CNET Editor's rating: 8.3 out of 10
Reviewed by
Jasmine France
Review date: 02/27/07
The good: The Cowon D2 MP3 player offers a sleek and compact design dominated by a lovely, touch-sensitive screen. The device is packed with almost every feature in the book, including video playback, voice recording, and an FM tuner. The D2 comes with a handy stylus/kickstand, and the sound quality is great.
The bad: The Cowon D2 is pricier than similarly featured MP3 players, and it's a bit heavy. The touch interface won't appeal to all users, specifically active ones.
The bottom line: If you can get on board with the Cowon D2's PDA-like touch screen interface, the reward is great-sounding audio, a smorgasbord of features, and a fantastic battery life.
Cowon may be a bit of an underdog in the U.S. market in terms of sales, but this Korean company sure does know how to make a quality MP3 player. The latest device to arrive on U.S. shores--or at least, in the CNET offices--is the Cowon D2, a solid and compact player dominated by a 2.5-inch screen. I was able to get my hands on a nearly identical preview model of the D2 at CES 2007 but just recently received the final U.S. version with that ever-important DRM support. Other than that welcome addition, the latest unit isn't much different from the one we previewed in January; it still has a nice, high-quality feel to it and offers a beautiful touch screen as well as loads of features, naturally. That said, you can expect to pay a bit of a premium for this high-end MP3 player. At $189.99 for the 2GB version and $219.99 for the 4GB model, the D2 costs more than the Creative Zen V Plus, which offers similar features but twice the memory for comparable prices.
The Cowon D2 comes in black or white versions, but the white is only offered in 4GB, whereas the black comes in either 2GB or 4GB flavors.
Photos of the Cowon D2 really don't do the player justice--it has such a nice feel to it, so we definitely recommend some hands-on time with the player before you pass final judgment. The sleek body is wrapped in a brushed-metal border, where you can find some tactile controls: a power/hold slider, volume buttons, and a menu key. On the left edge, hidden beneath a flap, are two USB ports: one standard mini for syncing with the computer and one proprietary for use with the included wallwart power adapter. The bottom of the device features an SD card expansion slot for adding more memory. At 3x2.2x0.6 inches, the player is pleasantly compact overall, though it feels a bit weighty at 2.1 ounces.
4GB isn't enough for you? Use the Cowon D2's SD card expansion slot to add more memory.
The D2 is dominated by a 2.5-inch color screen, which makes it look quite similar to the iRiver Clix. Unlike the Clix, however, the D2's display is touch-sensitive, which means the majority of navigation is accomplished by poking at the screen PDA-style. Your finger will do the trick, or you can use the included stylus--which also acts as a nifty kickstand, by the way. The D2's touch screen is responsive, but we prefer tactile controls for MP3 players since a touch interface makes blind navigation impossible. All in all, the D2's user interface is pretty straightforward, with an icon-driven main menu that reminds me of Archos' PVPs, but deeper navigation will take some acclimation. Still, anyone with a bit of tech experience should catch on swiftly.
We're enamored with the included stylus, which you can use to prop up the D2 at two different angles.
Getting started with the Cowon D2 is a simple task on Windows XP. (The player also works with previous Windows versions back to 98, as well as Mac and Linux operating systems.) You can simply connect the player to your computer using the included USB cable and begin transferring content, either via drag-and-drop in Windows Explorer or by using Windows Media Player (WMP). Cowon also includes a software CD that includes JetShell for transferring files and JetAudio for media playback and conversion. We prefer WMP to JetShell for syncing, but JetAudio is a worthwhile install--and necessary if you want to convert video for playback on the D2. Transcoding takes time, but it proved easy to do in testing, and the resulting files played back flawlessly on the D2. However, we had to use drag-and-drop to transfer it over--WMP gave an error message.
As with all Cowon players, the D2 is teeming with features. It offers support for multiple audio codecs, including MP3, Ogg, WAV, FLAC, and WMA--including subscription tracks. We tested the player with Urge and the D2 had no problem playing back the tracks and recognizing prebuilt playlists. (You can also create a dynamic playlist on the device itself.) Music playback options include shuffle and repeat modes, six EQ presets as well as a user-defined mode, and BBE sound effects (Mach3Bass, 3D Surround, and Stereo Enhance). You can also view photos and videos on the device. It supports WMV and AVI natively, and the aforementioned JetShell can help you with other formats, such as DiVX. There's also voice and line-in recording, as well as an FM tuner with autoscan and a seemingly limitless number of preset slots.
And how about that ever-pressing performance issue? As I've come to expect from Cowon players, the D2 sounds great when paired with a decent pair of headphones, such as the Shure E4c. You'll definitely want to replace the set that comes with the player--they sound pretty awful. The multitude of sound-adjustment options should help you find the perfect balance for your tastes. Overall, tunes sounded rich, warm, and detailed with a thumping low-end to satisfy bass-freaks. The stellar sound quality remained consistent across all genres of music. Photos looked crisp and detailed on the bright, color screen, and it's kind of cool to see the chunky, pixilated effect just before an image comes fully into focus. Video playback also proved more than acceptable--we wouldn't mind watching a 30-minute clip on the D2, though we still think the screen is too small for feature-length movie watching. The rated battery life of 52 hours for audio and 10 hours for video is also nothing to scoff at; indeed, it's very impressive, and the D2 pretty well proved itself in CNET Labs testing. We got about 50 hours for music and 10 hours for video--simply awesome.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Good PMP, Better than an iRiver because of SD expansion
Great PMP minor flaws that DO NOT ruin the player, I'm sure more accessories will become available later. Compared ...
Great PMP minor flaws that DO NOT ruin the player, I'm sure more accessories will become available later. Compared to iRiver Clix, I like it a lot better because of expansion and touch screen even though it was "beat out" by the Clix. But I think it was a lot more possibilities.
Updated Well, I've downloaded the newest firmware on to my D2, I've also added the a dictionary
Firmware version 3.41 (final not beta) This firmware seems to fix a lot of small bugs that were annoying in previous firmwares, It perfectly supports my 8GB SDHC card, I have had no crashes yet with the player either.
The dictionary isn't the most helpful for me but none the less its neat and I'm sure I'll use it at least once, If i was going to Korea or learning Korean on the other hand, it would be perfect because you can look up words in English see and have them pronounced in Korean. Maybe more dictionarys will come, only time will tell.
10 out of 10 - Perfect Just the best mp3 player on the market, though Im not sure you can call it that
I was really on the fence giving the product a 10. You are only supposed to give 10s for something ...
I was really on the fence giving the product a 10. You are only supposed to give 10s for something that cant be better and the D2 can be better?everything can be better. This unit could have blue tooth and a GPS and it would be better?but for what it is? it works perfectly. Still I was sure I would give this unit a 9.5 but since I don't have that option so 10 it is. The ONLY small fault I can find with this is that the LCD has a somewhat minimal perfect viewing angle. It could be better but its not enough of a minus to really count. This is just the most perfect MP3 player that has ever been built to date. Its only draw back to any other player is that it currently doesn't have the huge storage space of a HD based unit?but that is also one of its pluses?no HD to ever go bad. Every function of the D2 works perfectly. The sound is the best I have heard from ANY other player. It simply doesn't get better then this right now and this warrants a 10. Btw I really think CNets review of the D2 is off more then just by mistake. Maybe there really is something to the rumor their reviews are bought?
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by X Smart One X (see profile) -
March 19, 2007
10 out of 10 - Perfect THIS IS IT. THIS IS THE ONE. IT IS THE BEST ON THE MARKET RIGHT NOW
After a long hard search someone finally got it. A touch screen player that plays audio AND video....all with ...
After a long hard search someone finally got it. A touch screen player that plays audio AND video....all with EXPANDABLE memory. This the best and most badass mobile entertainment unit. I am buying stock in this company. They know what people want and they deliver. I sometimes wonder if CNET has a hint of a clue. I know they rarely give out tens but this unit deserves at least a 9 from them. At least?. CNET reviews are COMPLETE idiots. They have proven that time and time again. When you pick up a unit?.comment on the lights it has ?a certain DELL laptop comes to mind and NOT its performance?I think that's pretty much proof they have ABSOLUTLY NO CLUE WHATSOEVER about the products they review. NONE at all. IDIOTS. Anyway?if you are looking for an all in one portable media entertainment device?look no further. Absolutely stunning in its functionality and thoughtfulness to what the consumer wants
Updated This DIDNT get an editors choice award? Why, because of their con of it being a bit more expensive. Is anyone here EVER going to pay attention to another CNET review? Has anyone noticed that CNET never talks about how well something works....just about how it looks or feels? They need to stop reviewing things altogether since they cant put a factual realistic review. I think there reviews are bought and sold.
Updated In this review they say "The rated battery life of 52 hours for audio and 10 hours for video is also nothing to scoff at; indeed, it's very impressive, and we can't wait to see how it pans out in our CNET labs testing." - see at the bottom of the review. THEY DIDNT EVEN TEST THE PRODUCT BEFORE THEY REVIEWED IT !!!!!!! I hope all of you realize what this means.
Updated Again I have to ask. Do Cnet reviewers have a clue? Veronica Belmont breezes over the fact that the D2 has E X P A N D A B L E memory. That is a HUGH plus. It means you can (if you want) Have differnet music on different SD cards. It means your player expands with your music collection. It means that you dont have to delete songs as your player becomes full. It is a HUGE plus. The Iriver clix doesnt have a touch screen again she breezes over this fact as if it is nothing. I honestly just dont get it. CNET your reviewers are honestly idiots. Sorry Veronica...you are cute but you have no clue what counts in a review.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Apple, Sandisk, Samsung, Creative, Microsoft, Toshiba, and Iriver be ashamed, Cowon has crushed you.
To those who believe this player weights a lot, it does not and if it does then you must be ...
To those who believe this player weights a lot, it does not and if it does then you must be three years old and in horrible physical condition, just one of the grievances I have about Cnet's review of this amazing player. The next is the price, which is equivalent, even cheaper than the Iriver Clix, which had no mention of the price being too high, also yes the Creative Zen V Plus is cheaper, but has a screen almost half the size, does not sound as defined, and personal, and the video is very hard to watch for any length of time. Lastly the Cnet review mentioned that the touch interface is not ideal for active users, another misconception. I walk to town and from town with this player and find it great with my Etymotic Er-6 earphones, which because of the lack of external sound may be the only conceivable drawl back to this equation. The player is easy to use on the go, with practice it is possible to switch tracks while walking, though make sure to glance ahead of you especially if you are using noise canceling earphones, a mistake I have made. The very important hold button works great and stays in place while in motion, another testament to this player's master craftsmanship. The only real problem with it is the screen can become hard to read if faced directly at the sun, in this event I have found that if you look at it at eye level most glare is gone and it is easily readable.
Now that we have cleared that up let me share my experience with this player to you, my reader. The player has been dropped from varying heights many times and has not shown one symptom of my clumsiness. Also the screen attracts fingerprints constantly, and suffering from a slight case of OCD I clean it after every use with a jewelers cleaning cloth, I do not use a screen protector. The interface is great and fluidly moves from menu to menu without delay and has no perceivable lag time between commands, even switching tracks. Also the music is divided into artists, then to albums, and then to tracks, rather standard and simple to use. The video looks amazing with every pixel exploding with life and color with absolutely no lag or lost frames. The pictures also are rich and even on a pure white back ground you would be hard pressed to find any pixilated areas. The Fm radio works reasonably well and does what every radio should. The text viewer is one option that I liked for the lyric possibilities, but as of yet I have been too lazy to do anything with it, but the text is of large font, another thing I was worried about, and is easy to read. Finally the sound, it is simply amazing, especially with my Etymotic Er-6's. Also with my last MP3 player the Creative Labs Zen V Plus I could not find any difference between the Er-6's and the much more expensive Er-4p's, but with the Cowon the difference was deafeningly clear and prominent, which has forced me to upgrade my earphones, and no this is not a con, to use the Er-4p's a lot of power is required of the player. The only problem is Jet Audio can be an annoying program, but is ok for light use and the Cowon D2 works fine with Windows Media Player.
In the end, this player is everything a player should be and suffers from very little, and basks in the golden glory of its quality, performance, and beauty. A must have for any sentient being looking for a great MP3 Player for any purpose.
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by Delta_1011 (see profile) -
May 21, 2007
9 out of 9 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular If You Like Touch Screens, Add a Point to CNET's Review
This device is fantastic. I definatley saw this to be a superior option to the Nano. (Hell if it had ...
This device is fantastic. I definatley saw this to be a superior option to the Nano. (Hell if it had more storage, it would beat up the video iPod as well) Video- The screen is crisp and the frame rate is great. The conversion process is a bit lengthy, but the results are well worth it. Music- The device has a broad range of format compatability. It also shows album art (don't they all) and has a feature to display lyrics. (For some karaoke on the go?) The thing that impressed me the most was the EQ settings and effects. I managed to get the sound exactly the way I like it, something that I can not say on any apple products. My only gripe is the playlist intergration. It is more difficult to set up than most players. Photo- The viewer is great, but the touch screen menu does not have a hide feature, meaning you have to wait for it to disappear before you look at the entire image. Cowon is already on firmware version 2.0 and I'm sure they are working on an update to fix the two issues I have mentioned. All in all this is a great player, and with it's touch screen and fast hardware, I wouldn't be suprised if I see some mods for it as well. Great buy!
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by Lordadimar (see profile) -
February 28, 2007
7 out of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular An amazing piece of technology. iPod who? Nano what?
I collect mp3 players and love the latest technology so when I heard about the D2 here I thought I'...
I collect mp3 players and love the latest technology so when I heard about the D2 here I thought I'd give one a try. Where to start? Excellent powerful sound from this little device. I pair it with my Etymotic ER6-I's (another CNET reccomendation) with foam tips and it is truly amazing. There are so many ways to tweak the music on this it might be a little daunting for the less experienced. Music navigation is extremely dull, there is no file structure to it whatsoever, so you can't group as to artist or album etc. My only major gripe, lets hope that a future firmware upgrade will address this. Foto navigation is a snap. Its kinda cool to watch the picture come into focus too. This thing can display almost every type of foto as well, at any resolution. Movies and videos are easy to convert with the included software and look nice on the brilliant touch screen. I'll have to get the TV out cable and see how it looks on a big screen because I found myself rubbing my eyes after an hour of viewing. I supppose I will try a full length movie soon and see how that feels. I highly recommend the firmware upgrade, it adds some interesting features and updates. An overly complex process but, not too dificult but just MAKE SURE you read the instructions carefully. The notepad is kinda cool, great for writing a quick note or reminder. I will have to try out the Flash soon, the thought of games or some cool app. is nifty. Text is easy to see and navigate. I love that I can carry a book or two to read. The update also makes the FM reception clearer. You can also user assign the hard buttons now, this makes it easier for blind navigation in your pocket. I am so dumping my iPods'. I got this player on eBay for just $155. with shipping. Compare that with a 4GB Nano at $199. retail and you begin to wonder. Just knowing that you can add SDHC cards into the mix takes it over the top. Now include support for SD wi-fi cards and an internet browser and I'd even leave the Archos 604 wi-fi at home with the iPods' and the dogs. I had my D2 with me on a recent cross country trip and it was so nice not looking for an outlet to charge up my media. The battery life this device has is PHENOMENAL. Not only that but the coolness factor is sweet too. I had more than one question about it. Now this is tech I love and appreciate.
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by ThrowingShade (see profile) -
August 4, 2007
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Best in Class Audio. AUDIOPHILES TAKE NOTE!
I'm always looking for the best audio performance to go with my Shure E500PHP's,and because I don'...
I'm always looking for the best audio performance to go with my Shure E500PHP's,and because I don't trust anyone, I currently own an iPod Nano, an iRiver Clix (first Gen 4GB),a Creative Zen Vision, the Cowon D2 4GB, and half a dozen others.
Hands down, this is the best audio I've ever heard in anything other than lossless formats. Right out of the box the sound is awesome. A few tweaks to the Jet Effect settings and you're in for the best sound experience available in a PMP.
You must get replacment earbuds! Ear canal phones preferably. The included earbuds are not adequate.
The UI takes some getting used to. After a month I've got it down now and am liking it. Give it time!
Setup was a hassle! Out of the box the text was korean. I had to look at the manual online to figure out how to change it to english. Not easy when you can't read anything!
Important! I use subscription music downloads:
You have to go into SETTINGS/GENERAL/USB CONNECTED and change it to MTP to use subscription services.
I can't get this to play nice with Rhapsody, which sucks because I love their service. The player shuts off after 5 or 6 transfers. I'm still trying to fix this issue.
Instead, I'm using URGE. It's not as easy to use as Rhapsody IMO, but still pretty good.
You will need to update the firmware (currently 2.41 beta) when you get it but the online instructions are incorrect.
They say to copy D2.Bin from the firmware download's folder '2' to the D2's root folder first. The first file is actually D2N.bin and it's in folder '0'.
Once you get all these irritating issues squared away and get used to the UI, you're in for a great experience! I almost sent it back. I'm VERY glad I didn't.
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by Klepmod (see profile) -
May 1, 2007
4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
10 out of 10 - Perfect Unit does everything it supposed to and is a joy to use
THis is the perfect pmp\mp3 player on the market. Yes, it can be better but only with time. Cars ...
THis is the perfect pmp\mp3 player on the market. Yes, it can be better but only with time. Cars could fly and be better. At this time, at this place though the Cowon D2 is the best Mp3 on the market bar none and it deserves every part of the 10 score I gave it. This unit is just awesome. If you are looking for a music player this is the one to get. Go out and make yourself happy !
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by musictechgod (see profile) -
March 21, 2007
10 out of 10 - Perfect Solid, feature packed product
I've had this player for less than a week and am very impressed with the build quality, ergonomics, sound ...
I've had this player for less than a week and am very impressed with the build quality, ergonomics, sound quality and the display. This is the first non-CreativeLabs product I've owned. Prior MP3 products include: Zen Micro Photo, Zen Vision M, and the Zen Nano Plus. The Cowon D2 blends most of the features of the 3 Zen products I've owned into a solid, compact, better sounding unit. Cowon upgrades the firmware with a somewhat trivial upgrade process. I installed a beta version of the latest firmware which among other things improved the radio reception, as well as added additional features to the product.
The touch screen is very solid, and easily responds with a tap from my fingernail, or the included triangular stylus. I've not loaded any video onto the unit, but the image quality of the default promo video that comes with the unit is spectacular.
The included headphones are less than desireable, so I replaced them with a $30 pair of Philips ear buds. The sound is superior to any of the Zen products I've owned.
The only negative I've encountered in my first week of ownership is a lack of available accessories, e.g. case or armband strap. However, the unit is small enough that it fits in the inside pocket of my running shorts.
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by jrgillespie (see profile) -
March 19, 2007
4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular New Firmware Gives iPhone Like Interface
Firmware V3.40b released!! Support SDHC cards! With 16 GB cards and higher ones soon capacity will exceed that of ...
Firmware V3.40b released!! Support SDHC cards! With 16 GB cards and higher ones soon capacity will exceed that of many hard drive players. You can review the article at
You can now easily scroll through your music or contacts with just a flick of your finger you could scroll through the list very quickly. Surprisingly, Cowon has implemented a very similar looking feature in their latest firmware. The company has posted this on their Korean site and listed it as a beta. Cowon is calling their scrolling feature "Virtual Motion", but If this was one of the many patents that Apple has for the iPhone they might eventually be calling it "pending lawsuit".
Other features in the firmware upgrade
- Supoort ID3 music library - Support SDHC cards - Added virtual motion UI - Support MTP / MS DRM 10 - Added DAB SLS(slide show) feature - Improved FM radio reception - Excluded movie shuffle mode
Updated Neglected to include the YouTube link demonstrating the iPhone like qualities
Playlist,
A-B repeat,
All tracks repeat,
One track repeat,
Resume play,
Fade in / fade out
Digital player supported bit rate
320 Kbps
Digital player ID3 tags support
Yes
External hard drive function
Yes
Digital player additional features
TEXT viewer
Video Playback Features
Video playback support
AVI,
WMV
Still image format
JPG
Battery
Required Qty
1
Rechargeable Battery
Rechargeable
Battery Enclosure Type
Internal
Technology
Lithium polymer
Recharge Time
3.5 hour(s)
Battery
Lithium polymer Rechargeable Player batteryInternal
Mfr estimated battery life
52 hour(s)
Battery Life Details
Video playback Lithium polymer 10 hour(s),
Digital playback Lithium polymer 52 hour(s)
Audio System
Sound output mode
Stereo
Additional features
Voice recording,
Auto power off,
USB 2.0 compatibility,
Lyrics display,
FM radio recording capability,
Upgradeable firmware,
Text viewer
Cable(s) / Peripheral(s)
Cable(s) included
USB cable - External
System Requirements
Peripheral / Interface devices
USB port,
CD-ROM
Min Operating system
Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition,
Microsoft Windows XP,
Apple MacOS X,
Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition,
Apple MacOS 9.x,
Microsoft Windows 2000,
Linux 2.2.x or later,
Microsoft Windows 98
Min hard drive space
50 MB
Min processor type
Intel Pentium
Min processor speed
200 MHz
Min RAM size
32 MB
Connections
Connector type
1 x DC power input,
1 x Headphones Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm,
1 x Audio line-in Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm,
1 x Composite video/audio output,
1 x USB Mini-USB Type B
Slot(s) provided
1 x SD Memory Card
Built-in Display
Audio system built-in display
TFT
Diagonal size
2.5 in
Resolution
360 x 240
Backlight display
Yes
Features
Touch screen
Power
Power Supply / Device
Power adapter External
Audio Features
Sound effects
MP Enhance,
BBE,
Mach3Bass
Amplifier response bandwidth
20 - 20000 Hz
Timer
Sleep,
Playback,
Record
Built-in clock
Alarm,
Digital clock,
Timer
CD System
Playback modes
Pause,
Previous song,
Next song,
Fast forward,
Section repeat,
Recording/Pause,
Play,
Rewind
Hide
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