Creative Zen on Sale!!!
Feb 8, 2008 at 9:38 PM Post #2 of 32
When I have heard this thing is based on the STMP3700 chipset I rushed out and got one in hope that this is a superbly featured DAP with the same sound as the iShuffle/Express level of device. Unfortunately it looks like creative took the brain damaged approach and did not use the STMP3700 own amplifier. They seemed to have bypassed Sigmatel's own superb sound output and 'gluded' on their typical whatever it is their use. This device sounds the same as Zen Stone Plus (not Zen Stone) and Creative Zen V series. In few words 'Not so good'.

RightMark Audio Analyzer test: comparison

So basically this device is a disappointment. And I really liked it over all :p Save money get something deserving of Head-Fi
smily_headphones1.gif
. Current Creative products isn't it.
 
Feb 8, 2008 at 11:40 PM Post #3 of 32
sigsegv0x0B, that's interesting. I currently have both the Zen and a Sansa Express, and the Zen easily has a more pleasing sound to my ears (its not even a contest). This is without sound enhancements on (I felt the ones on the Sansa made it sound terrible). I did also EQ the Creative to flat and it sounded similar to the Sansa, so the Creative definitely has a somewhat colored sound stock, but it didn't seem to hurt detail or cause clipping or anything. While I like uncolored sound too, its not quite as enjoyable (especially in a DAP) to me.

This was with KSC-75s, my modded DT-770/250s, and also HFI-700 Alienware knockoffs.
 
Feb 8, 2008 at 11:47 PM Post #4 of 32
Quote:

Save money get something deserving of Head-Fi . Current Creative products isn't it.


That comment is so far out in left field for so many reasons that I'm not going to even get into it, other than to say that your view is in the distinct minority.
 
Feb 10, 2008 at 3:56 PM Post #8 of 32
Quote:

Originally Posted by darkswordsman17 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
sigsegv0x0B, that's interesting. I currently have both the Zen and a Sansa Express, and the Zen easily has a more pleasing sound to my ears (its not even a contest). This is without sound enhancements on (I felt the ones on the Sansa made it sound terrible).


Oh really? And which of those Sansa Express Sound Enhancements did you try?

Quote:

I did also EQ the Creative to flat and it sounded similar to the Sansa, so the Creative definitely has a somewhat colored sound stock, but it didn't seem to hurt detail or cause clipping or anything. While I like uncolored sound too, its not quite as enjoyable (especially in a DAP) to me.


It's interesting you say that? Did you test this 'FLAT' via RMAA? Because when I tried to EQ creative to get a 'flat' via RMAA I failed. Unless you tested via RMAA whatever you did is not flat but what you think sounds good. Which is important for you but in reality has little to do with flat or reference sound.
 
Feb 10, 2008 at 3:59 PM Post #9 of 32
Quote:

Originally Posted by ILikeMusic /img/forum/go_quote.gif
That comment is so far out in left field for so many reasons that I'm not going to even get into it, other than to say that your view is in the distinct minority.


Really? It seems most of the discussions are there about the sound quality of all other devices and creative players do not pop up very often. For a good reason! Minority? I do not think so!
 
Feb 10, 2008 at 4:03 PM Post #10 of 32
Quote:

Originally Posted by DJGeorgeT /img/forum/go_quote.gif
lol sigsegv0x0B, pissing everybody off is your real hobby, not headphone listening.


No I actually do not like listening to headphones as they do not produce any sound.

I enjoy listening to a system that has headphones in the chain. For example to get sound from headphones you need a device that would produce that sound such as a DAP. So when it comes to my enjoyment I require a chain of devices to make sure the headphones aren't silent. In in my taste and tests creative devices that I have had the honor of testing sounded poor. You are free to say whatever you want to counter this or provide counter tests. Enjoy...
 
Feb 10, 2008 at 5:17 PM Post #11 of 32
Do you know how to post in singularity?
rolleyes.gif


Anyhoo, the ZEN will only sound as good/bad as the headphones you intend on using with it... so you can say what you like, post what graphs you like, but if you're using crappy headphones then it really does not matter on a portable device...
 
Feb 11, 2008 at 12:35 AM Post #12 of 32
Quote:

Originally Posted by sigsegv0x0B /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Oh really? And which of those Sansa Express Sound Enhancements did you try?

Pretty much all of them. They took a sound I did not like already and just made it that much worse to my ears.

It's interesting you say that? Did you test this 'FLAT' via RMAA? Because when I tried to EQ creative to get a 'flat' via RMAA I failed. Unless you tested via RMAA whatever you did is not flat but what you think sounds good. Which is important for you but in reality has little to do with flat or reference sound.


I never claimed the Creative was a neutral player or that you could make it one (or the Sansa wasn't), so there's really nothing for me to say about that issue. In order to clear it up though, I EQ'ed the Zen flat using its custom EQ setting and leaving it flat. I just used my ears (which is all I ever use), and I distinctly noted that it had a more pleasing sound to me, using my headphones. The Sansa has an upfront sound, which does seem neutral, but I really don't like upfront sound, and neutral in this case seems sterile to my ears. The Sansa is a nice player, but its just not for me (nor is the Zen either as you can see I'm selling both).
 
Feb 11, 2008 at 5:00 AM Post #13 of 32
is the sound quality really that bad on the zen?

I used to have a stone plus and a zen v 4gb....and sadly, they did not live up to my archos 404's sound quality.

I want to give this one a try again since im not too impressed with archos' battery life (the big screen uses a lot of battery) and i need something smaller and lighter during my daily commute.
 
Feb 11, 2008 at 9:38 PM Post #14 of 32
Quote:

is the sound quality really that bad on the zen?


Of course not, but I don't think you're going to learn much from the widely varied and sometimes absurdly biased opinions you read here. Amazon and many stores will accept a return if you don't like it so why not give it a try and hear it for yourself?
 
Feb 12, 2008 at 2:54 PM Post #15 of 32
Quote:

Originally Posted by GlennSter /img/forum/go_quote.gif
is the sound quality really that bad on the zen?

I used to have a stone plus and a zen v 4gb....and sadly, they did not live up to my archos 404's sound quality.

I want to give this one a try again since im not too impressed with archos' battery life (the big screen uses a lot of battery) and i need something smaller and lighter during my daily commute.


Zen Stone Plus, Zen V and V+ and new Zen all sound same. I had all 3 devices in my hands for evaluation and they all sound identical and test almost identical.
 
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