Now Evolution Neckphone 32 MB MP3 Player

by Evolution

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006371Z
• Item model number: IM600B
• Batteries: 1 AAA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #267,420 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Thanks to their no-skip music playback (because of no moving parts), flash memory-based MP3 players are a great choice for joggers and gym rats. And the Now Evolution Neckphone may be the perfect player for active music lovers. That's because the MP3 player hardware is contained within the Neckphone itself--eliminating any cables.

The Neckphone is actually divided into two sound devices--an MP3 player in the left earphone (powered by a single AAA battery) and an FM radio in the right (powered by a lithium cell battery). Frankly, we were underwhelmed with the radio reception and by being limited to only searching forward in the radio spectrum (no back search button). But we were focusing more on the MP3 capabilities of the Neckphone.

Instead of storing music files on an internal flash memory chip, you transfer tunes to a MultiMediaCard (MMC) memory card using the included "MMC toaster" (a small card reader that connects to a USB port). The Neckphone comes with just a 32 MB card--pretty small these days and only enough for 30-45 minutes of audio (depending on the encoding rate of your MP3 files). However, flash memory has gotten cheaper over the last year, and you can often find 64 MB MMCs for under $50.

The controls are minimal, limited to play/stop, forward, and volume; also, there's no support for adding/creating a playlist. But the Neckphone will automatically return to the beginning of your files once it plays through them all. The volume was also quite robust, but tended to be a bit flat sonically (owing to no EQ settings). Still, for our gym workouts, we felt the sound was just fine.

When we first put the Neckphone on, we thought it might be a bit too heavy. But after wearing for a few workout sessions, we became more comfortable with it and didn't notice it as much. It's probably best for activities that don't require a lot of head movement as it can feel a bit unstable, and heavy jogging seemed to jostle it a bit much.

We couldn't perform our typical MP3 player air-drumming test for skipping, so we had to rely on a bit of headbanging (to some old-school Skid Row and Judas Priest). As expected with this flash memory-based player, there were no skips to the beat (just a sore neck, and a lot of strange looks while on the stair climber).

The Now Evolution Neckphone isn't a perfect MP3 player, but it's very worthwhile if you like to rock out while you work out. --Agen G.N. Schmitz

Pros:

• MP3 player housed in earphone--no cables
• Lightweight
• Expand memory with increasingly affordable MultiMediaCard (MMC) memory cards
• Great for working out

Cons:

• Includes only 32 MB memory card
• Minimal controls--no reverse
• FM radio reception wasn't great

From the Manufacturer

The Now Evolution Neckphone combines state-of-the-art audio technology and street-smart styling in a headset MP3/FM radio combination that kicks out CD-quality sound. The Neckphone provides total freedom of body and sound with its hands-free, lightweight technology. Its ergonomic design makes it hip and comfortable to wear virtually anywhere and during any activity.

The Neckphone comes with a 32 MB MultiMediaCard (MMC) memory card and can be expanded with optional MMC cards. It's compatible with both Windows and Mac systems with USB connectivity. An MMC card reader with USB cable is included. The Neckphone is powered by a single AAA battery for MP3 playback and a 3-volt lithium button cell battery for FM radio (both included).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No cord=alotta fun, April 12, 2002

By 

C. Landefeld (Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Now Evolution Neckphone 32 MB MP3 Player (Electronics)

First off, i though i was buying the sencond generation, but i find after some testing, this is really a good value for a great player. The software was easy to install, and i was off and 'toasting' my mmc card in less than 30 minutes. Overall, they are heavier than other headphones, and extend farther to the side than most headphones, but you don't notice it. There is no skipping (being its an mp3) and the sound is good. I got better quality with these than my sony ones, even without the bass functions. There are 2 buttons, stop/play and Fast forward, but little more is needed. I find you can repeat songs by pressing the play button twice at the end of a song.
After a few hours of running/working out, i don't notice it at all, even though sprinting or heavy jogging will make them bounce, i have yet to have them fall off.
The radio does nothing, i can only get AM stations, and MAYBY some FM if i have my hand at the headphones, and it could really go without.
Overall, this is a good player. It comes with a 32 MB MMC card, and takes a max of 64 MB for about 50 for the memory card. Even with the lack of function and/or display, you don't notice it and begin to enjoy not having to hold onto a discman or a MP3 player. A definate buy for those lookin for a good MP3 player

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars light-weight, sounds great!, June 28, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Now Evolution Neckphone 32 MB MP3 Player (Electronics)

Up front, the one drawback to this unit is the small 32M MMC card it comes with; you'll want to order a 64M MMC card at the same time you buy this.

On to the good stuff:

Very easy transfer of music from the PC to the MMC card; the included utility is drop-dead simple to use. There is now an upgrade patch for WinXP on the manufacturer's web site .. without it, XP will not load the driver for the MMC burner correctly.

Good sound! I also have a SonicBLUE RioVolt here which cost me ..., and the sound is the same.

You don't notice the weight at all. If youhave ever worn a headset which "clips" over your ears then you know what to expect here; it drapes over your ear-tops and barely rests on the back of your neck.

Frankly, Im thinking about getting another since my wife is always stealing this one.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent niche product and more durable than it looks, October 12, 2004

By 

Chris Carter "dangerouslogic.com" (Indiana, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Now Evolution Neckphone 32 MB MP3 Player (Electronics)

Cords hate me. Headphone cords, keyboard/mouse cables, all that stuff. I tried to run with a walkman once, and ended up snagging the headphone cord, breaking the walkman AND the headphones and hurting myself in in the process.

Anyway, I got this player so I could listen to music while running without being a danger to myself or those around me. It does that job VERY well; the sound quality of the MP3 player is acceptable and it's not too heavy on the ears. I haven't gotten the FM radio to work worth a fig yet, but with the MP3 player, I don't really care. And I've never had any problem with the included MMC Toaster under Windows XP, even w/o updating the driver.

Sure, there are some things I don't like - the volume doesn't go up real loud, your only navigation option is 'skip to the next track,' there's no pause, etc., but other reviewers have noted all that. The only thing I have to add here is that after a year and a half of several-times-per-week usage in a high-sweat environment, the volume doesn't always change when I turn the dial.

But the reason I'm writing this review is because I recently put the thing through the washer AND the dryer. Everything came out in the washer - both batteries, both compartment covers, and the MMC card; the four wires that connect the earpieces came out of their groove in the back of the neckband. I let the player dry out for three days, tucked the wires back into place, replaced all shed parts, said a brief prayer, and fired it up.

It worked perfectly.