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CNET editors' rating:
3.0 stars
Good
Detailed editors' rating -
Average user rating:
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Product summary
The good: Feature-rich, with digital audio/radio playback and voice-recording capabilities; attractive, oval-shaped design; small yet sharp full-color display for pictures and device information.
The bad: Awkward button placement; outer shell is easily scratched; headphone jack is smaller than standard size (not 3.5mm); slow digital transfer rate.
The bottom line: Despite a few limitations, the wee, egg-shaped Beatsounds EMP-Z II Plus medallion offers a slew of options at a sweet price.
Specifications: Device type: Flash player; Flash memory installed: 512 MB; Digital player supported digital audio standards: WMA, MP3; ; See full specs
CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 09/14/2005
The Beatsounds EMP-Z II Plus will appeal to users on several levels. In terms of appearance, it comes in both red and platinum versions, and it has a unique, undeniably eye-catching, egg-shaped design. The player is intended to be worn as a pendant around the neck and can vividly display a single digital image on the small 0.9-by-0.5-inch LCD screen. With respect to audio playback, the EMP-Z II Plus exhibits a warm timbre and nice bass response, though it will fall short in the eyes of audiophiles looking to upgrade their headphones; most aftermarket headphones are incompatible with the device's jack, which is smaller than the standard 3.5mm, though you can get an adapter for it.
While the player's voice-recording option would be deemed subpar as a standalone feature, considering that its recording potential is far below CD quality (MP3 format encoded at 64Kbps/16kHz), it's a nice addition to the overall package. The device's FM radio, which allows users to set up to five preset stations, is a handy extra and offers decent reception for strong stations. Additionally, the player integrates seamlessly with Windows Me, 2000, and XP as well as Mac OS 9.2 or higher, making file transfers relatively simple. Finally, the built-in lithium-ion battery fully recharges in less than an hour and lasts for around 14 hours under normal usage conditions--that is, music playback at high volume with minimal use of the backlight.
Continue reading- See more CNET content tagged:
- FM-radio,
- digital audio,
- headphones,
- WMA,
- USB
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