shanghaiW3
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2009
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Since most of my on-the-go listening is done on the subway, train, and while walking, I mostly try to travel light in terms of my rig. So because of this I was initially very attracted to the form factor of the 2nd generation ipod Shuffle. I figured, it had enough space for a few hours of music, can clip to my belt or fit easily in any pocket, being virtually unnoticable.
So I bought one and used it for 2 years. Then, in an unfortunate accident, I lost it (actually I lost two plus a fiiO e5 in my old Westone case). I had heard good things about the 1st generation Shuffle, and so I picked up a 1gb unit.
This comparison review will focus strictly on SQ, as the differences in form are well-known by now.
All listening was done with Westone 3 with triple flange tips (one pair cut to double flange with full stem, one pair only with shortened stem).
Music:
Lows
Shuffle 2nd generation: Bass is tight and quick. While there is presence and control, the 2nd gen. seems to lack low-end extension, particularly noticeable in certain kick drums and bass guitar (Michael Jackson kick drums, Steely Dan kick drums, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto bass). Sub-bass takes less of a role in most tracks. Texture seems to be adequate but not especially refined.
Score: 7/10
Shuffle 1st generation: Instantly, and on nearly every track I can discern greater low-end extension with the 1st gen Shuffle. Still tight, well-defined, and quick, there is an added dimension of... deepness to the bass. The impact is increased, but the separation from the low-mids and mids remains strong. Much more enjoyable and natural representation of a kick drum, with added low reverberations that are virtually non-existent on the 2nd gen. On music such as Infected Mushroom, the bass is completely enveloping, punishing, and fantastic, just as I imagine it should be. On Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, the acoustic bass is light, but deep and detailed; very realistic.
Score: 9/10
Mids
Shuffle 2nd generation: Mids are clear, detailed and neither recessed or over-pronounced, pretty balanced overall. Details are well presented, gives an intimate experience. Smoothness is a characteristic that defines the Shuffle 2nd gen., but I can occasionally detect a bit of grain in the upper mids. Female voices (Diana Krall) are powerful, sonorous and deeply realistic.
Score: 8/10
Shuffle 1st generation: Mids are similar to the first gen., but something I noticed was that reverb (Yes - Heart of the Sunrise, Steely Dan - Aja whole album, Michael Jackson) continued out farther, giving an extra sense of spaciousness, adding to the soundstage. There is also an extra sense of "impact" in a sense, the mids seem quicker, more tactile in a way. Smoothness is slightly increased, no grain detectable in the upper-mids.
Score: 8.5/10
Highs
Shuffle 2nd generation: As I increase the volume upwards, the Shuffle gets progressively brighter, which leads me to believe this DAP favors the highs a bit (perhaps to compensate for most consumer's poorly encoded mp3s). On my W3s with my music, some tracks have a bit of sibilance at elevated volume levels, but it decreases with lower volumes (but, so does the overall detailed presentation). Cymbals have nice decay and brassyness (Diana Krall, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Stevie Ray Vaughan) and are nice and detailed. Although a bit bright, the highs are smooth.
Score: 7/10
Shuffle 1st generation: No brightness (sounds even slightly "dark" compared to the 2nd gen.) and the surprising thing, is that even at low volume levels, the detail remains the same. With the 2nd gen., at lower volumes everything suffered. With the 1st gen., everything remains constant at any volume level. Going up or down, no tipping toward highs or lows... just balanced, smooth sound. Detail is good, cymbals are clear and crisp. No complaints.
9/10
Total Score
Shuffle 2nd gen: 22/30
Shuffle 1st gen: 26.5/30
Conclusion:
The 1st generation Shuffle's SQ is rather shocking, considering it's age and size. Compared to a 2nd gen ipod touch; well, there is no comparison. The 1st gen. shuffle is better in every way. They need to get this chip back from Sigmatel... it's quite clean and powerful. Hiss is extremely low and there is no noticeable bass roll-off.
While the 2nd generation Shuffle sounds "good", it is not nearly as entrancing and involving as the 1st gen. There is definitely bass roll-off and it tends to be a bit bright with Westone 3s. After spending some time with both, the 1st generation Shuffle is in a class above the 2nd gen. So, for the ultraportable iPod shootout, the 1st generation stands alone, leaving the 2nd in the proverbial dust.
So I bought one and used it for 2 years. Then, in an unfortunate accident, I lost it (actually I lost two plus a fiiO e5 in my old Westone case). I had heard good things about the 1st generation Shuffle, and so I picked up a 1gb unit.
This comparison review will focus strictly on SQ, as the differences in form are well-known by now.
All listening was done with Westone 3 with triple flange tips (one pair cut to double flange with full stem, one pair only with shortened stem).
Music:
- Diana Krall - Live in Paris
- Yes - Fragile MFSL
- Stevie Ray Vaughan - The Sky is Crying MFSL
- Michael Jackson - Thriller and Off the Wall (Original Masters)
- Steely Dan - Aja, Royal Scam, Can't Buy a Thrill
- Tsuyoshi Yamamoto - Midnight Sugar
Lows
Shuffle 2nd generation: Bass is tight and quick. While there is presence and control, the 2nd gen. seems to lack low-end extension, particularly noticeable in certain kick drums and bass guitar (Michael Jackson kick drums, Steely Dan kick drums, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto bass). Sub-bass takes less of a role in most tracks. Texture seems to be adequate but not especially refined.
Score: 7/10
Shuffle 1st generation: Instantly, and on nearly every track I can discern greater low-end extension with the 1st gen Shuffle. Still tight, well-defined, and quick, there is an added dimension of... deepness to the bass. The impact is increased, but the separation from the low-mids and mids remains strong. Much more enjoyable and natural representation of a kick drum, with added low reverberations that are virtually non-existent on the 2nd gen. On music such as Infected Mushroom, the bass is completely enveloping, punishing, and fantastic, just as I imagine it should be. On Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, the acoustic bass is light, but deep and detailed; very realistic.
Score: 9/10
Mids
Shuffle 2nd generation: Mids are clear, detailed and neither recessed or over-pronounced, pretty balanced overall. Details are well presented, gives an intimate experience. Smoothness is a characteristic that defines the Shuffle 2nd gen., but I can occasionally detect a bit of grain in the upper mids. Female voices (Diana Krall) are powerful, sonorous and deeply realistic.
Score: 8/10
Shuffle 1st generation: Mids are similar to the first gen., but something I noticed was that reverb (Yes - Heart of the Sunrise, Steely Dan - Aja whole album, Michael Jackson) continued out farther, giving an extra sense of spaciousness, adding to the soundstage. There is also an extra sense of "impact" in a sense, the mids seem quicker, more tactile in a way. Smoothness is slightly increased, no grain detectable in the upper-mids.
Score: 8.5/10
Highs
Shuffle 2nd generation: As I increase the volume upwards, the Shuffle gets progressively brighter, which leads me to believe this DAP favors the highs a bit (perhaps to compensate for most consumer's poorly encoded mp3s). On my W3s with my music, some tracks have a bit of sibilance at elevated volume levels, but it decreases with lower volumes (but, so does the overall detailed presentation). Cymbals have nice decay and brassyness (Diana Krall, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Stevie Ray Vaughan) and are nice and detailed. Although a bit bright, the highs are smooth.
Score: 7/10
Shuffle 1st generation: No brightness (sounds even slightly "dark" compared to the 2nd gen.) and the surprising thing, is that even at low volume levels, the detail remains the same. With the 2nd gen., at lower volumes everything suffered. With the 1st gen., everything remains constant at any volume level. Going up or down, no tipping toward highs or lows... just balanced, smooth sound. Detail is good, cymbals are clear and crisp. No complaints.
9/10
Total Score
Shuffle 2nd gen: 22/30
Shuffle 1st gen: 26.5/30
Conclusion:
The 1st generation Shuffle's SQ is rather shocking, considering it's age and size. Compared to a 2nd gen ipod touch; well, there is no comparison. The 1st gen. shuffle is better in every way. They need to get this chip back from Sigmatel... it's quite clean and powerful. Hiss is extremely low and there is no noticeable bass roll-off.
While the 2nd generation Shuffle sounds "good", it is not nearly as entrancing and involving as the 1st gen. There is definitely bass roll-off and it tends to be a bit bright with Westone 3s. After spending some time with both, the 1st generation Shuffle is in a class above the 2nd gen. So, for the ultraportable iPod shootout, the 1st generation stands alone, leaving the 2nd in the proverbial dust.
