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MP3 player decision

C

craigdeguz

Gawd
Joined
Oct 12, 2005
Messages
916
Hey all,

Its about time for me to get a new mp3 player since my ipod 3g (the one from like 2003) is about to die out. Ive done some research and I know that i hate ipod. so it comes down to these two great models:

1. Creative Zen Touch M 30gb
2. Cowon X5L 30gb

Both models have great reviews and both are considered ipod killers. My problem is which one should I get?? Do any of you guys have either one or have experience with these models to lend me some info?

which one is the better model overall? (Style, functionality, GUI, ease of use, quality)

thanks!!
 
I've got the X5 and I love it, the best player I’ve ever owned. I bought it because it had all the features of my old Rio Karma (RIP) and more. I was a little worried about the shape until I actually had it, but it looks and feels great. It comes with some stick-on screen protectors and the case material is very tough and scratch resistant. The only thing I don't like is the lack of a scroll wheel or touch pad, but the joystick thing has held up fine after several months of heavy use. Video playback is good, but not as good as the IPod (slower frame rate). Also, it uses a folder based system for sorting files instead of ID3 tags, unless they've updated it. That may shy some people away, but it never bothered me.
 
Karma's are long from dead and still offer an incredible array of features that make them valuable. I'd buy another Karma at this moment before I'd buy most any other DAP on the market, even the video capable ones, but that's just me.

You didn't specify if you wanted video playback capability so I'm just guessing straight audio. For that, the Zen might be your best bet, but some forums and people that are members claim the Cowon stuff has awesome sound quality.

I'm still going to get another Karma at some point. :)

bb
 
If you don't care about video, the X5 is still the best audio player out there.

But if you do, get the Zen Vision M. It's not as great for audio as the X5 (still one of the best, though), but it's video playback is very good.
 
I loved my Karma, but they're hard to find now. I went through two, both died from hard disk failure within a year. It seemed to be a pretty common problem with the particular micro drives they were using.
 
Thanks for the feedback already.....

as for video playback.....I don't think its important at all...if I want to watch video, I'l break out the T60, why would anyone want to watch on such a small screen....I guess thats my own 2 cents at least...

The most important things for me is audio quality, build quality, GUI functionality, and good amount of size (30gb is fine)

I guess the winner so far is the cowon x5l...

any more suggestions?
 
craigdeguz said:
as for video playback.....I don't think its important at all...if I want to watch video, I'l break out the T60, why would anyone want to watch on such a small screen....I guess thats my own 2 cents at least...
Click to expand...

Oh, you'd be surprised at the uses...... ;)
 
PigCorpse said:
If you don't care about video, the X5 is still the best audio player out there.

But if you do, get the Zen Vision M. It's not as great for audio as the X5 (still one of the best, though), but it's video playback is very good.
Click to expand...
Agreed. I really like the X5 and the Vision:M is awesome. I didn't think I'd watch as much video as I do on my Vision:M but man was that worth every cent in the long run :D
 
Blown 89 said:
Agreed. I really like the X5 and the Vision:M is awesome. I didn't think I'd watch as much video as I do on my Vision:M but man was that worth every cent in the long run :D
Click to expand...

how come you went with the vision:m and not the x5?....if you care to explain.

this is tough, i guess these 2 players can be considered the best out there because there isn't a distinct winner.

anyone know if the x5 is in any stores so i can look at it in person?
 
I doubt it's in stores. But if you want any info:

www.iaudiophile.net

You can also ask me, as I have one.
Though the Zen Vision M is newer and thus more advanced. You should get that one.
 
i think im gonna go with the x5l......i like the extended battery feature. also, i like the file organization capabilities with the x5l, as all music is organized by folders. also, you can use windows explorer to add, delete, and organize music. i hate having to use software to add music to a player. it also seems like everyone is in agreement that the x5 series has some of the best audio out there.

so it looks like im about 90% sure to go with the x5l on newegg.com
 
craigdeguz said:
i think im gonna go with the x5l......i like the extended battery feature. also, i like the file organization capabilities with the x5l, as all music is organized by folders. also, you can use windows explorer to add, delete, and organize music. i hate having to use software to add music to a player. it also seems like everyone is in agreement that the x5 series has some of the best audio out there.

so it looks like im about 90% sure to go with the x5l on newegg.com
Click to expand...

You are my hero!

Well, not really. But very few people actually like the file organization on the X5 (some are even unable to use it). It's not that it's bad, but some people just don't know how to automatically organize their music into folders and they need a tag interface like that of an iPxx. I prefer the folder method. Plus, I think drag and drop is much better than using some stupid program to do it for you.
 
which brings me to the next subject............whats the recommendation for headphones?? i like earbuds and i had the sony 71 whatevers and liked them but want something else. what ones you guys have??
 
PigCorpse said:
You are my hero!

Well, not really. But very few people actually like the file organization on the X5 (some are even unable to use it). It's not that it's bad, but some people just don't know how to automatically organize their music into folders and they need a tag interface like that of an iPxx. I prefer the folder method. Plus, I think drag and drop is much better than using some stupid program to do it for you.
Click to expand...

That's when of the things that made me go with my iRiver H340! :) I already have all my music on my computer sorted by artist>album, and I don't like sorting by file tags because of things like having "Garth Brooks" and "Garth Brooks (with Tim McGraw)" as seperate artists. :p
 
i want to get earphones like the ones i had previously (sony MDREX71SL/WK)

i was thinking of getting something better then those and spend around 100-200 bucks. i have been reading about different ones such as shure e3c and etymoic research e6 but there isnt info about which is better.

i guess i just want something better then these sonys since they broke on me.

and Pigcorpse, you glad you purchased the x5, would you have done it differently after having it?
 
I love my X5. The audio quality is amazing. The only thing I don't like as much is the display. It's not that it's bad, but if you want to watch videos that aren't animated or contain lots of action, you might find it lacking. Otherwise, the display is more than adequate.

But look at what we have now:

iPxx 5th Gen.
Creative Zen Vision M
Toshiba Gigabeat S

iPxx is just bad, period. It's smaller than the X5 and has a nicer screen, but it's practically worthless. The audio sucks.

The ZV:M is a bit thicker than the iPxx and comparable to the X5 in size. But it has shortcomings that I already mentioned earlier that killed the deal, for me at least.

Toshiba Gigabeat S...

LOOK INTO THIS ONE!

Still not folder based and isn't drag and drop I think. But it's pretty cool. I forgot to mention this earlier, sorry.

So if you care mostly about audio, the X5 is definitely the way to go, but if you want video features, look into the Gigabeat or the ZV:M.

And about headphones, I have Panasonic HJE50s which are under $30. There are also JVC FX-55s (not the CPU lol), which are cheaper and better than the HJE50s. But if you want a really good pair, get Shure e3s.
 
so now its between the shure e3c and the etymotics er6.....man its hard picking stuff out because all reviews out there contradict each other. one says the e3c is better while another says the er6 is better....
 
ok well i just placed on order on newegg.......30gb x5l and etymotics er4p headphones. i had to spend 500 so i could get no payments for 6 months....so we will see how it goes!!

thanks everyone.
 
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