OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

[Rodster]

Hmmm I don't know what happened but i'm not digging the NuForce Earbuds like when I first got them. They sound lower in volume to my cheaper earbuds and in order for them to give me a good bass kick with a good bass EQ preset I have to crank the volume between 32-34 on my J3.

Is there a trick to getting these things to sound better than my cheaper earbuds?

[dbdynsty25]

Hmmm I don't know what happened but i'm not digging the NuForce Earbuds like when I first got them. They sound lower in volume to my cheaper earbuds and in order for them to give me a good bass kick with a good bass EQ preset I have to crank the volume between 32-34 on my J3.

Is there a trick to getting these things to sound better than my cheaper earbuds?

I consistently run my J3 at 32-35 depending on the earbuds/headphones. It's all about how sensitive the headphones are. Some just need more power. I wouldn't worry about cranking it...except for the impending hearing loss.

Try the BBE Machbass, or Headphone 3 if you really want the bass to kick your ass. That's too much for me, but if that's what you're looking for...go for it.

[Rodster]

Sheesh why me, why me? I love the Cowon MP3 but i'm at my wits end with these devices. Last night i'm using it after I transfer some music. The battery is as close to FULL as you can get. I'm using my NuForce earbuds. Within 30 minutes I go from Full to 3/4 battery. Listening levels were around 30-32. I noticed the back was starting to get warm. I put the thing in SLEEP mode. This morning the device would NOT turn on. I had to connect it to the charger because the battery completely drained in SLEEP mode. The CLOCK was all zeros.

So there are three possibilities:

1) My Micro SD card is the culprit

2) My NuForce is the culprit

3) I have no luck with Cowon J3's.

[dbdynsty25]

Sucks man...I've had about 5 different Cowon/iAudio players and have never had an issue. At some point you might need to accept that...maybe it's just you.

Maybe you should try the new X10 when it comes out. Looks pretty sweet too. Or the last model the iAudio 9.

[Rodster]

Sucks man...I've had about 5 different Cowon/iAudio players and have never had an issue. At some point you might need to accept that...maybe it's just you.

Maybe you should try the new X10 when it comes out. Looks pretty sweet too. Or the last model the iAudio 9.

That's worrying me lol. Sucks cause when they work they're flat out awesome. You got a link to the Cowon X10 cause it doesn't show up on Google?

[Rodster]

The only thing I could dig up was this. Is this what you were referring too DB?

http://product.cowon.com/product/iAUDIO ... page_3.php

[dbdynsty25]

Yes. That's it. Don't know when/if it hits the states, but looks pretty cool. Just an updated iAudio 9.

[Rodster]

The only knock on the iAudio 10 is no support for Micro SD cards.

[dbdynsty25]

Then get the C2.

[Rodster]

Then get the C2.

I don't like that interface yuck. So far my J3 is not doing the same thing so I have a few days left before returning it. I hope it was just a glitch.

[Rodster]

DB what do you suggest as settings for BBE (5), Mach3Bass (4), 3D Surround (1), MP Enhance (On)? I've been messing with them and sometimes the music sounds good but other times it's a little distorted on the low end. I also have Stereo Enhance set to (1) and Reverb (Off).

Should I be messing with these ^^^ or should I stick to the equalizer settings only?

[dbdynsty25]

I can't help you there...EQ is all personal preference. I normally do nothing but use Viva 2 or Headphone 2 in the BBE presets. I don't mess with the rest.

[Rodster]

Yeah I hear ya. I did find this site http://www.anythingbutipod.com/forum/sh ... hp?t=59156

Someone posted a setup there and I tweaked it a bit. I'm looking forward to the iAudio 10. i'll be getting one of those as well.

[dbdynsty25]

Again, go to iaudiophile.net for all Cowon devices. I mentioned that before, but of course, as I've mentioned before you don't listen. LOL.

[Rodster]

Actually I stumbled on iaudiophile.net a few weeks ago when I was reading up on battery life.

[Rodster]

What do you guys use to convert FLAC to MP3? I was using a free program called "flac to mp3" and it only converts 50% of the file so it's useless.

[dbdynsty25]

What do you guys use to convert FLAC to MP3? I was using a free program called "flac to mp3" and it only converts 50% of the file so it's useless.

Why on earth would you want to change? Flac sounds way better and you've got the perfect player to get the most out of your music.

[Rodster]

Because of the size of FLAC files and also because I hear much difference between the two.

[dbdynsty25]

Here you go rod...galaxy player info:

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Samsung- ... on_id22435

[Rodster]

Thanks but those phones aren't on the Boost Mobile list. I have the Galaxy Prevail but none of them will come close to the Cowon J3. And I think i'll bite on the iAudio 10 when it goes on sale at Amazon.

I think that battery issue may have been a glitch or at least I hope it was. I haven't seen it since. I've also noticed it's better to fully charge the player from a USB/AC Adapter. Somehow charging from a USB port if it's not a full power USB port can make the battery get screwy.

Any apps your using to tell what the battery level is at? I couldn't find anything on the iaudio website you linked.

[dbdynsty25]

Ummm...those aren't phones bro. Those are Android based Samsung mp3 players (wifi only). iPod Touch and J3 competition.

[Rodster]

I'll be surprised if they sound as good as a Cowon J3. OK count me interested, i'll hold off on the iAudio 10 purchase until I hear one in action.

[Rodster]

Damn you I preordered the 5.0 for $269.99 and since it's Amazon I can always send it back if it's not up to par with the Zune HD or Cowon. Sucks it's only 8GB internal storage BUT the 5" screen is useful for internet and Wifi. Kind of cuts down on taking my Galaxy Tab with me.

DB what are your thoughts on the Samsung MP3 players?

[dbdynsty25]

I have no idea...gotta hear one first. I'd love for it to sound as good as the J3...if that's the case, I'd get one. However, I doubt it will, and I am getting whatever the next great Verizon Android phone is (Vigor or Prime) so the OS isn't all that important to me with regards to my "audiophile" mp3 player. I'll definitely check them out when they arrive...but I'm pretty happy with the balance of the devices I currently have: My custom built Desktop, my new MacBook Air 11", Galaxy Tab 10.1, iPad 2, iPod Nano (for my car), Cowon J3, Incredible 2 (daily driver Android phone). LOL...its an extensive and obnoxious list.

Dude, if you're spending this much money on technology, you owe it to yourself to get a set of VSonic GR07 in ear headphones. Literally the greatest headphone bang for the buck purchase you can make. They even make my wife's iPad sound good. They are a little tough to come by, but worth the pain and wait.

And if you're rather have an on ear headphone, I can't recommend the V-Moda Crossfade M-80s enough. They just came out and they are tuned for audiophile sound unlike the Crossfade LPs which are more bass bloated and weren't that impressive.

[Rodster]

I read on the iaudio website where someone claimed Sony has a really high quality earbuds. I hope the Samsung Galaxy 5 has an EQ. Either way it should be easy to compare the J3 against the Galaxy 5 since my stuff is on a Micro SD.

I knew you were a closet Apple fanboy, iPad 2.