Should I get a Zune or a ZVM?

[jfindon]

I'm looking to get a new MP3 player after messing with my uncle's Zen Vision:M for 20 minutes. I really liked the menu, the touch sensitive thing, the screen, and just the overall unit. The only thing I didn't like was how easily it would become scratched, but I found a protector that I would probably buy.

The Zune on the other hand also has a nice UI from what I remember and is very hard to scratch. I'm just not sure if it's better than the ZVM though, it is about $30 more.

Which one has better sound quality? I probably won't watch videos on it because I have a PDA for that. Thanks.

EDIT: Also, does anyone know if Creative is coming out with any new devices anytime soon or is the ZVM still fairly "current"?

 

[cyrian]

havent heard the zvm, my ex had a zen micro which she liked plenty, but as for the zune, i am absolutely in love with mine. i like the SQ alot and there is very little (if any) noise or distortion coming out from the headphone out. unlike many ipods and the like.

you'll probably like either of them. but for $30 less why not get a zune and save the extra $30 and go for some cans

 

[Tem]

Zune.

 

[jfindon]

Yeah, I've been searching now (sorry, should have done that first) and I see that a lot of people are saying that the Zune is much better sounding than the ZVM. It kind of saddens me that there is no custom EQ on the Zune though.

I'm sure I'll upgrade my headphones eventually too, but right now I have the Sennheiser PX100s and they've served me well for a few years.

 

[Gautama]

If you plan on ever using a portable amp, the ZVM

If headphone out is fine, the Zune.



/closed

 

[ingwe]

Zune + Hornet + e500 =

 

[KenW]

I regret(greatly) parting with my ZVM. Loved everything about it. If my wife hadn't purchased an ipod as a fathers day gift, I'd still be using it. No experience with the Zune but the ZVM satisfied me greatly. From video to music, I never had a complaint. Even as a Mac user, I could enjoy it. As for the scratches, it's not as prone as the ipod but if you choose a good protector, you'll have little to worry about. Personally, I'm a huge fan of the Invisible Shield line of products. Installed it on my new ipod as a matter of fact.

My advice......get your hands on a Zune and compare the two. Pick the one you like best and grab an Invisible Shield to go with it. Then sit back and enjoy the tunes.

 

[jfindon]

Thanks for the input.

I doubt I'll ever use an amp, but if I do maybe they'll come out with some sort of add-on for the Zune by then.

I also heard about them coming out with the second gen of Zunes next year, should I wait for those?

I guess I do just have to get out and try a Zune for awhile to see how fast I can pick it up. Within 20 minutes of using the ZVM I had everything all figured out wtihout reading a single word in the manual.

Also, would a new firmware enable a custom EQ some time down the road?

 

[ingwe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfindon /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for the input. I doubt I'll ever use an amp, but if I do maybe they'll come out with some sort of add-on for the Zune by then. <snip>

IMHO, feeding the Zune's headphone output signal into a good amp (keep the zune's volume at 20/20) is not even remotely an issue. Seriously.

But that's my *opinion* based upon using it that way. As always, YMMV. Eventually, you'll need to make a choice.

 

[jfindon]

Good to know.

I wonder how much better sounding the Zune is to my Zen Xtra that I haven't listened to in months/years. It'll be fun comparing whatever I get with what I have.


Dell.com actually has the Zune for around the same price as the ZVM. It's about $210 after tax.

 

[ingwe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfindon /img/forum/go_quote.gif Good to know. I wonder how much better sounding the Zune is to my Zen Xtra that I haven't listened to in months/years. It'll be fun comparing whatever I get with what I have.

That's the ol' head-fi spirit!

BTW, in case no one said this: Welcome to Head-Fi! Sorry about your wallet.

 

[jfindon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ingwe /img/forum/go_quote.gif That's the ol' head-fi spirit! BTW, in case no one said this: Welcome to Head-Fi! Sorry about your wallet.

Thanks

I registered awhile ago for some reason, I didn't even remember my account info so I had it sent to me. I probably joined when I first got my PX100s or something.

Do you know if there is any info on the second generation of Zunes and when they may be out?

 

[ingwe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfindon /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks I registered awhile ago for some reason, I didn't even remember my account info so I had it sent to me. I probably joined when I first got my PX100s or something. Do you know if there is any info on the second generation of Zunes and when they may be out?

Just the usual rumor-mill stuff; nothing of any substance. More wishful thinking, if anything. We're all looking forward to a firmware release with substantive improvements, different folk prioritize things differently. For example, ome want a clock, some want lossless (some want both).

For me, the Zune is a dedicated portable music machine. That's it. My Palm T|X handled the video and photos--until I got my iPhone

The iphone sounds great--but not as good as my Zune. The Palm T|X plays video and displays photos wonderfully--but the audio is inferior the iPhone (hiss, background noise).

I really wish Palm would get their stupid act together; Internet via iPhone simply destroys the T|X.

I really have too many gadgets. (I take it back, I can never have enough!!!)

 

[jfindon]

I see. So it's worth it to get one now and not sit and wait for news on an improved one? I also have a TX that I use for everything else, but I don't find the web browsing that bad. If Palm would release a decent browser it would be better but Blazer works fine for what I need.

There is actually a browser being developed by some guy right now that will have tabbed features and be much faster than Blazer from what I hear. It's called WAPUniverse.

 

[ingwe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfindon /img/forum/go_quote.gif I see. So it's worth it to get one now and not sit and wait for news on an improved one? I also have a TX that I use for everything else, but I don't find the web browsing that bad. If Palm would release a decent browser it would be better but Blazer works fine for what I need. There is actually a browser being developed by some guy right now that will have tabbed features and be much faster than Blazer from what I hear. It's called WAPUniverse.

Palm is supposed to release their Linux-OS Palm late this year. I so hope it ain't lame!