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Just got the cowon i9. Not impressed yet

post #1 of 5
2/20/10 at 4:18pm
Thread Starter 
Hi,

I also own an ipod touch 2G. Recently, I've found that there are lots of ipod's features that I don't use such as wifi, video, games... and more importantly I wanna try something different
So I decided to buy the i9 (because some people said it has the almost same SQ as the S9, and is comparable to Sony).
I'm not yet impressed with this player. Having been an ipod's user, I've got a hard time to make my playlists work with it. The synchronized playlists accidentally are empty or have very weird korean characters all over the song titles. Or sometimes playlists are broken whenever I use MSC mode connection. For the SQ, probably haven't had good jetEffect settings together with my IE8. Therefore sometimes I feel that the ipod has better SQ.

I'd like to know your opinion about it. And please share any tips or tricks such as EQ, BBE+
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post #2 of 5
2/20/10 at 4:55pm
Can't help you with the playlist, but maybe with SQ and BBE. I have the i9 and the IE8 (bass tuning on min.). The bad news, both the i9 and IE8 are a bit warm sounding. So no good synergy. Moreover, most BBE settings are quite bassy and the IE8 itself has more than enough bass. Again, no good synergy. Best BBE setting I've found is BBE MP, but still far from perfect.

Now for the good news: the Cowons have the best sounding, user-adjustable EQ of all DAPs I know. I just use one of the four user EQ-settings for the IE8, with -8db@80Hz and all other settings on flat. No additional BBE or jetEffect settings. Sounds excellent to my ears.
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post #3 of 5
2/20/10 at 6:30pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by james444 View Post
Can't help you with the playlist, but maybe with SQ and BBE. I have the i9 and the IE8 (bass tuning on min.). The bad news, both the i9 and IE8 are a bit warm sounding. So no good synergy. Moreover, most BBE settings are quite bassy and the IE8 itself has more than enough bass. Again, no good synergy. Best BBE setting I've found is BBE MP, but still far from perfect.

Now for the good news: the Cowons have the best sounding, user-adjustable EQ of all DAPs I know. I just use one of the four user EQ-settings for the IE8, with -8db@80Hz and all other settings on flat. No additional BBE or jetEffect settings. Sounds excellent to my ears.
Thanks for the tip. I agree that both are too warm. Have you tried to turn up higher frequency like 2.4 and 13 Khz? I feel that the IE8 has lack of treble.
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post #4 of 5
2/20/10 at 8:19pm
Yea man try messing with the higher levels of EQ so you can get some increase in treble. Also you might want to get... another player that's a little colder. Two warm components isn't too good :/
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post #5 of 5
2/21/10 at 5:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by niotio910 View Post
Thanks for the tip. I agree that both are too warm. Have you tried to turn up higher frequency like 2.4 and 13 Khz? I feel that the IE8 has lack of treble.
Of course you can try that one too. But as a general rule I avoid to EQ up, because this can introduce distortion and on higher frequencies also sibilance. If you want more emphasis on highs it's IME better to leave the highs on 0db and EQ the rest a bit down. Of course you'll need a bit higher master volume then.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Young Spade View Post
Also you might want to get... another player that's a little colder. Two warm components isn't too good :/
No need for that IMO. The Cowon's EQ is really good, no discernable loss of SQ compared to flat.
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