Archos Negative Reputation Still Deserved?
Jun 10, 2003 at 2:30 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 29
wolfen68

wolfen68

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Let's get this out in the open first.....I'm a Head-Fi newbie. Second, I don't have any affiliation with Archos.

Since that's now in the open...we can move on.

After much research, I decided on an Archos Jukebox Recorder (20 gig) to replace my RioVolt. I had the same decisions that I suppose everyone else has to make When looking for a HD player(Zen, Ipod, Neuros, or Archos). Though I had heard some historical bad things about the Archos (and yes, I believe them), I had found that the Jukebox recorder model seemed to have an improved track record in the area of customer satisfaction. I ordered one for a little over $200 about three months ago.

Expecting the unit to break or lock-up at any instant, I put it through the paces. I discovered a strong Archos community on the internet that is nearly as impressive as what can be seen at Head-Fi for other audio matters. I've heard Ipods and the Zen, but my ultimate verdict is that the Archos, if not the best, is a decent performer for the money that has some features that the other companies just haven't gotten right yet.

I can't figure out why nobody takes this device seriously. The pros should be big selling points....

-USB 2.0 harddrive...no software/drivers needed (for XP).
-Drag and drop loading
-Rechargeable and replaceable batteries. Want more play time? Go buy yourself a set of 2200 maH replacements.
-Replaceable hardrive. Pick your own size.
-User interface is not Ipod, but it's good enough
-Don't like the firmware?, easily load and try the open source hacked versions that are available.
-IMHO...sound quality is on par with ipod (not as good as the zen though)
-Contary to popular belief its relatively small (though admittedly not stylish).
-No DRM issues.

This thing drives my KSC-35's very adequately and it sounds damn good to me. I've had no issues with lock-ups, background buzzing, or anything else. If this thing has any longterm durability, I will be very pleased with it overall.

I can buy two and a half of these before I hit ipod prices.

It seems like anybody who even mentions one of these is quietly tolerated by the audio community.

Am I missing something here?
 
Jun 10, 2003 at 3:16 AM Post #2 of 29
I've had the Archos Jukebox Recorder 20 for a little over a half a year and I've never had a single problem with it yet. It sounds good to me, and you're right, after reading about how clunky it was, I was shocked at how small it actually is. Plus, my entire cd collection is stored on it, and I still have 8GB. Using hacked firmware also increases battery life considerably.
At $200, it's unbeatable
biggrin.gif
 
Jun 10, 2003 at 4:43 PM Post #3 of 29
agreed.

the original with the original firmware was buggy and poor sounding, but with the Rockbox firmware, its 10 times better and the display is customizable. However, the biggest selling point for me on all Archos units is that they are good units and they dont require any software to transfer files.
 
Jun 10, 2003 at 8:33 PM Post #5 of 29
christ.. the reason the Archos doesn't need any software to load music is because its a complete simpleton. Doesn't have an ID3 tag database. You get to browse through file names to find what you want. Yay. Try a device like iPod or Zen that uses an internal database for all the tracks and see what a difference. You can search/play music by artist, albums, track titles, genre, composer, etc. Yes, you have to make sure your files are tagged right, because it can't read your mind, but it's far ahead of the Archos/e.Digital schemes.
 
Jun 10, 2003 at 8:36 PM Post #6 of 29
not to mention, archos products (regardless of thier ability) look like the equivelent of a 70's Ford Escort next to iPod, Zen, ANY OTHER. Blue bumpers? I mean, damn, a high school design student could do better then these French guys. Thier only saving grace WAS that they were cheap. But with NJB3 at around $200, Zen at $250, and iPod 10gb at $275... even the Archos price advantage has evaporated.
 
Jun 10, 2003 at 9:00 PM Post #7 of 29
I like the lack of ID3 browsing. I set up my music as:
Genre -> Artist -> Album -> Track
I can easily find any and everything i want and can randomize every track in particular genres or by artist. If you really wanted the ability to use Id3 browsing, a playlist creation program has been created by the Archos community for a psuedo-ID3 browsing method. Works the same way through branching playlists that just work as shortcuts to the files themselves.

And now Archos Recorders are being packaged in sleeker cases with a grey and silver color scheme. I'll admit that it does take some patience to get the Archos working the way you want, but I love it and I dont have to pay an additional $200 bucks for it can fit in my shirt pocket rather than my pants pocket.
 
Jun 10, 2003 at 9:13 PM Post #8 of 29
Hi Austonia. Your comparison website was one of the resources I referred to while looking for my unit.....however, it surprised me that your site did not include the Archos units in the comparisons you've made, or even it's specs....and perhaps you should. And no, I'm not an Archos "fanboy".

I've already agreed that style is not the Archos highlight. However, I don't listen to style...I listen to music
biggrin.gif


If someone keeps their filenames and ID3 tags equally organized, it shouldn't matter which system you rely on.

Can you find a song 10 seconds faster on an ipod...probably, because it's acknowledged to be the current king of the interface. For me, and I assume a lot of other people, using a playlist or just pointing the player to an album or artist folder to listen to a group of songs you want to hear is not considered the worst in the world.

Is it "simple" as you describe. Yes...that's why it appeals to me.

I'm not implying that everyone has to like it. I was just wondering why it always seems overlooked.........like on dapreview.com.
 
Jun 10, 2003 at 9:43 PM Post #9 of 29
My Archos Crapped out after 28 days.
It stopped playing sometimes, wouldn't start others. Hard drive started making a lot of noise, began loosing the radio station settings.
Was able to return it just in time.
Got a new 15 gig iPod now. Much happier.
biggrin.gif
 
Jun 10, 2003 at 9:49 PM Post #10 of 29
wolfen, It's not in my database because Archos products aren't in the same league as all the rest. they are like 2 generations older, ugly, simplistic, uninteresting. Notice I don't have e.digital Treo, the PJB100, Toshiba Gigabeat, etc many players that are just not worthy. Like I said, the only thing Archos had going for it compared to the rest was price, but not even that anymore. If you are happy with yours, that's great, you got your money's worth. There are many happy Archos owners. I agree there are some advantages to being able to load music on the player with no software needed. e.Digital Odyssey has a similiar setup, and thats its strongest feature. Also, some people don't know what the f.ck an ID3 tag is, and if you don't clean up your tags, then your collection can turn into an ugly mess on a player that uses tags to build the database.
 
Jun 11, 2003 at 2:27 AM Post #11 of 29
Well, that's why there are so many options out there. Some units apply to some, others to others. For me, I couldn't care less about creating playlists and such. It took some time to organize the Archos to my liking (Album folders inside of Artist folder). Very simple, to me, and easy to find what I want when I want it. And, I suppose against the majority grain, I like the "retro" design. It's called a "Jukebox", and it looks like a mini one.
I'm not knocking other units such as the Zen or Ipod, never heard or used them. I bought the Archos, liked it, and never saw reason to get another.
 
Jun 11, 2003 at 3:23 AM Post #13 of 29
Jun 11, 2003 at 3:40 AM Post #14 of 29
Quote:

Originally posted by austonia
christ.. the reason the Archos doesn't need any software to load music is because its a complete simpleton. Doesn't have an ID3 tag database. You get to browse through file names to find what you want. Yay. Try a device like iPod or Zen that uses an internal database for all the tracks and see what a difference. You can search/play music by artist, albums, track titles, genre, composer, etc. Yes, you have to make sure your files are tagged right, because it can't read your mind, but it's far ahead of the Archos/e.Digital schemes.


I actually, any probably the masses who do not have their ID3 tags organized, prefer the Archos Jukebox navigation. It took me forever to set up my ID3 tags right so I can browse my songs the way I want to on my Ipod.
 
Jun 11, 2003 at 6:09 AM Post #15 of 29
wolfen68,

you might want to note that going by cnet user reviews is a risky venture at best.

i can safely estimate that at least a third of the users who reviewed have not actually purchased the product.
 
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