toughnut
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2008
- Posts
- 1,876
- Likes
- 328
Hey guys, i already using S638 8gb for few hours and still testing it. So far i can only AB with my D2 using UM2. Here's a summary of what i think bout both players.
Intro:
S638 is new Sony player, identical to S738 but without noise canceling function. D2 need no introduction, already in the market for 2 years and still a favorite among head-fiers.
Hiss:
I really afraid of the hiss as people complaining about the it on A720, A820 and even more on older Sony. But i CANT HEAR ANY HISS on S638!!! Seriously, i heard more hiss on my D2! [S638 1 - D2 0]
SQ:
With both players' EQ set to flat and all enhancements off, first impression is that both performs EQUALLY GOOD. Quite obvious that Sony sound warm while Cowon is cold. But further listening reveals that S638 actually has more details and more depth in soundstage. The low end of S638 are a lot better than D2, tighter and with more presence. The instruments separation is better on S638, making D2 instrument sound a bit stacked and mushed up. [S638 2 - D2 0]
SQ Enhancement:
I havent played much with EQ but Sony 5 bands EQ a bit limited, only +-3 on each band compare to 12 on D2. Other SQE on S638 are VPT, DSEE and Clear Stereo while on D2; BBE, 3D Surround, Stereo Enhance, MP Enhance, Pan and Play Speed. S638 has 2 custom EQ while D2 has only 1 custom EQ BUT WITH 10 JetEffect profiles.
*with ClearBass Level 1/3, UM2 sound like a subwoofer O_O beating even Mach3Bass at MAX level. ClearBass is definitely sound better than M3B, at least on UM2.
[S638 2 - D2 1 but ClearBass definitely make me wanna use it
]
Video:
D2 has advantages for bigger screen and easier timeline control due to touchscreen. Both play videos equally good and need video conversion to work. Another function i barely use. [S638 2 - D2 2]
Size:
No contest, Sony win in term of look and size. But reduction in size meant smaller screen (refer VIDEO). [S638 3 - D2 2]
Build quality:
Both equally built but S638 give better impression of higher quality player. Fit assembly, no creaking and excellent finishing. [S638 4 - D2 2]
Navigation:
Circular navigation pad VS touchscreen, obviously touchscreen are better imho. Faster and straight to the point once u get hold of touch interface. Maybe i need to get use to S638 navigation and menu arrangement. I really like how D2 tactile buttons work. Has different functions depending on HOLD state. On Sony, once u LOCK it, all button render useless, like it supposed to be. For now, D2 get the point. [S638 4 - D2 3]
*UPDATE*
After getting used to S638 menu layout, the navigation is quite swift and fast. S638 exhibits no lag between menu and very responsive. On D2, sometimes touch are not registered and quite annoying. I will give both players a TIE. [TIE]
Theme Modification:
S630 series are the first flash memory Sony Walkman capable of changing theme and wallpapers? correct me if i'm wrong. S638 has 10 themes and capable of custom wallpapers. D2, on the other hand, is fully skinable. [S638 4 - D2 3]
Output power:
Just as extra info, S638 at volume 10/30 is identical to 15/50 on D2. i have no idea how to test it which output is higher but judging from the %, it should be identical. I dont bother as at those mentioned volume, it's already quite loud for my ears. [TIE]
Storage Expansion:
D2 has SDcard slot. Case closed
[S638 4 - D2 4]
Battery Life:
Sony rated 40 hours songs, 10 hours video playback while D2 52 hours songs and 10 hours video. With D2 playing songs off SDcard, the battery life are around 40+hours so it's another TIE. [TIE]
Connectivity:
D2 use the tried and proven miniUSB connector for data transfer and another custom USB connector for extra connections such as LineIn and VideoOut. Advantage of easy availability. S638 uses own Sony connector which the cable are hard to get but can be bought from Sony. The advantage is the Sony connector design allow very slim profile and therefore very slim design. Connector are used for USB data tansfers, docking base (LINEIN, LINEOUT) and other accessories such as bluetooth transmitter. [TIE]
Extra:
SenseMe is extra features of S638, interesting way of making automated playlists but time to scan albums and generate it take quite a while. D2 has notepad, dictionary, drawing pad, flash games, text viewer, etc but not really utilised by me haha. Both players are podcast ready. [S638 4 - D2 5]
That's all. Any point i missed?
Althought D2 has a point more than S638, that doesnt meant it's a overall better player. I actually like S638 due to the 4 points it acquired: SQ, SIZE, Noise floor and BUILD QUALITY. imho, that's what matter in a music player
Now, should i get Sony S639 16Gb or Cowon D2 16Gb? Since this player doesnt belong to me and my D2 8GB are sold and gone
Intro:
S638 is new Sony player, identical to S738 but without noise canceling function. D2 need no introduction, already in the market for 2 years and still a favorite among head-fiers.
Hiss:
I really afraid of the hiss as people complaining about the it on A720, A820 and even more on older Sony. But i CANT HEAR ANY HISS on S638!!! Seriously, i heard more hiss on my D2! [S638 1 - D2 0]
SQ:
With both players' EQ set to flat and all enhancements off, first impression is that both performs EQUALLY GOOD. Quite obvious that Sony sound warm while Cowon is cold. But further listening reveals that S638 actually has more details and more depth in soundstage. The low end of S638 are a lot better than D2, tighter and with more presence. The instruments separation is better on S638, making D2 instrument sound a bit stacked and mushed up. [S638 2 - D2 0]
SQ Enhancement:
I havent played much with EQ but Sony 5 bands EQ a bit limited, only +-3 on each band compare to 12 on D2. Other SQE on S638 are VPT, DSEE and Clear Stereo while on D2; BBE, 3D Surround, Stereo Enhance, MP Enhance, Pan and Play Speed. S638 has 2 custom EQ while D2 has only 1 custom EQ BUT WITH 10 JetEffect profiles.
*with ClearBass Level 1/3, UM2 sound like a subwoofer O_O beating even Mach3Bass at MAX level. ClearBass is definitely sound better than M3B, at least on UM2.
[S638 2 - D2 1 but ClearBass definitely make me wanna use it
Video:
D2 has advantages for bigger screen and easier timeline control due to touchscreen. Both play videos equally good and need video conversion to work. Another function i barely use. [S638 2 - D2 2]
Size:
No contest, Sony win in term of look and size. But reduction in size meant smaller screen (refer VIDEO). [S638 3 - D2 2]
Build quality:
Both equally built but S638 give better impression of higher quality player. Fit assembly, no creaking and excellent finishing. [S638 4 - D2 2]
Navigation:
Circular navigation pad VS touchscreen, obviously touchscreen are better imho. Faster and straight to the point once u get hold of touch interface. Maybe i need to get use to S638 navigation and menu arrangement. I really like how D2 tactile buttons work. Has different functions depending on HOLD state. On Sony, once u LOCK it, all button render useless, like it supposed to be. For now, D2 get the point. [S638 4 - D2 3]
*UPDATE*
After getting used to S638 menu layout, the navigation is quite swift and fast. S638 exhibits no lag between menu and very responsive. On D2, sometimes touch are not registered and quite annoying. I will give both players a TIE. [TIE]
Theme Modification:
S630 series are the first flash memory Sony Walkman capable of changing theme and wallpapers? correct me if i'm wrong. S638 has 10 themes and capable of custom wallpapers. D2, on the other hand, is fully skinable. [S638 4 - D2 3]
Output power:
Just as extra info, S638 at volume 10/30 is identical to 15/50 on D2. i have no idea how to test it which output is higher but judging from the %, it should be identical. I dont bother as at those mentioned volume, it's already quite loud for my ears. [TIE]
Storage Expansion:
D2 has SDcard slot. Case closed
Battery Life:
Sony rated 40 hours songs, 10 hours video playback while D2 52 hours songs and 10 hours video. With D2 playing songs off SDcard, the battery life are around 40+hours so it's another TIE. [TIE]
Connectivity:
D2 use the tried and proven miniUSB connector for data transfer and another custom USB connector for extra connections such as LineIn and VideoOut. Advantage of easy availability. S638 uses own Sony connector which the cable are hard to get but can be bought from Sony. The advantage is the Sony connector design allow very slim profile and therefore very slim design. Connector are used for USB data tansfers, docking base (LINEIN, LINEOUT) and other accessories such as bluetooth transmitter. [TIE]
Extra:
SenseMe is extra features of S638, interesting way of making automated playlists but time to scan albums and generate it take quite a while. D2 has notepad, dictionary, drawing pad, flash games, text viewer, etc but not really utilised by me haha. Both players are podcast ready. [S638 4 - D2 5]
That's all. Any point i missed?
Althought D2 has a point more than S638, that doesnt meant it's a overall better player. I actually like S638 due to the 4 points it acquired: SQ, SIZE, Noise floor and BUILD QUALITY. imho, that's what matter in a music player
Now, should i get Sony S639 16Gb or Cowon D2 16Gb? Since this player doesnt belong to me and my D2 8GB are sold and gone