March 25th, 2010 | 
Author: 
If you read our review of the Zune HD, you’ll notice that we have compared the audio quality of the Sony Walkman series X ($ 270.00). I did after hearing the same song on both players at the suggestion of Jeffrey Wilson (who reviewed the Sony). Both agree that the Walkman has a superior audio quality in both the Zune and the new iPod nano, which then led to the question of whether other people knew, or could have the experience that still prefer an iPod? The importance of sound quality for consumers? I decided to test.
We took the Zune HD, Sony Walkman X, the iPod Nano and the Samsung P3 (another player with a rating of sound quality) to two music stores in New York to ask employees and customers thought it sounded better. However, we let our test subjects, see what the players listened. The only data we had to go play each sounded when listening with a pair of Bose QuietComfort noise-canceling headphones 15.
We have created a playlist with 15 to 30 seconds provided from 6 songs. The tracks are not only different genres, but also encoded at different rates for each listener will experience the full range of each device. Our reading list includes the following songs in MP3 format:
* Where is Bobbie Gentry? by Jill Sobule (256 Kbps)
* The Wind Cries Mary by Jimi Hendrix (256 Kbps)
* One Girl Revolution (Battle Mix) by Superchick (320 Kbps)
* Nine to Five Broadway Original Cast (192 kbps)
* Battle Without Honor or Humanity by Tomoyasu Hotei (128 Kbps)
* Songs of Captivity and Freedom (Doctor Who Soundtrack) by Murray Gold (320 Kbps)
Our first stop was Villa World Music, a small shop floor to the ceiling pic CDs and records – the audiophile heaven. After listening to employees and customers to each playlist in the Zune player, iPod nano and P3 were asked to describe their listening experience.
Testers found the Zune and nano sound quality was almost identical, but is seen as thin or flat. All agreed that the Walkman, and P3 had a higher quality because the sound was rich and full, but our testers were divided on what he thought was a little better.
Then we went to the music of the village, a boutique known for its impressive collection of CDs and vinyl records and employees well informed. After listening to the players in the same order, employees Music Others had similar reactions. Zune and nano sound quality: on thin, weak, felt empty plate. Walkman and P3: Fuller, fuller sound, more bass present, more “air” to music. Music An employee felt the nano more than the Zune, but chose all the Walkman.
Everyone we test against the owners were iPods (past or present) and many quality scored well before the test. All but one was surprised to learn that the iPod has been one of the devices had given him a bad grade on. The only exception is John of other music, stopped listening to music on your iPod because the audio quality. (Prefers vinyl.)
After the test was over, I asked each person what the player would buy if you buy new now. Everyone has chosen well the Sony Walkman X Series or Samsung P3 in the nano or Zune.
We played the PMP in the same order for each listener:
1. ZuneHD
2. Sony Walkman X Series
3. iPod Nano
4. Samsung P3
When deciding to buy a music player, what most consumers want? The four players, we have demonstrated that people have every right and has a very good user interface. Although iTunes is very convenient to organize and buy music, this is not the only kid on the block, more. Yes, Apple has the largest selection. But when music lovers are looking to buy new versions, including album of Whitney Houston back I Look To You, can do so through Amazon.com or the Zune Marketplace, or even Wal-Mart site.
If a consumer believes that all things being equal, what is? The quality of audio. And in this department, the league’s most popular and most high profile competition back late.
The importance of audio quality for you? If you could have a player that sounded much better for the same price, select hot or popular?
Posted in Audio/Video, Interactive Media, Mp3 Player, Speakers | 
Tags: Audio Quality, Bobbie Gentry, Bose Quietcomfort, iPod Nano, Jeffrey Wilson, Jill Sobule, Jimi Hendrix, Mp3 Player, Music, Music Stores, New Ipod Nano, Noise Canceling Headphones, Original Cast, Samsung P3, Series X, Sony Walkman, Sound Quality, Superchick, Taste Test, Technology, Test Subjects, Tomoyasu Hotei, Wind Cries Mary, World Music, Zune HD, Zune Player