Cowon Plenue D

[rjoudrey]

As a novice listener with a Plenue D, what would be the sound difference between let's say a Sony NW-ZX300 and the Plenue D. Is it worth the extra $$$? Is the PD2 going to be competitive to the Sony NW-ZX300?

 

[Centagon999]

As a novice listener with a Plenue D, what would be the sound difference between let's say a Sony NW-ZX300 and the Plenue D. Is it worth the extra $$$? Is the PD2 going to be competitive to the Sony NW-ZX300?

I absolutely love my Plenue D, but I'm no sound expert. That said, i looked at some reviews of NW-ZX300 on B&H Photo, and the only two 5star reviews were exactly the same by different reviewer names (makes me assume they're fake reviews).

That alone causes me to write the NW-ZX300 off as a valid option.

Now, i have not tried listening to it but you are also paying for the Bluetooth tech, which I am not interested in just yet.

 

[PaganDL]

Finally time to review the PD.

It is so good that I can't seem to use my phone much anymore, even though they have different purposes, life is so much better when you have simple things to carry with you.

There's a funny glitch on my device though, every even time I plug this to my PC, the database update takes about 10 seconds after turning on. But every odd time I plug this to my PC, it takes 20 minutes to finish database update. I've tested this by changing every factor of the PD, but nothing affects the weird trend.

Despite this issue, it's the best thing I ever used money to get for me.

Hi @Rekkxar,

I suggest updating the firmware if you haven't already, it should fix this issue.
If not, ask either cowon customer support (they are slow but dependable) or where you purchased the PD from.

Hope you have a great day !

 

[PaganDL]

As a novice listener with a Plenue D, what would be the sound difference between let's say a Sony NW-ZX300 and the Plenue D. Is it worth the extra $$$? Is the PD2 going to be competitive to the Sony NW-ZX300?

@rjoudrey & @Centagon999,

Personally & subjectively, depends on you, so really only way to know is to demo extensively yourself, if possible but as a very satisfied PD owner, I pick PD hands down every time.
PD Cowon Jet Effect is the only EQ setting I use on any device, normally not an EQ fan but I like Jet Effect BBE Headphone, it synergies well with all my IEMs/headphones, even with amps.
Putting everything else aside, features & price in particular, just on sound quality alone, I prefer the PD, as depending on headphone/IEM synergy, it gives everything a 'live feel' but most of all, an accurate representation as artist intended, without being intrusive or in your face.
NW ZX 300, personally & subjectively, like all Sony DAPs, sound very clinical & dead to me & especially for listening with different IEMs/headphones, find it tricky to tell differences & true capablities of IEMs/headphones with any Sony DAP.
Not to derail the thread but the latest Sony IER IEMs, extensively demo them with the whole Sony DAP range, even the new fancy walkman amp, only distinctions I could tell were from IER M7 & M9 respectively but felt very restrained.
When I used my PD, the differences were very clear between the three IEM.

As a final note, @rjoudrey, I would put more interest to the PD 2 for value if you just go by past Cowon sound but reserve judgement till the PD 2 is released but that will be on its own thread, not this one.

Just my humble two cents

Hope you find this useful.

Hope you have a great day !

 

[rjoudrey]

@rjoudrey & @Centagon999,

Personally & subjectively, depends on you, so really only way to know is to demo extensively yourself, if possible but as a very satisfied PD owner, I pick PD hands down every time.
PD Cowon Jet Effect is the only EQ setting I use on any device, normally not an EQ fan but I like Jet Effect BBE Headphone, it synergies well with all my IEMs/headphones, even with amps.
Putting everything else aside, features & price in particular, just on sound quality alone, I prefer the PD, as depending on headphone/IEM synergy, it gives everything a 'live feel' but most of all, an accurate representation as artist intended, without being intrusive or in your face.
NW ZX 300, personally & subjectively, like all Sony DAPs, sound very clinical & dead to me & especially for listening with different IEMs/headphones, find it tricky to tell differences & true capablities of IEMs/headphones with any Sony DAP.
Not to derail the thread but the latest Sony IER IEMs, extensively demo them with the whole Sony DAP range, even the new fancy walkman amp, only distinctions I could tell were from IER M7 & M9 respectively but felt very restrained.
When I used my PD, the differences were very clear between the three IEM.

As a final note, @rjoudrey, I would put more interest to the PD 2 for value if you just go by past Cowon sound but reserve judgement till the PD 2 is released but that will be on its own thread, not this one.

Just my humble two cents

Hope you find this useful.

Hope you have a great day !

Thanks man!

 

[Rekkxar]

Hi @Rekkxar,

I suggest updating the firmware if you haven't already, it should fix this issue.
If not, ask either cowon customer support (they are slow but dependable) or where you purchased the PD from.

Hope you have a great day !

Well I do have the update, but it's the same, as for from the buying place, this was from a third party site which bought a used one. So I can't go directly at all
It's okay though.

Have a nice day.

 

[PaganDL]

Thanks man!

No problem, @rjoudrey.

Happy to help !

Hope you have a great day !

 

[PaganDL]

Well I do have the update, but it's the same, as for from the buying place, this was from a third party site which bought a used one. So I can't go directly at all
It's okay though.

Have a nice day.

@Rekkxar,

I still suggest contacting Cowon support, they might be able to help, doesn't hurt to ask.

Hope you have a great day !

 

[BigNewsII]

@PaganDL, @rjoudrey @Centagon999

I completely agree with the sound assessment of the PD. It is indeed a fantastic sounding player. My EQ experience mirrors @PaganDL's as well. I was no EQ for years before the PD but, since it's probably the most talked about feature, I started experiment with it right away. I now have the 4 user changeable slots tweaked out but I use BBE Headphone quite often. It's funny because I've seen the generic "headphone" setting laughed at here but it really is a fantastic pre-set that works so well with all of my 'phones. I like seeing someone else using theirs the same way. I love this player.

 

[BruceBanner]

@rjoudrey & @Centagon999,

Personally & subjectively, depends on you, so really only way to know is to demo extensively yourself, if possible but as a very satisfied PD owner, I pick PD hands down every time.
PD Cowon Jet Effect is the only EQ setting I use on any device, normally not an EQ fan but I like Jet Effect BBE Headphone, it synergies well with all my IEMs/headphones, even with amps.
Putting everything else aside, features & price in particular, just on sound quality alone, I prefer the PD, as depending on headphone/IEM synergy, it gives everything a 'live feel' but most of all, an accurate representation as artist intended, without being intrusive or in your face.
NW ZX 300, personally & subjectively, like all Sony DAPs, sound very clinical & dead to me & especially for listening with different IEMs/headphones, find it tricky to tell differences & true capablities of IEMs/headphones with any Sony DAP.
Not to derail the thread but the latest Sony IER IEMs, extensively demo them with the whole Sony DAP range, even the new fancy walkman amp, only distinctions I could tell were from IER M7 & M9 respectively but felt very restrained.
When I used my PD, the differences were very clear between the three IEM.

As a final note, @rjoudrey, I would put more interest to the PD 2 for value if you just go by past Cowon sound but reserve judgement till the PD 2 is released but that will be on its own thread, not this one.

Just my humble two cents

Hope you find this useful.

Hope you have a great day !

I was stuck on 'Headphone' for way too long, try these settings

EQ Settings
7 80 wide
-1 220 normal
5 1.4 narrow
5 3.0 normal
6 11.7 wide


bbe 10
mach3 off
3d surround 3
mp enhance on
stereo enhance 3
reverb off

I have often whacked the mach3 bass up a bit for those tracks that call for it. I've also used this combo tho this is more for the bass head

EQ Settings
7 80 wide
-1 220 normal
5 1.4 narrow
6 3.0 normal
7 11.7 wide

bbe 10
mach3 8
3d 2
mp enhance on
steroe enhance 3
reverb off

 

[rjoudrey]

I was stuck on 'Headphone' for way too long, try these settings

EQ Settings
7 80 wide
-1 220 normal
5 1.4 narrow
5 3.0 normal
6 11.7 wide


bbe 10
mach3 off
3d surround 3
mp enhance on
stereo enhance 3
reverb off

I have often whacked the mach3 bass up a bit for those tracks that call for it. I've also used this combo tho this is more for the bass head

EQ Settings
7 80 wide
-1 220 normal
5 1.4 narrow
6 3.0 normal
7 11.7 wide

bbe 10
mach3 8
3d 2
mp enhance on
steroe enhance 3
reverb off

I have a FIIo A3 hot glued to the "D". When I need that extra bass the Bass Boost switch works great! Have used your settings and modifying for my use, thanks. They are brighter than what I was using.

 

[rjoudrey]

I have a FIIo A3 hot glued to the "D". When I need that extra bass the Bass Boost switch works great! Have used your settings and modifying for my use, thanks. They are brighter than what I was using.

 

[BruceBanner]

I have a FIIo A3 hot glued to the "D". When I need that extra bass the Bass Boost switch works great! Have used your settings and modifying for my use, thanks. They are brighter than what I was using.

Glad to hear.

I'd quite like to try another Cowon again, it's been years! One thing I did notice. When I was using the above EQ settings with the Cowon i9+ they give quite a lot more floor noise/hiss. It was not so apparent to me until I purchased a Alien Shozy, which to my ears offered a virtually black background. Going back to the i9+ after and using those settings was difficult as the hiss became something I couldn't detract from, funny how once it never annoyed me (or I even noticed) but now it was somewhat a barrier.

I'd really like to know if these Plenue versions of Cowon still carry a rise in floor noise from their DSP's. I'm guessing they do because it's software processing and not hardware? It would be nice if the Plenue D could be confirmed in this regard. I'm guessing a silent track could be tested, using an EQ setting such as above and another that has absolutely none, and quickly toggle between the two and pay attention to hiss levels etc?

 

[rjoudrey]

Glad to hear.

I'd quite like to try another Cowon again, it's been years! One thing I did notice. When I was using the above EQ settings with the Cowon i9+ they give quite a lot more floor noise/hiss. It was not so apparent to me until I purchased a Alien Shozy, which to my ears offered a virtually black background. Going back to the i9+ after and using those settings was difficult as the hiss became something I couldn't detract from, funny how once it never annoyed me (or I even noticed) but now it was somewhat a barrier.

I'd really like to know if these Plenue versions of Cowon still carry a rise in floor noise from their DSP's. I'm guessing they do because it's software processing and not hardware? It would be nice if the Plenue D could be confirmed in this regard. I'm guessing a silent track could be tested, using an EQ setting such as above and another that has absolutely none, and quickly toggle between the two and pay attention to hiss levels etc?

I have Tinnitus so hiss is irrelevant, I am always listening to a reel to reel (in my head). : ) Some days are better though!

 

[BigNewsII]

@BruceBanner Dude... I have used your EQ formulas for 3 years! That's awesome you chimed in here. I'm on your basshead settings with my PortaPros right now. Sincere thank you for sharing this way back when and then again now for newer folks.

I'm on your EQ, or a slight variation, most of the time but I do use "BBE Headphone" every now and again and almost always do when comparing two 'phones.