MP3 player Tests (P. 7/27)

"Sony Bluetooth Walkman NWZ-A826K"

Published on: 4/2008

On test: Sony NWZ-A826K

Back in the day, when someone wanted to talk about a portable music system, they invariably used the catch-all term 'walkman', however these days you are more likely to refer to an iPod, betraying the Apple product's dominance of the market and the public consciousness. However, after a rather shaky start, Sony is back with a vengeance and, with its latest Walkman-branded device boasting Bluetooth support, fantastic Sony design and an interface shared across many other Sony products such as the PS3 games console and PSP portable gaming system, fingers are once again crossed for a phoenix-like rebirth of the still very much beloved Japanese giant. → More

"Creative Zen Stone with Speaker"

Published on: 3/2008

On test: Creative Labs Zen Stone with Speaker (2GB)

Creative's Zen Stone got a decent write-up from us when we saw it last May, but it's back in 2008 with a teeny speaker built in to its iPod shuffle-bashing internal cavity. Is this what the shuffle was missing, or was it absent for good reason? → More

"Samsung YP-P2"

Published on: 3/2008

On test: Samsung Yepp YP-P2

Available in 4GB (£129 inc VAT) and 8GB (£149 inc VAT) flavours, the Samsung YP-P2 features a crisp and colourful 3in widescreen (480-by-272-pixel)display , which makes video viewing a pseudo-cinematic experience. Its abundant EQ settings and audio presets are ideal for people who love tweaking audio settings. → More

"Sumvision ICE 1000 Touch Screen Media Player - 8GB"

Published on: 3/2008

On test: Sumvision ICE 1000

Think of a touch screen MP3 player; any touch screen MP3 player... the iPod touch - am I right? Maybe you thought of Samsung's gorgeous P2? Okay, so I admit it, it's not exactly a tough trick to pull off, but even if I was wide of the mark, I'm pretty certain you didn't think of Sumvision's ICE 1000, the latest player to try to come to the touch screen party. → More

"Creative Zen Plus with Speaker - 2GB"

Published on: 2/2008

On test: Creative Labs Zen Stone Plus with Speaker (2GB)

I know it's unreasonable, but when I hear someone playing music through the tinny little speaker on their mobile phone - whether on the bus or walking down the street - I experience violent urges. I dream of tearing the offending implement from their grasp and grinding it to bits on the tarmac. I dream of pulling out the Ghetto blaster from hell out from under my capacious jacket and drowning out their insubstantial 50 Cent with some music of substance: Mozart's Requiem or a bombastic blast of Old Blue Eyes himself. In milder moments, I think maybe I'd engage them in witty repartee, convince them of the error of their ways and that, actually, a pair of Sennheisers would allow them to enjoy their music more (and save us the trouble of listening to it). Instead, like the grumpy old men, I button it … and rant at people less likely to turn around and plant one on my delicate, well-manicured chin. Clearly, the latest pocket MP3 players from Creative Labs are not aimed at me. For the main 'improvement' over the Zen Stone and Zen Stone Plus players is not better sound quality, more capacity or a better interface - it is, wait for it, a built-in speaker. → More