Analytical comparisons; ipod playback quality

Looking for analytical comparisons of the iPod's mp3 playback quality.

frequency response charts, etc.

Tried google but couldn't find any. Incidentally if any of you who owns multiple mp3 players wants to provide anecdotal comments whilst being as bias-free as possible, please post.

I used to own a creative nomad zen 20GB before going to my iPod. I think, with the added EAX environments, the sound was slightly richer on the zen then the iPod, but using the EAX enhancements diminished battery life. In the end, it didn't really change much. You'd get more audio fidelity by 1) choosing higher bitrates, ad 2) better headphones, then choosing a different mp3 plaer of similar quality. Basically, I think the iPod may not produce the BEST sound but the difference is negligible and not even noticeable if you choose good headphones and encode your music at higher bitrates.

Brian

Another point of view, I use my iPod while in the car, on the bus or at school. None of those environments are quiet enough that I would hear the subtle differences between players. So really, with normal usage I doubt you would notice any difference (provided all other variables were the same: headphones, music files, etc).

I had 4 different iPods (5GB 1st gen, 10GB 3rd gen, 20GB 4th gen, mini) and they've all sounded about the same...it's hard to say because I haven't had them simultaneously...but I'm assuming they should sound the same if they use the same hardware (not too sure on this). But I've also owned the Rio PMP300, 500 and Nitrus, and I can't think of anything that sounded better/worse when using those players.

The iPod has crappy bass, that's my only complaint.

Jim

Don't bother with the ipod if you want to use EQ's. The stock earbuds don't do the ipod justice (and all other mp3 players as well). You need good quality earphones to hear what the ipod is capable of.

You do know that iPods are devices of convenience, not high fidelity.

MP3s can sound pretty good. But not as good as the original as the compression and decompression process takes away quality.

If you used Apple Lossless Compression, and plug the iPod into a full size stereo, the Apple iPOD sounds as good as any single CD player that I've heard under $400.00.

I did an experiment once, I plugged it into a stereo costing over $8000.00 (Linn speakers, Bryston amp, Bryston preamp) and it sounded marvellous.

I would confidently say that the ability of the iPod to sound good is limited by the equipment you are using. That means, with a proper set of headphones, and lossless compression, there are no issues, unless the headphones are hard to drive.

Any issues people have regarding sound quality (.e.g weak bass) is mostly due to the particular set of headphones they are using. I tried a Grado SR225, normally an amazing headphone, but the iPOD sounded a bit weak. The SR225 needs to be driven using a headphone amp to really shine.

Of course, if you use the EQ or use lossy compression, all bets are off.

Personally, I think it's all really moot because I can't discern much difference in the sound quality when I'm outside and walking around anyway.

Buying a mp3 player for 'sount quality' is a poor reason. With the exception of cheap flash-based players, cell phones and PDAs, the sound quality differs much more when you get a set of decent headphones.

Or get a portable amplifier and then buy the headphones.

Originally Posted by eelfliw

MP3s can sound pretty good. But not as good as the original as the compression and decompression process takes away quality.

Well, if you're using the Fraunhofer codec, then even using 256kbps full-stereo has it's drawbacks. But I switched to LAME ages ago.

Originally Posted by BrandonHum

But I've also owned the Rio PMP300, 500 and Nitrus, and I can't think of anything that sounded better/worse when using those players.

Your statement seems a bit unclear - you don't think the iPod sounded any better/worse than the Rio players? So everything sounded the same to you?

It's interesting that someone complained about the iPod having poor bass - I posted this thread because I saw a comparison of frequency response across several mp3 players and iPod had a severe drop-off @ 19KHz (which is within my audible range) while others would only drop-off after 20KHz. So 1 complaint about poor bass, but no complaints about poor treble?

Buying a mp3 player for 'sount quality' is a poor reason.

I disagree. It's very possible to generate high-quality MP3s. There is a sufficient market for audiophile equipment. It stands to reason that there is also a sufficient market for "high quality" portable audio devices.

Originally Posted by konfusion666

Looking for analytical comparisons of the iPod's mp3 playback quality.

frequency response charts, etc.

http://www.google.ca/search?q=ipod+nomad+frequency-response

Go to the first page in the results and then click on the "Index" link to see other MP3 players.
(That may be what you've already seen...)

Originally Posted by Rehan

http://www.google.ca/search?q=ipod+n...uency-response

Go to the first page in the results and then click on the "Index" link to see other MP3 players.

LOL, yes actually that was what got my curious about this topic in the first place.

Since I trust PCMag only about as far as I can throw a copy, I was looking for more "audiophile"-ish investigations.

Originally Posted by JimG

The iPod has crappy bass, that's my only complaint.

Jim

are you connecting via headphone jacks or docking connection/line out? the headphone jack bass has been filtered. perhaps because headphones could be ruined by too much bass/low freq input.

If you're looking at an iPod, just remember, don't use the EQ.

Originally Posted by XmsrpX

are you connecting via headphone jacks or docking connection/line out? the headphone jack bass has been filtered. perhaps because headphones could be ruined by too much bass/low freq input.

Headphones, I don't have a dock. It's not the iPod headphones that are at fault, it's the iPod itself. I've got a Sony MP3 player that provides better bass, frankly it sounds much better than my iPod, but not nearly as cool. It sort of defeats the purpose of the iPod if you have to connect through the line-out of an optional accessory to get decent sound.

Jim

Originally Posted by JimG

It's not the iPod headphones that are at fault, it's the iPod itself. I've got a Sony MP3 player that provides better bass

I would dispute this. First, you have to define what you mean by better.

By better, I mean, flat frequency response, and high degree of accuracy. Some people prefer a spike in lower bass, but that is actually distortion.

In order to judge the iPOD properly, take your set of headphones, plug it into your MP3 player, and then plug the same headphones into a reference quality system with a good headphone amp and compare.

Here is one set of charts of frequency response.

http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow/0,239...=110744,00.asp

If anything, the Sony device reviewed has a pretty poor response in the high frequencies.