Looking for a GOOD quality mp3 player

[bvbull200]

I don't expect a cell-phone to outperform dedicated devices (camera, camcorder, etc.), but I figured that my mp3 player was one thing that this phone might be able to replace. Thus far, that hasn't been the case. Pandora and Slacker are "okay" with sound quality, but I understand the limitations, so that doesn't bother me.

What does bother me is the underwhelming sound quality when playing mp3's via the aux input on my car or through headphones. My first generation Zune has far better audio quality and I can't bring myself to put it away just yet. All of my mp3 files are at a minimum of 192kbps, with most of them being 256kbps or higher. Are there any audio players that offer better sound quality and at least SOME level of adjustment of the equalizer? Presets (Rock, Acoustic, Jazz, etc.) are just fine as I'm not trying to tweek until I'm blue in the face. If nothing just yet, I expect an update to offer some sort of remedy. The last firmware update for the Zune did a great job improving what was already very good sound quality.

 

[bvbull200]

Does this mean there is nothing available or the first 51 people didn't have an answer?

 

[hollawood24]

the htc player doesn't have good sound quailty?

 

[bvbull200]

the htc player doesn't have good sound quailty?

Not at all compared to my first generation Zune. VERY flat. I'm not looking for anything reference quality on the go, but the HTC Player make 256kbps music sound like 96 kbps.

 

[bvbull200]

double twist is the only suggestion i got, i like it alot and there is a windows software that will auto sync all your songs for you

Thanks. I will give it a try. I'm willing to try any mp3 apps, but I didn't want to have to go through all of them. Hoping to get some suggestions like this.

 

[pwnst*r]

One software app will NOT sound better than another, so put that to rest first. The "problem" is that there seems to be more distortion from the headphone output than my iphone 3G and 3Gs. The iPhones also had line-level outputs (preferred) for aux in and even my headphone amp.

Unless someone can figure out a way to get line level through the USB port, you're stuck with less than stellar quality.

 

[Dreamliner]

^exactly.

This is another area where HTC's poor build quality shows. The sound quality is bad. It's not as bad as my old HTC Hero, but its not as good as my iPod Touch.

It's really hard to compete with the device fails in areas like this.

 

[mattpsx2]

Sony MP3 players have EXCELLENT sound quality as well as Creative. I'm currently rocking my 120gb Zune and I still love it. But I use a Sony Walkman 2gb stick for when I go to the gym and at times it sounds better than my Zune, guess it just depends on the type of music. But yeah, if you want audio quality, Creative and Sony make very good ones. My dad is an audiophile and he loves his Creative Zen Touch that's I think 3 or 4 years old already.

 

[bvbull200]

One software app will NOT sound better than another, so put that to rest first. The "problem" is that there seems to be more distortion from the headphone output than my iphone 3G and 3Gs. The iPhones also had line-level outputs (preferred) for aux in and even my headphone amp.

Unless someone can figure out a way to get line level through the USB port, you're stuck with less than stellar quality.

Eh, I'm not convinced. As I said, I'm not looking for something mindblowing, just better than the current offering. The Evo might not have the best hardware in the world for audio output, but software apps would be able to make the most out of what you have.

 

[bvbull200]

Sony MP3 players have EXCELLENT sound quality as well as Creative. I'm currently rocking my 120gb Zune and I still love it. But I use a Sony Walkman 2gb stick for when I go to the gym and at times it sounds better than my Zune, guess it just depends on the type of music. But yeah, if you want audio quality, Creative and Sony make very good ones. My dad is an audiophile and he loves his Creative Zen Touch that's I think 3 or 4 years old already.

My first gen Zune is great. Audiophile quality won't come from a portable device like an mp3 player, but it does sound pretty darn good through my home theater and Shure earbuds.

 

[Dreamliner]

^I dunno man, listening to lossless on my iPod with the Audio Techica ATH-M40fs' sound pretty good.

 

[hambonewc]

Whether or not it will improve sound quality I can not say but the best media player i have found so far is Zimly

 

[bvbull200]

^I dunno man, listening to lossless on my iPod with the Audio Techica ATH-M40fs' sound pretty good.

That concurs with my "pretty darn good" assessment of the Zune as well. Portable devices like that just simply aren't designed to meet the standards of critical listening on an "audiophile" level, nor would I ever expect them to.

 

[HopeofCarter]

I actually enjoy the quality. Wish it was a bit louder though but I'm still playing around with the settings in that department. Was pleasantly surprised by the quality when i had it hooked up with my aux port in my car.

 

[pwnst*r]

Eh, I'm not convinced. As I said, I'm not looking for something mindblowing, just better than the current offering. The Evo might not have the best hardware in the world for audio output, but software apps would be able to make the most out of what you have.

Have a good time with the placebo effect.

 

[bvbull200]

Have a good time with the placebo effect.

Explain to me what happens when you employ a preset equalizer? By your logic the only way the audio changes is with changes to the hardware. You can't tell me that having some control of the levels over a range of frequencies wouldn't have an impact on the overall sound regardless of hardware. That is fine that the Evo won't be a leader in this category, but that doesn't mean that there aren't improvements that could be made.

 

[EarlyMon]

Astro Player Beta has a graphic equalizer.

Compensate for whatever you're hearing wrong.

 

[pwnst*r]

Explain to me what happens when you employ a preset equalizer? By your logic the only way the audio changes is with changes to the hardware. You can't tell me that having some control of the levels over a range of frequencies wouldn't have an impact on the overall sound regardless of hardware. That is fine that the Evo won't be a leader in this category, but that doesn't mean that there aren't improvements that could be made.

"Improvements" by compensating with an eq is even more subjective. But, if it sounds good to you, have fun.

 

[Scblacksunshine]

The EQ on the Astroplayer is not all that good, seems to just muffle the sound to simulate what a real EQ can do. I think Mixzing should be coming out with a EQ update soon and Coreplayer is around the corner and it should have a EQ.

 

[Dreamliner]

"Improvements" by compensating with an eq is even more subjective. But, if it sounds good to you, have fun.

This. In speaking in terms of audio playback. Equalization is needed for only two reasons: 1.) To correct audio anomalies in your listening environment. 2.) Attempt to mask poor audio equipment.

Recorded audio should be listened to FLAT, it was recorded the way it was for a reason. If you have a large venue or room that does not resonate at all frequencies, you must adjust the audio system to allow the room to achieve an even frequency response.

Point is, just about any amount of processing (either in an EQ, or derived from poor hardware) makes audio sound bad.

 

[bvbull200]

"Improvements" by compensating with an eq is even more subjective. But, if it sounds good to you, have fun.

This. In speaking in terms of audio playback. Equalization is needed for only two reasons: 1.) To correct audio anomalies in your listening environment. 2.) Attempt to mask poor audio equipment.

Recorded audio should be listened to FLAT, it was recorded the way it was for a reason. If you have a large venue or room that does not resonate at all frequencies, you must adjust the audio system to allow the room to achieve an even frequency response.

Point is, just about any amount of processing (either in an EQ, or derived from poor hardware) makes audio sound bad.

Look, I understand what you guys are saying. Trust me, I'm quite well versed in critically listening to audio. I have a rig at home that does a great job replicating any recorded audio. I remove as much processing from my processor and source equipment as possible when listening to music, but that is at home. I'm talking about listening to music on a cell phone plugged in to a car's factory stereo system. The listening environment is terrible and the amp/speakers aren't much better. For those situations, I have no problem messing with the artists original intentions just to raise my level of pleasure with the music. When I am ripping through the gears, windows down, and long-tube headers howling, faithfully reproducing Clapton's guitar solo ranks fairly low on my list of priorities.

To put it in Dreamliners terms: Are there any mp3 playback apps/programs that will allow me to "mask" the poor audio equipment in my Evo?

 

[EarlyMon]

The EQ on the Astroplayer is not all that good, seems to just muffle the sound to simulate what a real EQ can do. I think Mixzing should be coming out with a EQ update soon and Coreplayer is around the corner and it should have a EQ.

Coreplayer is said to be awaiting 2.2 for their stuff - but yeah, +1 agree, when that finally arrives, that will be the one.

 

[Dreamliner]

To put it in Dreamliners terms: Are there any mp3 playback apps/programs that will allow me to "mask" the poor audio equipment in my Evo?

haha, love it.

There is a EQ app thats pretty good, but its just GIGO (garbage in, garbage out).

Frankly, there is a reason I still use my iPod Touch in my car. I can easily hear the audio quality difference, and that, will never be corrected with an EQ.

 

[bvbull200]

haha, love it.

There is a EQ app thats pretty good, but its just GIGO (garbage in, garbage out).

Frankly, there is a reason I still use my iPod Touch in my car. I can easily hear the audio quality difference, and that, will never be corrected with an EQ.

And trust me, I wasn't taking a shot at you at all. It just seems as though my original post was misconstrued in to some query about an app that turns the Evo in to a reference level audio source.

I have a factory system in my car that is mediocre on a good day, but if I had a system that was a bit better, perhaps I would have a major gripe on my hands. That said, my interest in improving audio in the car doesn't go much further than a message board for cell-phones and certainly doesn't involve any money.

For me, home audio is where it is at and, like you using your iPod Touch in the car, the Evo won't ever be the source of music in my home rig. For that, I have SACD/DVD-A players, PC's, and even a PS3 for streaming, if need be (no more vinyl ).

What EQ app are you referring to? It couldn't hurt to try!

 

[MrPassion]

I don't expect a cell-phone to outperform dedicated devices (camera, camcorder, etc.), but I figured that my mp3 player was one thing that this phone might be able to replace. Thus far, that hasn't been the case. Pandora and Slacker are "okay" with sound quality, but I understand the limitations, so that doesn't bother me.

What does bother me is the underwhelming sound quality when playing mp3's via the aux input on my car or through headphones. My first generation Zune has far better audio quality and I can't bring myself to put it away just yet. All of my mp3 files are at a minimum of 192kbps, with most of them being 256kbps or higher. Are there any audio players that offer better sound quality and at least SOME level of adjustment of the equalizer? Presets (Rock, Acoustic, Jazz, etc.) are just fine as I'm not trying to tweek until I'm blue in the face. If nothing just yet, I expect an update to offer some sort of remedy. The last firmware update for the Zune did a great job improving what was already very good sound quality.

The first cable I tried to hook my EVO to the car stereo aux did not make great connection and it sounded bad. I got another cable and the quality of sound was very good.