I've got my imp-550, and the sound quality is pretty good (better than the Panasonic player it replaced)

I've upgraded to firmware version 1.20 to see what the Extreme 3D EQ is like.

I think the Extreme3D is good for listening to the vocals in songs, but it's lacking in bass. The only preset that I think is good all-round is the Metal one. The sound is quite meaty with the Metal preset.

I've got no idea what I'm doing when it comes to the Extreme EQ custom settings, so if anyone has some good custom settings that they would like to share, I'd appreciate it.

I also bought some MX500s today to replace the MX300s that came with the player. I have to say that I don't notice a huge difference, the bass is slightly better with the MX500s, and the in-line volume control is quite useful because I've started to keep the player and remote inside my jacket which is usually zipped up.

Thanks
- Omar

I'd also like to add that I'm slightly disappointed with the MX500's not having an uneven cord.

Are you sure it was firmware v1.2? The website lists 1.1 (1.2MB).

iRiver America - iMP-550 Support and Firmware

Yup, if you go to the international site: http://www.iriver.com/

All regions are up to Firmware v1.20 since July.

It's got a few new features (one of which being Xtreme3D eq)

Some people on the iriver forums say that v1.20 is unstable, but I haven't had any problems yet.

- Omar

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Not true. The north-america link I provided came from your international site. It has v1.1.

http://www.iriveramerica.com/support...0_firmware.asp

http://www.iriveramerica.com/download/iMP550us-v110.zip

Wait... I used a search engine from iRiver.com, and it came up with 1.2:

http://www.iriver.com/include/file_d...0ver1.20US.zip

Strange that they haven't updated the iRiverAmerica.com support page. I may email them.

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Maybe that is why the iRiverAmerica site still has v1.1. Perhaps they had 1.2 at one time and pulled it? Those who are having problems may want to download v1.1.

I'm not sure if it was a problem with the US units or anything like that.

As I said, the firmware for all regions has been out for 3 or 4 months now on the international site, so it hasn't been pulled or any such thing.

The next firmware update for the imp-550 is expected around December (possibly one before that but unlikely) on which the main new feature will be Ogg Vorbis support.

Do you have any good custom eq settings?

- Omar

For the Sennheiser 'buds, I boost the lower two bands by one click. I tried also boosting the highest band by one click, but I find this ruins the midrange, which is the best part of music. If you try to boost the extremes too much to compensate for rolloffs of the earbuds, you sacrifice the quality of the midrange... and you can never compensate for the rolloff anyway.

I find all the pre-set EQ settings to be too extreme, too far from flat.

I use sennheiser px100's and I drop the highest frequency 1 unit. I think it makes the sound smoother and brings out the midrange. The bass is sufficient for me and if I boost it, it drowns out the midrange. Id like to hear some other suggestions as well.

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I also use the PX100 with iMP550 but I found the opposite, i.e. somethimes I increase the treble by 3 dB and decrease the bass with -3 dB IMO PX 100 are a bit bass heavy and warmish sounding so these setings clean them up nicely.