Running setup - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

rockin_amigo14 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-22-2006, 03:05 AM

i don't have much knowledge of flash players so i'm asking you guys.

i need a player and headphones for running this summer.

guidelines for player:
1-2gb
good sound
decent sized screen, doesnt need to be as big as nano's
good battery life at least 20 hours, doesn't matter if rechargeable or not
compact
durable
needs "random" or "shuffle" setting
FM tuner
voice recording
under $130

guidelines for headphones:
not earbuds, as most i've used don't stay in my ears
not noise isolating
relatively short wire, so it doesn't get in the way
less than $40

some pretty strict guidelines, and i'm sorry about that, but if you can give me any advice, it'd be greatly appreciated. if i think of anything else, i'll post it. thanks in advance.

TheMarchingMule · #2 (**permalink**) 05-22-2006, 03:14 AM

For the MP3 player, check out the Sansa e250; it's on sale ($250; $50 instant off) @ Best Buy this week iirc in the front page of their ad.

rockin_amigo14 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-22-2006, 03:36 AM

a little steep for me in terms of cost. i dont need a video player or picture viewer, since i'll be getting a ZVM or S series gigabeat this summer. it was a thought at first though

zip22 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-22-2006, 03:38 AM

i think you mean $150 ($40 off), which isn't under his price limit.

why do you need a voice recorder for running?

TheChemist · #5 (**permalink**) 05-22-2006, 04:02 AM

Nothing! I have never run with music and I never will. My second love (other than music) just isn't the same with it.

TheMarchingMule · #6 (**permalink**) 05-22-2006, 04:07 AM

^ Who the heck are you?

Disiskurt · #7 (**permalink**) 05-22-2006, 04:32 AM

I have the original 1 GB Sansa w/ the SD slot. Unlike the current line, it's powered by a single AAA. It achieves decent battery life (although it gets really sucked when connected to a computer.) Plus you can easily stick another in. It frequently shows up on sale on places like buy.com. Thing is, navigation is a pain (tracks in an album will list in alphanumeric order, but if you're using the shuffle feature all the time this wouldn't be a problem) it doesn't have a voice recorder, and the sound quality is mediocre at best. It's one of the few flash players with a decent sized screen that isn't in color or anything, so that's why I brought it up.

For headphones, I'd try looking into the Sennheiser PX-10s. $17 from Amazon, decent sound quality for the price, and the design is pretty great for running (non-isolating, stays on well.) The sound quality is no where near the budget kind of the Koss KSC-75 clip-ons, but the Senn's are fine compared to low-end Sony garbage and clip-ons probably aren't too great for running anyway.

I own both of these so I speak from experience. The PX-10s would be fine for running, but I have serious reservations over the Sansa's sound quality (my model, not the entire line.) Hope this helped.

EDIT: Oh, and the PX-10 cord is quite short as well, another one of your wanted features.

TheChemist · #8 (**permalink**) 05-22-2006, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtheisticFreedom

^ Who the heck are you?

What is that supposed to mean?

unistructure · #9 (**permalink**) 05-22-2006, 06:42 AM

I recommend the 1gb iriver T10 (or 2gb if you can afford it). The sound quality is great, it has a FM tuner, has the random shuffle setting, 30 hr battery life on a single AA, user preset EQ, and a nice small color screen. The only downside is that there is no balance control, and the microphone isnt that sensitive if you're going to be using the voice recorder to record sounds from afar. The armband that comes with it tends to break the included clear plastic case after a while, so you might look into the separate armband that they sell online if you do consider purchasing one.

rockin_amigo14 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-23-2006, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zip22

i think you mean $150 ($40 off), which isn't under his price limit.

why do you need a voice recorder for running?

if thats the price, i think that's what i'll take a look at.

i need the voice recorder because i tend to remember things when i'm running more than anytime else (no idea why) or names of songs i want to get, so i use it as a memo. i also bring it to sax lessons for recordings. the HD players are a little big.

Kasp3r · #11 (**permalink**) 05-23-2006, 01:16 AM

G3 is nice!

rockin_amigo14 · #12 (**permalink**) 05-23-2006, 05:10 AM

hm. i can get the e250 for $130 at Buy.com, then if i get it before the 28th, i can get another $20 off. is it worth it?

as for phones, i think i'm just gonna get some ksc-75's, and get a clip for my shirt.

any objections anyone?

Robert Linthicum · #13 (**permalink**) 05-23-2006, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockin_amigo14

hm. i can get the e250 for $130 at Buy.com, then if i get it before the 28th, i can get another $20 off. is it worth it?

as for phones, i think i'm just gonna get some ksc-75's, and get a clip for my shirt.

any objections anyone?

None here. You will need the clip, or the volume control module will batter your chest over time. What sort of clip do you plan on using (the Koss doesn't come with one)?

rockin_amigo14 · #14 (**permalink**) 05-23-2006, 03:38 PM

i have a clip from an old cell phone headset i'm thinking about using. it comes off rather easily, and i'll attatch it to my shirt.

Skylab · #15 (**permalink**) 05-23-2006, 08:10 PM

I know it's out of your price range, but I use a 4GB Nano to run with, and it's GREAT for that purpose. Small, light, and good sounding. And I can't imagine running without music

Now I just wish I were happy with the headphones I use to run with...never found a good pair.