Customer Reviews

iAudio U2 1 GB Digital Music Player

5 star:		(75)
4 star:		(28)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

This review describes the complete thought/research cycle for deciding a digital player. It includes hdd based, flash based, different flash based capacities, features, battery life etc. The features etc for any player are already available on the detail pages and else where so I'm not including those, instead doing the comparison exercise. I've also written this review for other flash players which I considered in the comparison.

I've been using iRiver SlimX iMP-CD350 CD/MP3 player for quite a while now and decided that its time to move to a smaller player which is more versatile and portable. I'm just not a CD person, and as soon as I buy a CD, I rip it and get the files all over my computers/laptops.

There are lot of smaller digital music players available in the market. My first decision point was to decide between HDD (hard disk drive) or Flash memory based players. HDD based are available from 4GB to 60 GB and since it has a mechanical drive, it's not suited well for my activities (gym/running etc). While flash based don't suffer with this draw back, they come only in 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, 1GB and 2GB. I wasn't buying a player to make it a permanent repository of all my music and having up to 1GB of music (16 hours of CD quality, 32+ hours otherwise) was good enough for me. For this reason, I decided to go with Flash based player. Plus, most flash based players have direct USB connectivity and some of those can also be used as a regular flash disk for document transfer and storage.

Next step was to decide the capacity. I was inclined for a 2GB player since it'll store even more songs, but found some warning in iAudio (Jet Audio) site where a 2gb version can store only up to 450 (files + folders) and the player cannot address the last 260MB memory of the player. I had also used a flash based 2gb usb storage device which had similar storage problems. So, I went with 1GB version and decided to give more time for 2GB+ technology.

Next was feature sets and brands. I had following things in mind in terms of features: formats capable, battery life, firmware upgradability, and FM player. I considered Creative (MuVO Micro N200), iRiver (iFP 799), Apple (iShuffle 1GB), and JetAudio (iAudio 5, G3, U2).

iRiver had drawbacks were not being able to work as USB storage device, limitation on Ogg audio and MP3 VBR files. Apple was not just my thing since it lacked a display, FM tuner etc and accessories like FM player are added cost/size/weight too. Creative was also limited only on WMA amd MP3. It seemed like most of the players but iAudio/Jet Audio have format limitations.
Jet Audio (iAudio) had most of the formats available (MP3, WMA, WAV, Ogg Vorbis, ASF etc), firware upgradable, trendy size, good reviews, USB storage device and good choices. And, I was totally bought on iAudio.

The last step was to decide on the model. I considered iAudio i5, G3, and U2 version. The main differences are that I5 is based on 'AAA' batter and lasts only 15-20 hours, G3 is slightly wider but less longer model with 'AA' battery and supports up to 45-50 hours on one cell, and U2 was similar to '5' but had internal Lithium Polymer battery and the same 15-20 hours playback time. U2 model also lacked Ogg Vorbis format capability.
If I was travelling long distance and not able to charge LiPolymer battery, it's a waste. And, 15-20 hours just doesn't turn not ecnomical with 'AAA' battery, so I ended up with iAudio G3 1GB player and I'm very satisfied with the player itself.

The U2 is the best flash memory digital music player on the market.

Pros: VERY solid construction; easy user interface; great manual (the one you download, not the puny one that comes in the package); many accessories included; cool display; good 'phones.

Cons: Writes files SUPER slow. Rechargeable battery is built in, not removeable. USB cable doubles as recharger, but it's slow. Normal plug-in-the-wall-outlet battery recharger is available, but costs extra.

I bought this player 4months ago through a friend in Korea. It plays superbly.
The player is very small(smaller than it looks on your screen). The battery lasts about 20hours and the only downside is that I can't replace them once they drown out because the Li-ion battery is integrated into the player(just like the ipod). You can also charge the device through usb just by connecting to the usb port. You could also make a use out of USB 2.0 ports if you have it on your computer and transfer files at 25Mb/sec.
A gigabyte lets you hold about 300 songs on your device with 128kbps.
The sound output is powerful and clear. Plus, the device provides 999+ Equalizer settings. Through new firmware updates, this player is OGG compatible, and the digital clock will be added.

design 85%
ease of use 95%
compatability 100%
price 80%
OVERALL 90%

This Korean made U2 IAUDIO Flash 1GB Mp3 player has replaced my previous Sony MD player, and was a better alternative to the Ipod Mini or Shuffle. If you like larger, hard-drive based MP3 players that require proprietary software and formats in order to use them, then by all means buy an IPOD. If you dont like having a convenient Display on your flash player then buy an IPOD shuffle with its incredible 'random' feature. The U2 Iaudio Flash player is for people who hate superfluous and bulky transfer software programs and enjoy a particular disdain for conformity. I can drag and drop Mp3 or other audio format files and transfer music from CD's (quite literally) in a flash. Yes I can only hold about 250 songs, but who wants to hold their entire CD collection. I'm constantly changing the music on it, every couple of days. The battery is charged while its connected to the USB and performs well.

The sound is crisp and it has several options for Bass, Equalizer and Sound Enhancements. Not to mention it has Voice Recording abilities on MP3 or WAV, and FM Radio that can be recorded as well!

The menu is easily navigatable and all controlled with one simple and small shuffle button.

The best part: I bring it to work and use it as a USB Memory Key. I dont need anything extra to be able to store any other document or miscellaneous files that are under 1GB!

Now the only CON I can think of: the shape and design are way too boxy and utilitarian, and not nearly as stylish as the other players out there. But I can live with that. This player is awesome!

The iAudio U2 is truly a stunning player; its sleek and "elegant" design is sure to capture the eye of any passer-by. The player itself is a flash device, meaning it has no moving parts, so it's great for running and won't skip; this also means that it is so small that it can be worn around the neck like a pendant. The player itself has a built in FM radio with FM recording, microphone, LCD, clock with alarms, and a very good navigation system which can order songs and folders in a variety of ways (not just alphanumerically). It also functions as a storage device for transferring files and even comes with a small USB attachment. It has a built-in battery which, when it dies after 2-3 years, can be replaced by JetAudio for $40. You can even personalize the start-up animation with whatever you want. This portable player has received rave reviews and comes at a very good price, with enough space to carry around a good amount of music.

However, perfection always has a flaw, and in this case, the flaw is something which cannot be overlooked.
The iAudio U2, though as perfect of a player as it is, has major compatibility issues. I have done much research on the issue, and it seems that iAudio U2 is not compatible with ANY major online music store; that includes such stores as RealPlayer (my favorite) and MusicMatch. There has been a great number of complaints regarding this at the Cnet.com forums. I also checked the website for both Real and Musicmatch and the iAudio U2 is not listed as a supported device for either. Since I enjoy downloading single tracks without buying the whole CD, this was a major drawback.

In all, the iAudio U2 is an excellent player with horrible compatibility. If all of your music comes from CDs and you don't plan on downloading any tunes, then this is one of the best players on the market. However, if you ARE going to download music, do not get this one.

After using the 1GB U2 for a month, some salient benefits I can list are - long battery life (at least 15 hours) , ease of recharging (via the USB connection), excellent sound reproduction, ease of file transfer and amazingly multi-functional joystick control. The JetEffects menu features Sound Panning (Fader), 3D Surround Sound, a fully customizable graphic equalizer and a Bass Booster.

My favourite setting now is 40% Surround + slightly enhanced Bass and Treble. The U2's 3D Sound effect is quite astounding - it has the same effect as splaying a pack of cards to get visual on the "hidden" cards. Sounds that were previously muffled or overlaid suddenly jump to life with the Surround turned on. I love it !

Ability to create a "favourites" list from among the potentially 200-odd tracks you can upload is a thoughtful plus.

This upgrade effectively relegated my old 10GB Nomad Jukebox to the "refuse dump of history". Not having to recharge everyday, and not having to install special drivers to transfer music are winning features. The sound recording is only good for quick memos or meeting notes, or to embarrass your roomie by recording her snoring. It is not professional grade.

The cons are - 1) substandard radio. The radio can receive only the very strong channels, and not satisfactorily at that. The weaker channels do not raise even the faintest whisper on its radar. 2) The earpiece is not even good for the gym - it has a tendency to keep falling out. I use the U2 with my 24 ohm (input impedance) Sony MDR 7506 with full satisfaction.

Personally I found the multi-function joystick control very intuitive and really ingenious. Way to go. Buy this by all
means, as long as you're not counting on a good FM radio.

-----------updating after using over a year. The radio player is good, it just needs to be a good reception area. So it is not very sensitive, but performs pretty well when there is a strong signal.

This small gum-pack sized, lightweight portable music player takes the cake for quality, versatility, functions, ease of use and a commitment by Cowon to keep its technology up to date through firmware upgrades.

-The iAudio U2's carrying case keeps the safe as it hangs around your neck on its convenient lanyard.
-The internal battery is rechargeable and does get 10-15 hours out of it!
-The 5-direction joystick is easy to figure out.
-The thick manual is not needed for people with an intuition for modern electronic devices, but helpful for the rest of us.
-The iAudio U2 is compatible with Win/Mac/Linux and interfaces quite nicely with the Synchronization function of Windows Media Player 10, allowing you to automatically synchronize your device based on playlists, artist, genre, etc., rather than just copying music folders over to the device.
-The iAudio U2 can read lossless .OGG format files for audiophiles.
-The BBE, Bass, and Surround Sound algorithms, as well as the equalizer on the device allow for a full and complete sound from a compressed .mp3.
-The device can also be used as a USB key for any space not taken up by your music.

This device really goes the extra mile, giving you the extra functionality to record and to listen to FM radio as well. The iAudio U2 does things that the iPod or the Sony Network Walkman cannot do. As the owner of a Sony Network Walkman Digital Music Player NW-E403, the Cowon JetAudio iAudio U2 surpasses the Sony device on all counts, especially quality of materials, functionality, compatibility with many file formats, and drag and drop capabilities.

First thing that absolutely blew me away - this SIZE of this thing! I did not fully realize how small it would be when I ordered it. It honestly is the size of a pack of gum. If you're thinking of buying this player, go get a pack of gum right now and look at it. If that looks like it may be too small, you might want to reconsider.

However, I find the size to be quite dandy. This player is extremely portable and will not be a nuisance for travel - just don't lose it! The joystick control is absolutely fabulous. No problems with the interface - it is very easy to understand.

I run the Linux operating system (Gentoo and Ubuntu distributions) and have had zero problems mounting the player as an external hard drive. I just hooked it up to the USB and mounted it via the command line. Simple as pie. Ubuntu will probably automount the player as soon as it is connected.

Ogg Vorbis support is very good - but not perfect. I have had trouble with a few songs (q 10 VBR) causing the player to freeze, but with the latest firmware (1.30a) which came loaded on my player, no data was lost on these crashes. I believe that re-encoding these files may fix the problem; I am going to experiment. At any rate, the support is much better than iPod, where Ogg Vorbis is and will probably always be nonexistent.

This is a very beautiful player. It is sleek, small, and has an amazingly clear sound. The voice recording is absolutely fabulous - far better than the model this U2 is succeeding for me, the MPIO FL110 (256MB.) FM radio is decent, but could be better. If you want a radio, pay $10 for a walkman. Line-in isn't bad, at 128kb MP3, but it could be better.

The battery life is pretty average at ~20 hours per charge. This is more than enough for most people's needs. Just plug it in at the end of the day and you'll be fine. If you ever have problems with the charge depleting, you can get the battery replaced for around $40, and it could be even cheaper in the two years that it will take for your need to arise. Apple charges $99 to replace the battery of an iPod.

I love this player. If you're interested in getting an armband for running or working out (it's very nice) and perhaps an AC Adapter, check out http://www.shopsuntec.com . They have very good service and great prices. Amazon has them beat in price for the player alone, though.

I highly recommend this player to anyone who is looking for a portable audio device with the following features:

-very portable
-great sound
-Ogg Vorbis file support
-quality voice recording
-line-in as an option
-rechargeable battery, cheaply replaceable
-incredibly beautiful design!
-clear display
-USB storage device (no drivers/software required)

I got one of these and absolutely love it. Very lightweight, long-lasting rechargable battery, charged by my USB connection, plenty of room for music, UMS, sleek, easy-to-navigate, very good FM tuner, records MP3s directly, good internal mic for voice recording. Just a couple of minor niggles: 1) it will only record MP3s at up to 128kbs (usually good enough, but not always) and 2) it won't take signals from unpowered external mics (I have a small Sony stereo mic that would be superb with this tiny recorder --- no cord necessary --- but it's an unpowered mic --- iRiver MP3 players can handle it, but this is the better player in all other respects). For standard uses, this is the best MP3 player I've seen.

This is my second iaudio mp3 player (first one was the CW200). The CW200 was an awesome player and was used everyday for 2 years until I dropped it during my print training. As solid as it was it didn't survive the tumbling that took place over a distance of 20 feet. So now I got the u2 after having read so many positive reviews. I have to say that all the reviews are right. This product is awesome.
It is small, has a great display with an easy to use interface, 1Gb of space (more than enough), a line in, a great mic (I recorded a concert and it sounded much better than I would have ever expected, and enough juice to last for a long time (20h). Obviously it has FM radio, too.
The only thing that I don't like is that it uses a build-in rechargeable battery - while this may make it smaller I fear that the battery will loose much of its power over the years. I would have rather had an mp3 player with rechargeable AAA batteries.
Still, I am very happy I bought this and can recommend it with confidence!