How does the Sansa clip+ compare to the Cowon S9 (which im currently using) in terms of SQ?
Not in the same league, unfortunately. The S9 is much better to my tastes. While on basic settings, no EQ and no effects the S9 doesn't sound much different from the Clip+, it has better EQ and the effects can give me more warmth if I need it... and I like my players warm. And you can play around with it a lot more than the limited-in-comparison settings you have on the Clip. There's a limit to how warm I can make the Clip+ sound without getting its bass bloated.
Anyway back on topic I am also curious how the 6G sounds compared to the Clip+. I had a rockbox'd Clip+ earlier this year, it was okay but I wasn't all that happy with it. I paid about $100 for it and wasn't all that happy with what I got. That said I am now thinking of getting the 6G Nano and it's gonna put me back about $200. But I like its form factor and other physical qualities, all I am wondering about is the SQ.
I'd like to hear a good comparison of the two players (6G Nano and Clip+) describing the sound characteristics, from people who have heard and tested both side to side.
Just got my Clip + a week ago, Rockboxed it and been using it since then. I agree with your observation that the S9 is better in terms of providing more warmth to the music and you get less distortion even if putting the EQ to the extremes. What I like with the Clip though is I only need to tweak a little especially if used with a good earphone. With my Fischer Audio DBA-02 for instance, I only adjust the Treble and Bass levels slightly and leave the EQ off to get a spectacullar sound. I noted that the more I play with the EQ, the more distortion I get.
With regards to comparing the Clip with the Nano, I have a 5th gen Nano and SQ wise, the Clip just beats the Nano IMO. If they used the same chip with the 6th gen then I would never consider swapping my Clip for the 6th Gen. I never liked the sound from any of the iPods or iPhones even if I owned a couple of them. My Cowon S9 and Clip just beats them all
Edited by leonsphinx - 11/25/10 at 12:18am
