in x 0.6 in x 3.8 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  







Weight 5.1 oz 
3.4 oz 
1.4 oz 
3.8 oz 
1.2 oz 
6.5 oz 







Resolution Info unavailable 
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160 x 104  
128 x 64  
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Battery technology Lithium ion  
Lithium ion  
Lithium polymer  
Lithium ion  
Lithium polymer  
Lithium polymer  







Mfr estimated battery life Info unavailable 
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20 hour(s) 
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Software type Info unavailable 
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Drivers & Utilities , Creative MediaSource  
Cowon jetAudio  
Info unavailable 







Device type Info unavailable 
Digital AV player  
Info unavailable 
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Key multimedia features Info unavailable 
Digital audio player , Voice recorder , Digital audio recorder , FM tuner , Digital photo viewer  
Info unavailable 
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Hard drive Info unavailable 
5 GB 
Info unavailable 
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Display type Info unavailable 
TFT 1.5 in - Color  
Info unavailable 
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Supported still images formats Info unavailable 
JPEG  
Info unavailable 
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Supported audio formats Info unavailable 
WMA , Protected WMA (DRM) , MPEG 1 Audio , MPEG 2.5 Audio , MPEG 2 Audio , MP3  
Info unavailable 
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Radio Info unavailable 
FM: 87.5 - 108 MHz  
FM: 87.5 - 108 MHz  
Info unavailable 
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PC interfaces Info unavailable 
Hi-Speed USB  
Info unavailable 
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Included accessories Info unavailable 
Stereo headphones , USB cable , Carrying case , AC adapter  
Info unavailable 
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Product type Hard drive  
Microdrive  
Flash player  
Microdrive  
Flash player  
Hard drive  







Color Black  
Silver  
Blue  
Red  
Platinum black  
Info unavailable 







Sound output mode Info unavailable 
Info unavailable 
Info unavailable 
Stereo  
Stereo  
Info unavailable 







Width 2.4 in 
2.2 in 
1.5 in 
2 in 
1 in 
2.4 in 







Depth 0.6 in 
0.6 in 
0.6 in 
0.7 in 
0.7 in 
0.9 in 







Height 4.1 in 
3.8 in 
2.4 in 
3.3 in 
2.9 in 
4.1 in 







Sound effects Info unavailable 
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MP Enhance , BBE , Mach3Bass  
Info unavailable 







Equalizer factory presets Info unavailable 
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Vocal , Classic , Disco , NewAge , Rock , Jazz , Acoustical , Pop  
Vocal , Classic , Rock , Jazz , Pop  
Info unavailable 







Amplifier response bandwidth Info unavailable 
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20 - 20000 Hz  
Info unavailable 







Digital player (recorder) WMA , FLAC , ASF , WAV , MP3  
WMA , ASF , MP3 , Audible  
WMA , ASF , Ogg Vorbis , MP3  
WMA , WAV , Protected WMA (DRM) , ADPCM , MP3  
WMA , ASF , WAV , MPEG 1 Audio , MPEG 2.5 Audio , MPEG 2 Audio , MP3  
WMA , ASF , Ogg Vorbis , MPEG 1 Audio , MPEG 2.5 Audio , MPEG 2 Audio , MP3  







 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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  
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