ratedbigtest
MEGA-HYPER-EXTREME MP3 PLAYER TEST
Stylish
From your shoes to your
hair gel, it all counts – so
don’t blow your look by
slipping a dog-ugly player
from the pocket of your
APC straight-cut jeans
MP3 B
ONAN
ZA!
Eigh
t ro
ckin
g pa
ges
of son
ic m
ayh
em
and
aur
al s
Hard drive
pec
A no-holds-barred battle
s
of the big (capacity) boys
sees Apple’s latest iPod
Classic clash horns with
Archos’s web-surfing
PMP, the 605 Wi-Fi
Compact
Three players that are
perfect for midgets and
gym-freaks alike jostle for
attention. Which of these
dwarfish die-hards
deserves your dosh?
WORDS ROY SHARPE PHOTOGRAPHY PIXELEYES
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Long live the LP!
Despite the increased popularity of MP3s, over
10 million vinyl albums are still sold every year
What we looked for
Ample storage
Audio enhancing equaliser
Decent music-
management software
Love in the danger zone
Video
Grab a pocketable PMP,
and – while you’re not
giggling at new Simpsons
episodes – die laughing at
the tunes-only losers sat
near you on the bus
DAB
Like ‘to’ and ‘gether’
,
DAB and MP3 combine
perfectly – the minute you
exhaust your own tune
library, flick to DAB and
drain someone else’s
CHRISTMAS 2007 T3.CO.UK 123
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Compact players DAB players Hard drive players Style players Video players
A touchscreen-
toting, rock-solid,
DAB-tastic radio/
MP3 hybrid from
Cowon. How do
they do it?
DAB players
Frankenstein-esque hybrids of MP3 player and DAB radio. Bolts through neck strictly optional
OONO MINI DAB
IRIVER B20 COWON IAUDIO
(2GB) £190
(2GB) £170 D2 (2GB) £120 www.amp3.co.uk
www.iriver.com www.amp3.co.uk
THE ONLY TOUCHSCREEN DAB here, COMPREHENSIVELY FAILING TO mix
SUCCESSFULLY COMBINING OLD
with new is not easy – just ask Paul this feels rock solid and practically old with new or sweat quality of any
McCartney – but iRiver manages it by sweats quality. The design maximises kind, this looks like the portable radio
adding an extendable, transistor radio- available space, meaning a 2.5-inch your granddad used to take to the footie.
style aerial to this PMP. screen on a three-inch wide machine. About the best thing you can say
Radio reception is excellent and A cinch to navigate, images look about this is that it’s lightweight. It also
sound quality is rich. The bundled sharp, and music files leap along with feels incredibly cheap, however, and
software swiftly converts video, and the vim of an eager beagle. DAB and FM has performance to match. Radio
the 2.4-inch screen is textbook. Even reception both prove solid and battery reception is the worst of this trio, the
the clicker interface works well, and if life – 10 hours video and 52 hours music earbuds are uncomfortable, and sound
you’re in China in 2008, you can use – gives the player Spanish Fly-esque delivery lacks body, rhythm, and
the DMB TV feature to watch the latest endurance. Finally, there’s a mains volume. In summary then: a dreadful
blood-test results from the Olympics. charger – no USB-only skimping here. DAB player. Oono? Ooh, no.
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ratedbigtest
MEGA-HYPER-EXTREME MP3 PLAYER TEST
Small, yet eye-
wateringly chic and
musically adept, this
is a heavyweight,
lightweight MP3
player
Compact players
The best mini-musos for commuting, working-out and cramming into very small spaces
CREATIVE ZEN
SANDISK SANSA APPLE IPOD
(4GB) £100
EXPRESS (2GB) SHUFFLE (1GB)
£60 £50 http://uk.europe.creative.com
WITH ALL THE adventure of having
www.sandisk.com www.apple.com/uk
two sugars instead of one, the latest
THE 2GB FLASHER snubs its silver THE OPENING SECTION of a Big Test Zen goes by the name of, err, Zen. More
nose at cables, instead concealing a review tends to highlight a product’s daringly, it plays non-DRM AAC files,
built-in USB adaptor. A packed feature- unique feature. So let’s hear it for the while accepted video formats include
list includes a four-line display, Shuffle – the only player on test that… DivX and WMV. An SD card slot is
microSD card slot, FM tuner and the doesn’t include a display. Erm… wooh. included, and there’s an FM radio.
ability to make recordings. But, hey, it’s tiny, sexy and its iTunes Operation is simple, but music
At about the size of a stick of software is by far and away the slickest. replay lacks sparkle, while video replay
chewing gum, this is the fattest player Add the fact you get 12 hours music is smooth, but not very punchy, and
here, but it’s also the leanest sounding, per charge, from a 15g box, and you’ve some directors may feel their vision is
which is less than ideal if you want to got the ideal gym buddy. Just be sure compromised by being viewed on a
play low bit-rate music files. you change the earphones. Swiftly. 2.5-inch screen. Pretentious swine.
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126 T3.CO.UK CHRISTMAS 2007
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Compact players DAB players Hard drive players Style players Video players
Quibbles aside, how
can you knock a
music player that
boasts a 160GB
hard drive?
Exactly…
Hard drive players
Squeeze your entire collection on one device. K is for Korn, KLF and, ahem, Kenny G…
ARCHOS 605 WI-FI APPLE IPOD
(30GB)£200 CLASSIC
(160GB) £230
www.archos.com
THIS MACHINE OFFERS web surfing, www.apple.com/uk
THE KNOWLEDGE
but the maker astonishingly charges
Top tunes, for you
£20 for the web browser plug-in. The WITH ENOUGH DISK space not just for
T3’s fave music download
basic-price model is streaming-ready, all your songs, but quite possibly for all
services are the iTunes Store
and set for extras – such as the DVR the songs that have been or ever will be (huge choice, a tad pricey,
Station, which allows direct from TV recorded, the Classic is stunning value. annoying DRM); Emusic.com
(best for indie/underground
recording – but a Wi-Fi-named box that The 2.5-inch screen makes this more
tunes, no DRM, subs-based);
doesn’t have browsing? That’s silly. of an audio treat than a visual one, and Bleep.com (electronic
Not so silly is the excellent, 4.3-inch though video performance isn’t bad. sounds, cheap rates, DRM-free)
screen and the sofa-punchingly-good Owners of the last iPod will wonder why
tune delivery. The user interface gets this one synchs more awkwardly with
the thumbs up too, but your nose may iTunes, and has a slower interface, but the
still be put out of joint by the price. price per GB is very hard to argue with.
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Compact players DAB players Hard drive players Style players Video players
What? Apple
doesn’t win? Well,
how could it up
against this slick,
sexy Samsung?
Style players
What is style? While we have a think about that imponderable, have a butcher’s at these
LG FM37 (2GB)
APPLE IPOD NANO SAMSUNG P2
£130
(4GB) £100 (4GB) £130 uk.lge.com
www.apple.com/uk www.samsung.com/uk
WITH LOOKS – AND, indeed, edges DITCHING BUTTONS IN favour of a THIS SHINY NUMBER doesn’t feel as
that are practically sharp enough to touchscreen is becoming the norm, but solid as the Apple or Samsung, but then
slice cheese with, the new Nano is the P2 goes a step further and bins wires it does weigh a mere 63g. What could
arguably the smartest iPod yet. too. You’ll have to budget for Bluetooth spoil your minimalist look, though, is
A two-inch screen is housed in that cans – only regular buds are included – the sight of you stabbing furiously at the
sexy chassis. It’s great for viewing but, even wired for sound, this looks screen – compared to the P2, this unit’s
photos, fine for catching up with South and feels even fresher than the Nano. user interface is rather hit-and-miss.
Park, perhaps not quite the thing to A fully-juiced unit gives 35 hours of A further downer is the relatively
watch Apocalypse Now Redux on. Five music stomping or five hours of movie poor three hours of video playback,
hours of video or 24 hours of music rolling. Measuring just under 10mm although vids do look crispy. Saving
impresses, as does the forceful thin, sounds and vision are also this from a catwalk tumble, though,
performance with tunes. The new sufficiently rocking. As your mum said is ithe big sound – it’s full of bass and
Click Wheel’s a bit slippery, though. before long car trips, you must P2. brimming with ’tude. Girlfriend.
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THE COMPACT LOSERS h ld ’ f l
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ratedbigtest
MEGA-HYPER-EXTREME MP3 PLAYER TEST
Sony trounces its
low-rent, so-called
rivals with mammoth
battery life
and Hollywood
performance
Video players
What? You’re still listening to just tunes on your portable? Do you have an outdoor loo, too?
PHILIPS SA9345
EMTEC C230 SONY NWZ-
(4GB) £130
(2GB) £55 A815 (2GB) £90 www.philips.co.uk
www.emtec-international.com www.sony.co.uk
EMTEC, SOME 70 years ago, invented TROUNCING ITS RIVALS’ two hours JOINING LG AND Samsung in the
the magnetic tape for audio recordings video playtime, this fires out up to eight touchscreen gang, Philips’ Flash-based
– come 2077, though, T3 is unlikely to hours of viddy, and 33 hours of tuneage. audio/video player uses an impressively
be fondly recalling this bit of kit. You can drag and drop files or use simple user interface.
Though you may be initially seduced WMP, meaning you can wave a single- It’s beautifully built, and thanks to
by its rubbery chassis, we suspect the finger farewell to ChronicStage. It plays the bundled conversion software, you’ll
lacklustre performance will leave you MP3, WMA and non-DRM AAC, and find transferring video from your PC
unfulfilled: tunes sound too quiet, and dumps Sony’s ATRAC format. quick and easy. Performance, however,
the 2.2-inch screen’s video lacks punch The A815 also boasts superb music is not quite class-leading. Tunes can
and sharpness. Sure, there’s an SD slot and video performance. Fast-moving echo, and the 1.8-inch screen’s moving
letting you expand the 2GB memory, images are smooth, colours vivid and images can’t match the Sony’s. The
but – as a wise man once said – a sound is detailed, and hard-hitting. Even biggest let down, though, is the video
bargain’s only a bargain if it isn’t crap. the bundled buds rock – hallelujah. replay maxes out at just two hours.
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132 T3.CO.UK CHRISTMAS 2007
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Because everyone loves the harmonica…
The harmonica is the world’s best-selling music instrument,
outselling the guitar, the kazoo and even the Swiss alpenhorn
The big test The stats of truth
GROUP COMPACT DAB HARD DRIVE STYLE VIDEO
PLAYERS PLAYERS PLAYERS PLAYERS PLAYERS
WINNER APPLE IPOD IAUDIO D2 APPLE IPOD SAMSUNG P2 SONY NWZ-A815
SHUFFLE CLASSIC
PRICE £50 £130 £90
£120 £230
WEBSITE www.apple.com/uk www.amp3.co.uk www.apple.com/uk www.samsung.com/uk www.sony.co.uk
LOVE Ridiculously small, but with Classy build, with an The huge memory holds Touchscreen interface Image quality is eye-
fantastic build quality, its awesome battery life. all your music and vids, works smoothly and poppingly brilliant, while
punchy sound is ideal for Radio reception is solid, and the price is the same doesn’t demand a stylus, music delivery is ear-
the treadmill. iTunes is with excellent music and as the old 80GB model. while extras make this more thumpingly good. The
superbly intuitive, too movie performance Very pretty new interface than just a pretty fascia battery’s amazing, too
HATE The lack of display means it Some like touchscreens, At 2.5 inches, the display You have to cough up cash There’s no getting away
could take up to 240 mind- and some – stylus-hating is on the paltry side. The for Bluetooth cans –double from the fact that the
numbing clicks to find the folk – don’t. Expandable menus and synching with that figure if you’re to take screen is pretty small. It’s
tune you’re looking for. The memory is handy, but iTunes seem far more advantage of Bluetooth 2.0 more of a music machine
earphones are rubbish cards cost extra sterling sluggish than before and run two headsets than a movie player
RATING
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OVERALL The most flawed iPod – For the money, this offers The image quality helps A top player. Samsung Ideal for the occasional
minimal memory, no a full-fat list of features. make up for lack of screen appears determined, visual treat, but stunning
display – the Shuffle is Even more remarkably, it inches, and sound quality almost regardless of cost, sound quality is what truly
nonetheless an ideal player performs all its tasks with is tops. As for 160GB of to ensure Apple doesn’t sets this machine apart
for those who travel light consummate ease storage… yes, yes, yes! have it all its own way from the chasing pack
STORAGE 1GB 2GB 160GB 4GB 2GB
MP3/AAC Y/Y Y/N Y/Y Y/N Y/Y
ASF/WMA N/N N/Y N/N N/Y N/Y
WAV/OGG Y/N Y/Y Y/N N/N N/N
RADIO N Y (DAB & FM) N Y N
SCREEN SIZE/RES N/A 2.5in/320x240 2.5in/320x240 3in/480x272 2in/320x240
BATTERY 12 hours 10 hours video 7 hours video 5 hours video 8 hours video
52 hours music 40 hours music 35 hours music 33 hours music
DIMENSIONS 27x41x11mm 78x54x16mm 104x62x14mm 100x52x10mm 45x88x10mm
WEIGHT 15.6g 91g 162g 85g 53g
Here’s how it is… Buying tips…
1/Don’t pay for extras that you 4/If you’re a bit of a traveller, but
THE COMPACT LOSERS shouldn’t feel tremble. The Archos is great for video,
won’t use – it’s a waste of your lack a computer to charge your
down: if you fancy a miniature player, but but even if you rip at high-quality money. This may sound pretty MP3 player, you should invest in
demand a display, swerve the winning bitrates, Apple’s 160GB Classic will keep obvious, but you’d be amazed a universal charger such as the
how many people buy a multi- Power Monkey.
Shuffle in favour of the wee Creative. The you musically amused for your whole life.
media player, only to make the
Sansa’s bigger than both, but its memory The style dance-off, meanwhile, was 5/Upgrading the earphones
‘multi’ part redundant.
expansion slot shouldn’t be sniffed at an orgy of flashing stiletto heel turns, – even paying just an extra 20
2/To create true portable music sheets – transforms a budget
(unless you’re a memory-slot fetishist). however the Samsung P2 doesn’t just
nirvana, always rip at 320Kbps or player’s sound. So do so…
DAB fans won’t go wrong with the look sexy – it turns more than a few – if you’ve enough capacity – at
winning iAudio D2 or the iRiver B20. digital tricks, too. The Nano remains a 6/… but beware with DAB
lossless rates.
players: the bundled buds usually
We’d rather not discuss the Oono – a solid choice for Apple fans. Finally, in the
3/If you’re after a player for double as the player’s aerial, so
spleen can only vent so much. Video category, the Sony’s combination watching movies, check the ensure that when choosing your
The battle of the big boys – the hard of simplicity, longevity and goodnity left memory. Less than 8GB probably replacement earphones that they
won’t cut it for most movie buffs. can do the same. Got it?
drives – made the floors of T3 Towers its rivals bruised and sore.
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