MP3 players versus iPod

[Jay]

Could anybody here explain to me, in fairly simple terms, what the differences are between iPod's and MP3 players? Keep in mind that my technical know-how is pretty limited.  I was just watching news reports about Steve Jobs and I realized that I know very little about most of the inventions that he was responsible for.

[Wirestone]

They're the same thing. An iPod is an MP3 player with a specific interface and physical design by Apple. It was considered to have the most pleasing overall experience in terms of browsing songs, etc. The iPod also interfaced with the iTunes computer program, which became the default online music store for a lot of folks, so it became part of a broader online music experience.

[Jay]

Is there anything similar in style to an mp3 player that would play strictly lossless files(FLAC, etc)?

[37!ws]

iPods can play lossless -- WAV, AIFF, and Apple Lossless. I don't think ANYTHING is FLAC-compatible.

[Jay]

I don't think ANYTHING is FLAC-compatible.

That really sucks! Somebody needs to fix that. 

[Keri]

I have a 80GB ipod and used to have a 6GB zen creative mp3 player.

The ipod is much bigger and I liked that, it has a better user interface and has much better shuffle options so I much prefer it.

But apple is in the business of selling music so the ipod can't be used as a back up. You can't easily get your music off your ipod. I had a friend who had a small computer and a large ipod and so kept more music on his ipod that he did on his computer , when the ipods drive failed he lost a lot of music & was not happy. Funnily enough when I got the Zen i had a big old MAC and the version of itunes it supported wasn't compatible with a current ipod. So although I had a Mac i had to get a non Mac mp3 player to use with it. Seems to me Mac/Apple does not support their old systems and you are just expected to constantly upgrade. I could plug my old Zen into pretty much any computer without special software and transfer files on and off it that could be handy.

[Paulos]

I have had a 30GB Creative Zen Vision: M MP3 player for over 4 years now and love it, it has never once gone wrong and as the previous poster mentioned, I can plug it into any computer and transfer files. I hate ipods with a passion, mostly because a lot of people seem to think that any mp3 player must be an ipod.

[Wirestone]

Actually, Apple has just changed this. Any music that you buy though iTunes can be redownloaded on any Apple device you own at any time.

[Mahalo]

http://www.amazon.com/Cowon-iAUDIO-Mp3-Player-Black/dp/B002VJJKV8

The Cowon Company Rules...

Sound Quality above all...

When Novmber 1st comes around I will be listening to SMiLE! for the 1st time in 9 months on my Cowon...1st time through normal, second time through 3D... 3rd time through on Cloud 9ine. Then Vinyl... Oh how awesome it will be. I think Lost Art also went the year going Smile-less too....

[Jay]

When Novmber 1st comes around I will be listening to SMiLE! for the 1st time in 9 months on my Cowon...1st time through normal, second time through 3D... 3rd time through on Cloud 9ine. Then Vinyl... Oh how awesome it will be. I think Lost Art also went the year going Smile-less too....

Me too. Then I plan to do the same with the six cd box set of Pink Floyd''s Dark Side Of The Moon. Then the same with the four cd Winterland Jimi Hendrix box set. After that, I might never listen to music ever again. 

[hypehat]

Actually, Apple has just changed this. Any music that you buy though iTunes can be redownloaded on any Apple device you own at any time.

In theory, yes - but it's 'forgotten' I've bought a lot of stuff. 

I am in theory a massive iPod fan (No other interfaces, like Zens or Sony Players, come close to ease or clarity of use), but the battery crapped out after a paltry three years and to replace it would wipe everything. Which, seeing as I lost all my old files a while ago, is not cool. I'd be happy using it as some tiny stereo, but it won't even connect to the computer. Stupid thing

[Mike's Beard]

I have a 40G iriver with Rockbox software on it. It makes ipods sound like crap by comparison. On the minus side as it's about 5 years old and it's like carrying a brick around in your pocket.

[Alex]

Been using a 4gb Creative Zen since `07. Not a whole lot of storage space on it, but its still easier than dealing with a discman or walkman. It works with not only WMP but also Real Player and Winamp.

[runnersdialzero]

I once got mildly annoyed with a teacher for correcting me, basically telling me/the class that an iPod was different from an MP3 player. This, in a college television course, where technology is kept up with a fair amount. I wasn't all like "O f*** YOU" or anything, I just stewed in my annoyance quietly and got over it about 20 seconds later.

That's my story. I use my mom's old phone as an MP3 player with an 8 gig card. I'm a poor folk, y'understand. I've also wasted a collective few days of my life re-arranging the content of said card as to ensure everything I *really* wanted was on it. Pain in the ass imo. I've become more modest with my bitrates over time, but it hasn't helped much.

[CarlTheVoice]

I have a slightly off topic reply here but I was thinking this was the best thread to ask it!

I really want some new head (not in-ear) phones, especially with SSessions coming out and I was wondering what headphones people here use to listen to the Beach Boys. I had some Bose Quiet Comforts a few years ago but they broke and I don't want to spend over £100 on a pair again!

I want headphones that really bring out the best in the Beach Boys music. Any ideas? If they sound good with this music, they will certainly be the best!

Thanks!

[37!ws]

You don't have to pay a lot for really good quality sound. I have a pair of Sony noise-cancelling headphones I got for probably about $50 that sound okay except they're highly susceptible to cell phone interference; I have a pair of Bose headphones that retail for about $179 (I won 'em on a Facebook contest); but the best-sounding headphones I ever heard were the Sony MDR V series -- I've owned 175, 225, etc., and they retail for about $25 (and you can get 'em for cheaper if you look in the right place). The only problems: 1) since they're "studio monitors," the cord is VERY long, which can be kind of awkward; and 2) the plastic is very fragile. But the sound is phenomenal -- you just have to make sure your source is good.

[Alex]

I`ve broken the plastic on 2 pairs of MDRs...still use them, though...I`ll tire my arm out holding the broken cup (not quite a real "cup") on my ear instead of just wearing a $5 set of crappy eapbuds. They may be as good as a $300 pair of pro "cups", but they more than surpass expectations for something you can pick up at the local Wally World.

[Jay]

I use Koss headphones, and I love them. I reccomend them to anybody wanting to get a good set of headphones. With the right kind of music, they have a huge set of balls! Sorry for the somewhat graphic description, but it's true!  I've been listening to Guns N Roses a lot lately with the headphones set to the loudest it'll go. You can actually "feel" the music in your chest, as well as hear it. I'm 26 now, and I figure I'll be deaf by about 30. 

[CarlTheVoice]

Thanks for the advice guys, I am going to take a look at the amazon reviews and prices and hopefully get myself some good 'phones for Smile!

[Andrew G. Doe]

I've used Sony MDR 150s for... oh, close on ten years now. Much better than ear buds, and they also double as ear muffs in the winter.

[rab2591]

I bought a pair of Sony MDR-V6s about a year ago. They are by far the best headphones I've ever owned and I plan on listening to The Smile Sessions with them for endless hours.

The bass levels are perfect, and the sound is also clear and crisp.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-V6-Monitor-Headphones-Voice/dp/B00001WRSJ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1318812173&sr=8-2

[Jay]

Has anybody here used Koss headphones? I'm just curios how they compare to others.

[Jay]

*cough*

[Alan Smith]

I don't think ANYTHING is FLAC-compatible.

That really sucks! Somebody needs to fix that.  

Hey there - Look for Sansa media players, they do flac - as well as Cowon, that was mentioned above.

There are flac apps for iphone, touch and the apple tablet thingo if you use them (iphone fidelity is rather sh*t, tho)

[Jay]

So, I just got a Cowon i9 mp3 player for Christmas, and I have no idea how it works. Could anybody possibly send me a pm walking me through how to install it and how to put music on it? Windows Media doesn't accept the FLAC files I want to load onto the player.