Streaming music is great, but if you're somewhere without a data connection, like a flight or underground on the subway, some of our favorite cloud services won't do you much good. For times like those, or when you need a device that's loaded up with all of your favorite tunes and tons of playlists, it's better to have something with your music stored right on it so you can listen on the go. This week we're going to look at five of the best digital music players (that aren't the iPod, since it's clearly the king of the market) based on your nominations.
Earlier in the week, we asked you which devices you used to store your music locally and listen to it on the go. We specifically excluded the iPod because, well, it's clearly the juggernaut of the industry, and you don't need us to recommend one to you. We wanted to hear what other digital music players you think are worth the cash, and well over 200 nominations later, here's a look at the top five.
Your Phone
We expected this one, and you came through in spectacular fashion—many of you have given up the stand-alone digital music player entirely in exchange for carrying a phone that's capable of storing and playing your music collection. Considering most phones come with tons of storage these days built-in, and most Android phones have upgradable SD cards, you have the option of carrying a smartphone with 64GB of storage in your pocket and your whole music collection if you so choose. Plus, that's one less device you have to carry around—you always have your phone, so you always have your music, whether it's local or streaming.
Sandisk Sansa Clip/Fuze/Etc Series
The Sandisk Sansa series of mp3 players are still widely available, and according to your nominations, they're a fantastic option. They're long-lived, robust, come in different shapes and sizes depending on what you need them for, are stuffed full of storage, work with just about any desktop OS or media player you have, and, of course, the price is right. Depending on how much storage you need, you can get a Sansa Clip with 2GB of storage for around $30, or a Sansa Fuze with 16GB of storage for around $100, many of which with expandable memory for even more storage. The sheer number of options, colors, supported formats, and sizes make a Sansa player an attractive option for someone looking for a good-looking player that will stand the test of time. Don't forget you can replace the firmware with Rockbox and unlock a wealth of new features.
Microsoft Zune/Zune HD
Even though they're no longer in production, the Zune and Zune HD line of media players are still great options if you're looking for a simple DAP without a ton of fuss. The original Zune was a rugged, slightly ugly device, but it was robust and sturdy. The Zune HD was a different matter-slim and attractive, it was probably one of Microsoft's most underrated products. It never quite got over being called the "iPod Killer," even though it could match or beat earlier iPods feature-for-feature. Combined with the Zune Marketplace for music, it was a great combination, but the Zune player didn't even need that—you could use it with any media player, and it could be mounted like a simple USB device. The UI was sharp (again, especially on the Zune HD), and its screen was crisp and clear long before DAP buyers appreciated such things. The Zune HD's high price tag and lackluster app support were regrettable, but if you can still find one for a song (and they're still out there) you'll invest in a great media player for music and movies.
Creative Zen Series
Creative was in the digital music player business before most of its competitors, and the Creative Zen series has been around for almost as long—a long time ago, it was known as the Creative NOMAD, one of the first DAPs on the market. Creative still makes the Zen series, ranging from the pocket-sized Zen Style series to the Android-based and wireless Zen X-FI line and Zen Touch series. Many of you have a specific passion for Creative's older players over their newer ones, noting their spectacular battery life, modding options, long life, and low price tags. These days, Creative has put their lot in with Android for their media players and Bluetooth for built-in wireless audio, even on their smaller devices. Touchscreens abound on their players, but their prices are still reasonable, with a 4GB Zen Style running you around $30, and even a brand new 16GB X-Fi3 only setting you back close to $140.
Cowon J3/C2/iAudio/Etc Series
Cowon has come a long way. Initially perceived as a department store knockoff brand (at least in North America), the company has gone on to create some seriously elegant and design-focused media players that look as good as they sound. Their most recent players, like the Cowon J3 and the iAudio 10, offer high-end features like AMOLED displays, touch-sensitive controls, and Android-based software. Their newer players come at high-end prices, but you get a lot for your money (the J3 starts around $180 for 8GB, and the iAudio 10 starts at $150.) Their earlier players however, are still available used at rock bottom prices, and are easily hackable to run Rockbox. It doesn't hurt that many of you testify to the expandable storage, FLAC support, and—perhaps most importantly—fantastic sound of Cowon's players, either. Sounds good to us.
From: lifehacker.com
From: lifehacker.com
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