I had an iPod and recently switched to a Zune. Am I correct in thinking the iPod had slightly better sound quality - slightly crisper, livelier, and louder, when using the same headphones? Can someone confirm my feeling? Isn't the Zune supposed to have a better DSP unit? I'm pretty sure the iPod had slightly better sound quality.

Both are great! My iPod was a photo iPod so it had a small screen. I'm enjoying the Zune's larger screen plus some additional features. But I'm slightly down on the sound quality compared to the iPod's. Can someone confirm or disprove my feeling? Thanks!

 

I just ordered a Zune 30Gb but it wont be here for a couple of days yet. Never had an iPod, so I couldnt compare easily but my bro has one that I could test with.

 

I have an Archos 604. Love it. Sound quality is great. I would be curious how it is compared to the other two.

 

I have an Archos 604. Love it. Sound quality is great. I would be curious how it is compared to the other two.

 

Do you have an Archos 604? Bet you love it! The sound quality must be great and it'd be interesting to see how it compares to the other two...

We have a 1st gen shuffle, a video 30, and two 2nd gen nanos. I like the portability of the shuffle, exporting video out to the plasma TV from the 30, and the two nanos live separately in two of our cars... love the Ipod integration.

For me it's the convenience more than the sound. My regular digital camera takes better pictures than my phone... but I use my cameraphone a heckuva lot more due to convenience.

Same thing with the Ipods.
About 10 years ago there were Windows CE palm PCs and Palm Pilots. I prefered the Windows CE machines, but the support wasn't there and I wound up having to switch to a Palm as each manufacturer of Windows CE machines stopped producing them.

 

ZUNE is too heavy IMO. Screen is nice though.

 

Yeah, please do a careful test! I'll give you a cookie.

Most reviews I've read said the Zune was supposed to have a better DSP unit, which should make better sound, but I've found the opposite.

Test it, and report back, soldier! Thanks!

Oh, test them with the same headphones at about 75% of the volume levels, to yield a more consistent result.

P.S. I've also had a Sandisk Sansa and it had a really good sound quality.

 

Sound quality is so rarely compared. If you find any real data (same exact file, played on both, with spectrum noise analysis) let us know. I'm sort of winding myself up to buy the 160 GB iPod Classic but the 80 GB Zune would just about satisfy me too.

 

I have a Nano and while the sound quality is good, it always freezes or the battery craps out too quickly. I'd consider looking at other products.

 

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