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CNET editors' review
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CNET editors' rating:
stars
Very good
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 12/09/2002
- Updated on: 02/26/2003
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 This odd-looking strap secures the device to your arm, without using an awkward screw the way that the previous Nike MP3 player did. |
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The most innovative--and at the same time debatable--design elements are the magnets that adorn both the remote and the headphone cord. Instead of using the standard clips found on most MP3 players' remotes, Philips has gone with a magnet system for wire management. The idea is to place a piece of clothing between two magnets, one of which is embedded in the remote. It's a pretty cool system but comes with a few caveats: First, you risk losing the two stackable magnets. Second, the magnets will stick to anything metal by their very nature. For example, we looked down at the unit as we were writing this review and noticed that our office keys had become attached to the remote. And finally, the magnet clasp on the headphone cord, used for reining in the slack when you're wearing the unit on your arm, is not removable, which could be a nuisance to some. It's also worth mentioning that the wraparound, neck-style headphones, while of good quality, don't fit as snugly as the headband-style phones that came with the original PSA Play. This is a matter of taste, but for running, we prefer the latter style of phones.
In a similar vein, some users will be partial to toting the PSA 128 via the improved armband--the device actually slips into the armband rather than screwing into it. Other users, however, will wish that Nike and Philips had included a carrying case with a belt clip.
We don't have any gripes about the PSA 128's interface; it's simple to use by feel alone, though some will find the buttons to be a little stiff. While the backlit, monochrome LCD is small, it does display most pertinent information, including ID3 tags. However, bit-rate info isn't shown.
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 As you can see, this Funk setting raises bass, low-midrange, and high-end frequencies, while lowering the upper-midrange frequencies. |
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The included MusicMatch Jukebox software organizes your tunes and turns your CDs into MP3 or WMA files. Mac support is offered via MusicMatch as well, but the unit is not yet compatible with iTunes or OS X. With only 128MB of built-in memory, the PSA gives you a reasonable amount of storage space, and you won't be forced to encode your files at lower bit rates. Still, it's not a bad idea to mix in some WMA files encoded at 64Kbps--WMAs sound better at smaller file sizes than MP3s--to maximize storage capacity.
Files are transferred via USB 1.1, which is the standard connection for the current crop of flash-based MP3 players.As noted, the included headphones are pretty decent, with reasonable bass response and fairly dynamic sound. But the buds at the end of the phones may be too large for some ears, and runners may opt for more secure headband-style phones.
You have to hold the play/pause button to power the unit on and off; it turns on fairly quickly, though not instantaneously. The PSA 128 has an 80dB signal-to-noise ratio, which is decent. We were satisfied with the audio quality and the loudness once we found an equalizer setting that sounded right.
 The Nike version of MusicMatch features a black, minimalist look. |
Along with a high failure rate, one of the drawbacks of the original Nike PSA Play was its subpar battery life--typical of Sonicblue-designed players at that time. We're happy to report that the PSA 128 has improved in the latter department; its battery lasts for the rated life of 10 hours, which is about average for a flash-based MP3 player.
Overall, the $200 PSA 128 is a fine product for the serious athlete, but those who have nonactive uses in mind should look elsewhere. The designs of the armband and the headphones won't appeal to all athletes, but others will find them perfect for rigorous pursuits. With that in mind, you'll probably want to play around with this device in a store to gauge which side of the fence you fall on.
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