Audio quality-Iriver vs Ipod

[AuroraProject]

I am curious how the ipod sound quality is compared to the iriver ihp series players. I currently have an ihp-120 and it's full. With the announcement of the 4th gen ipods, I'm considering moving to a 40gig ipod. I see they claim to have increased battery life to 12 hours, which is a plus, however audio quality is the main issue for me. Has anyone compared the iriver series to the ipods? I've read the bass output on the ipod is weak, any truth to that? How's the EQ on the ipod?

Thanks.

 

[Thaddy]

If you want a DAP that sounds good with vast amounts of space, why not consider the Creative Labs 60gb Zen Xtra?

 

[bangraman]

When I last did this test (with 2.1 firmware) I could no longer discern a huge bass loss. However the low-impedance headphones I tested were different so it's not exactly a controlled test.


I can do that test again, but to be honest I have better things to do at the moment... maybe later. The iPod's output is definitely 'flatter' and clearer than the iRiver. It does lend itself to exposing the sound better using top-end ear gear, and it also lends itself better to amping. Is that what you wanted?

 

[AuroraProject]

Yes thats what I'm looking for, thanks. 2 more questions, does the ipod do gapless, and does it require software to transfer, or does it just appear as a drive when connected to the computer?

 

[Whitebread]

I'm not sure about the 4th gen, but my brothers IPOD requires software to transfer. The software also locks the ipod so that you can only use that exact same computer, with that exact same software on the exact same account to transfer and retrive music. My brothers computer crashed and he had to wipe out everything he had on his ipod inorder to use it again.

 

[bangraman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AuroraProject Yes thats what I'm looking for, thanks. 2 more questions, does the ipod do gapless, and does it require software to transfer, or does it just appear as a drive when connected to the computer?

No, but the gap is very small.


You need iTunes (which is not so much a bad thing but a hugely good thing IMO... another nail in the iHP's coffin as far as I was concerned) to transfer music to the iPod. Since it appears as a drive as well, you can carry a copy of iTunes with you if necessary. Various third party software allows you to pull music OFF the iPod.

 

[AuroraProject]

Hmm, being tethered to some software is disappointing to me, Apple has also removed the case and remote from the 40gig package, they have added the USB 2.0 cable instead.

 

[Big D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AuroraProject Hmm, being tethered to some software is disappointing to me, Apple has also removed the case and remote from the 40gig package, they have added the USB 2.0 cable instead.

Not according to their website in the UK:

http://www.apple.com/uk/ipod/specs.html

This is different to the US site. Maybe different packages for different locations?

 

[Velda]

Wow, i have a 3G 40 gig ipod and ive never had any problem at all going from computer to computer. Ive used my ipod on a freeBSD box, Slackware, Solaris, OSX, Windows XP, and even Windows 98. Did your brother make it a FAT ipod or did he keep it as a Mac? Even as a Mac i know it shouldnt have a problem working on other computers, as my last G/F had a mac ipod Mini that worked on her G4 and her TiBook.

 

[AuroraProject]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big D Not according to their website in the UK: http://www.apple.com/uk/ipod/specs.html This is different to the US site. Maybe different packages for different locations?

Hmm, if I do decide to get one I'll just get it from the UK then! I'll have my relatives send it to me.

I just downloaded itunes to check it out, can you apply different EQ settings to individual songs on the ipod too? (On the iriver EQ settings are applied globally, so it's sort of tiresome to change it) I'm liking this feature so far.

 

[Big D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AuroraProject Hmm, if I do decide to get one I'll just get it from the UK then! I'll have my relatives send it to me. I just downloaded itunes to check it out, can you apply different EQ settings to individual songs on the ipod too? (On the iriver EQ settings are applied globally, so it's sort of tiresome to change it) I'm liking this feature so far.

I still think that there is an error on the US website. Not sure that any cost saving would be wiped out by the strong pound at the moment.

 

[AuroraProject]

Ok I'm finding conflicting info on the EQ, if I set an EQ setting on an individual song played in itunes, and I then send that song to the ipod, will the ipod use the same EQ setting?

 

[cybertron]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AuroraProject Ok I'm finding conflicting info on the EQ, if I set an EQ setting on an individual song played in itunes, and I then send that song to the ipod, will the ipod use the same EQ setting?

I was reading another thread and that is true from what I understand. although I dont have an iPod myself, but i was considering buying one. But I'm looking at the iRiver and I really like it as well, I know this is off topic, but are there hacks for the iRiver?

 

[AuroraProject]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybertron I was reading another thread and that is true from what I understand. although I dont have an iPod myself, but i was considering buying one. But I'm looking at the iRiver and I really like it as well, I know this is off topic, but are there hacks for the iRiver?

Not that I know of, but then I haven't spent a ton of time looking.

 

[cybertron]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AuroraProject Not that I know of, but then I haven't spent a ton of time looking.

are you happy with the sound quality compared to other sources you have used? I'm not a hardcore audiophile, but I am picky, I have 20,000 mp3's and its just not an option for me to use anything other than an mp3 player, and i'm torn between 4g ipod and iriver iHP-120 I like black more than white though