| The best feature-filled MP3 players | ||||
![]() 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) |
iRiver H10 (5GB, Lounge Gray) |
Samsung YEPP YP-T7X (512MB) |
Creative Zen Micro (5GB, red) |
Cowon iAudio U2 (1GB) |
iRiver H320 (20GB) |
| Review date | July 20, 2005 | February 17, 2005 | April 1, 2005 | November 12, 2004 | November 9, 2004 | January 25, 2005 |
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| Buying choices |
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| Product videos |
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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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| 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 | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Hi-Speed USB | USB | Info unavailable |
| Flash memory installed | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | 1 GB | Info unavailable |
| Flash memory form factor | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Integrated | Info unavailable |
| Digital storage media capacity | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | 5 GB | 1 GB | Info unavailable |
| Digital player signal-to-noise ratio | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | 98 dB | 95 dB | Info unavailable |
| Digital Player total harmonic distortion | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | 0.1 % | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
| 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 | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | 160 x 104 | 128 x 64 | Info unavailable |
| Battery technology | Lithium ion | Lithium ion | Lithium polymer | Lithium ion | Lithium polymer | Lithium polymer |
| Mfr estimated battery life | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | 20 hour(s) | Info unavailable |
| Software type | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Drivers & Utilities , Creative MediaSource | Cowon jetAudio | Info unavailable |
| Device type | Info unavailable | Digital AV player | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
| Key multimedia features | Info unavailable | Digital audio player , Voice recorder , Digital audio recorder , FM tuner , Digital photo viewer | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
| Hard drive | Info unavailable | 5 GB | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
| Display type | Info unavailable | TFT 1.5 in - Color | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
| Supported still images formats | Info unavailable | JPEG | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
| Supported audio formats | Info unavailable | WMA , Protected WMA (DRM) , MPEG 1 Audio , MPEG 2.5 Audio , MPEG 2 Audio , MP3 | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
| Radio | Info unavailable | FM: 87.5 - 108 MHz | FM: 87.5 - 108 MHz | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
| PC interfaces | Info unavailable | Hi-Speed USB | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
| Included accessories | Info unavailable | Stereo headphones , USB cable , Carrying case , AC adapter | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
| 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 | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | MP Enhance , BBE , Mach3Bass | Info unavailable |
| Equalizer factory presets | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Vocal , Classic , Disco , NewAge , Rock , Jazz , Acoustical , Pop | Vocal , Classic , Rock , Jazz , Pop | Info unavailable |
| Amplifier response bandwidth | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | 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 |
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| 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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