Cowon iAudio 7 (8GB, red)

Summary: I had to return my iAudio7 a few days after receiving it. I waited over 2 weeks to receive it in the mail! Of course my "initial" impression was good, ...

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Summary: I had to return my iAudio7 a few days after receiving it. I waited over 2 weeks to receive it in the mail! Of course my "initial" impression was good, and I don't buy these things without extensive research and study. I'm not biased in favor of iPods - I don't own one. I do own a Samsung YP-T8 and Pogo, which only have 1 gig and 512MB respectively, so I?ve been waiting patiently for something with more capacity.

So, regarding the iAudio 7:
Cons:
1) The sound options are, quite frankly, overly complex. Anybody who tends to fuss will be driven crazy by the options. Why not just 2 knobs for treble and bass? Remember them?

2) The fonts used in the display, though colorful, are WAY TOO SMALL! It not really scaled for human eyes. There?s some verbiage above one graphic that I didn?t even realize was text at first. High contrast isn?t enough! The fonts are at the threshold of human sight. The fonts are smaller than newsprint, and impossible to read while driving, which is, quite frankly, a fatal flaw, since people use these things while driving, biking, jogging, etc, since in their homes most people use their regular stereos. Even under ideal circumstances the display is *hard to read*.

3) It does have a bookmark feature, something which I absolutely need for listening to long recorded radio programs. But it?s unuseable. Bookmarks need to indicate both the relative and absolute position of a file (such as ?1:22:54 DM show?). With relative position you know where the last bookmark is in a file, where there are several bookmarks for that file, so you can either go to that point, or delete the others. The absolute position tells you where the bookmark is in the file. If there are 5 bookmarks for a file, in the iAudio 7 they all say ?DM show? (as per my earlier example), so it?s impossible to know which is first, last or the position it marks. The user manual states that when you create a bookmark, existing ones for that file are deleted. If this were true, you wouldn?t have the ?relative position? issue. But existing bookmarks AREN?T deleted as advertised, and this creates the ?relative position? issue. So it?s impossible to manage bookmarks. Another fatal flaw.

4) The slider bar is hard to use, it?s hard to zero in on items in a list. It?s hard to calibrate your finger to the slider mechanism ? that?s the problem with these ?slider? interfaces, also found on the iPhone. It?s so sensitive that it responded to my finger even when it was suspended ABOVE the plastic! For a moment I thought I had supernatural powers! Fortunately users can adjust this sensitivity.

4) a minor gripe is it?s ?brick? form factor, which makes it a little awkward to simply put in your pocket. Though not a deal breaker, I doubt anybody will love this feature. It should be less deep, but wider and longer, so the display is bigger, and fit in the pocket better.


Perceived ?pluses? are it?s 60 hr battery life and sound quality. It has a few other nice features like FM radio, which has good reception (a high S/N ratio, which is good).

Speaking of font sizes, I noticed the iPod displays are, at least, easy to read. So I bought one! The Nano 2nd gen, 8 gig. The all aluminum black case is nice. OK, that?s just an initial impression, which can be misleading. I don?t really need FM, but it does record voice with the separately purchased mic accessory, which in turn has a line-in jack (I have to study this further). There?s even something called ?iFill? that fills the iPod with free internet radio! The ?Quick Search?, new on the 2nd gen Nano, is *real nice*. It also has a new artist/album search feature that has a virtual keyboard. Enter ?mon? and every album, artist, or track that has that character string is displayed. Cool. I?m breaking it in now, but the sound is good for both music and recorded radio show files (196 and 96 kbps respectively) using it?s 27 presets, which is ?nice and simple?. Files in the ?Audiobooks? folder can be bookmarked (con: they have to be converted to a certain file type first) but I don?t know if this feature will be as convenient as the bookmark feature with my Samsung YP-T8, so I might actually keep the YP for my recorded radio shows. I also considered the Zen Vision M, but portable devices with hard drives spook me ? a little too fragile, possibly.

On the other hand, if you don?t need bookmarks, like to fuss endlessly with sound controls, and like to read very tiny print while driving or biking with a bulge in your pocket, you just might like the iAudio 7.

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Summary: I've had my IAudio 7 for a few days now and I just can't let go of it. From top to bottom it's a winner.First it'...

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Summary: I've had my IAudio 7 for a few days now and I just can't let go of it. From top to bottom it's a winner.First it's NOT an EYEPOD and belive me I'm relieved because I hate buying things that the whole world seems to have...variety and choice is key and this little wonder really packs it in. The interface is cool and the touch is smooth. It had a really delicate touch at first but as I'm getting used to it I can scroll through things pretty quick now. The player feels very solid in my hand and I have no problem with the size...the ipod nano always seems so flimsy and light...this is smaller and more compact, and it has weight which I like...
Most of all though, the sound...it's amazing...I'm not using the headphones it came with rather I'm using my new v-modas and man does it sound clear and deep. I love that thereare so many ways to set the sound and it really works, not like some crappier mp3 players that have some sort of equalizer that never really sounds like anything. It's really loud too...I'm playing at about 22, 21 where as my previous Iaudio U2 I played at 27 or 28 I like the screen although I have not really watched anything except the sample movies and to be honest it's a really small screen. What you could possibly watch and get any pleasutre out of is beyond me. This is a music player and one should purchase it, I think, with that as the priority. I have not seen any pictures as of yet. How small do we all want to go here anyway. It was not too long ago when I was walking around with a seemingly big sony walkman. It's amazing to have every record or song you could ever want in your possesion at all times. The screen and is bright and colorfull . I ve yet to customize it but it's really easy to do.I also like the dedicated buttons like the hold button which is necessary, and this is a slight, because if it's not in the hold position and if you tap or touch the screen it will stop and start and cahnge traacks etc...but the hold button seems sturdy and once it's slid on the player does not skip a beat. Connection was easy to the putey and I dragged and dropped about 20 records, as it were, in about 5 minutes.The battery by the way came charged and I have not needed a fill up since...one week so far...it saves it's power well...when you are interacting it lights up but when you've chosen your song and push play the screen goes dark almost immediately and the whole thing goes black which is really cool cause it looks off and hidden, but with a tap, it pops back on. The unit promises 60 hours so we'll see

Negatives: there is no,case,cover,armbad or bracelet or anything really to protect the little wonder or carry it around. On the Jet mall accessory page I found a case for about 12.99 and a necklace for 5.00. Oh, I found the IAUDIO on the Cowan website and there is a link to JETMALL which was the ONLY place that had them in stock. I would get this as quick as possible because it's really great and it's not an IPOD!! AND it's not available at any store I know, like Beast Buy or Circut City which is another reason to like this item.
I hope this has been helpful. I love my new player thus far...who knows maybe it will turn to crap in a month!

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Summary: I'm a former I-Pod Nano owner, it sounds better than the Nano, plays video, has a radio and at just under $200, has double the memory of an I-pod ...

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Summary: I'm a former I-Pod Nano owner, it sounds better than the Nano, plays video, has a radio and at just under $200, has double the memory of an I-pod Nano for the same price. I know it's a matter of preference, but I-Tunes wasn't a good fit for me either. I love I have a choice of drag and drop (UMS style) or using Cowon's player control software. The key word here is choice.With Apple, it's their way (I-Tunes) or the highway.

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Summary: don't get fool by Sirocco's review.
His first comment is that the device has too many options. I like the options. When I bought my Ipod (huge mistake)
...

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Summary: don't get fool by Sirocco's review.
His first comment is that the device has too many options. I like the options. When I bought my Ipod (huge mistake) I had no options.
His second comment is about says that the 'fonts are hard to read when you are driving, biking or jogging'. What? A book is hard to read doing those things.
The third comment talks about problems with multiple bookmarks. Is he joking now? He complains about too many options and now he wants multiple bookmarks. I have one list of bookmarks and feels more than enough.
The fourth comment talks about his difficulties to control the slider, but ends his comment with "users can adjust this sensitivity". This shows he is just complaining because he wants to complain.
The fifth comment talks about the thickness of the device. Cowon install a bigger battery for a longer life. If you want thinner buy thinner, but don't complain about an advantage that is good for all users: more hours between charges.

Is obvious that Sirocco777 has an interest in making possible buyers to re-think their interest in buying a Cowon (Steve Jobs in disguise?). I made Ipod users listen to my Cowon and they were blown away by the quality. There is no comparison. They are not even close. With a Cowon you will listen the same quality you have if you were using a CD player, because of the propietary Software Cowon has. You can listen drums and listen to the fingers against the strings in a guitar.

Make yourself a favor: buy a Cowon.

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Summary: I'll make this short and sweet. I ditched the new nano for this presuming it was better, and it is. Sound quality is WAY better, and you can tweak ...

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Summary: I'll make this short and sweet. I ditched the new nano for this presuming it was better, and it is. Sound quality is WAY better, and you can tweak the sound with Jet Effects unlike the Nano, so it can sound even better. The video playback is also cool. The thing really isn't that big, though it is thicker than the Nano. The only thing that the nano has on this is iTunes, which works perfectly with iPods, and makes things so easy. The interface on the ipod is also easier, as iPod interfaces are "Perfect" with the scroll wheel, but the slide-touch interface is pretty cool. But besides that the IAUDIO 7 beats the Nano by a lot in my books.

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Summary: I've had this player for 2 weeks now and I have no complains whatsoever.

The battery life was a big factor in buying this particular mp3 player because my

...

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Summary: I've had this player for 2 weeks now and I have no complains whatsoever.

The battery life was a big factor in buying this particular mp3 player because my past players have had terrible battery life, and it's perfect. I haven't had to recharge it once yet and I use it about 5 hours a day at work.

I like the screen. It's small and all, but it's bright and crisp. I don't plan on using it for video but it could work. I also really like the menus and navigation.

I would definitely recommend this mp3 player for anyone needing one with great battery life, good sound quality, and compactness. May not be for you if the small screen would bother you.

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Summary: I love this player. I have had it for two weeks now, and I am thoroughly impressed with it. I also have an Apple Ipod, so I can honestly compare ...

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Summary: I love this player. I have had it for two weeks now, and I am thoroughly impressed with it. I also have an Apple Ipod, so I can honestly compare the two. The Ipod is a nice player- thin, kinda sexy in some ways, but it is not nearly as good as the IAudio 7.
The IAudio 7 has nearly everything you can think of, except for the kitchen sink in it, and the sound is incredible!
I think that the sound enhancement features on the IAudio 7 are phenomenal, and even best is the 'Pan sound' feature which allows the user to put more loudness in one ear or the other, if one is hard of hearing in one ear as I am.
Overall, this is a great MP3 player, and it is by far and away the best I have seen and played compared to others like the Apple, Creative, and Sony.

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Summary: Language kept changing to Chinese, play list?s played sometimes, other times could not retrieve play list's; player had a mind of it?s own. Ear bud is horrible.

Summary: Language kept changing to Chinese, play list?s played sometimes, other times could not retrieve play list's; player had a mind of it?s own. Ear bud is horrible.

Summary: Top priority for me is ability to play other formats besides mp3, especially ogg vorbis. This player can play a wide variety of formats, which is the coolest feature in ...

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Summary: Top priority for me is ability to play other formats besides mp3, especially ogg vorbis. This player can play a wide variety of formats, which is the coolest feature in my opinion. Next comes the sound quality, which is awesome after upgrading to canal-style earbuds. Battery life is really long, but I don't think it reaches the stated 60 hours. I have not timed it to be sure, though. The interface of the player itself is very easy. The player charges by connecting to a computer USB port. A separate charger is availabe. The player mounts as a mass storage device, making it easy to add and delete files on the player. I've had mine for a few months now, and I give it my top recommendation.

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Summary: First off, a little bit about myself and my mp3 player purchasing so you can properly evaluate whether this review will suffice your needs. I am a self-described audiophile who ...

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Summary: First off, a little bit about myself and my mp3 player purchasing so you can properly evaluate whether this review will suffice your needs. I am a self-described audiophile who likes to listen to things with the best possible sound. I originally started out in the mp3 player market with a Creative Nomad Jukebox (had a 2.5" 6gb hard drive and ran on 4AA batteries for about 4 hours). I later upgraded to a Cowon iAudio G3 in 2004 or 2005. The play button no longer registers on the G3, so I started searching for a replacement.

Design
The device is similar in dimensions to a bic lighter, just a little wider and a little thicker (about as thick as a AA battery). I like the fact that the device has some dimension but weighs very little. The controls on the front of the device are touch sensitive. People have complained that it's too sensitive. I so far have not found this true, however when I keep it in my pocket, I use the hold button, which prevents accidentally skipping tracks. The cover over the USB port feels solid. As for the screen, it is small. Probably about the size of a postage stamp. I would not this device for video purposes. Also, the device is very glossy, which is very fingerprint prone. I have no case for the device, and I still have no scratches (although realize I have only been using for about 2-3 weeks at this point).

User Interface
This is the area where there are lots of differences between users. As mentioned above, the touch controls are sometimes rated to be too sensitive. However, one nice feature is that the user can adjust the hold button to permit the buttons on top of the player to continue to adjust volume as well as play/pause.

As for file searching, I tend to use the folder mode, for two reasons: (1) I previously had the iAudio G3, and that device was only folder mode, so my music is organized in folders in a very easy to search way and (2) for whatever reason, Cowon does not have a way to use DPL (Dynamic Playlist - the ability to create a playlist on the fly) when using ID3 searching.

Features

This device has many features beyond just audio playback, but even with audio playback, it can playback more than just mp3 and wma. It also can playback ogg and flac. It can play video files (I hear that a conversion is required to put it on the device, but I have yet to use this for video). In addition, it can record both voice and line-in. I hear that the line-in recording (wire not included) will automatically start new tracks when there is a gap in the music. There is also a radio with decent reception and, if you are listening and hear a song you like, you can record.
Performance
Music Transfer is purely drag and drop. No need for any proprietary software. And all very good is that the device uses standard mini USB, not a proprietary software.

First off, let's get this out right here - I have NEVER opened the earbuds that came with the device. I am listening to is using my Sennheiser PX100 (entry level portable headphones). One of the main reasons I purchased this device was my level of satisfaction with the G3. It sounds absolutely phenomenal. It's almost like having a portable stereo system. Between BBE, Mach3Bass, and customizable EQ, this device sounds amazing.

As for other playback features this device has (video, pictures, text, etc.), I have not used tested this device. As mentioned earlier, the screen is very small, so it probably is not the greatest device for these other options.

Summary
If you are looking for a device for quality audio playback, look no further. This device sounds phenomenal, especially when paired with a good set of headphones.

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