Rio Carbon Pearl sound quality?

[Veggie_Musician]

Seen 5gig one for £93 - wondering how sound quality compairs with other newer players - I must say I like bass...

Is this a good deal or should I get a Samsung J70 for twice the price?

I got a pair of UM2's

 

[LaBreaHead]

First, to get the typo out of the way -- that's "Pearl," of course. Sorry to be like a school master.

Now, as for bass -- you can use the equalizer on the Carbon to get some more bass. Just the other day I was listening to "River of Bass" by Underworld (not a band I often listen to, but I love that song), and if that's not a good test of the Carbon's bass ability, I don't know what is.

The Rio's are good little units, and at the current going price, they're quite a buy. I paid 30 to 40 percent more a year ago for a 5GB silver Carbon than they're going for now, and I still think of it as a good value. I'm tempted to get one at today's prices and stash it away for future use. I also bought one as a gift, and the reviews from my friend have been very positive.

In short, the bass is good, and the value is excellent.

 

[Behemot]

in-ear phones have no good low end response compared to regular ones say sr80; Careful with Rio, they don't do mp3 players any more and they don't give full support any more as far as I know. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[nabwong]

Yeah, when i bought the rio, i knew rio would stop producing mp3s so i got the in-store 2 year warranty from bestbuy for $25. It's a straight swap, no questions asked if your rio's dead.

 

[Ojjorz]

Since the Carbon was introduced no major new mini-HD player was introduced, soundquality-wize (personal!) it still outperformes the H10, Micro and Mini. It lacks features, but if SQ is your major consern: it holds out fine!

 

[carsncars]

Actually, I found the Carbon a bit too bright for my tastes-- even adjusted with the EQ. I could almost call it.. tinny? I returned it but I loved the player otherwise.

 

[Veggie_Musician]

Quote:

Originally Posted by carsncars Actually, I found the Carbon a bit too bright for my tastes-- even adjusted with the EQ. I could almost call it.. tinny? I returned it but I loved the player otherwise.

What headphones did you have?

What MP3 player do you use now?

 

[carsncars]

I tested it with Sony EX71s (my budget buds), Shure's e4c's, and a pair of Grado SR60s. Also tried it with a CMOY amp.. the mini's line-out amps much better.

It's not hugely tinny, but it just felt.. a little on that side to me. Enough, at least, to justify not keeping it.

 

[nabwong]

Quote:

Originally Posted by carsncars Actually, I found the Carbon a bit too bright for my tastes-- even adjusted with the EQ. I could almost call it.. tinny? I returned it but I loved the player otherwise.

Could it be that your bitrate is low? I had no problems.

 

[carsncars]

Was running MP3s anywhere from 250-320.. It's probably just personal preference. Oh.. my current 'most used' player is my Sony NW-HD5, Archos Gmini400 running a close second. I tend to lean towards 'pleasantly listenable' players, rather than accuracy in my portable rigs.

 

[Jeremy]

I bought a brand new Carbon Pearl the other day at a greatly discounted price at Fry's ($159) and returned it two days later strictly due to the sound quality. I loved everything about the player except the sound. I was hoping it would at least get close to my Karma.

 

[Inkmo]

I just got an iAudio U2 off of amazon for the same price as a Carbon there. Though I don't know if there is an SQ difference, my choice was motivated primarily by reliability concerns.

I have to say that my u2 is totally satisfying me in regards to SQ at least. Even though it doesn't have the storage space of the carbon, it has a nice feature set.

 

[mr.karmalicious]

"they don't give full support any more as far as I know."

They do.