iPod Nano users - how's the bass for you?

[tjaisv]

In general, how would u compare the ipod nano's sound, and more specifically the bass, with other mp3 players? I'm asking because compared with my relatively cheaper Sony Walkman mp3 player the nano's bass seems weaker, even with the audio settings tweaked. Audio in general also seems tinny. Now yes it could be the headphones, but i used the same headphones for them both (perhaps the ipod needs to take advantage of a better headset?)

And the same goes with a few other players as well (all kinds, ie cd, radio), the ipod just doesn't have the best bass power.

So what has your experience been here?

 

[tjaisv]

i guess i'm alone on this? lol

 

[Operandi]

The sound is overall very good in my opinion.

I've haven't noticed the bass as being particularly weak or strong on my MDR-V6s (pretty neutral) but it's very "present" on my ear canal Sonys which I don't mind at all.

 

[w00t]

iPod sound quality has always sucked and in-ear headphones don't really give you base.

My guess is the sony has better sound output than the iPod.

 

[QuantumPion]

On my nano, the tone is not constant with volume level. At max volume level (with car/headphone volume reduced) the tone sounds fairly neutral or a little bass heavy, but at lower ipod volume the bass drops off completely. It probably has to do with the small space and power the amplifier has available to it. I bet most small sized music players have this issue. Larger, hard drived based ipods might be better.

 

[shoegazer]

Originally posted by: QuantumPion
On my nano, the tone is not constant with volume level. At max volume level (with car/headphone volume reduced) the tone sounds fairly neutral or a little bass heavy, but at lower ipod volume the bass drops off completely. It probably has to do with the small space and power the amplifier has available to it. I bet most small sized music players have this issue. Larger, hard drived based ipods might be better.

This variation of bass with volume has more to do with how we hear than the ipod itself. We are less sensitive to bass at low volumes. This is why you'll often find a "loudness" option on stereos which is meant for listening at low volumes. It usually slightly changes the mids and highs while significantly boosting the bass.

 

[corkyg]

That is a normal drop off. Bass takes a lot of amp power - tough to move those lengthy sounds waves.

Today, a lot of music has abnormally enhanced bass - which is not natural, but people get used to it. The best way to judge is to connect your iPod to a good stereo system and listen to the response. Earphones, IMHO, especially plugs are poor reproducers of natural sound.

 

[tjaisv]

Well i guess my main point was that compared to other players i've listened to, the nano's bass is weaker.

Now, I hear Sony generally tends to make audio products that emphasize the bass response. I wonder if they have any multi-GB mp3 players...

 

[doanster]

Originally posted by: tjaisv
Well i guess my main point was that compared to other players i've listened to, the nano's bass is weaker.

Now, I hear Sony generally tends to make audio products that emphasize the bass response. I wonder if they have any multi-GB mp3 players...

Very true - Sony's "MegaBass" boosts bass to overkill levels (i guess thats where the name comes from...) - great for R&B and dance tracks, but painful and unnatural for instrumental/softer music.