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Axo1ot1 · May 7, 2003, 02:30 PM

Most of the reviews I have read on the iPod's previous generations, especially ones comparing it to competing players from creative etc., have indicated the iPod's sound quality was less than great. I'm sure it's all right for most listeners or it wouldn't be popular, but I want as good sound quality as i can get and I'm not interested in dropping $500 on something that's going to distort bass or just have a low threashhold. So how is the amp in the iPod? Is it well-powered, or should I think about getting a headphone amp to go with it? Does it deal well with interference?

Axo1ot1 · May 7, 2003, 10:21 PM

Anyone? Anyone? Bueler?

ryanbrown345 · May 7, 2003, 11:23 PM

Every review I have read for even the prevouis Ipod's have been great. But I have noticed that the my new 30gb does sound really good, better than my 5gb. Also if you but your bass mooster on, the old ipods it cracked! But this seems to be fixed completly because it sounds very nice! But the IPOD is the best sounding music player out there, but get some nice headphones! It makes all the difference. The volume is a lot higher than the older version's, Now I have no problem getting a nice loud volume!

Bohemia · May 8, 2003, 04:15 AM

How does the new iPod compare to portable cd players? Never liked the sound of mp3 but what I have heard of AAC sounds really good! I have a decent sony disc-man with good earphones. I know that if I bought an iPod and it didn't sound as good as my discman it would be a lot of money out the window for me.

dav · May 8, 2003, 10:10 AM

Originally posted by Bohemia:
Never liked the sound of mp3 but what I have heard of AAC sounds really good!

all depends on how you encode. i've been happy with 192vbr mp3s, but now i'm using 192 aac. for the purists, the ipod is capable of playing aif or wav, i.e., go for the 30gb model if this is your route.

playby · May 8, 2003, 12:27 PM

I own a sony mzr 900 minidisc player which has phenomenal bass. when i bough my wife the first 10 gig ipod for her birthday, i noticed (using the same big sony headphones on my md player) that the bass was a lot less satisfying, and trying to bump it up with the eq caused lots of distortion.
i finally decided that my hearing would probably last longer if i listened to the ipod, so im now looking to get the 15 gig model for myself. if the bass or volume is better it'd be great... if it hasnt really changed, and you want the same mind crushing experience from a sony md player, i'd suggest an amp.

Svenmagnus · May 8, 2003, 01:11 PM

I just got the 15gb and its my first ipod. I'm not very impressed by the earbuds, their quality definitely leaves something to be desired. I don't think the ear buds can handle the full range of sound that the ipods can pump through.

Axo1ot1 · May 8, 2003, 04:18 PM

So the amp is better powered than before? Is this possibly the explanation for the reduced battery life in these models?

Do any of you actually know about sound, or are you just casual listeners?

Rubens · May 8, 2003, 04:22 PM

I have the new 15 gb iPod does anyone hear a click between tracks ?

cobra7869 · May 8, 2003, 06:16 PM

Go to a store and listen to it. When it comes to audio, there is no "ear" better than your own. I have owned the original 5GB, revb 10 GB, and now the 15GB. I love them all, especially the 15.

Mr. Blur · May 9, 2003, 12:19 AM

Originally posted by Axo1ot1:
So the amp is better powered than before? Is this possibly the explanation for the reduced battery life in these models?

i think i read somewhere that the reduced battery life was becasuse of the ipod being smaller, making the battery inside smaller as well....

Axo1ot1 · May 10, 2003, 02:16 AM

I just got a 30 GB. I am listening to it with my Etymotic ER-6 earbuds. I must say the bass is considerably more responsive than I expected. The mids are pretty good, but have a sorta hollow feel to them. I'm thinking I might invest in an amp from Head Room, but overall I'm very impressed. It's better than I expected.

kidtexas · May 10, 2003, 11:46 PM

From my experience. Am using Sony MDR-7506 and MDR-e888's. The bass is definitely better in the 7506's, which considering their hyped sound, is understandable. With the EQ off, it sounds pretty good.

The bass on the 888's is a bit weak, and the treble can be a bit harsh.

I've found that the EQ is a pain in the butt. For older, more reasonably mastered tracks, Bass Booster EQ sounds pretty good (though not massive). On newer tracks that are overloud (most new rock in the last 5 years, hip hop, etc), the Bass Booster EQ will distort the sound. bummer. Looks like I might invest in some Etymotics...

exa · May 11, 2003, 12:10 AM

Hm, I always thought the iPods (I have 10GB original) had excellent sound quality.

This is compared to my MG Head DT Vacuum tube amplifier out of Etymotic ER-4S earphones. Sure the iPod is a bit grainer/etc but definetely is more than acceptable. Don't know why others did not like the sound (perhaps they like too much bass? a la bass boost?)...

I've always found that all portable cd players have absolutely unbearable headphone outputs, I actually have a portable headphone amplifier housed in an altoids tin that I used when I used my cd player (sony primarily).

Bass boost is for the pathetic though

Axo1ot1 · May 11, 2003, 12:36 AM

Originally posted by exa:
Hm, I always thought the iPods (I have 10GB original) had excellent sound quality.

This is compared to my MG Head DT Vacuum tube amplifier out of Etymotic ER-4S earphones. Sure the iPod is a bit grainer/etc but definetely is more than acceptable. Don't know why others did not like the sound (perhaps they like too much bass? a la bass boost?)...

I've always found that all portable cd players have absolutely unbearable headphone outputs, I actually have a portable headphone amplifier housed in an altoids tin that I used when I used my cd player (sony primarily).

Bass boost is for the pathetic though

Agreed, most people don't grasp the usage of high end audio systems. I farking hate those kids that drive around with dual 12" subs in their trunks. You can't hear the rest of the music! It's all bass. What the hell is the point?

dettociao · May 11, 2003, 07:30 PM

Originally posted by Axo1ot1:
Agreed, most people don't grasp the usage of high end audio systems. I farking hate those kids that drive around with dual 12" subs in their trunks. You can't hear the rest of the music! It's all bass. What the hell is the point?

Ahh... the point is to be extremely "bling ".

KidRed · May 12, 2003, 01:35 PM

Originally posted by Axo1ot1:
Agreed, most people don't grasp the usage of high end audio systems. I farking hate those kids that drive around with dual 12" subs in their trunks. You can't hear the rest of the music! It's all bass. What the hell is the point?

True, I have a 12" isobaric Kicker in my trunk and you just have to know what the hell you are doing. A lot of people misunderstand subs because most are playing rap. Rap has extremely high (or low) bass so if your speakers can handle it, it sounds like a lot of bass. That was the way it was recorded and was intended to be heard. You have to be inside the car to hear the remaining frquencies depending on the song. Some have non stop drops or bass lines and bass carries further. So a block away it will be only boom, boom, boom, boom, etc. Inside the cab it sounds differnet because treble doesn't carry as far. However, some do just throw in as many 10s or 12s as they can and let the trunk rattle to all hell and have no his or mids. That's very annoying. You need a sweet sub to hear a lot of today's top 40 music.