Difference of SQ in MP3 players

[goober-george]

Do you find the differences between MP3 players subtle, noticeable, or night and day difference? (sound quality and sound signature wise) Me, personally I only have listened to the Zune 30, and I-pod nano 2nd gen. I'd say the differences are subtle, and that you have to really pay attention to notice the differences, its also hard to match the listening level between two players as well.

[4saken]

I'd say sound signature is pretty distinct, while overall quality requires a set of more expensive phones to discern.

[Cowon_1]

I have to agree with 4saken,

Although I think comparing some to each other might not be as noticeable as comparing others.
For instance comparing my Cowon D2 to my Sansa E260 there is a huge difference.
But yeah I think there is a real difference in each dap that is definitely noticeable.

[krmathis]

There are a noticeable difference between some of them imo.
Might need a nice system around it (LOD, amplifier, 'phone) to make note it though.

[dura]

Whati s a big difference; objectively big, measurable (but perhaps not relevant) or subjective, the difference between unpleasant and pleasant to listen too, on matter the measurable difference might be small?
I'm only interested in subjective differences, and I find them quite big.

[webbie64]

Like all audio, I find there is a 'low' quality range, a 'mid' quality range and a 'High' quality range. Some level of (predominantly sound signature) difference across each range and noticeable SQ differences between each range.

And, of course, the better quality your headphones/IEMs, the more you'll hear the differences.

[majkel]

People answering "subtle", what the heck are you doing on this audiophile forum?

[krmathis]

Originally Posted by majkel

People answering "subtle", what the heck are you doing on this audiophile forum?

He he

[Navyblue]

I've own the following devices that play MP3:

- Ericsson MP3 handsfree
- Compaq iPaq 3870
- Motorola E630i
- Sony Ericsson K810i
- Sony Walkman NWZ-A816

Only the Motorola sounded different (read: crappy), the rest there aren't significantly different in absolute quality.

Thus IMO, for the competent ones out there, there are very little difference in absolute quality (as opposed to sound signature). But occasionally you'd encounter a crappy one that you could tell right away.

[ILikeMusic]

There are differences due to design of the final amp and how it might interact with various phones (probably more effect in that latter aspect than anything else.) Sometimes significant, but usually not.

That said, it's a amazing how people around here magnify (or outright imagine) SQ differences where little or none actually exist. Unless there is a very consistent agreement among a large number of respondents, subjective opinion tends to have little or nothing to do with reality. Case in point, take any given generation iPod... there will be as many that swear it is great as swear it is terrible. But I doubt many in either camp would have an easy time telling them apart in a blind test.

So yes, differences exist, but take all the reports with a very large grain of salt.

[goober-george]

I wonder if people who voted for night and day differences are comparing an mp3player with like a sansa e200, I should of taken that out of the equation.

[prosound]

Having given my 1gen Nano to my dad and iPod Video to my girlfriend, I only occasionally listen to my Sony Ericsson W888c (in think in some markets the variant is W880i). I find the Walkman phone's sound more lively and enjoyable, if not that "clean" a la Apple. The only issue is it drives my newly obtained Senn CX400s too loud, especially when playing some pop tracks (yes, I listen to pops now!)

[montell]

Using no amps I would say the differences are subtle when everything is flat without sound effects or use of EQ and night&day difference when EQ is used.

[nywytboy68]

My D2, A829, and iPod Mini all have a different SQ to them. Each has a unique flavor to it.

[shigzeo]

all unique i would say but if i use phones that do not load the headout much at all: like say dt880 on my portables, other than volume: they all sound the same. with canals, the sony has a thick sound, the d2 has its sound, the ipod nano has a sort of similar sound to the d2 and the ipod touch has its own too.

i like them all but for certain phones, each has its quirks.

noticeable with those, but with big phones, i really hear nothing different at all