iPod 40 GB or iRiver 340?

[ben_sb_vex]

Gday all,
After the purchase of my iPod mini a few months back (which i'm still really happy about) i'm thinking into the future and to the topic of exapnding my musical capacity by getting a bigger player storage than the measley 4 GB of the iPod mini.
Of course, two options have sprung to mind: the iPod 40 GB (4th Gen obviously) and the iRiver 340. Now both have their ups and downs, AND their strong supporters and detractors, howver what i HAVEN'T been able to find so far is a reliable comparison and descision on the two. so really which one is better?
some things that stand out for me are:

iPod:
Good - Touch wheel, Customer Service, Good menu setup etc., General sexiness.
Bad - No accesories (ie remote, case), No FM tuner, No recorder, no colour screen, photos etc (i'm talking basic iPod here, not ipod photo which adds $200 to the agenda)

iRiver:
Good - FM Tuner, Recording, Colour Screen Accesories such as LCD remote, Cover etc.
Bad - Perhaps dodgy customer support? (not comparable to apple anyway, in which if you had a problem, it would be garunteed to be fixed). Varying international versions (which version would i get in Australia?), No Click Wheel (big thing for me, i love the click wheel interface)

Anyway, just a few things there (sorry to bore you all). Any advice would be great, and try not to be too die-hard, just some good rounded opinions to help me make a descision.

Cheers, Ben Bazz

 

[Mr Iriver]

If the H340 is like an h140 with color screen and extra features, then i would go with the iriver. I dislike ipod's bass lacking sound. If the touch wheel is essential get apple. If you'll give up the touch wheel for all of the Iriver's features get Iriver. I myself have been planning to buy an h340, however I don't know it sounds as good as the H140 which to me sounds excellent.

 

[Feanor]

If you want something with even more features but even worse customer support (supposedly), you could check the archos av300 or av400 series.

 

[viconte]

I own both the H340 and the Ipod 40GB and compared both side by side b4.

For sound:
1) Ipod is more 'natural-sounding', the H340 seems to add color to the music, i compared using tracks of Diana Krall's "When I look into your eyes" album, playing same tracks on both devices. Somehow her vocals seem clearer, H340 sounds darker, I prefer ipod as it sounds 'natural' and 'better' to me, IMHO. Well, i played tracks like U2, Lenny Kravitz... in the end the conclusion is still the same, H340 sounds 'darker' even with the various EQ combinations, Ipod just sounds more appealing to my ears. Conclusion: for SQ i will chose Ipod!

2) Features
H340 wins hands them. Portable USB device(i owe an asian set, so can transfer camera pics to it easily), no drivers needed for OS, but only support CERTAIN cameras tt do not need drivers. Can view pictures, i heard someone said movie playback, i dont think it's true, but i may b wrong cos i didnt check this 'feature' (I owe the H340 for abt 2 weeks), the H340 accs are wonderful, comes with lots of it. If i remembered correctly, they provided a black casing (gd material), external mic-recording cable, audio in-out cable, remote(non-LCD), headphones, etc, etc.. and a external batt travel charger!! Features: H340 is the clear winner.

3) Portability:
This is the main reason besides SQ i sold my iriver away. Oh gosh, it really feels like a brick in yr hands... initially i tot the ipod 40GB was fat with the artic iskin on... wait till u feel the H340 in yr hands, even w/o casing, it wouldnt fit nicely in my straight-cut jeans w/o the everyone noticing the bulge... the ipod 40GB with iskin evo2 still fits fine! unless u carry it in a bag or else it wouldnt b an issue. Conclusion: I prefer 4G 40GB ipod anytime for portability as i carry minimal stuff with me (no bag)


Basically I wanted just SQ and portability, so I chose Ipod. If u always wanna use a portable harddisk, can transfer files easily fr yr camera, pc, etc, do mic recording for lectures, meetings, in short a all-in-one device (if only it was a phone also! ha) and also v gd SQ, get the iriver.

 

[Mr Iriver]

The h340 does support video playback (And it supports xvid). Here is the firmware that adds this feature.
http://iriver.com/support/download_v...ord=&category=

 

[ben_sb_vex]

well, still unsure, thanks heaps for the advice though viconte. I think i'm leaning towards the iRiver now, simply because i have the iPod mini for portabilty considerations. All the features it has would be so cool, but like i said, still don't know.
BTW, i think iRiver are releasing an LCD remote for the 340 aren't they?

 

[aeriyn]

your ears will adjust to sound, especially neutral/natural sound like the iPod produces.

I used to like scooped EQed sound, all highs and lows with no mids. But recently I've been listening to non-EQed music and just letting the hardware do the coloration of the sound (mostly the headphones with my home system).

I like the iPod's neutrality; it works equally well with any type of music. Those of you who claim the iPod is not bass-ey enough for you, well, you guys are probably a bunch of bassheads anyhow.

I can't stand the iRiver's sound coloration... muddiness abounds. Reminds me of my old MZ-N10 almost. =D

Quote:

Originally Posted by ben_sb_vex I think i'm leaning towards the iRiver now, simply because i have the iPod mini for portabilty considerations.

You have a mini? well, why are you wanting an iriver then? you already have something better. XD

 

[ben_sb_vex]

Yeah, perhaps this is true (well, i don't know if it's better or not, otherwise i wouldn't be askin!

) i want something eith 40 gig though (at least i'm planning for it, hardly have the dosh right now) because I've already filled the 4 gig of the mini and although i could just rearrange my music, I'd like to have some more space. And 40 gigs will set you up for life anyhow.

 

[kunwar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeriyn your ears will adjust to sound, especially neutral/natural sound like the iPod produces. I used to like scooped EQed sound, all highs and lows with no mids. But recently I've been listening to non-EQed music and just letting the hardware do the coloration of the sound (mostly the headphones with my home system). I like the iPod's neutrality; it works equally well with any type of music. Those of you who claim the iPod is not bass-ey enough for you, well, you guys are probably a bunch of bassheads anyhow. I can't stand the iRiver's sound coloration... muddiness abounds. Reminds me of my old MZ-N10 almost. =D You have a mini? well, why are you wanting an iriver then? you already have something better. XD

I cannot understand all this talk about muddiness, really.
To me the Ipod sounds lifeless, it has what some might call a clean natural sound but to me it sucks all the life out of the music.

Eg. Tchaikovsky, Violin Concerto in D major played by Jascha Heifetz,
The Ipod absolutely kills it, no emotion nothing.
Heifetz is the most correct player of violin ever!!! but he did have a style which delivered emotional strength to a track.
On the Iriver, there is a strength, a style which is evident straight away, no questions asked.

Of course once you get the Ipod, you have to take it out to change songs.
the single greatest asset that the Irivers have is a fantastic remote, only bettered by the Iaudio one which is for a LCDless player.
Nonetheless, The IaudioM3 is a nice player.
back to the topic, if you are in Aus, go listen to your favorite tracks out of botht eh 340 and the Ipod and then decide, not otherwise.
JB-Hifi should be able to help.
I think they have both in store.
Do remember thought that the 340's battery life is nothing to write home about. In that department the new Ipod wins.

 

[CompDude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kunwar Do remember thought that the 340's battery life is nothing to write home about. In that department the new Ipod wins.

What are u talkin bout buddy......the H340 has a 16 hour batt life teseted from 128kbps mp3 volume 20 no eq and access to screen is none.....the ipod is 12 hours.......how'd u think the ipod wins???

 

[kunwar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CompDude What are u talkin bout buddy......the H340 has a 16 hour batt life teseted from 128kbps mp3 volume 20 no eq and access to screen is none.....the ipod is 12 hours.......how'd u think the ipod wins???

My mistake, I remember reading somewehre that it was only 10 hours.

16 it is, then the 340 wins hands down.
the Ipod would make a decent source at home but then again one can easily buy a NAD 542 which will kick an Ipod's ass to kingdom Com, you know what I mean

 

[Layerfire]

anyone actually tested the video playback feature on this yet?

 

[CompDude]

the vid playback feature on the h340......is....well.....a start....it isn't meant to be able to watch full fledge movies....because it's only an mp3 player.....you can only watch movies at 10fps which is quite slow.....but will do for a little funny laughible short film here and there, but isnt meant for full length vids.....the batt life watching vids...soars down to 4 1/2 hours to watch vids

 

[CamelBackCinema]

Get your money's worth. I can definitly live without all those extra features that the iriver player offers. It is bigger, less easy to navigate/use, IMO inferior navigation/tagging, remote is pretty much useless, less customer/3rd party support.

Everyone is crazy about the iPod. Where there is people and interest, there is life. iPod isn't going anywhere any time soon. iRiver has made valiant efforts and has succeeded in some area. But the amount of interest that the ipod generates compared to iriver is ridiculous. IPod will survive and where will you be when it comes down to it. You know they are going to release ipods that soon will have video capability with the same ease of use.

iPod wins.

 

[Mr Iriver]

This thread talks about the video play back: http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showt...highlight=H340

AS far as overall performance go with Iriver. Ipod is better as far as style, and ease of use. Iriver in my opinion sounds more alive, fuller, has awesome features, and that is...much more features, it is still portable enough, and definately wins in battery life department. (I am describing the H100 series which people say is the same as the H300 series without the color screen)
As an extra the H300 series can display video.