Creative Zen Jukebox Touch or Creative Zen Micro

[jemmitch]

After reading this forum for a number of weeks, I had made up my mind to get a creative zen micro. I bought one for my girlfriend a few weeks ago (she wanted a small player) and am very impressed with it.

However I can get the 20gb touch for the identical price as the micro.

Does anyone have any experience of both units?

Primarily how do they compare in sound quality. For Now I expect to be using the standard ear buds without external amplification.

I expect the touch is bigger but how much bigger.

Thanks in advance.

[gradeo]

Consumer Reports liked the Touch's sound quality, and ranked it as the #1 20 gig player. I expect the software and sound sound quality to pretty much be identicle. That means it's just a matter of HD size and unit size making the decision for you.

[Jmmmmm]

I always thought it looked huge in pictures, but when I saw one last week, it really wasn't that big. My thoughts were actually 'wow that it Much much smaller than i expected.' It is a good deal bigger than the micro, but so is every 20+gig dap. It's a little bigger than the ipod, but not enough to make it a problem, imo. Still pocketable. plus it has 24hrs of battery life. I don't know about the usability/sq, though.

[Eric1285]

I think most of Creative's stuff use the same audio processor or whatever, so they all have pretty similar sound quality, which is good. I haven't used a Zen touch, but I have the old Zen USB 2.0 and a Zen Micro. Both sound great to me. Yes, the Zen Touch is much, much smaller than the original Zens.

[Beach123456]

From what i have heard, they both have the same sound quality, and the size isnt a big deal. The touch has a longer battery life and a bigger hard drive, so i would go with the touch.

[gradeo]

Is 5 gigs enough for you? If so, I'd say you should go with the Micro. If you don't know the answer to that, or like me, you answer 'no', get the Touch. Size isn't important to me, so I own the Zen Xtra 30 (it cost me $180 after rebates).

Side note: Keep in mind what the size of the thing will be while in the case, as that is how you'll want to transport it. There are plenty of instructions on making an Altoid tin Micro carrying case. I don't know how bulky the Touch is. It would be nice if you could buy Skins for the Zen line.

[jemmitch]

Thanks for all your input. This is one of the most informative,friendly and unbiased forum in any subject that I read.

Im leaning towards the micro after sleeping on it. (I think I always was leaning that way). I can live five gig and the small size is the clincher.

Now to go find an Altoid tin in the UK......

[Zappa74]

Back when I was looking, the micro and touch were two that I heavily considered.

I liked them both, but the micro was just a bit more slick. That said, I just couldn't rationalize spending $225 for a 5 gig player when I could get the Touch for the same price.... something inside me just wouldn't let me rationalize it.

I ended up with the Karma for $175, but if that deal hadn't have come along, I would have probably bought the touch.

[jemmitch]

I completely understand the 5gig - 20gig issue. Its the only reason this thread is going. Once you start thinking 20gig however you start looking at all the other alternatives too and your head explodes. The geek in me thinks the karma is a great choice (ogg, lan interface etc.). But its just ugly (no offence meant - just a personal observation) so i didnt go down that route.

Size is an issue as I want to use it at the gym. Iriver H320 was a choice also but just to big for my liking and the H10 is still on the expensive side (im on a budget).

I like the sound of the micro and have listened to it with some Sennheiser PX100 headphones which provides a deeper sounding base.

The interface to manage your library isnt the worst on the planet. I love itunes - but can live with media player 10.

So im biting the bullet and making a choice that at this point in time I am happy with.

[Jmmmmm]

cool, both are good choices. enjoy your micro

[gradeo]

Not to complicate matters, but if you are going the 5 gig compact route, the Rio Carbon has been getting some great press too, and you can get those for $180 after rebate right now.

[ap0x]

I just recently bought a zen micro myself, and i gotta say... it's pretty sweet. THe size of it really surprised me when i first got it... it's TINY... i had planned on getting one for a while and even bought 2 altoids tins in anticipation... but when i got it i was blown away...

As for hd capacity... 5 gigs is plenty for me. I have about 300 cds of burnt mp3s and about 40 gigs on hd right now... and frankly, 5 gigs is plenty. I change music about once per week, and even w/ my crappy USB1.1 connection (very old computer )... i find 5 gigs is plenty for me to travel around with for the week.

Plus i dont' think i'd be able to effectively manage 20 gigs worth of stuff anyways on a player...

Micro is a good choice definitely.

J

[jemmitch]

In reply to the previous 2 posts,

1. I live in the UK so our pricing is so different to the states. The Micro is on special offer at http://www.microdirect.co.uk for just under £150.00. Im not a huge fan of RIO. Looking forward to see what their new player will be like but even then I reckon i would choose iriver/creative and even apple over them.

2. I dont have lots and lots of music probably over 10gb and i really dont really need to carry it all around.

And I found an Altoid tin!.

Now... Lime green, Red or that funny blue.......?

[Zappa74]

Originally Posted by jemmitch

Now... Lime green, Red or that funny blue.......?

I'd go with red