A good MP3 player within 100$. Suggestions please.

[ithehappy]

Okay now I need to buy a good MP3 player. What are my options under 100$? I hear that Sansa Clip Plus is pretty good but are there any better products? I would like to have a good equalizer settings, and needless to say that sound quality is the main concern. But I would like to have solid and deep bass too, that's a major requirement for me.
 
Thanks in advance.

 

[phantompersona]

Get a Sansa Clip Zip or save a few more $ and get the Fiio X3 that's coming out in the summer. I wont recommend anything apple because i personally don't like them!
 

 

[ithehappy]

Okay, thanks. Need to check some video reviews of Sansa, for the equalizer part. Could you gimme some idea on that? What equalizer presets are available? I hope there is a good 'bass' friendly one.
Apple? Oh no, thank you, you are right. I purchased an iPod Touch 8 GB when it was first released, that time I was a student, so spent my fellowship to purchase it, the worst audio product I've ever owned in my life. Sold it within couple of weeks. So, yes, I'll not buy another Apple product in my life.

PS: How are the Sony 'B' series Walkman units? Are they good?

'Swyped' from my GT-N7100

 

[phantompersona]

I haven't used any b series Sony Mp3 players, but i have to say that the Sony NWZ- A player was my first, and it was fantastic. Much better than the ipod i had before.Since then i got a sansa clip zip which im happy with.Waiting to upgrade to Fiio X3
 
Oh and about the equalizer on a Sanza, i do remember them having presets for like Rock, Pop, Etc.. I don't know about the bass setting... but i rockboxed mine, so the equalizer is more in your control. You can tune it how you want.

 

[Retrias]

The x3 is coming for over 200, your best bet is getting the sansa clip and then rockboxing it,  or you can hunt for gumsticks and c30

 

[ithehappy]

 Okay, thanks.  Is there any feedback on Cowon IAUDIO E2 and IAUDIO 9? 
Honestly I would have purchased the Sony, if it had an external storage option.

 

[ShohailXTR]

The B-series Walkman isn't good at all, you're better off buying the Clip+/Clip Zip instead of that. I'm personally using an NWZ-E470 right now, it does my work pretty well and if you like a bit of bass, Sony's Clear Bass that comes with it is just fantastic. The 16GB E475 sells around 85 bucks on amazon I guess. But if you require external storage, Cowon (they have BBE Enhancements for your bass needs) would be a good alternative to Sansa. But if I were you I would've gotten the Clip Zip (Rockboxed of course) and invested in decent IEMs/headphones, or if you have those already, slap in a 16/32GB microSD.

edit : just saw that you're from India, I bought my E474 8GB for 6990 INR from Agra, a bit overpriced but I had no other alternative (we don't have any players in my country except iPods.)

 

[ithehappy]

Thanks Shohail.
Actually I don't like that Clear Bass thingy. I've used 5 or more SE handsets with that feature, and I didn't like it. The bass was not deep nor strong, at all. I liked their Mega Bass™ feature, but they sadly removed it for one reason or another. The B series model I mentioned, it doesn't have Clear Bass, but something called Bass Boost, now people say it's great but as long as I personally don't try it out can't say for sure. But again, typical Sony, no SD card slot.
Coming to Sansa Clip +, well one reason I am not buying it, because of the brand, I mean SanDisk is great, I use lots of SD and Micro SD card of theirs, but I've no idea how good are they when it's about an audio product, that's all. I mean you know Sony is very good, and Cowon too, but SanDisk?
That Cowon models I've mentioned, could you tell me, how good are their BBE Bass? Is it deep and strong enough? I like the Cowon model to be honest, but need to know about the Bass level first.
I have a 32 GB Micro SD lying flat, and I've ordered a Sony MH1C headset already, however that's not an expensive one, still it'd do the job I guess?


'Swyped' from my GT-N7100

 

[hogger129]

I got the Sansa Clip Zip and a 64gb microSD card for ~$150.  I have Rockbox installed on mine and it plays all my ALAC, FLAC, AAC, MP3 just fine.  The sound quality is definitely better than my iPod Touch.  Bass is better too, and that Rockbox looks like it has endless equalization ability.  I haven't messed with it yet.
 
It is limited to CD resolution though (16-bit, 44.1khz) so if you have high-res downloads you want to listen to, I'd agree with the people who say you might want to wait for the FiiO X3.
 
The Clip Zip I have is definitely bassier than my iPod Touch, and the sound quality IMO is still very good. 

 

[ShohailXTR]

Quote:

Thanks Shohail.
Actually I don't like that Clear Bass thingy. I've used 5 or more SE handsets with that feature, and I didn't like it. The bass was not deep nor strong, at all. I liked their Mega Bass™ feature, but they sadly removed it for one reason or another. The B series model I mentioned, it doesn't have Clear Bass, but something called Bass Boost, now people say it's great but as long as I personally don't try it out can't say for sure. But again, typical Sony, no SD card slot.
Coming to Sansa Clip +, well one reason I am not buying it, because of the brand, I mean SanDisk is great, I use lots of SD and Micro SD card of theirs, but I've no idea how good are they when it's about an audio product, that's all. I mean you know Sony is very good, and Cowon too, but SanDisk?
That Cowon models I've mentioned, could you tell me, how good are their BBE Bass? Is it deep and strong enough? I like the Cowon model to be honest, but need to know about the Bass level first.
I have a 32 GB Micro SD lying flat, and I've ordered a Sony MH1C headset already, however that's not an expensive one, still it'd do the job I guess?


'Swyped' from my GT-N7100

I believe the clear bass on the Walkman is different from that on SE and Sony Mobile phones, but then again I haven't really heard the phone versions. Mega Bass was good but Clear Bass seems far more detailed to me. But then again, these are enhancements, so they won't really be as good unless you do a proper EQ alongside it (that's what I prefer doing when listening to my Walkman with Shure SRH440s). The bass boost on the B series should not be as strong and deep I think.

You may think Sandisk wouldn't have that brand factor, but trust me, what they did with the Clip is just magic. It's cheap enough, so I'll suggest you may try it first. If it was available here, I'd really have tried it myself. But back on Sandisk's idea of Audio players, the Clip+/Clip Zip (Rockboxed of course) is uncannily good, heck I even think these are giant killers. And the value/perfomance ratio is unmatched. Yes, it is a bit plasticky which doesn't give you, say, a 'premium' feel like pricier Sonys and Cowons. But it does quite a lot, too, pretty well.

Cowon, I haven't heard any so far. But I've heard many others tell me that their BBE (especially Mach3 Bass) is far, far better than Sony's Clear Bass, and honestly I wouldn't be surprised if it were. About bass though, you might wanna give a few bass-heavy IEMs a try than relying solely on enhancements? The MH1C I guess would do the job, but then again it's down to your preferences. So try a few things out if possible to see how things are nowadays.

edit : oh and one thing, just cuz sth is expensive doesn't necessarily mean it would be as good Have you heard of VSonic? Their IEMs are pretty much bang-for-the-buck. And they can outperform more expensive rivals. That's another reason why I was barging on about the Clip. I use a pricier Sony but I'm not too sure its worth the price over something like the Clip (for music only purpose, that is).

 

[ShreyasMax]

Hi there,
 
Always good to help out a fellow countryman; I definitely recommend the Cowon iAudio10 as a current happy user but it doesn't come within your stated budget of $100. The lowest 4GB model comes at around 7000 INR (non expandable). Sticking to Cowon, your main alternative is the C2, (or newly announced D20 which is not yet available in India at the time of writing) which has microSD card slot and costs around the same 7000 INR for the 4GB version. Do check it out (its got a resistive touchscreen, albeit a good one).
 
For sound comparison I'd say that the iaudio10 sounds slightly better than my Xperia arc phone with Neutron Media Player (better than Poweramp IMO) installed. Which itself says that it sounds pretty awesome, for the money. I use Sennheiser HD 558's for home listening and Philips Citiscape Uptown for travel, paired with FiiO E6 amplifier. Highly recommend the FiiO E6, by the way (costs around 1800 INR); it'll make your X8 sound incredible, paired with the right IEM of course.
 
And finally though I'm not a fan of IEM's, I'd suggest trying Klipsch S4x series or Sennheiser CX300 precision series as both have been highly recommended by many.
 
And finally I'd suggest trying the Sansa Clip series, as that too has been highly recommended here on head-fi as the best budget players around.
 
Hope these suggestions help,
Cheers!

 

[Yazen]

If you like cold and bright get a Sansa.  Cold and warm were merely words to me until I stumbled on a Sansa Fuze (uses same DAC as Clip+), detailed but very cold sounding.

 

[ShreyasMax]

And additionally,
 
I have previously had Sony Walkman B series (B 152 if I'm correct), and they were easily outclassed by my phone; bloated 'Bass Boost', well, just wasn't good. 
But since then I've read reviews about the current generation of Walkman B series being much better detailed and clear sounding so maybe you can test them out.
 
I also use Senn MX 370 earbuds for office use by the way; super clarity for the price! 
 
Now coming to the Cowon sound enhancements or 'Jet Effect', they really do have among the best EQ settings pre-installed that I've ever come across. Almost all of the enhancements do exactly what they say they do. And, you get 4 User preset slots too! Each one can be customised to a really deep level and you can really get your 'perfect sound' for each type of music you listen to. The only thing lacking (which isn't a major concern) is Crossfeed. Though most of the times we don't feel the need for it, though. Highly recommend the Cowon iaudio10 or C2.
 
Cheers again!

 

[ithehappy]

Thanks a lot Shreyas. Appreciate your response. Now one or two things I haven't mentioned but I should have, that I am not an experienced person when it comes to tweaking equalizer. I got my first so called music phone, SE W850i I think, back in 2005/06, and since then I had always depended on presets. So if I either buy the Cowon or the Clip, I will be depending on presets only. I am leaning towards the Cowon because it has that Mach3Bass preset and I have heard that's it's pretty good. I haven't heard about any 'bass' friendly equalizer on Clip Plus.
Btw, I am currently using Samsung Galaxy Note 2, with PowerAMP (I have tried Neutron, didn't like it much, personal preference, no offense), with a bass friendly tweak which included DSP Manager, and I more or less like the sound output. But maybe I want more clear sound and deep bass, not muddy, like I get now with the pathetic given headset of Note 2. Now as you said, there is slight difference between your Xperia Arc and Cowon IAudio 10, I wonder if the one I will purchase, be it Cowon C2 or E2 or IAUDIO 9/10 or even the Clip, will they sound that much better than my phone? If the difference is slight then I might refrain, I mean I don't see any point investing 100 bucks, if the improvement is slight.
Oh, I will be using either Sony MH1C or Shure 215, with the MP3 player, if I decide it buy. And there is no problem for me buying internationally, so not much restrictions.
 
Saurav.

 

[Yazen]

Quote:

And additionally,
 
I have previously had Sony Walkman B series (B 152 if I'm correct), and they were easily outclassed by my phone; bloated 'Bass Boost', well, just wasn't good. 
But since then I've read reviews about the current generation of Walkman B series being much better detailed and clear sounding so maybe you can test them out.
 
I also use Senn MX 370 earbuds for office use by the way; super clarity for the price! 
 
Now coming to the Cowon sound enhancements or 'Jet Effect', they really do have among the best EQ settings pre-installed that I've ever come across. Almost all of the enhancements do exactly what they say they do. And, you get 4 User preset slots too! Each one can be customised to a really deep level and you can really get your 'perfect sound' for each type of music you listen to. The only thing lacking (which isn't a major concern) is Crossfeed. Though most of the times we don't feel the need for it, though. Highly recommend the Cowon iaudio10 or C2.
 
Cheers again!

 
I was given the Walkman B as a gift, the sound isn't great.  The bass boost feature muddles the sound, in all it sounds like a typical <$5 chinese knock off.  Battery charges in a mere 15 minutes with my Gigabyte charging port, great for workouts as the device charges fast and can be replaced without breaking the bank.
 
Quote:

Thanks a lot Shreyas. Appreciate your response. Now one or two things I haven't mentioned but I should have, that I am not an experienced person when it comes to tweaking equalizer. I got my first so called music phone, SE W850i I think, back in 2005/06, and since then I had always depended on presets. So if I either buy the Cowon or the Clip, I will be depending on presets only. I am leaning towards the Cowon because it has that Mach3Bass preset and I have heard that's it's pretty good. I haven't heard about any 'bass' friendly equalizer on Clip Plus.
Btw, I am currently using Samsung Galaxy Note 2, with PowerAMP (I have tried Neutron, didn't like it much, personal preference, no offense), with a bass friendly tweak which included DSP Manager, and I more or less like the sound output. But maybe I want more clear sound and deep bass, not muddy, like I get now with the pathetic given headset of Note 2. Now as you said, there is slight difference between your Xperia Arc and Cowon IAudio 10, I wonder if the one I will purchase, be it Cowon C2 or E2 or IAUDIO 9/10 or even the Clip, will they sound that much better than my phone? If the difference is slight then I might refrain, I mean I don't see any point investing 100 bucks, if the improvement is slight.
Oh, I will be using either Sony MH1C or Shure 215, with the MP3 player, if I decide it buy. And there is no problem for me buying internationally, so not much restrictions.
 
Saurav.

I've listened to several devices in the ~$50-$100 range, for what it is worth they have a very similar level of detail.  Some might sound cold and bright, others darker and warmer.
 
If I had a choice between a Sansa and the Note 2 I'd pick the Note 2, I hardly ever use all the features Rockbox has to offer.  Additionally the Sansa is cold and bright, I find the bass less pleasing than some of my other players.
 
The Sansa however has a very tweakable EQ, players such as my Palm Pre3 smartphone lack any form of EQ at all.
 
Trust me if you listen to these guys you'll never be satisfied with your listening experience lol, the Note II has a highly regarded DAC and is a high end device.  I'm sure you'll appreciate your music more with the Note II on either the MH1C or Shure 215, save the $$$