New Sony DAPs - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

THE_Anonymous · #1 (**permalink**) 09-18-2008, 07:58 PM

Hi there -- long time lurker, first time poster!

Just had a question about the new line of Sony MP3 players.......does anyone know anything about them?! LOL I tried the search, but not much luck.
I'm interested in the new S630, but I'm not sure if this is a "downgrade" from the current line (i.e. the A818). The price is about $50 less for the S630 vs. the A818 (for the 8GB model in Canada), so I wasn't sure if that was just because:
a) Sony is actually trying to compete on price
or
b) The new players are of a lesser quality than the A818s etc.

Anyone have any insights?

(new Sonys)
> Walkman.ca | My Music My Style | Event Review

akasan · #2 (**permalink**) 09-18-2008, 08:42 PM

These might be of lesser quality. I was at JR today and did a listening test on the e438 and realized that both of these models do not have clear bass or the other sound enhancements (does have 5 band eq). THe $179 noise canceling model does however.

THE_Anonymous · #3 (**permalink**) 09-18-2008, 08:47 PM

Hey!

Are you sure about the lack of clear bass? Because at that link in my original post, they say that the player includes:
-DSEE
-Clear Stereo
-Clear Bass

I think the E series is missing the clear bass and all that (the "economical" series I guess), but I believe the S series has all the functions.

akasan · #4 (**permalink**) 09-18-2008, 09:25 PM

my error, did some checking, the s series does have 4 clear audio settings. the e series doesn't.

mobbaddict · #5 (**permalink**) 09-28-2008, 08:09 PM

Generationmp3 tried the new Sony players and they stated in their preview the new S series is better than the A series. They also said the E series doesn't sound as good as the S series, but is better than the old S610.
Concerning prices the E series is not cheaper than the A series in France so don't worry about that.

THE_Anonymous · #6 (**permalink**) 09-28-2008, 11:17 PM

Just a little update....I actually bought the S series (S630) and I couldn't be happier! The SQ is just....wow. And that's with the headphones Sony provided (mind you, they are pretty good themselves...not the cheap stock ones). Such a cute, tiny, functional, solidly constructed, easy to use, outstanding little player! I honestly can't say enough about it! Granted, I came from a Sansa e280, so a lot of DAPs would be considered an improvement

batracom · #7 (**permalink**) 09-29-2008, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE_Anonymous

Just a little update....I actually bought the S series (S630) and I couldn't be happier!

Thanks for the note...where did you buy it from? I can't see anywhere in the Uk having stock of the S630 series yet...am waiting to buy an S639 myself...many thanks!

THE_Anonymous · #8 (**permalink**) 09-29-2008, 01:45 AM

I actually ended up buying it from the Sony Store online, although it just popped into a few Canadian retailers this week. I'm guessing you guys will get the player soon too (though I didn't see it on the Sony Style Europe site yet)

mobbaddict · #9 (**permalink**) 09-29-2008, 09:32 AM

I saw nearly all the new models on the french Sonystyle website. And the E series is already discounted on few websites! I think i'll forgive the lack of clear bass on the E series as the SQ seems to be improved on those new series...

nywytboy68 · #10 (**permalink**) 09-29-2008, 05:31 PM

Did anyone see the S series in the 16gb flavor yet? I'd heard that it will also come in the capacity and I'm waiting patiently. I'll sell my A829 if it does. I don't use it for video (larger screen and all), and I'm fiendin' for an FM tuner.

mobbaddict · #11 (**permalink**) 09-29-2008, 09:00 PM

Yep they're all here
https://www.sonystyle.fr/SonyStyle/b...02BC29B85)/.do

I tried the S616 and i happened to think that the clear bass effect is really useless. However the DSEE treatment is really efficient but i read somewhere it only works with low bitrate MP3 so i don't need that... i'll go for the E series.

mobbaddict · #12 (**permalink**) 09-29-2008, 09:04 PM

double post sorry

nywytboy68 · #13 (**permalink**) 09-29-2008, 09:29 PM

Sweet!!! Now it needs to make it's way to the US - A829 = Bye-Bye!!!

mobbaddict · #14 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 12:45 AM

Hi
Just bought the E430 and right now i got very mixed feelings. SQ is really great with tight bass and upped highs. Might be better than the Clip in theory. But i got a major problem with this player... it don't drive correctly my Denon D1001 as soon as i EQ it, sound gets far too low then! EQ is totally useless on this player as you lose a huge amount of output power when you change it... so i have to keep a flat EQ. It's not that bad though, SQ is really nice like that, but i can hardly believe than this player can't even reach the two thirds of the Clip's power with personnalized EQ... Furthermore EQ settings are not very detailed, you have only 7 positions / frequency, against 25 on the Clip... what kind of audiophile player is that? Was it the same problem on the S616? What about the new S series?

tman1 · #15 (**permalink**) 10-05-2008, 01:15 AM

I just got an A729 recently and NOW they come out with this new S series? Looks like the perfect player - looks like it might be back down to around the size of the A818 (was annoyed the 16 gig A729 was in a larger casing), with the nice large buttons, with FM, and the same nice headphones.

Is it metal like the A series or plastic like the old S series? Once they release the 16 gig over here in the US, I might have to seriously consider selling my A729. Damn.