Customer Reviews

iAudio U2 512 MB Digital Music Player

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I've been playing around with my new iAudio U2 512 MB for about 5 days now. For someone who doesn't want or need to carry every song in their library, this little device is incredible. I am a commuter in Los Angeles (yes, they do exist) and radio + MP3 is great for variety. I haven't even begun to test/use all the capability, but here are my initial opinions.

Firstly, there is a firmware 1.10 upgrade available on iAudio's Korean site (parent company, Cowon, is Korean). The English site doesn't have any available yet, although I hear there might be shortly. For those of you, like me, who don't read Korean, the link is:
http://ihome.iaudio.com/iaudio_board/zeroboard/zboard.php?id=C08&category=&no=149&bmenu=C&category=70. Scroll down almost to the bottom of the page where the last screen shots ("Bookmarks") are located. Just under them is a link to download the upgrade, which you have to unzip. It will automatically install, and then you have to launch the Firmware Download which will be in the Cowon program shortcut on the start bar. This firmware upgrade installs several functions onto the unit, chief of which is the clock and auto-wake/record function. The upgrade process and the firmware are in English.

Now, for some more specifics...

General controls are very simple. The joystick is effective and intuitive, which is good, because the .pdf manual is pretty skimpy, and doesn't cover the firmware upgrade.

The MP3 player supports .WMA in addition to MP3 and other formats that I haven't tried. I understand it won't support the encrypted .WMA that you can buy off the 'net, but that future firmware upgrades may include this ability. Play back is easy and has all the modes like random and repeat that you'd expect. You can either use the included JetShell software to transfer music files to the device rapidly via the included USB 2.0 cable, or you can sync with Windows Media Player 10, the latest upgrade. If you do sync with WMP10, make sure to choose the "Create Subfolders" option if you want your music files organized. Lastly, you can treat it like a USB flash drive and transfer files directly using Windows Explorer.

The radio has decent, but not great reception. When the signal is strong, the sound is great. The antenna is the earphone wire so perhaps a set with a longer wire would help. It's not bad enough to make me want to return, but you might have trouble getting a clear signal if your tastes run beyond ClearChannel, say to NPR for example. You can easily preset stations and then either move through the FM range in 0.1 MHz increments or by jumping to presets. You can record while listening, or set it to awake and record (with the firmware upgrade).

I haven't used the voice recorder other than to remind myself to do something later, but you can hear some sample lectures at http://eng.iaudio.com/ in the Downloads Voice Files (SC4) section.

The headphones are adequate. I'm not a super-discriminatory audiophile. Bass is a little weak, but hard to avoid with earbuds. They fit okay in my ears, but I've read others who've thought they are too big and fall out easily. Should not be a deal breaker.

The amazing thing is the size. It really is about the size of a pack of gum - easily fits into a pocket. It comes with a case which allows all for all functions, including attaching the USB cable to the bottom (no case opening like earlier models.) I've dropped it while in the case and no harm done.

Be aware that the standard box contents will only allow you to charge the player through the USB connection. If you want an AC adaptor, it's extra. I didn't get it, and don't anticipate needing it. Rechargable batteries are great, but I can't tell you how long these last, because I haven't used them more than about 3 hours without hooking it up to the USB to adjust content. Manual claims 20 hours - I've seen 17 reported.

Overall, I think that this is great value if, for example, you commute like me and want the variety of recorded and FM music, with the extra ability to voice/radio/line-in record. No moving parts to damage if dropped, either. 256 MB seems too small to me. You'd really have to be willing to change the contents frequently, and you don't have much breathing room for things like FM recording. Now, don't lose it!

I bought this for my girlfriend - and once I turned it on, I was absolutely astounded at the incredible sound quality this baby packs given such a small package.

for the price, this player absolutely rocks and beats my Ipod's butt in many ways - particularly size, weight, and specifically audio quality! no two ways about it... if you need an mp3 player without the need for massive storage (as frankly, most people) this is the unit to get.

I really love this MP3 player, it truly deserves a five star rating. I got this as an upgrade to my Creative Muvo TX FM MP3 player and immediately noticed a significant improvement in sound quality. I also noticed that I can now download songs directly from Rhapsody onto my U2; the U2 recognizes so many file formats that you can get your songs from just about anywhere. Another significant improvement is battery life, its seemed like the Muvo would perversely run out of battery power while I was out in the middle of a pasture far from a fresh battery. With the built in rechargeable battery of the U2 I have only ever run out of juice once. I love that I don't have to carry around yet another AC adaptor to charge this thing, just plug it in by USB to charge it!

Those are all my favorite things. I was a bit disappointed at the lack of armband, I had become very fond of wearing my Muvo on its armband. However that was easy enough to rectify, I simply ordered an iAudio armband and am happy again.

All in all, this was a very worthwhile upgrade from a Muvo and definitely worth the extra money too! I think the U2 will give the iPod's a run for the money, so small and light and rugged... I sure wouldn't want to wear one of those iPods while working with my tractor!

I have now used my U2 player for 1 month and I have to say I am just getting happier and happier every day!

Pros
+ Sound!!!
+ Size
+ Voice Rec
+ Radio
+ USB drive

Cons
- Earphone
- Price

Has tons of features. I don't use many, because I just turn it on and run. Sounds great.
I'm always adjusting the headphones when I run because they feel like they are falling out, sometimes they do, so I just need to get some better headphones. But other than that (and most players will come with headphones that fall out), it's great.
I got the 512Mb, it's plenty of memory and ends up being a great bang for the buck.

I received this as a gift for Christmas and so far, so good! The sound quality is excellent, the controls are easy to learn and easy to use. I didn't even use the manual to try figure out how to use it. It's very stylish and I like that you can charge it via USB (with a cable or USB connector provided) or the AC adapter that also came with it. The LCD screen was also easy to read and transferring songs was simple - just plug it to the pc, select the songs you want, and copy it right over to the mp3 drive. The only negative thing I'd say, which is probably true for many portable audio is, the included ear phones were ok. They also didn't fit in my ear well but maybe b/c my ear canal is small. Also, the necklace that it came with can get easily tangled, so a clip would have been nice!!!

This is a tiny player with decent sound and a great interface. The best feature is that you do not need any software on your computer - just drag and drop files to the player as it shows up as a drive.

ZDNet and CNet rated it tops, and so did MP3.com. I bought one and my only complainta are that the microphone isn't very sensitive, and recording off the built-in FM tuner is not very good. Otherwise, the product is great.

Bought this digital music player for our teenage son. He intially was set on an iPod, but he hasn't said anything negative about this player or that it is lacking in any features. He has it with him 90% of the time. Convenient size for pants pocket. Not an easy target for theft (at school) because of it's "small size."

This is my first mp3 player, and I did a lot of research, reading reviews on Amazon, CNET, and others. Pretty much the only knock they had on this player was the price, and I can only assume that the price was much higher when the U2 was reviewed. The online price at most sources compares very favorably with the competition. Especially considering it is approx. the same size and price as my wife's 1 gig Sandisk flash drive.

All in all, I think it is a great player. Very intuitive controls, and the fact that it doesn't take any software to use is a bonus!