Why is the iPod not a good enough mp3 player?

[Ruzz]

Not sure if this is the right section to ask a question but I don't see any other sections.
Why is the iPod not a good enough mp3 player - by audiophile standards at least? I've been googling around and seems that the cowon j3 is considered one of the best atm. Why?
 
Thanks in advance.

 

[Parall3l]

Well first of all, you are stuck using itunes. Although I prefer the way itunes looks, most people don't like itunes because it doesn't support FLAC (you need to convert it into ALAC) and other things. The sound quality on the iPod isn't that great either, nothing to rave about. But lot of people use iPod classics here because of the 160GB storage it offers. 

 

[gilency]

well.... allow me to disagree. Many people use Apple Losseless and iPod. I am one of them and quite happy with the iPod. Of course if you disagree thats fine too.

 

[144004]

Because iPod is mainstream and audiophiles are hipsters.

 

[Ruzz]

I was actually hoping for some insight into why cowon mp3 players are better, or why iPods aren't good enough - technically-wise. And like the what the ipod/itunes cant do etc

 

[144004]

Oh. It wasn't clear that you were looking for something other than an explanation for the Cowon's apparent popularity.
 
Anyway the short answer would be EQ. iPods don't EQ well. 
This opens up a can of worms, though, on the topic of why EQ should be necessary, and measurements vs subjective listening, etc. etc.

 

[bcasey25raptor]

I don't understand the hate ipods get. They sound fine to me. If you have good headphones you shouldn't need to eq anyways.
 
The only thing I hate about ipods is the closed in itunes interface you are forced to use. Itunes is a slow buggy piece of software that looks incredibly ugly imo.

 

[wind016]

If you don't use EQ, then you can use any ol' average mp3 player. No mp3 player I have heard really had a strong advantage over another that I have heard on flat settings. However, if you like to EQ, the Cowon is a must have. After learning its settings, I haven't heard much else that could compare. Maybe a Samsung P3.
 
Itunes is also like any ol' media player if you don't use EQ. It's included EQ is horrid though. I've since switched to foobar only for VST bridging of EQ VSTs capability. If I didn't EQ, it wouldn't matter so much, but I believe having an excellent EQ is a necessity when it comes to headphones.

 

[nonsupremous]

I agree with the statement about listening to music players on the flat setting or with no EQ.  Ipod's sound pretty decent with no EQ settings...but for me personally there is fun in the music.  It's just music playing in the background.  When I use EQ it gives life to my music...makes my head bob and my feet tap. 
 
If Apple would put the customizable EQ that is in Itunes on their Ipods, then we would not be having this conversation.  Maybe now that Steve Jobs has stepped down, they will revisit this idea. 

 

[Parall3l]

I remember hearing about an app for the ipod touch called EQu or something like that. Might want to check that out 

 

[Parall3l]

Sorry for being off topic, cliiffroyroycole, I noticed that you use a JH5 with your iphone. I'm thinking about getting one those myself so just wondering how you feel about them 

 
 

 

[Parall3l]

Thanks for the input 

 
Back to topic, the ipod classic is actually a pretty good player considering how big the storage is. Most people don't need 160GB but 64GB on most player is slightly small IMO. 

 

[wind016]

 
Quote:

I remember hearing about an app for the ipod touch called EQu or something like that. Might want to check that out 

I have the EQu on my Iphone 4. It does its job, but it's no Cowon if you know what I mean. Cowon is still in an other league with it's hardware BBE equalizer compared to a software equalizer like EQu.
 

 

[wind016]

 
Quote:

 

I used the J3 EQ system, and I prefer EQu or EQUALIZER in their simplicity and yet the ability to get the tweaking done. For more on the subject ... 
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I can't really see how anyone could really prefer the EQu unless there is an exact frequency that needs to be tweaked. The amount of cpu processing and resonance the EQu has over the BBE is almost unacceptable after using the BBE for 3 years.
 

 

[Uncle Erik]

The iPod is fine. The market changes ever six months or so and products only have a lifespan of 18-24 months.

It's not worth deeply investing in.

Something new and better is always just around the corner.

I treat portable gear as disposable while going for the long term in home hardware.