iPod Touch Sound Quality

[ricthaman]

Well guys,

I've been searching through this forum alot but couldn't find any decent info about the iPod Touch SQ. Maybe I've overlooked it.

I've bought an iPod Touch and I was a bit worried about the SQ, since I'm coming from A cowon D2.

I have a pair of V-moda vibes. So when the ipod arrived yesterday I immediately ripped apart the box and started unpacking the iPod.

First impression: Damn that thing looks sexy!!!!

Now to the point:

I plugged in my Vibes and started listening. I must admit that this really isn't what I expected. I've been reading stories about terrible his and I went to listen to the classic which sounded not all that good. I was very surprised to notice no hiss. The sound itself was very good, I must say. I didn't expect it to be as good as it is. It sounds very clear, with nice deep lows and good midrange. The highs are crystal clear.

I also listen to the way the music is brought to me by the device. The cowon did a good job at this, but could make nice acoustical live concerts sound a bit too could and distant. My older Sony MiniDisc player (MZ-NH900) did a beautifull job in making the music sound the way it should. And by that I mean the ''space'', the placing of the instruments and vocals in the headroom and the way the music ''feels''.

I was pleased to notice this same signature in the iPod. I know it sounds strange to compare an iPod to a MiniDisc player but it just sounds right.

It's just able to recreate the ambience that is goin' on n your head.

So I'm very satisfied with the soundquality. I know I couldn't bring hard, scientific evidence to the table. But just think of this as an impression

greetz

 

[blessingx]

I think the headphone out SQ is on par with the last few generations of full-sized iPods. For me that means, while you can do better, it's quite decent, and you can do worse. Plus there's always the line-out, which most players don't have. There's a lot of misnomers about the iPods and SQ. Just remember the percentage of Head-Fiers owning iPods is quite high (and growing). Also it should be noted the Vibes aren't that resolving so SQ differences wouldn't be dramatic anyway. I bought the Touch last week not knowing if I'd keep it, but I'm hooked. Even post here occasionally using it.

 

[shigzeo]

i have just purchased it as well whilst holding my breath. i was worried mostly of hiss. i can say now that i am impressed. the hiss is on par with 5.5g ipod or nano, so very low and much lower than just about every player i have heard on the market minus my cowon d2 (which is marginally quieter) with my atrio m5.

it does not seem quite as detailed as my d2, but... it also does not seem as coloured. overall, quite happy other than the massive dose of pain killers i must ingest to cover the shock in the wallets

 

[prophetx2]

coming from a Archos 604, the iPod Touch is much better.

Has anyone tried the iPod Touch with the LOD and compared it to the D2?

 

[AudioFideli]

I've spent some time with it at a store the other day and it did sound good with some larger Bose headphones. I would like to compare the Samsung P2 with this though - has anyone already.

 

[shoelessone]

I'm really excited to purchase my touch, however I'm still not 100% sure that the touch is what I want (I'm considering purchasing an iPhone to use as an mp3 player with camera/mic/speaker).

Thanks for your thoughts/mini review, it will make me feel a bit better if I do go with the touch

By the way, has anybody done a "iPod Touch vs. iPhone" review in regards to SQ?

Thanks!

 

[faichiu]

iphone does not have good SQ.

 

[ak40ozKevin]

I've heard conflicting stories about iPhone quality. Personally I think it's alright with the EQ OFF! The bass doesn't spittle out of control this way on any of my songs when it did with my old 5g iPod video through the headphone out.

Some people say it's the same SQ as iPod touch and I dont' know What to believe at this point so I'll just enjoy the iPhone now. The SQ isn't bad but it's a little thinner than my now defunct HD30GB9.

 

[doomlordis]

I am posting this from my new touch, its an impressive device but not the best sq I have heard, the new nano has more punch the touch sounds a little brittle in comparison. Overall though most will be happy with sq

 

[sno1man]

Quote:

Originally Posted by faichiu /img/forum/go_quote.gif iphone does not have good SQ.

Great ! Case closed then. We can move on to other topics. Why bother with any supporting information

Seriously while my iphone is not my BEST sounding DAP it is most certainly top tier and compares favorably to my other ipods, sonys and creatives.

It's not perfect and it does hiss a bit with my shure e4's but sounds very good with my etys and with my super fis

 

[MiG(TM)]

Coming from a Sony NW-A3000, I wasn't expecting to like the SQ on the Touch, but its been a very nice device to own, although a tad too bright for my liking, but thats just me I suppose.

Went back and did an Test between the iPod and the former, and the former seemed too dark imo, But maybe i'm just used to the iPod now.

The iPod has very good detail, with maybe a little bit of distortion at times in the treble, for some odd reason? The Bass is lacking, but all Bass reproduce is tight and detailed, not overpowered or anything. A quick 3db boost solved this in iTunes, and now there is a decent kick to the sound this thing produces

I'm using mine with EX-85's, so not the best headphones in the world, but changing sources sure does make a difference, and you don't need £200 Headphones to figure out the differences

I'd say the iPod has a sound signature extremely similar to the X-Fi, with slightly less Detail, Stock for Stock, they're pretty much the same, But then again, I can blow my ears away with Bass if I use the X-Fi, something I wish I could find again in my portable, Even my old Sony NW-E3 64mb player does this.

Where did Sony's MEGA BASS go? ah well, I like my iPod. You'll not be dissapointed with the SQ, and this is coming from Someone who thinks that Sony Produce the best sounding MP3 players on the market, which imo, they still do, But the iPod sure as hell aint far off, and the features and usability of my Hacked Touch sure outweigh any Small SQ differences, the device is amazing

 

[Pangaea]

Velcro a black T2 on the back with a LOD and you have an excellent sounding dap with small footprint. Still looks very cool.

 

[Aevum]

pangaea, i see in your signature you have both touch and iaudio 7, the general consensus is that the 7 is one of the best sounding flash daps around, hows the touch compared to it,

 

[Pangaea]

^ Good question and tough to give a completely useful answer. Mostly because the best I can get onto my 7 with my computer setup is 320 VBR MP3- which still sounds very good, esp. with the EQ settings on the 7. However on the touch I can play apple lossless. I also use a t2 with the touch and no amp with the 7. HP out to HP out no question the 7 wins even with lossy music. But with the amp- the touch sounds great. I have always been impressed with the iBasso amps so for me it is a very good combo.

 

[abitdeef]

Hey Pangaea, just 2 quick questions please, have you tried your tomahawk with the touch and if so, how does it compare with the T2? Also I am thinking about getting an iaudio 7 for working out, how does it get along with sensitive iems,- cans, any hiss?

The touch has a wonderful sound sig IMHO , and I just used the automatic jail- break for windows it worked flawlessly. apps here I come!