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SQ: ipod classic or iaudio 7 on IEMs?

post #1 of 17
3/27/09 at 6:20pm
Thread Starter 
Hello,

After 5 years of faithful service my ipod 3gen recently died on me so it's time for something new. Both the ipod classic and cowon iaudio 7 are in my budget range (about 200-250 euros), and can play lossless (!), but it's a big dilemma. The ipod wins in storage and usability, the iaudio in SQ, batterylife and explorerlike file transfer. Does the SQ of the iaudio makes that much difference on IEMs to take the crappy usability and lack of storage for granted, or is the difference very minimal and is the ipod classic the better choice? (perhaps something else that can play lossless?)
My music library is quite large so I very much like the storage capacity of the ipod. Transcoding and using itunes is not a big problem.
My current IEMs also died so I have to get some new ones and I was thinking about the AKG K340 or the Sennheiser CX 400-II Precision. Anyone tried these or knows of somebetter IEMs for the same price (about 60 euros)?

Thanks in advance,
Axe
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post #2 of 17
3/27/09 at 6:32pm
If you need the big storage then you can't really consider the i7(16GB). If you want some very good audio tweaks/EQ then the i7 easily beats the iPod where neither is amped(HP out)...IMO.

Using no EQ, I prefer the i7 with my ER4 and PFE IEMs but I'm a nut about having my entire collection at my fingertips...I use a portable amp with my 6G so at that point it surpasses the i7 in absolute SQ if it is unamped.

Welcome to Head-Fi
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post #3 of 17
3/27/09 at 6:49pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for your reply. I don't plan on using an amp, not in my budget and I don't like the loss in portability. Furthermore, I don't like EQs. They reform the sound and make it not natural, not the way things are supposed to sound. You should take a look at the spectral chart of your monitors and adjust the EQ accordingly, but that's difficult and the information isn't always available.

My question is, how does the standard, untweaked, SQ of the ipod classic compare to the iaudio's? And is it that much better to take the lack of storage and usability for granted?
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post #4 of 17
3/27/09 at 8:07pm
why not go for the d2? you can stick another 16 gb sd card and have 32 capacity like i did. great battery ,great sound and small like the i7 only better!
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post #5 of 17
3/27/09 at 8:39pm
Thread Starter 
that's a great idea, thanq, didn't think of that one yet. any ideas on decent IEMs for aboiut 50 euros perhaps?
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post #6 of 17
3/27/09 at 11:37pm
Haven't heard the i7 unfortunately, but can vouch for the pretty high standard of sound straight out of the 6G Classic. I like mine, and the useability and storage capacity are definite plusses.

I amp the iPod at home and work, but am not dissapointed in the SQ when plugging directly in. It is very good.
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post #7 of 17
3/28/09 at 12:03pm
The D2 has a terrible "pocket GUI". I would not recommend it if you switch music around in your pocket. At best you will have to move the hold switch to change music/volume (either or, because you only have 3 buttons).
SQ? I don't use jeteffects often because it bloats my music. The iPods are hated because they are popular, not because they sound bad. I like my mini just as much as my D2 in terms of SQ.
If it were up to me, I would go for the iPod.
Good luck!
Off topic: Wanna sell your old iPod 3g? PM me.
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post #8 of 17
3/28/09 at 1:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by plonter View Post
why not go for the d2? you can stick another 16 gb sd card and have 32 capacity like i did. great battery ,great sound and small like the i7 only better!
I thought the D2 was bigger than the iAudio 7.
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post #9 of 17
3/28/09 at 1:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nausicaa View Post
The D2 has a terrible "pocket GUI". I would not recommend it if you switch music around in your pocket. At best you will have to move the hold switch to change music/volume (either or, because you only have 3 buttons).
SQ? I don't use jeteffects often because it bloats my music. The iPods are hated because they are popular, not because they sound bad. I like my mini just as much as my D2 in terms of SQ.
If it were up to me, I would go for the iPod.
Good luck!
Off topic: Wanna sell your old iPod 3g? PM me.
I wouldn't say that's true.

I never really liked iPods, due to their price, the fact that it has no drag and drop, and a few other minor flaws. The sound never impressed me either, as I thought it sounded alright, but never impressive to my ears (Until I heard the 2nd gen Ipod touch, anyway). Yes, there are many people that hate it for its popularity, but music is subjective, and everyone has their own standards, and what they like to hear. You can't really say that the ipod is flawless.

In fact, some users here preferred a D2 over an iPod, because of the JetEffects. Some think its sound enhancers actually sound decent without affecting the music, while some think it sounds terrible, and doesn't get why people even bother.

Still, I thought the sound of the 2nd gen Ipod touch was good. In fact, I liked it just as much as my sansa clip.
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post #10 of 17
3/28/09 at 3:51pm
Thread Starter 
Albinoni: it is bigger: d2+: 78x55.4x16.6mm, ipod classic: 103.5x61.8x10.5, iaudio 7: 76.1x35.6x19, but still very acceptable.

Nausicaa: don't care much about pocket gui, didn't use that a lot with my 3gen ipod (which btw has a broken HDD, so I don't think it's much use to you). don't care if people hate or love me for having an 'ipod', being able to listen to music is all that counts.

So the fight is between de D2+ and the ipod classic, summary:
ipod
+ storage
+ usability
- itunes
- transcoding flac to alac
d2+
+ drag and drop
+ SQ ??????
+ batterylife (60 vs 32)
- storage (can be extended)
- usability??
- bass roll off??

can anyone comment on the question marks? thanks in advance
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post #11 of 17
3/28/09 at 4:44pm
Fortunately I have experience with all 3: the ipod classic 120GB, the Cowon D2 16GB, and the Cowon iaudio 7 16GB.

I bought the ipod mainly for the space. This was my first venture into Apple products and I quickly realized I hate, HATE itunes. The idea of having to use a stupid proprietary software to move MY files seemed retarded. So I gave it to my wife and she loves it.

I bought the D2 next thinking this would be the end-all-be-all with its fancy touch screen and expandable memory slot. I had it exactly 8 days and realized it wasn't for me. The touch screen was *too* nice, and the player was just too darn delicate. I was too afraid I would damage the screen with the unit in my pocket, in the car, at work, gym, etc. If you only use the D2 at your desk, or in a clean safe environment (ie NOT mountain biking, NOT in the gym, NOT while mowing the grass, NOT while washing the car, NOT while doing anything physical) than it would probably be a good choice. It wasn't good for MY lifestyle. I promptly returned it for the iAudio 7.

The iaudio 7 is without question the best player for me. Fantastic sounding, plays all kinds of files, the menu is easy, to ridiculous software to use (just simple drag and drop) and the battery life is 60 hours. I bought a nice clear case for it and now it's perfect. Sounds better than the ipod classic, sounds better than the D2, sounds better than my old Cowon U2 even.
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post #12 of 17
3/28/09 at 5:37pm
The Zune 120gb has better sound quality then any iPod's available. Also the Zune 120gb is just flat out better than a iPod classic 120gb.
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post #13 of 17
3/28/09 at 6:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by VoLTaG3 View Post
The Zune 120gb has better sound quality then any iPod's available. Also the Zune 120gb is just flat out better than a iPod classic 120gb.
cute. the zune is a good player but it does not handily beat any ipod except the shuffle 2g. probably a good mix with the ipod 5.5g - both have similar headphone performance other than the zunes smaller separation from left to right. both are very good but hardly perfect.

the zune has one of the better separations, but still less than older creatives and ALL ipods other than shuffle.

Microsoft Zune 30GB Media Player - Black MP3 Player Lab Tests. - PC World

Apple iPod Video 5TH Generation 30gb Mp3 Player - White MP3 Player Lab Tests. - PC World

both are beaten by the ipod touch 2g which i think scores higher than any other consumer player.

now, you can hate the ipod sound signature, but what exactly does sound quality mean to you if the zune and ipod are basically neck and neck and the zune stomps it? eq, i can understand that and signature, that too but neither equate sound quality, they equate sound preference.

so, you love the zune sound: that is great. is it better? no. is the ipod better? no. are they both likeable? yes.
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post #14 of 17
3/28/09 at 11:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by shigzeo View Post
cute. the zune is a good player but it does not handily beat any ipod except the shuffle 2g. probably a good mix with the ipod 5.5g - both have similar headphone performance other than the zunes smaller separation from left to right. both are very good but hardly perfect.

the zune has one of the better separations, but still less than older creatives and ALL ipods other than shuffle.

Microsoft Zune 30GB Media Player - Black MP3 Player Lab Tests. - PC World

Apple iPod Video 5TH Generation 30gb Mp3 Player - White MP3 Player Lab Tests. - PC World

both are beaten by the ipod touch 2g which i think scores higher than any other consumer player.

now, you can hate the ipod sound signature, but what exactly does sound quality mean to you if the zune and ipod are basically neck and neck and the zune stomps it? eq, i can understand that and signature, that too but neither equate sound quality, they equate sound preference.

so, you love the zune sound: that is great. is it better? no. is the ipod better? no. are they both likeable? yes.
Ummm, compare the Zune 120gb and iPod Classic 120gb...The Zune 120gb does everything better even sound quality beats it. The Zune 120gb headphone out is as clean or cleaner than the iPod's LOD. Also the Zune 120gb gives out a neutral flat sound with no emphasis on any frequency unlike the iPod.
Zune 120gb > iPod Classic 120gb
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post #15 of 17
3/29/09 at 1:19pm
Thread Starter 
I considered the Zune, it can play lossless but you'd have to transcode to wma lossless, but the battery is poor (24 hours) and additional Microsoft software is required to upload music to the device. Practically a no-go for me.

ka-boom, thanks for the input. I didn't hate itunes with my 3gen but it was far from ideal. I think I'll still go for the D2+ because I really need the additional storage acquired with the memory slot. Is controlling the device with the touch screen any good?
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