The good:The Insignia Kix is inexpensive, has a simple plug-and-play design, and offers a couple of useful extras. Each player comes with three interchangeable USB covers in different colors.
The bad:The Insignia Kix suffers from a stiff control pad and cheap overall feel, and bass response is lacking.
The bottom line:The Insignia Kix is a viable option for the younger set or as a secondary MP3 player for the gym. It's a cheap and simple device with decent sound quality.
Best Buy appears intent on expanding its line of MP3 players. The latest addition, dubbed the Insignia Kix (1GB), screams budget: It has a small screen, a plastic body, and a price tag of just $50. No doubt, the Kix is cheap (and feels it), but it's not without its merits. The player offers decent sound quality, comes with interchangeable USB covers, and includes a couple of compelling features, such as an FM tuner and subscription music support.
The design of the Insignia Kix hearkens back to the early days of flash MP3 players, right down to the built-in USB plug. The player looks like a thumb drive with a (small) screen, though at 3.2 inches by 1.4 inches by 0.6 inch, the Kix is a bit larger than most thumb drives. The USB interface is concealed by a rotating cover, and each version of the player comes with three different colored covers. The silver Kix includes a black, a dark blue, and a maroon flap, while the white model comes with a pink, a blue, and a green. The covers snap on and off easily, making this player an ideal candidate for outfit coordination.
Since 2003, Jasmine France has worked at CNET covering everything from scanners to keyboards to GPS devices to MP3 players. She currently cohosts the Crave podcast and spends the majority of her time testing headphones, music software, and mobile apps. Full Bio
