MP3 player recommendations

[Hi Ho]

The major difference betweent eh Zen Touch and the Zen Extra is that the Touch has the Ipod-like interface. Other than that they are almost the same. I'd go with the Zen Extra.

I do like the interface and overall appearance on the Touch much better than the Extra, they dont even compare as far as looks go. Not that I care about appearance THAT much, but if they are the exact same thing besides appearance you might as go with the better looking one right? Anyway, you're saying the extra 20 GBs on the Xtra (you can get a 40 GB Xtra for the same price as a 20 GB Touch) far outweigh the appearance and any minor upgrades on the Touch? Obviously 20 GB is a lot so I've got to agree with you...I've just been trying to find a way to justify getting the Touch because of how damn nice it looks even though I know it's not the better deal. Although they do have that nice FM/ FM recording remote for the Zen Touch that costs $50...but it's probably not worth it anyway

I guess I'll be getting the Xtra, however I would appreciate if someone who owns/ has used both to give their comparisons on the two. There's got to be something about the Touch besides the Touch pad that I've missed in all of the hours I've done on researching both of them .

Thanks for your help Hi Ho.

[MaLfUnCtIoN]

wow. i was debating the ame thing (zen xtra vs 20 gig ipod). i heard the Zen doesnt play vbr's. is that true? a lot of my music ends up being vbr and i dont wanna have to go through the time and work of replacing it all.

also, do you have to install software for the Ipod? or can you treat it as a storage device and just copy paste or send to?

Haha, I'm glad I'm not the only one that finds picking an MP3 player a really tough job.

I'm pretty sure you're right, I think the Zens only play WMAs MP3s and WAVs. I had originally considered an Ipod but I found out they they dont accept WMAs, which are a lot more common for me than .vbr.

[ric449]

Creative Zen Touch review at Tom's:

http://www4.tomshardware.com/mobile/20041007/index.html

Well thanks everybody, I think I'm going with the Zen Xtra (for now). The only concern I had with it was that it looked too fragile but I havent heard many complaints.

[Hi Ho]

The Zen Extra is made of aluminum. I could hardly call it fragile.

I wish I could find one person who owns it so I can just ask them a couple of questions and be done with it.

I'm curious how the bass is. I like a lot of bass...and I can't find any bass settings on the Zen, although I did find it on the Karma. Is there any way to change the bass on the Zen? Or perhaps a suggestion for a pair of headphones that have a nice kick to them .

[Hi Ho]

It has an equalizer that will let you adjust bass, trebel, and everything in between. I'm not sure about the headphones that come with it.

Are you serious? If I was talking to you in person I would...well you dont wanna know what I'd do .

If you're correct than that was my last reservation...Creative Nomad Zen Xtra (phew...long name) here I come!

[Hi Ho]

HERE is a review of the 40 GB Zen Extra.

Thanks for the review but I didnt see anything about adjusting sound settings at all there....

[Hi Ho]

Well I can assure you that it has an equalizer. HERE is the features page. Also, HERE is where it talks about it in the review. Top of the page.

Damn, I'm afraid that if I hit that thing once it's gonna break. I'm not talking about the outside, but the inside doesnt sound too safe. The review said it has no shock absorbtion...and I'm pretty active with my electronics.



I just wish there was a mp3 player that had everything I wanted...

[ric449]

According to Tom's, the Zen touch can take a beating. The Zen touch is basically a Zen Xtra with a touchpad, so I guess the same applies.

Alright sounds good to me.

One question Hi Ho, I thought equalization and Bass and Treble were different? With the Rio Karma I'm pretty sure it has both of them. But if you're saying you can change the bass with the equalizer then thats all I need.

[nubbler]

Originally Posted by NYyankz225 Alright sounds good to me. One question Hi Ho, I thought equalization and Bass and Treble were different? With the Rio Karma I'm pretty sure it has both of them. But if you're saying you can change the bass with the equalizer then thats all I need.

A equalizer can adjust a range of frequencies. The low frequencies are bass and the high frequencies are treble and then everything inbetween is "everything inbetween".

[inflames988]

Are the touch/xtra similar in terms of size to the iPod

No, they are both bigger. The Xtra is quite a bit bigger and heavier. The Touch is closer but still bigger.

The Xtra- 4.4 x 3.0 x .86 @ 7.9 oz
New iPod- 4.1 x 2.4 x .60 @ 6.2 oz
Zen Touch- 4.1 x 2.7 x 0.9 @ 7.1 oz

[inflames988]

Yeah, thats still not huge or anything though.

Yea, I dunno...everyone says its so big but it doesnt even seem that big when you look at the measurements.

[nubbler]

No, they are both bigger. The Xtra is quite a bit bigger and heavier. The Touch is closer but still bigger. The Xtra- 4.4 x 3.0 x .86 @ 7.9 oz New iPod- 4.1 x 2.4 x .60 @ 6.2 oz Zen Touch- 4.1 x 2.7 x 0.9 @ 7.1 oz

Yeah, thats still not huge or anything though.

Yea, I dunno...everyone says its so big but it doesnt even seem that big when you look at the measurements.

It's not big, not bad at all.

[Dswissmiss]

Very cool thread! I've never heard of the Zen Touch, but I'll look into it. Anyone know if it plays ogg vorbis files?

EDIT: meh...no linux support, I'll wait.

[inflames988]

ive finally decided...on the 20gb ipod...im gunna need a case for it, ive seen basically two kinds, a leather case and one that is like plastic and covers the ipod so that you can still use the wheel, any recommendations? also whats the difference between the ipod at apple.com and the one at newegg (it has like HP as part of it??)

[Mac Medic]

I use the contour showcase with my ipods.

http://www.contourshowcase.com/cdi_m...ucts/showcase/

There is no difference between the Apple ipod and HP ipod, same unit with a different logo.