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5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
4.0 stars
"I have iPod and Walkman"
Pros: Sound Quality
Cons: Sonic Stage (but is is not as bad as it is made out...)
Summary: I am a serial gadget man and an audiophile.
When I go mobile, I always take a personal music machine with me; I have a 4G iPod, the Sony NW-HD5 and now the Sony NW-S205. My preferred headphones are the Westone UM2, although I also use Etymotic ER4P, Shure E3C and Sony MDR-EX90, depending on situation and requirement.
I have used iTunes and Sonic Stage extensively with over 1000 CDs ripped into both (at 256kpbs using AAC and ATRAC3plus respectively). While Sonic Stage is a bit more inconvenient to use, both do have DRM, so for those who criticize Sonic Stage for DRM issues simply do not know their software and are probably giving a biased opinion. Also, many who negatively comment on Sonic Stage seem to be referring to earlier versions of the software.
Anyway, we are talking hardware here.
I enjoy both iPod and Walkman as both are nice machines and fun to use. As you can see from my extensive CD collection, I have seriously used both iPod and Walkman.
Reality of my current situation is that my iPod is now reduced to providing the music in my bathroom with powered speakers while both my HD5 and S205 are with me on the road and just about everywhere else.
Why?
Sound quality beats iPod any time. Solid and well defined bass, good transparency and projection in the music soundstage and good accurate overall tone. Gapless play.
Here's one of several litmus test examples. Play on an iPod, a well recorded jazz or rock track where all instruments are well defined ... the bass on an iPod will almost always distort!
In a nutshell, one will enjoy iPod as an iconic stylish accessory, but if one wants to seriously enjoy good quality music, Walkman is the way to go.
I have given the S205 an 8 for coolness, unique design and sound quality. It would have scored a 9 if sound was comparable with HD5 and navigation easier. Nonetheless it's sound quality is still more enjoyable and better than iPod.
By the way, in ending, here's some food for thought. I wonder how iconic and stylish an accessory the iPod will continue to be since since so many people are carrying it now, and it has become so common, so staple and .... boring!
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