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Cowon D2 vs Sony A818

post #1 of 232
11/27/07 at 11:57pm
Thread Starter 
Hey guys
Help me choose between these 2 players. I have heard that this sony player has fantastic audio quality and I've also heard the same for the D2. My headphones are SR-60 and ER4p. I'm leaning towards Sony because the touch interface doesn't look all that appealing on the D2. thanks guys ohhh and it will be unamped
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post #2 of 232
11/28/07 at 12:19am
The Sony has excellent SQ but I haven't heard the D2 so can't comment. The only negative things I've read about the D2 SQ relate to 'coldness' - you might read that yourself if you have a dig around the threads.

The D2 will give you longer battery life by far, but I find the battery life on my Sony just fine. I don't need more than 30 hours anyway (20 hours in 'real' life) and I love the sound a LOT.

I just read your post again and saw you have the ER4P. I remember reading a very long review on Amazon a while back who said that ER4 owners need 'not apply' because of the bad synergy with the D2, ie; bright + cold, but that was just one opinion on the D2/E4 combination.

But I'm sure there are others who have that headphone/dap, and can give you a better idea of the sound.
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post #3 of 232
11/28/07 at 1:04am
I recently got the 4gb version of the A818 for a thanksgiving road trip my family was taking. All in all, I'm very pleased with sound quality of the 816/8 coupled with my e4c. I read somewhere (CNET I think) that battery life on the player is rated at 35 hours or something. While I haven't tested this yet, the player has so far lasted around 25 hours for me on one charge. The interface is pretty snappy and easy to use as well. My only real complaint is that there is no fm radio or memory expansion slot (i dunno if this is on the D2 or not).
I'm actually going to return mine pretty soon to get the 8gb version when it comes back in stock at the circuit city near me.
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post #4 of 232
11/28/07 at 2:03am
I have two 4GB D2s and also frequent iaudiophile.net .

I don't find it "cold", though its detailed sound can trend towards analytical if you match it to phones which go strongly in that direction. Its onboard EQ + post-processing effects allow you to tailor for the target sound pretty easily. There's actually a sticky thread at iaudiophile in the D2 subforum in which people share their D2 settings+phones+music, to give others an idea of what it can do for their needs.

I use what's in my sig as listening devices with the D2 - all give a balanced and lively sound with the midrange I enjoy - that's just where I tune it towards. I don't miss out on detail, interestingly.

I recently bought a second one because of the known SQ (and, I did attempt more comparisons with updated and new brands/models), I enjoy the form factor (tossable without worrying, especially in a light silicone skin), the battery life is ridiculous, my daughter loves watching movies on it in the car (or, listening to her music), I have SD cards for specific needs (i.e., loaded with media per family member preferences) and the touch interface flies for me . . . among other things.

That said, I've heard good things about the Sony A818's SQ, and it's no longer is bound to their software (i.e., a good thing).

- wader
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post #5 of 232
11/28/07 at 12:31pm
I have a Cowon D2 and everything works fine (touch screen, sound...) but the weak FM reception worried me and I decided to try the new Sony S61x series.
Yesterday I picked up a S618 (I think same 818 but with radio) and now radio reception shines, and the sound....... I think I prefer Sony over D2

As people say, D2 sound is a bit bright and analytical but in my opinion I wouldn't say it has cold sound signature. The sony 618 has solid sound, the D2 seems a bit "airy" but at the same time light maybe a bit thin, the Sony is all opposite with more soundstage. I tried it with Westone UM2 and Yuin PK2, with the Sony I need less volume in comparison.....but the Sony has 5+5mW and the D2 37+37mW? Who lies??

I'm going to sell my D2
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post #6 of 232
11/28/07 at 3:00pm
I can only comment on the D2. The touch screen interface is no problem at all and the sound quality is very good with my SE530's. Battery life on the D2 is awesome. With the like of 16GB memory cards now quite affordable you have a 20/24 GB flash player.
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post #7 of 232
11/28/07 at 6:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dacari View Post
. . . I tried it with Westone UM2 and Yuin PK2, with the Sony I need less volume in comparison.....but the Sony has 5+5mW and the D2 37+37mW? Who lies??
I'm not sure about "lying" here, but I typically have my D2 volume set from 7-10 with the Westone UM2s in. And, I get a great soundstage, too - maybe our sources and EQ settings differ in some significant manner.

- wader
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post #8 of 232
11/28/07 at 7:06pm
Thread Starter 
I don't think Cowon lies. Its just Sony has been known to 'underestimate' their specs, while other companies 'overestimate'.
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post #9 of 232
11/28/07 at 7:20pm
The Sony does play loud, I only need half volume with the C700s. When I had the Kenwood HDGB9 for a short time, I assumed it would play much louder than the Sony, but it didn't. I listened to them both on around 60%. Still can't quite understand that??
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post #10 of 232
11/28/07 at 11:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by soozieq View Post
The Sony does play loud, I only need half volume with the C700s. When I had the Kenwood HDGB9 for a short time, I assumed it would play much louder than the Sony, but it didn't. I listened to them both on around 60%. Still can't quite understand that??
It seems tough to scale volume/loudness in comparison with other players on paper, then. Each player likely has a different rampup and our ears have wildly different sensitivities, let alone our typical listening preferences and varied phones.

e.g., I'm listening to a 320kbps MP3 from a Lame encoding of Thievery Corporation on the D2 right now, with my UM2s, and it's at 7.

Out of 50.

And, it's loud.

- wader
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post #11 of 232
11/29/07 at 1:03pm
ive had both and the sony is the better sounding player. the d2 is accurate but its light on bass <30hz. the sony is 'warmer' but its a better sound all round. particularly the separation is better, and and has that certain sony sound that just walks away with rock/metal ect. on sound quality alone the d2 takes second place.

edit: and look at all these people voting who've only even listened to one of them. of course they are going to vote for the one they own lol
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post #12 of 232
11/29/07 at 1:23pm
Owned both too, and I'm with sony on this one. The D2 is absolutely stellar, but is not everyones taste, overly accurate and somewhat tinny. In comparison the sony is warmer but less detailed, using the extra bit of bass to mask that shortcoming.

Really sonically these two devices are very different and it will be down to your personal preference.
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post #13 of 232
11/29/07 at 11:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DominicKarma View Post
Owned both too, and I'm with sony on this one. The D2 is absolutely stellar, but is not everyones taste, overly accurate and somewhat tinny. In comparison the sony is warmer but less detailed, using the extra bit of bass to mask that shortcoming.

Really sonically these two devices are very different and it will be down to your personal preference.
x2

Own a D2 and hear the HD5 many times. On sound signature aspect, the D2 was bright, very detail, clear, less bass. And the Sony's signature is warm,more bass but far less detail. Chose one in your own preference.
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post #14 of 232
11/29/07 at 11:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by james.miller View Post
edit: and look at all these people voting who've only even listened to one of them. of course they are going to vote for the one they own lol
Not necessarily. If someone bought the Sony and hated the sound signature, they would probably mention it right here. I've read threads where people say they love the D2 and others who didn't like it at all. So consistency of praise is useful when trying to make a decision.

I've lost count of the things I haven't bought, and it's because I'm so easily put off by conflicting views of the same product. I was about to buy a D2 before I bought the Sony, and I read tons of reviews but was eventually put off by the love/hate thing going on for it. I would still be curious to try it though
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post #15 of 232
11/30/07 at 1:08am
I voted with my wallet a couple of months ago, and I'd get the D2 again. I first was attracted to Cowon because of FLAC and OGG support. I like the SQ and the many ways I can tweak it. I use it to record business meetings, I like the radio, and I keep a bunch of short (humorous) videos on it.
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