iRiver iMP-350 SlimX
Starting at: $95.00
CNET Editors' Review
CNET Editors' Rating
- Reviewed by: Eliot Van Buskirk
- Reviewed on:
- Updated on:
The good: Superthin and lightweight; good antiskip protection; excellent remote; FM radio.
The bad: No belt clip; display on remote may be hard for some to read.
The bottom line: This svelte MP3 CD features solid antiskip protection and handy extra features.
Slim and sturdy
The first thing that you&# ... Expand full review
Slim and sturdy
The first thing that you'll notice about the aptly named SlimX iMP-350 is that it is indeed quite slim, with a completely metal top. A few buttons on the side of the unit control most functions, but don't let their scarcity fool you into thinking that the SlimX skimps on features. Each button is actually multifunctional: hold one down instead of pressing it quickly, and it performs an altogether different function.
The SlimX played every test CD we threw at it: audio CDs as well as data CDs filled with folders of MP3s, WMAs, and ASF files. We practically juggled the SlimX, but it never stuttered, thanks to eight minutes of antiskip protection. Serious joggers should probably go with a , but the SlimX would probably be up to athletic endeavors if only the included carrying case had a belt clip. The SlimX also lacks a display, but that didn't bother us. Why? Because the player comes with an excellent remote.
Stunning remote control
The remote won us over instantly, with its backlit graphical display, three multifunction jog dials, and sturdy clip. The small screen has all of the necessary information, helping you navigate through folders on your MP3 CDs and displaying a moving slider when you adjust volume. One jog dial controls volume, EQ, and programming FM presets; the second handles menu navigation, fast forward/rewind, and toggling between FM presets; a third switches between CD and radio and navigates +10 or -10 songs, a great option for dealing with 150-song MP3 CDs. Holding down the Menu button brings up a nifty tabbed interface that might be hard for the farsighted to read, but most people will appreciate the way it lets you choose from General, Display, Timer, Control, Mode, and User EQ in a hassle-free way. Interestingly, the General function offers users a choice of 35 languages--everything from Afrikaans to Ukranian.
As with some other portable audio devices, the SlimX sports an in-line remote, meaning that it's built into the headphone wire. But since the headphones plug into the remote, you can swap in a high-end pair if the unimpressive included ear buds don't do it for you. Hide Review
User Reviews
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Showing 3 of 401 reviews
"Great while it worked." By kaveets
Pros: Audiophile quality sound. Small (for a CD player). Plays MP3s.
Cons: Expensive. Get's stuck in the middle of a song. iRiver has no out-of-warranty repair.
Summary: Lossy formats like MP3 are great for carrying around a lot of music on a small player, and they sound pretty good on most headphones. But I wanted a portable to sound punchy and lifelike when connected to a stereo system or really good pair of headphones, so I needed ... Expand full review
"I love it but I don't use it as an mp3 player" By butterflygrl12
Pros: SUPER small, sleek, easy to use, lots of features, sound quality good
Cons: remote looks cheap, delicate, fm tuner not that great
Summary: Well I've had this cd/mp3 player for a couple years now actually, I think I got it when it first came out. I absolutely LOVE the size of it, it's so tiny and everybody who sees it automatically loves it. It looks nice also but it scratches ... Expand full review
Specifications
See full specsQuick Specs
- Device type: CD / MP3 player with radio
- Tuner bands: FM
- Sound output mode: Stereo
