Compare: iPod Mini and Zen Micro

[Charlie87]

I am becoming increasingly worried about the iPod mini's static issue. A lot of users have run into this problem a while back, but does anyone know if the problem has been fixed? (I know Apple got a new mini macufaturer back in September)

I like the fact that ipod has 30mW of power, which is good for the car and stereo, I also like the aluminum finish on the mini

After reading about both units, some say the Zen Micros volume is weak, can anyone provide a direct comparison of both the units due to mW difference (30 to 7).

The other thing i am worried about for the ipod mini, is the replaceable battery...8 hours is plenty for me in battery time....but I am worried the battery will choke on me in 8 months...

Can anyone convince me of either one, my main concerns are volume and durability.....i know i can change sq with different headphones, and from what ive read and heard, both the units have pros and cons in sq

Thanks Guys!!

 

[gerG]

I can't comment on the Zen. I have been using the mini in the gym and around the house since it first came out. I got one of the first batch, and have never heard the static problem. It is extremely durable (ask Bangraman about his drop test). The amp is pretty strong for such a small device, but I did see some test data recently that shows a loss of low frequency output with low impedance headphones. I think that all of my cans are 100 ohm or above, so I have not had a problem. I recently picked up a SiK adapter to get line level out to a portable amp, which is a sonic improvement.

Battery should have a half life of 3 years. The player will be obsolete before you get that far.


gerG

 

[Twigs]

i think that your selection is much more wise if you choose the zen micro. i bought the player today and had no problems whatsoever with it. it is one of the best mp3 players that i've had so far (including the ipod 4g 40gb).

the functions are endless, including FM radio recording and voice recording. the synhing with outlook function is even better.

the sound is amazing. it is better sounding than the ipod mini, and it completely surpasses alll other players in quality and looks.

IMO the zen micro should be your choice. it is portable and stylish, and the functions actually match its looks.

the ipod mini is falling bac k in competition. the zen micro is a clear cut winner over the ipod mini.

however, if u hate waiting for ur music to transfer, itunes is the way to go. but the features completely outweight this transfer time.

the touchpad is also very easy to handle, contrary to popular belief, and it saves alot of finger movement because youi can just tap the touch pad to select menu items
u can also set the sensitivity of the touchpad.

go with the zen micro.

 

[Charlie87]

Twigs, sounds good, how do u manage to turn the senitivity down everytime u put it in ur pocket, or what do ya do?

 

[bangraman]

If 6-8 hours of bettery life is not a problem the iPod Mini is a better player. The only reason I've now moved to other players is because of the battery life and the fact that I need such life with the travelling that I do, and the absolute requirement for voice recording. If I didn't have those 'can't do without' needs, I'd still be with the Mini.


Its true that the Mini does sound "flatter" than many portables, but with a bass-heavy set of headphones this is easily overcome. The Zen Micro has a quality that's similar to the Mini in terms of core sound, but is quieter. With reasonably efficient headphones this is not a problem, but the Mini gives you more options in terms of what headphones to use. The EQ on the Micro works to give you a wider range of sonic flavours than the Mini can offer.


The Zen Micro is relatively poor from the car and there is no option to amp it well... The amped result is not good, with a significant amount of dynamics stripped away from the sound. Obviously the electronics of the HP out doesn't agree with the impedance of a Line In socket.


Both need software to work, and when all is said and done the iPod software is crushingly superior. In terms of navigation, I found I could work quite happily with either, although with a preference towards the Mini. The Zen controls required more habit building and also the touch sensitive controls are reminiscient (and actually a bit worse in terms of accidental sensitivity) of the 3G iPod. The features on the Zen are of course superior, and it depends on your needs whether you need Outlook synchronisation as well as FM / recording.

 

[Charlie87]

Bangraman, awesome, the sound core is what i want to work out, do you know of any $50 options to overcome the ipods lack of bass (particularly earbuds)

Thanks again guys!

 

[bangraman]

The EX71 are not bad for the money. They do have a heavy bass and boosted highs with slightly recessed mids (which appear even more recessed due to the boosted highs and lows), which bulks out the sound of the iPod. Both of the boosts are too much IMO, but fortunately the reduction EQ presets on the iPods are the curves that actually work

The bass is very 'one-note' though, arriving as a series of slightly indistinct thuds. They are very well designed (better than Shure/Etys in terms of how people normally use them IMO) and certainly are more comfortable than many canalphones. They do isolate, although nowhere near the E2c for example.


The Sharp HP-MD33 are also mentioned very often on the board but I have no experience of these.

 

[MDDrew]

the zen micro is about 30 mw also not 7

 

[bangraman]

Quote from Harvey Fong, Creative Marketing:
"The specification is 5-7mW per channel."

 

[MDDrew]

well its louder than my old pannsonic cd player that was 5mw and its also louder than a 256 mb flash mp3 player that had 20mw/channel

 

[Charlie87]

Bangra and all, I still worry about this. It is the static crackling issue that plauged/plauging the ipod minis headphone jack. Whenever I go to Apple Discussions this is always an issue. Has this been solved, is it not worth getting the player for this reason?

If the Zen Micro had the power output of the ipod i would probably get it, but I dont evenknow if i like that all the buttons are touch sensitive

But i am more concerned about the static/crackling issue due to weak headphone connector in the minis?

i guess i just need some purchasing help!

 

[dominator]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie87 Bangra and all, I still worry about this. It is the static crackling issue that plauged/plauging the ipod minis headphone jack. Whenever I go to Apple Discussions this is always an issue. Has this been solved, is it not worth getting the player for this reason? If the Zen Micro had the power output of the ipod i would probably get it, but I dont evenknow if i like that all the buttons are touch sensitive But i am more concerned about the static/crackling issue due to weak headphone connector in the minis? i guess i just need some purchasing help!

I read about that static problem a while back. Personally I wouldn't get a mini, for that reason, and also that I think you can get a 20G ipod for only $50 more or something like that.

Oh, and I have no idea if it's been fixed.

Sorry.