Archos Gmini XS200 sound quality issue

[PostGrungeJunky]

Hi!

I just purchased the Archos Gmini XS200. I love it for everything it is (drag-n-drop, software independent, 5-band user custom grpahic eq, extremely small, large capacity) BUT there is one glaring defect: it seems to have a band pass filter on it! As in, the very low and high frequencies are attenuated. Why would they do this? I am seriousley considering eating the 15% restocking fee and swtiching to Karma simply for the fact that it has a 5 band custom parametric eq. Btw, I've used both my Koss Portapros and Senn HD-280s so I really don't think my cans are the issue.

Please understand I'd really hate to part with this thing cuz everything else about it is great. Afterall, all of us how bought this knew that we'd make comprmomises for what it offers.

Does anyone else have this problem?

Thanks!

 

[PostGrungeJunky]

I can't believe those few measly frequencies are causing me so much distress. It really does take a dimension of the music.

 

[Shosta]

Perhaps It's a matter of the quality of the compression of MP3s. Try with full quality 320 kbps before take a decision

 

[waffenschmidt]

What compression level and format are you using? Have you updated to the latest firmware? Any further thoughts?

I've been looking at the XS200 closely. Most of what I've been able to find on the web indicates good sound quality, but nothing from sources I'd consider definitive. I remember reading a user review somewhere stating an opinion similar to what you've stated here (maybe that was you?).

There are a couple of other members here that have indicated the sound quality is pretty good. One compared the sound quality to the Nomad Zen, which is reputed to be one of the better sounding DAPs.

I'm close to pulling the trigger on the XS200 myself, but if there are sound quality problems I sure don't want to waste my money.

 

[PostGrungeJunky]

Cnet.com's official review makes note of the hi/lo freq cuts. And yes, if you were looking at the user opinion polls, that was probabley me.

I am encoding at 256k joint stereo mp3s using my fav lame encoder and listening through great cans I am very familiar with. The overall fidelity of the rest of the spectrum is aboslutely fine. It just lacks the low end woof, or oomph, if u will. Which is akin to the ipod, perhaps? If you're willing to look past this, then by all means, the Gmini is a solid choice, from the little time I have spent with it. As always, I suggest you sample a floor model with you fav cans.

SQ opinions are extremely subjective of course. One other issue is I couldnt quite fine tune the eq to play the way my Rio Volt SP250 did. And that featured a 2 band parametric eq. Unlike some music genres, like hip-hop, techno, where sufficient hi and lo end are all you really need, my fav genre, modern rock, requires fine midrange tuning for the correct kick/bass/guitar tone. This is where a parametric eq becomes almost essential.

Anyways, please make an informed decision. If you can look past this, the Archos is great.

 

[waffenschmidt]

Actually, the CNET review says the "Gmini sounds absolutely great." The Tom's Hardware review says "the extremes of the audio spectrum - both lows and highs - are not reproduced."

As you said, sound quality opinions are subjective, and I agree that everyone has their own standards when it comes to deciding what is good and what is unacceptable. Still, if there are significant roll-offs at both ends of the spectrum, that's not a good thing.

Any other XS200 owners out there?