Souped up by its USB 2.0 connectivity, the MP210 fared well in our file-transfer tests. Tracks cruised from our PC into the player at a decent 1.69MB per second. Depleting in only 9.3 hours, the built-in rechargeable battery exhibited below-average drain performance. That said, the battery fully recharged in approximately 45 minutes, but you have to do so via USB--no AC power adapter is included with the player.
In terms of sound quality, the Oregon Scientific MP210 performed competitively. The included earbud headphones can't output much bass, but they're smoother and less brash-sounding than some low-end 'buds. The Rock EQ preset did a good job adding a little sheen to dull-sounding tracks, such as an MP3 of Kate Bush's "Army Dreamers." The player has adequate juice on tap to drive the 'buds to uncomfortably loud levels. True audio buffs should upgrade to better 'phones, such as Sony's MDR-EX71SL. Subbing in our AKG K 100 test headphones improved the depth of the soundstage, the texture of the vocals, and the presence of the bass. Overall, sound quality was on a par with that of most other MP3 players we've tested. The built-in mic successfully captured voices from several feet away.
In a nutshell, the Oregon Scientific MP210 is an otherwise unremarkable MP3 player that relies on whiz-bang styling to stand out from a crowded field of competitors. Although its ultrathin profile is a plus, the see-through display's poor performance is a major downer. Oregon Scientific also offers an MP200 line of players, which doesn't have FM or voice-recording capabilities but is otherwise identical to the MP210.
What You'll Pay
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