Looking for a solid mp3 player and headphones

[nick1985]

Hey guys, Im looking for recommendations for a good MP3 player (doesnt have to be huge, 1-2 gigs is fine) and nice earbud headphones. I do a lot of running so crappy headphones that fall out easily wont do.

Id like to not spend much more than 50-60 bucks...but I just have no idea what is or isnt good and with so many options out there I figured this would be a good place to ask.


Thanks!

 

[conorvansmack]

Woot has a refurbed Sandisk Sansa 4GB which people seem to like for $34.99 + shipping.

Get it today if you want it because once it's gone, it won't come back for a while. They seem to get these about once a month.

 

[HannibalX]

Take a look.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: conorvansmack
Woot has a refurbed Sandisk Sansa 4GB which people seem to like for $34.99 + shipping.

Get it today if you want it because once it's gone, it won't come back for a while. They seem to get these about once a month.

Is there a pic somewhere that shows me how large it is? Its hard to tell from the pic in that link. Since I will use it primarilly while running I would like it to be pretty small...more towards the size of a pack of gum rather than the size of a deck of cards.

 

[AUMM]

I use the Sandisk Sansa Clip
http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-...&qid=1219270062&sr=8-1

i picked it up from radio shack for $54
it's tiny and perfect for working out. Excellent sound quality too

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: nick1985

Originally posted by: conorvansmack
Woot has a refurbed Sandisk Sansa 4GB which people seem to like for $34.99 + shipping.

Get it today if you want it because once it's gone, it won't come back for a while. They seem to get these about once a month.

Is there a pic somewhere that shows me how large it is? Its hard to tell from the pic in that link. Since I will use it primarilly while running I would like it to be pretty small...more towards the size of a pack of gum rather than the size of a deck of cards.

I use a Sansa e260 in a DLO Action Band when I'm running and it's perfect for me. I use some earbuds made by Nike (got 'em from Target) that have hooks that ride the outer ear and stay in nicely.

 

[skace]

nm missed budget

 

[Red Dawn]

I use an Ipod Shuffle with a pair of behind the neck Sony Headphones.

 

[Muse]

I have a couple of Sansa m250's (2 GB) that I take to the gym. I don't use the stupid case it comes with, just slip it in a pocket. When that's a problem, I hold it in one hand. Also good for around the house for FM, whatever. Best FM I've ever had in a portable and very good MP3 support, including EQ. EQ is for recordings only, not FM. For headphones I use Etymotics ER4S, and I have two pairs of those. Expensive, but although I've had them for almost 10 years, never had to replace the cords. Only issue has been to replace the filters once or twice, which is a snap. Very high fidelity.

 

[Yukmouth]

Sony NWZ-A816 or better.

They come in four and eight gig, noise canceling headhones and it sounds AMAZING.

I'm big on bass, this is the best sounding MP3 player I've had to date. They're cheap too.

Plays almost all types of video format and acts as an external HD for easy playlist editing.

 

[ubercaffeinated]

yep using a shuffle for no nonsense while working out.

 

[wayliff]

looks like the Sansa m250 is a good choice - i am considering getting that one from amazon. Pretty good price there.

 

[SneakyStuff]

I have a Sandisk Sansa 8GB, works well for the gym and running. Smaller than a credit card.

 

[dakels]

I have used a lot of different ones and I think that for the common devices, the Ipod shuffle is the best overall for lightweight, easy to use, easy to attach and stay attached while exercising. I personally don't use it (gave it to my niece) because I really like having a color screen and mini SD card slot in the Sansa C240. I got my C240 on sale at buy.com for $20 on sale after $10 rebate. I bought a 2gb SD card for $10.

 

[Kaido]

I use a 2nd-gen iPod Shuffle, the kind with the clip, and some cheap wrap-around headphones. That way I don't care if they break. I bought a bunch of them off Woot last time they were on there. There's a Shuffle knockoff for like $20 or $30 available, and also Apple refurbs sometimes if you need "cheap". But it's nice, just clip and go and has flash memory - no moving parts, no skipping while running.

 

[dealmaster00]

get a pair of behind-the-neck headphones...earbuds will drive you insane falling out but the headphones are secure around your ears.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: dealmaster00
get a pair of behind-the-neck headphones...earbuds will drive you insane falling out but the headphones are secure around your ears.

I bought the Sennheiser CX 300-B that go in the ear canal, and with the proper sized fit rings, they stay in great. The other type of buds are definitely ill suited for the job though.

As to the player, just buy any good name brand is my advice. About a year and a half ago I bought a no name 2gb MP3/4 player, looked like a Samsung knock off. The battery life sucks, maybe 1.5-2hrs of MP3, and it has a 2.5mm jack, so I have to use a 3.5mm adapter with it. Good enough for a couple of runs before needing a charge, but that is about it.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: wayliff
looks like the Sansa m250 is a good choice - i am considering getting that one from amazon. Pretty good price there.

I'm doing great with mine, but only after getting a tip or two at Sandisk Forums. In particular, I changed the USB mode from MTP to MSC, and this got my m250s working the way I like. I don't use Media Player or another ~similar~ utility, but use Windows Explorer to access the players and when using MSC mode, the interface is just as if it were a flash drive, HD or any other device. Check out those forums (register) for interesting info/feedback, etc.

Note on m2xx: Real good battery life (I use one AAA NiMH). Don't use it as a flash drive. I've heard that flash memory although it doesn't have moving parts, can't be expected to last like a HD, so dedicate your file transfer functions to components for which it makes sense and don't risk your music player. Also, if you see "refurbished" m2xx's for sale, resist the temptation. Sansa does not have reburb programs. They are set up by 3rd party/parties and are not to be trusted.

 

[smitbret]

Sandisk Sansa Clip. Size is right, you don't need a case or armband and the sound quality is as good or better than anything else out there. It's barely larger than an Ipod Shuffle, but has a screen.

 

[nick1985]

I got the Sandisk Sansa Clip...

Text

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: smitbret
Sandisk Sansa Clip. Size is right, you don't need a case or armband and the sound quality is as good or better than anything else out there. It's barely larger than an Ipod Shuffle, but has a screen.

I was offered a Sansa Clip to replace my defective Sansa m250 by a Sansa rep, but I said I wanted an m250 instead. My reason was that the m250 uses one AAA battery, and I already have a stock of very good NiMH AAA's. The Clip has a proprietary Lithium rechargeable and when it goes, well, what would I do? It would cost a bunch. I baby all my rechargeable LiIon batteries because they don't like being fully charged. If you ignore that, and charge them to the tip-top regularly they may last a year or two, so I'm told. They deteriorate slowest when at 40% and refrigerated, and that's where my laptop and camcorder batteries are right now. I pay no such homage to my NiMH AA's and AAA's. I have a nice La Crosse charger for them. They are a lot less hassle. The m250's battery life on one NiMH AAA is well into double digits.

 

[ibex333]

I suggest the Rio S30S. It can be had VERY cheap on ebay. Uses 1 AAA battery, and runs forever on a good rechargeable one. Absolutely no fancy features, or extra options. Memory is limited to the size of a removable SD card. I usually find that 1-2gb is more than enough to last through any workout. I end up using this baby more often than my 60gb iPod... Who would have thought?

The S30S is designed for sports. It's very durable, small and very portable, and comes with a strap for your arm so you can run or jump or whatever. It's made such that if you drop it, there's a very small chance of breaking anything.

Despite the fact that this player is very outdated by today's standards, it is everything I need and nothing I don't. My only problem is that it's red, and the radio reception is poor. But then again, during my workout I think about doing my workout - not stare at my mp3 player.

http://www.digitalnetworksna.c.../product.asp?prodID=75
http://reviews.cnet.com/mp3-pl...5-6490_7-20428623.html


As for headphones, my cheap Sony earbuds do a very good job. Newegg had the Sennheiser earbuds for sale for cheap not too long ago. I own the big Sennheiser headset for my PC that I bought for around $50, and the sound quality is outstanding. (for me at least)

 

[conorvansmack]

Woot has the Sansa clip refurb'd for $19.99.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: conorvansmack
Woot has the Sansa clip refurb'd for $19.99.

I wouldn't buy any Sansa "refurb." Sansa does not have a refurb program. The so-called refurbs are presented by 3rd parties contracting with vendors (e.g. woot here, also buy.com, possibly others), and if you have a problem your redress (if any) is through the vendor, not Sansa. Sansa will not warrant any "refurbished" Sansa item. You may get a 30 day return policy through the vendor, who knows, but anything longer isn't likely. If you decide to buy a "refurb" Sansa, find out exactly what recourse you have with the vendor in case of a bad unit. Realize too that a so-called refurb likely had a problem and there's a good chance that problem was never solved, and I'd think quite possibly never detected by whoever stamped the unit "Refurbished."

 

[nick1985]

Got the Clip working, its great. :thumbsup: