MP3 player Tests (P. 19/27)

"Transcend T.sonic 630 digital audio player"

Published on: 5/2007

On test: Transcend T.sonic 630 (4 GB)

We expected the Transcend T.sonic 630 to struggle against big-name players, but Transcend’s three-pronged, advanced digital recording attack, and a cheap price tag was its safeguard. There’s a line-in port for external devices, while one-touch - even when switched off - internal (radio) and external (voice) microphones can be scheduled for use in personal or meeting environments. Voice activation detection ensures quality, gapless, recordings. → More

"Sony NW-A808 Video Walkman portable audio player"

Published on: 5/2007

On test: Sony NW-A808

Although Sony has made some fantastic-looking portable media players, it's only recently that the mp3 format has been allowed to work on its models. Sony has obviously realised that, otherwise, it had no chance of denting Apple’s massive iPod sales. But if any company could challenge Apple’s stylishness, it's Sony. The NW-A808 uses flash-memory, like the iPod Nano it’s seeking to confront. → More

"Apple iPod shuffle review"

Published on: 5/2007

On test: Apple iPod Shuffle 2G (1GB)

Updated 16 May 2007, with new pricing: Apple's first iPod shuffle was the smallest digital-music player on the market when released in January last year. Version 2 makes that old model look positively cumbersome, weighing in at just 15g (half an ounce) and taking up about as much space as a CompactFlash card or tiny book of matches. It really is teeny (41x27x10.5mm). And now that iPod shuffle pricing has been slashed by Apple, it's an even better deal than before. → More

"Creative Zen Stone"

Published on: 5/2007

On test: Creative Labs Zen Stone (1GB)

Creative's Zen Stone is an 'us too!' attempt to knock Apple's iPod Shuffle from the throne of teeny MP3 king. At just over £25, it's half the price of the Shuffle, but is it too cheap to be any good? → More

"Apple iPod Video portable media player"

Published on: 5/2007

On test: Apple iPod 5G Video (30 GB/80GB)

Creative's Zen Vision W, being larger-screened and chunkier, is designed for video above all other functions, but the Apple iPod Video sits elegantly on the fence. It’s an oversized music player but smaller than your average full-blown portable video player. Whether this is a plus or a drawback depends on your point of view. → More

"Archos 704 WiFi portable media player"

Published on: 5/2007

On test: Archos 704 Wi-Fi

You may think Apple is king of portable player innovation, but there’s a lot to be said for Archos, too. Back when Apple and Creative were coming up with chunky music and, later, music and video players, Archos was besting them both. Archos has long offered support for more formats, larger capacity players and often manages to undercut them on price, too. → More

"LG Touch Me FM37 video MP3 player"

Published on: 5/2007

On test: LG Electronics Touch ME MFFM37

LG just can't get enough of that touch-screen technology that's been making its Chocolate series phones fly out the door. Now they've applied it to an extremely smooth and stylish video MP3 player in 2GB and 4GB flavours. → More

"Creative Zen Stone MP3 player"

Published on: 5/2007

On test: Creative Labs Zen Stone (1GB)

Creative and Apple have long been arch enemies in the MP3 player market. After this culminated in court hearings, things went quiet for a while. Now it looks as though Creative fancies another go, this time snapping at Apple's foreshortened Shuffle with its Zen Stone. → More

"Creative Zen Stone MP3 player"

Published on: 5/2007

On test: Creative Labs Zen Stone (1GB)

Creative have finally got around to launching a miniature MP3 player that is small enough to take on the Apple Shuffle, but do nice things come in small packages? We get listening to find out. → More

"SanDisk Sansa e280"

Published on: 5/2007

On test: SanDisk Sansa E280 (8 GB)

We had a look at the SanDisk Sansa e280's sibling, the Sansa e260, several months ago (click here for Sansa e260 review). The SanDisk Sansa e280, an 8GB version, is another player that, despite its obvious imitation of Apple's iPod nano, may struggle to convert Apple iPod fans - particularly without support for Apple Mac OS X. → More

"Creative Zen V Plus MP3 player"

Published on: 5/2007

On test: Creative Labs Zen V Plus (4 GB)

Creative's diminutive MP3 player the Zen V Plus, is its answer to Apple's iPod nano, but has the little player got what it takes to impress? → More

"Sony NW-E013"

Published on: 5/2007

On test: Sony NW-E013

The E Series is the latest line of Sony's MP3 players. They may look like a glorified USB drive or a trendy girl's lipstick, but the models bearing the E moniker have a three-line colour dot-matrix screen and support for a wide range of audio formats. We're looking at the NW-E013, but the 2GB NW-E015 and the 4GB NW-E016 models are identical players. The only difference is memory capacity and colour (Sony likes to give every capacity a different name for some reason). → More

"Creative Zen Stone MP3 player"

Published on: 5/2007

On test: Creative Labs Zen Stone (1GB)

If you never consider an MP3 unless it comes with a screen...then stop reading now. But if, on the other hand, you may be interested in a highly portable, cheaper version of the second gen iPod Shuffle, walk this way. The Zen Stone from Creative really does just what it says on the tin – it plays audio tracks and stores digital media. But it also has one or two other little features that just might appeal, not least of which is 1GB of storage. → More

"Creative Zen V Plus 8GB"

Published on: 5/2007

On test: Creative Labs Zen V Plus (8 GB)

It seems as though MP3 players are becoming increasingly feature packed these days, indeed the term “MP3 player” seems like something of an anachronism because of it. The Creative Zen V Plus is a perfect case in point. In addition to its audio capabilities it can playback video, display photos, receive FM radio, record via a Line-in or internal microphone and even synchronise with your Outlook Contacts and Calendar information. If nothing else it makes for great press release material, but either way it’s difficult to deny that the Zen V Plus packs a lot into its sleek and compact casing. → More

"Creative Zen V Plus media player"

Published on: 5/2007

On test: Creative Labs Zen V Plus (4 GB)

The Creative Zen V Plus is an iPod-nano killer with a difference: it might actually be better than Apple's media player. When PC Advisor reviewed Creative's Zen V we were delighted to find a device that looked vaguely iPod nano-esque, but didn't feature the same fiddly clickwheel that dominates Apple's – and many of its imitators' – digital audio players. → More

"Teac MP-450 music and video player"

Published on: 5/2007

On test: Teac MP-450

This wondrous little black box is the epitome of today’s MP3 gadgets and could easily become every commuter’s best friend. It does everything that you would expect from a £100 MP3 player and so much more. → More

"iRiver S10 portable audio player"

Published on: 5/2007

On test: iRiver S10

iRiver has carved itself quite a name in the digital media player market, with a range of feature-rich devices. One of its latest offerings, the S10, is a small player designed to go head-to-head with Apple's popular iPod Shuffle. → More

"iRiver clix 2 4GB MP3/Media Player"

Published on: 5/2007

On test: iRiver Clix 2 (4GB)

In my experience iRiver products never quite hit the mark. Despite the fact that iRiver players tend to exhibit superior sound quality to pretty much anything else on the market (bar Sony), the clumsy design and poor user interface tend to overshadow those aural delights. But this time iRiver seems to have got almost everything right and the clix 2 is possibly the most desirable portable media player available. → More

"Creative Zen Vision W portable media player"

Published on: 5/2007

On test: Creative Labs Zen Vision : W

Creative's Zen Vision W succeeds its Vision portable media player, gaining a W denoting its widescreen aspect. The epic 4.3in screen is fantastic, displaying both photos and video beautifully and in vivid detail. → More

"Sony NW-S706F"

Issue: 6/2007

On test: Sony NW-S706

It's refreshing to see an MP3 player that isn't modelled on the iPod. Sony's NW-S706F, available in violet, black or pink, looks more like a cuttlefish. It has 4GB of storage, but other models are available with the 2GB (the S705F) or 1GB (the S703F). → More

"Sandisk Sansa c250"

Issue: 6/2007

On test: SanDisk Sansa C250 (2 GB)

For £60, this MP3 player's 2GB capacity is appealing enough, but its MicroSD slot provides a convenient way to add even more storage. → More

"Sandisk Sansa c250"

Issue: 6/2007

On test: SanDisk Sansa C250 (2 GB)

The prices of Flash memory are in free fall at the moment, so too are prices for MP3 players that utilise it. At £50, the Sansa c250 isn't the most affordable 2GB player around, but it is around half the price of the market leaders from Apple and iRiver, and includes an FM radio and voice recorder function. → More

"Sony Walkman NW-A805"

Published on: 4/2007

On test: Sony NW-A805

Ever since we came across the Sansa e260 from SanDisk we here at TR have been trying to convince everyone that it's the best flash based mp3 players on the planet. Video playback, simple drag and drop transfer, and a very slick interface make the Sansa the most feature rich and easiest player to use. But, despite what we say, Apple's marketing clout and the public's "keeping up with the joneses" mentality has meant the iPod nano still reigns supreme in terms of sales. So, with Sony's even larger marketing team (and budget) can its new video Walkman finally make a dent in the iPod's dominance? → More

"iRiver X20"

Published on: 4/2007

On test: iRiver X20

The iRiver X20 is a trendy contender in the growing range of popular flash-based MP3 players on the market today. With its 56mm (2.2-inch) colour LCD screen, in-line MP3 recording, simple PC software and excellent battery life, the X20 stands to be a tough opponent. → More

"LG FM37"

Published on: 4/2007

On test: LG Electronics Touch ME MFFM37

At £129 for the 2GB flavour, LG's FM37 isn't cheap, but it's one stylish music player. It has a brushed metal finish similar to LG's Shine phone, and a stunning touchscreen. → More