iLounge

1

I think with the current batch of portables out there, the rational conclusion is that there is no clear winner for every type of custumer.

Value is probablly the Zen NX.
Style, ease of use, size is the iPod.
Fetaures is the iRiver iHP-120
Rio Karma comes somewhere inbetween all of them.

Lots of other variables:
-all the players above have over 10 hours battery life expect the iPod. 
-The Zen NX is the only one with a replacable battery
-etc.

Considering the vast number of consumers out there, they’re just to many different demands for anyone player to satisfy.  Sometimes a product comes out in an industry that mostly beats the competition in most categories, and becomes the defacto choice for that generation of product for 75% (or more) of the potential customers.  You can then probablly make a statement that that one is the best, but the hard-drive MP3 market right now (Winter 2003), does not have such an item.  It merely has a many many very good products each matching a wide variety of different consumer demands.

(For example, some people couldn’t care less if the NXXtra has a replacable battery, for others battery life is really important, others price for capcity is the most importnat factor, and so on…)

Posted by drdestiny on December 7, 2003 at 4:57 PM (PST)

2

“there is no clear winner for every type of custumer”

Hello?? it’s What Hi-Fi’s best choice, not “every consumer’s” best choice. If it were every consumer’s choice, then everyone would have one… see the contradiction you’ve placed on yourself?

mp3 is becoming more and more popular, but let’s not forget you’ll need a rather modern computer to use them in the first place, so it won’t be “every” consumer’s choice for a while as not everyone owns a computer and love music the same time (and if only they want to be bothered or knowing how to convert their music to a compressed format).

Posted by drdestiny's wife on December 8, 2003 at 12:37 AM (PST)

3

“Bass could be beefer”

*cough*

Posted by monkedsel on December 8, 2003 at 1:05 AM (PST)

4

it says headphones should be replaced? with what? i guess there is a froum thread somwhere but hey im lazy

Posted by Whistler in Norwich, UK on December 8, 2003 at 2:43 AM (PST)

5

For the best sound:value, replace them Sony Fontopia earbuds.  There are several versions, depending on how much you want to spend.  I have these and these.

I actually like the latter better, as they have larger drive units for more sound with less effort, although audiophiles prefer the former.

I hear Shure also makes some good ones, but I haven’t used them myself.

Posted by Byron on December 8, 2003 at 5:07 AM (PST)

6

For me, the only choice in headphones are the Bose QuietComfort 2 headphones. They are a bit pricey, and they aren’t meant for running, but I don’t use my iPod while running anyway.

Posted by Atomic Bomb on December 8, 2003 at 7:23 AM (PST)

7

Hi, just a comment back to my wife up there.

First, I never read Wi-Fi, but most of these kinds of magaiznes, when talking about MP3 players,  make a choice and pass it as a recommendation for people in general to follow.  Instead of some rational advice on how someone should go about figuring out which player would suit them.  To many of them come to the conclusion that the iPod is the ulitmate recommendation when buying an MP3 player.

And in case you’re confused, when I said customer, I was obviouslly talking about customers in the market for MP3 players.  That’s why I later referred to them as ” potential customers”.

I recommend you read things a little more carefully, and then think a little more about the things you read.  It’s actually pretty good life advice, I find.

Posted by drdestiny on December 8, 2003 at 1:36 PM (PST)