Bought an iPod Mini.

[Bosk]

Greets all,

Today I went out and splurged on a silver iPod Mini, after a rather lengthy period of deciding between it and the Rio Carbon (Creative Zen Micro's aren't in Australia yet).

This is of course the obligatory "yo look wat I just got OMG this thing roxxorz!!11!1!" post, a fact I would like to point out upfront (ie. you have been warned).

Actually it's not a bad little unit, the size is really deceptive when you look at pics - in real life it's absolutely *tiny* and looks more like a child's toy from a distance.

No complaints about the sound quality so far, though I haven't been amazed either. I can definately see a portable amp and earphone upgrade on the horizon.

Haven't had a chance to test out the battery yet, so we will see how that goes.

Oh, worth a mention: I'm really surprised at how comfortable the iPod earbuds are compared to most others I've used, including my MX550's. They actually have a very high quality finish/feel to them, but of course sound quality is mediocre.
Probably decent enough for exercise use I reckon.

Umm.. so that's it.
One more happy iPodder though I do feel rather guilty at having crossed to the Dark Side. (Apple)

 

[ben_sb_vex]

I have to concur with most of what you've said there Bosk, including crossing over to the dak side! In the city where i love (if you want to call it a city) in Tassie, there is only really one place to look for iPod accesories (other than the net of course): the Apple shop. Seriously, i don't think I've had any worse customer service from a large manufacturere or chain in my life. Hell, most small business operators beat those guys! Most unimpressed i must say, and the same pretty much goes for ALL Apple Australia service!
Anyway, thats just my little vent for the day

 

[Brown Cow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ben_sb_vex I have to concur with most of what you've said there Bosk, including crossing over to the dak side! In the city where i love (if you want to call it a city) in Tassie, there is only really one place to look for iPod accesories (other than the net of course): the Apple shop. Seriously, i don't think I've had any worse customer service from a large manufacturere or chain in my life. Hell, most small business operators beat those guys! Most unimpressed i must say, and the same pretty much goes for ALL Apple Australia service! Anyway, thats just my little vent for the day

I've found the same too in Melbourne, the younger guys tend to be hipsters more eager to try and pick up the female customes, than actually trying to help you make a purchase. Also I've never heard people in general (once myself) been speaken to so condescendigly. You just grimmace and tell yourself atleast you got the AD. The older guys seem to be okay however.

 

[callanish]

I know I'm going to get targeted for this comment, but I've actually grown to like the earbuds that come with the mini. In truth, I've actually rediscovered them all over again. After a few months of using the Mini with a pair of Sennheiser PX-100's and having to send them back for repair after realizing that the Senn's had a defect, the mini earbuds have now taken center stage and have been convenient for just wrapping them around the mini's belt clip and heading out the door. They have improved with use as well as sounding better after correctly positioning them for more bass. I tend to like the Mini at its most basic without added headphones or amp and save the best headphones and amp use for my Zen and karma. I'm not quite sold yet on the Sennheiser MX-500's as far as them being a huge step forward to replacing the mini's earbuds. It's unfortunate that I can't seem to handle canal phones in my ear, as the probably are the best of both worlds and would complement the mini.

As for the Mini itself, it's probably a harder sell now that the Zen Micro and Rio Carbon have been introduced, but it really is a remarkable little unit and I like to remind myself now and then that carrying 1000 songs in something this size is pretty amazing.

 

[Bosk]

Those are some typical tales of the below-par customer service big companies are getting away with nowdays.. and I agree, it stinks.

As for me I bought mine from Officeworks here in Ballarat, where the folks tend to be pretty friendly and helpful. They give you a free armband and an AU$30 voucher to Sanity Records with the Mini for AU$398 which is decent considering that's it's normal retail price.

As for my "Dark Side" comment: I have nearly 20 years of IBM/Intel PC usage behind me, so I'm naturally a little derisive towards the company who tries to make computing "fun" and "easy" - sounds pretty damn unnatural if you ask me!

 

[Brown Cow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by callanish I know I'm going to get targeted for this comment, but I've actually grown to like the earbuds that come with the mini. In truth, I've actually rediscovered them all over again. After a few months of using the Mini with a pair of Sennheiser PX-100's and having to send them back for repair after realizing that the Senn's had a defect, the mini earbuds have now taken center stage and have been convenient for just wrapping them around the mini's belt clip and heading out the door. They have improved with use as well as sounding better after correctly positioning them for more bass. I tend to like the Mini at its most basic without added headphones or amp and save the best headphones and amp use for my Zen and karma. I'm not quite sold yet on the Sennheiser MX-500's as far as them being a huge step forward to replacing the mini's earbuds. It's unfortunate that I can't seem to handle canal phones in my ear, as the probably are the best of both worlds and would complement the mini. As for the Mini itself, it's probably a harder sell now that the Zen Micro and Rio Carbon have been introduced, but it really is a remarkable little unit and I like to remind myself now and then that carrying 1000 songs in something this size is pretty amazing.

The headphones aren't too bad it's just that
1) I hate things in my ears
2) You're a walking billboard for 'Hey I'm rich come rob me'.

 

[Oink1]

Recently got a beautifull green mini - it's not as 'green' in real life,a really nice sea green.I was of the 'Meh-iPod schmipod' school thinking they were for peeps with more ca$h than sense... untill i got one that is! Now you'd have to fight me for it!

 

[callanish]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brown Cow The headphones aren't too bad it's just that 1) I hate things in my ears 2) You're a walking billboard for 'Hey I'm rich come rob me'.

It's okay, I'm thinking about carrying a book on Kung Fu just in case anyone has any ideas. Unfortunately, I know as much about Kung Fu as Elvis did so the sure fire way of remaining safe is just to carry around my bank statements proving there is no way I could afford to buy it and must have just recently robbed it from someone else.

 

[Genetic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by callanish Unfortunately, I know as much about Kung Fu as Elvis did...

Are you saying that the karate's black belt of Elvis was a fake...

Amicalement

 

[tyrion]

Quote:

Originally Posted by callanish I know I'm going to get targeted for this comment, but I've actually grown to like the earbuds that come with the mini. In truth, I've actually rediscovered them all over again. After a few months of using the Mini with a pair of Sennheiser PX-100's and having to send them back for repair after realizing that the Senn's had a defect, the mini earbuds have now taken center stage and have been convenient for just wrapping them around the mini's belt clip and heading out the door. They have improved with use as well as sounding better after correctly positioning them for more bass. I tend to like the Mini at its most basic without added headphones or amp and save the best headphones and amp use for my Zen and karma. I'm not quite sold yet on the Sennheiser MX-500's as far as them being a huge step forward to replacing the mini's earbuds. It's unfortunate that I can't seem to handle canal phones in my ear, as the probably are the best of both worlds and would complement the mini. As for the Mini itself, it's probably a harder sell now that the Zen Micro and Rio Carbon have been introduced, but it really is a remarkable little unit and I like to remind myself now and then that carrying 1000 songs in something this size is pretty amazing.

I'm with you on the earbuds. I used all the different shure canal phones and they were great. I just felt they were overkill for portable use. I also used to use a portable amp and dropped that as well. I have a 30gb ipod and my son and wife have the mini. I think the mini is a great little portable. It is wll made, easy to use and the sq is fine, imo.

 

[Brown Cow]

I carry my iPod in my left holster
and a 9mm in the right.

Just to make sure

 

[fr4c]

yes the iBuds are not as bad as some people say they are. it does lack in detail in the mids and highs, but its sufficient enough to work well as portable buds. i wanted to see how the iBuds compared to aftermarket buds and went and brought the sennheiser mx550. the 550 does have clearer mids and brighter highs, but lacks the bass the iBuds have. at times the mx550 sounded too high for my tastes. i guess a better approach to give your iPod a nice upgrade is to go with the original mx500 or the little more expensive md33's.

i think my thread sorta contains to the headphones section, but w/e

 

[Bosk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fr4c yes the iBuds are not as bad as some people say they are. it does lack in detail in the mids and highs, but its sufficient enough to work well as portable buds. i wanted to see how the iBuds compared to aftermarket buds and went and brought the sennheiser mx550. the 550 does have clearer mids and brighter highs, but lacks the bass the iBuds have. at times the mx550 sounded too high for my tastes. i guess a better approach to give your iPod a nice upgrade is to go with the original mx500 or the little more expensive md33's. i think my thread sorta contains to the headphones section, but w/e

You're right about the MX550's, they lack the bass of the ipod phones and can be pretty shrill at times (trumpets especially!).
I think the iPod is naturally a bright and upfront source and which doesn't suit them too well.

Incidentally, since I don't much like the idea of canalphones I'm planning to upgrade to one of these: Koss KC35, Audio Technica CM7 or Sony E888.
Or I might just get all three and see which one grows on me.

 

[fr4c]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bosk You're right about the MX550's, they lack the bass of the ipod phones and can be pretty shrill at times (trumpets especially!). I think the iPod is naturally a bright and upfront source and which doesn't suit them too well. Incidentally, since I don't much like the idea of canalphones I'm planning to upgrade to one of these: Koss KC35, Audio Technica CM7 or Sony E888. Or I might just get all three and see which one grows on me.

the iPod is what many consider to be a "neutral" player, as it plays the music as what it is supposed to sound. it doesnt over-emphasize on the bass or treble like some DAPs out there. it gives you a clear neutral sound that can be tailored to each individuals own taste.

as for the new upgrade, get the AT-CM7 and you wont be disppointed.

 

[stevesurf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bosk Greets all, No complaints about the sound quality so far, though I haven't been amazed either. I can definately see a portable amp and earphone upgrade on the horizon. Oh, worth a mention: I'm really surprised at how comfortable the iPod earbuds are compared to most others I've used, including my MX550's.

The Mini works very well with Sik Din+SR-71 portable amp and the cans of your choice (my 595s are so nice)
For exercising, you may want to consider Sony MD-EX71SLs as a minor upgrade

Good luck with it and check out the use of dynamic smart playlists here