Check that the songs on the demo units are ripped equally. Someone on another thread said that the demo songs on the iPods are ripped at a low setting.

I got a 5 GB refurb from Apple for my daughter a week ago. I wanted to be sure it was okay before I wrapped it up so I opened it up, charged it and loaded a song just to check it. Everything was fine. In fact it comes sealed in new packaging, no marks or scratches. The ear buds are in new...

Using the "High Quality" setting in iTunes, which says "96kbps (mono)/192 kbps (stereo), normal stereo, using Velocity, using MP.", I haven't had any of the problems described above. Previously I had noticed some distortion but it disappeared when I turned off Sound Check.

I have to admit that I bought my 5GB iPod partly because on ipodlounge.com people sounded like they were having so much fun with them. i really wasn't sure what I'd really do with it. After having it awhile, it has reawakened my interest in my music. 1. I can take 840 songs, currently ALL of...

Go to iTunes (I presume you have a Mac) and you can see the curves used for the equalizer settings and even make your own. I'm pretty sure these are what get downloaded into the iPod.