Ipod Touch 2nd Gen vs Sony Walkman series X

ey!

Am looking for a decent pmp (about £150+) and have narrowed it down to these two. I considered the Cowon S9 but the lack of Wi-Fi is putting me off. Reading reviews, both specific on these models and general, it seems that Sony seems to trump Apple for audio quality. Standing alone, do Ipods offer abismal sound quality or are they just poor when compared to other manufacturers?

The things thats luring me towards the Ipod Touch is its "extras" that I agree, so many people fall for. I'm probably going to be using the Wi-Fi feature quite a bit and Safari would probably do a rather good job however I know little on the Sony X's browser - can anyone shed any light here?

There is also price. I can get the Ipod Touch (8GB) for £159 whilst I can get the Sony X (16GB) for £169. Yeh, the bigger the size the better but my current collection is tiny - 2GB worth of songs. I would go for the Sony tbh but the "Swiss-knife" features of the Ipod keep pulling me back

I'd appreciate if you guys/gals could voice your opinions on these two players - especially owners.

//jam.

 

I would wait a couple of months as Apple will be releasing a new iPod Touch and there are rumors it will include a camera. It would probably be the same 3.2 megapixel junker the current iPhone has... you could also expect some other additions/upgrades I imagine.

The Sony is a slick number and I doubt Apple will be able to surpass it in the audio quality realm, so it really is a tough decision, one I am dealing with myself. The streaming audio option where it stores songs or whatever is very very enticing. I have found myself listening to streaming audio sites more than listening to my collection as of late, and that's coming from someone who has 20GB+ of songs.

With the Zune HD coming out in a couple of months, along with a new iPod Touch, I think it would be best to wait until all three are out and decide then. At least that's what I am doing...

G'luk.

 

I live in the UK and it seems there are no plans to bring the ZuneHD here. As for the new Ipod Touch, I'm going on a long haul flight at the end of the month and really want to buy before then. If I'm willing to sacrifice the Wi-Fi functionality, then out goes the Ipod and in comes the Cowon S9. 8GB models are going for £130 here whilst 16GB models are around £200. Hmmm........... >.<

 

I am enjoying my iPod-Touch since last Christmas It is a big step up from my still working 80gig iPOD. The navigation is easy and intuitive. Audio output is smooth.

cheers ...

 

Yes. If Apple plans on updating the iPod Touch it'll be around late September or early October like last year, probably. The only complaint I have about my 2nd gen iPod Touch is the camera. The new iPod Touch will probably have it. I got the 16GB one for $300 when it came out and I only probably have 6-7 GB of music. I would get the iPod Touch (either now or wait for the next gen) because of the App Store. I think that's why a lot of people are taking it over other brands. I don't know what the Sony has in terms of an App store but if they do maybe check it out. The App store, and to a lesser degree Wifi, is what pushed me to get an iPod Touch over a iPod Nano. Now that I have a netbook I question the iPod Touch's purpose but as my friend pointed it out the other day it is a good portable device that gets Wifi that you could put in your pocket.

 

Yeh thats my dilemma. Do I go for sound quality with the Sony or are the "extras" on the Touch such as the App's worth the buy. I've seen some clips of the Walkman's browser in action and it seems to be pretty basic - very similiar to mobile browsers. (EDIT: The sony uses the Netfront browser) The Touch has a qwerty keyboard layout and also a larger screen for ease of use. Then again, I'm gonna be playing mp3's around 70% of the time. Sound Quality (Walkman) vs Interface (Ipod).

Anyway, thanks for the replies.

 

The 2nd gen Ipod Touch's sound quality isnt bad. It is only "bad" if you like the sound enhancements Sony players usually come with.

 

Yeah, most of the portable scene sound quality is controlled by the EQ and or sound enhancements. That doesn't mean that there isn't some players that are superior in sound quality, its just that when you go portable, your sacrificing quality, no matter what platform you go with. That being said, I still wouldn't go with the ipod, for one I highly depend on those enhancements for my listening experience, and I've tried using itunes, it just simply doesn't work for me. I personally use the Cowon S9 and in my eyes its the best DAP I've used, and I've used almost all of them.

 

I honestly think that going the iPod Touch route is worth it. For me I don't think I can tell the difference in sound quality. What I'm hearing through a laptop speaker or iPod Touch is fine for me (although in both cases more bass would be awesome but that's not that big for me as it is for others). Like I said I got it because of the Apps. It depends on what you value more: the app store or sound quality. Like Syndrome said, portable devices usually have to sacrifice quality anyways.

 

You will think Itunes is heaven after you try out Sony SonicStage

 

I've decided on the Ipod, mainly because of better net browsing. I've been looking into buy a netbook just for net use at Uni and therefore the Touch will save me quite a few bucks.
Initially I was looking for sound quality, and sound quality only but seems that I need the more "all-round" device, which is the Touch.

Still though, the Sony Walkman X is an exceptional product for the audiophile. Imo its their best effort at a Walkman for some time. If it integrated a brower that rendered web pages normally, then I'd definetly buy that :/

Thanks for the advice!

 

lol, Don't worry, I've used both. Sonicstage was horrible, but Sony no longer uses it. Although one of Sony's players that used sonicstage was one of my all time favorite(I had it hacked so I could bypass sonicstage though). I've yet to seen a DAP that can get an actual 65 hours of battery at half volume(I tested it myself).

 

The Nokia N800 is a good multimedia device even though it came out in 2007.

 

the IPOD TOUCH is awesome for long haul flights BUT the battery sucks, might last you for like 5 hours before it dies then recharge it.

Ipod touch has a much more user friendly control

awesome games

super easy to connect and surf and watch on wifi.

light and with speakers and external volume control.

the screen is scratch proof!!!

im happy with my ipod touch though i wish it was white and had a camera haha that would be soo complete and perfect

 

Yes, the battery does suck. I manage to get 5-6 usually until it dies. but that's probably because I'm surfing. I guess if you use it primarily as a music player it would be longer.

I don't mind it being not white but I really would have liked a camera with it too.

 

Hmm, is it worth buying a case for it though?

 

I suggest getting Zagg @ here. It's a thin layer for protecting the screen. It's supposed to be very nice. I don't use it though but my friend who does says it's good.

I got a slip on silicone case for the back of the touch. My back is fairly scratched and I suppose it is helpful but I wouldn't really get a case as it would make it bulky and hard to store in one's pocket.

 

no need for a screen protector. honestly you cannot scratch the screen at all, its the back plate you should be worried about! get a case for the back place and generally a cast that would cover the whole ipod

i got this for mine


protected the back and a cushion for if you drop it, you will drop it sometime. ive dropped mine like 5 times and its still great!

the battery will last long depending on what your into. if just music it can easily last 10 hours, but if its for movies and wifi and games, generally 5-6, 6-7 if you lower the brightness and use headphones all times, without headphones the speaker drains battery.

ive got dozens of apps in my ipod, its both an icebreaker, and a fitness gym buddy, lol

 

Don't fall for false statements like this. If this screen is not scratch able then it is the only one in existence. That or it is made out of diamond, which if it was then... well then maybe apple would have a just reason for charging so much. Anyways, screen protectors will protect any and every screen, they will all get scratched.

 

The Ipod touch is better for internet surfing and applications. The Sony though wins on sound quality. Just make sure you get some decent headphones for the thing, IEMs for sound blocking will probably be best. You probably have some already though.

 

@syndrome i dare you try it and scratch your ipod ^^ trust me ipods scratch everywhere but the screen, but it will leave finger stains

 

I don't have one, but if you want to put your money where your mouth is then send it to me and I'll surely send it back with scratches on the screen. Or better yet I'll send you a little bag of sand and you can do it yourself.

 

chill. im not gona send u my ipod. and i dont think anyone makes a career out of scratching screens, the screen is scratch proof as daily usage is concerned and of course common sense care like putting it in a case.

anyway im not going to start a fire, be polite and i was just trying to help

 

The iPod Touch 2g wins hands down. I don't ever use EQs or anything else that "colors" my music, so the iPod's flat frequency response, high SNR and low THD was very important to me when I was shopping. Some would say that it sounds sterile next to say a Cowon, but that's because Cowons do NOT have a flat frequency response and instead boost certain frequencies to artificially suggest clarity or exaggerate bass

I bought my iPod 2g to use it as a DAP, but it's turned into much more than I expected. I use it as a cellphone, a web browser, a graphing calculator, pitch tuner, and daily planner. In my mind, it's a SMARTBOOK before the term was ever coined, and a DAP second.

A quick thought, have you shopped around for headphones yet? Not doing your research for one would be akin to pairing a high end espresso machine with a blade grinder, or a player's tennis frame with nylon strings. These commonly overlooked secondary components make or break your total experience, and should cost you as much as your primary component.

 

I guess it depends on how important the music is to you in two ways. First, how accurate it sounds, and second, versatility as a music listening device. For the former it's clear that the new Sony I was given a while back - which in my case is gathering dust, soon to be passed onto someone in my circle who appreciates it more than I can - is a better-sounding machine, but the Touch (well, in my case the iPhones) does a better job of being a liveable-with, well-rounded media player with more relevant features, aided by the way it works, for people who enjoy just listening to music, not listening to the sounds.

Whether the EQ is an artificial colouring not necessary for enjoyment is a debatable point - for most 'consumers' I would say it is an important point, especially as Sony and SRS's sound-enhancing tech is more than just an EQ - but likely not a deal-killing point. Personally, I set everything off even on a player which has bells & whistles so the fact that even the basics of EQ doesn't work on the iPods (and never, ever has on any iPod) is not a problem for me.

I fall somewhere inbetween the two extremes of listeners. I can be a critical listener, and I have a small barrage of equipment at home which matches a supercar for value to throw at my audiophile brow-furrowing attempts. However I'm either not misguided, nerdy or dumb enough to take this obsession outside in earnest. I do use range-topping in-earphones both custom and generic, but this is more for their physical attributes (isolation, fit) than me seeking absolutes in sound quality.

Portable audiophilia is (along with in most ways, stationary audiophilia, just for people with more disposable income), I can't help feeling, a game for mugs. Most of the stuff is good enough, so the choices should be made in ways other than seeking ultimate sound quality - and all that's left is to control your experience with the right choice of phones for your budget.

 

It is true that the screen is much more scratch resistant than the back. Of course if you really want a scratch you will get it but it takes a bit of effort.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8yNh0N2qbs

 

Yeah, you can do the same thing with the cowon S9, Samsung P3, and the zune I believe(maybe it was the zen, can't remember). I've got the S9 and the screen is scratched in a few places. Just saying, you put it in your pocket without a screen protector and the screen can still get scratched.

 

Apple's DAPs have a horrible reputation as scratch magnets since many of their earlier attempts used screens covered in soft plastic, and their chromed backs are beyond defending. That said, the iPod Touch has used a VERY resistant screen mounted with double stick tape that would take a good bit of wear before showing any marks. It helps that it's slightly recessed by a tiny bit, so that if you do indeed ever place it face down, the chromed frame would be holding up the iPod, not the screen.

Speaking of putting it face down, this placement becomes ideal when you use a screen protector, such as the well reviewed Zagg Invisishield. My iPod went directly from packaging into this material, coupled with a silicone sleeve from Speck. It hasn't seen a scratch yet, despite having been dropped (by accident, mind you) on concrete, asphalt, and down wooden stairs.

 

I have a Cowon X5 and many Sony players and the Ipod Touch screen is much more scratch proof than any other player I've seen. The reason I dont leave the screen uncovered in my pocket is not because of the potential for scratches but for cracks.

 

Oh and the iPod Touch Gen 3 with (almost certainly a) 600MHz CPU and 256MB RAM is due for a September release.