juli_

1. The 706 would convert MP3 VBR to Atrac during transfer as it doesn't support that format. (someone correct me if I'm wrong!) 2. You can use any headphones you like - but the noise-cancelling feature won't work unless you use the supplied headphones. 3. There's a clip and a silicon case. I used the silicon case, attached a lanyard to it and hung it round my neck. That gave me the option of keeping it secure under my clothing. And it's easy enough to pull out anyway.

Can I ask when you bought the case? I've looked on the site and it's not available. From what I've read, it won't be on sale until 25th June. I just sent back a silicon case as it was horrible!

Sony NW-A806 vs. Sony NW-S706F: Sound Quality does the NW-A806 sounds a lot better than 706 or always the same? Sony NW-S706 in term of usability... the player is small and light and the sound quality is superb. So my question is, before buying, does the NW-A806 sounds a lot better or always the same? I most use MP3 (v2) or AAC+. Thank You! Go to the link below - there's lots of stuff about the sound quality comparison. Briefly, if you like the fullness and bass on the 706, you'll find a big difference with the 808. The volume on the 808 is slightly louder than the 706 - and the sound is much 'crispier' (I still think quite 'harsh') - and a lot depends on the headphones you use. I still prefer the 706 sound quality, and think it is more detailed than the 808. All depends on your sound preferences. I have grown 'used' to the sound of the 808, but still prefer the sound of the 706. http://www.atraclife.com/forums/index.php?...art=#entry23667

I can't get exactly the same sound, but I can get mine closer to the 706. I use: CB+2 - then, 0 0 -1 0 -1 I found that reducing the 3rd and 5th frequency softened the harshness without losing any detail, but when I added to any of the frequencies, it made it harsher to my ears! Find an acoustic track or anything that has the potential to sound 'crisp' - and then play around with the 3rd and 5th EQ slider, that's the area I found had the most effect for me.

I just re-bought the E500 so should be here by the end of the week. Too impatient to wait to try my friends, and remembering how they sounded with the 706 convinces me they'll sound perfect with the 'sharper' 808. And if we're not happy with them - I guess we'll see them on eBay as 'almost new'. . . Be interesting to swap comments. By the way, what's your stuff ripped at? I have a mix of Atrac3plus@256kbps, and wma vbr between 300/400kbps as I seem to remember that the E500's souned a lot better when the bitrate was higher. I can't tell the difference between 256 and 400 anyway so my ears aren't that 'sensitive' - but I know the phones come to life when the bitrate is higher.

Oh!! That's the problem with new stuff coming out all the time. For what it's worth (and it's just my opinion) - I think the E530 will be a good match for the 808 for the simple reason that I had them with my 706 and sent them back because they made it sound too 'warm' - but that 'warmth' is needed for the 808. At the moment, I'm using Shure E4 with the 808 and despite EQing to death, I still find it's too 'sharp' in some areas, and ok in others. When I used the E4 with the 706, it produced a much warmer sound, which made it more acceptable to my ears, but the phones are just too 'cold' for me, which is why I need to change them! So I figure that the E500 will be the perfect match for the 808, warming it up just enough to make it sound closer to the 706, whose sound signature I preferred anyway. As for the Westone 3, there's still no definite release date and the only real reviews I read pitted it against the E500 - the result was that the Westone 3 had a more detailed midrange than the E500. This is an excerpt from a review at: http://www.headphonesrock.com/2007/04/ "I found the Westone 3’s to offer a slightly more detailed midrange and better instrument separation. While the Shure E500 has a wonderfully detailed and full bass (thanks to it’s dedicated subs), I found it to be slightly accentuated in the mid bass region, compared to the more neutral (but just as detailed) Westone 3. What we can conclude from this comparison is that the Shure E500’s are slightly inferior to the Westone 3’s as far as sound quality is concerned" I'm pretty sure that the majority of people wouldn't notice the difference in the mid-bass region, I'm sure I wouldn't - but the E500/530 is a really good headphone, just not a great match with the already 'warm' 706 depending on your listening preferences. I'm sure they'll be great with the 'cold' 808, and you can always tweak the treble if it's too accentuated. More importantly, I found they were good with all styles of music - important if you listen to a wide range of sounds. Re: the UM2 - I managed to read loads of reviews in the last 24 hours, and can see they have fans and non-fans - the only consistent complaint I could find about them was the 'bloated' bass, but again, there is no headphone that everybody agrees on, so it's a matter of personal taste. I don't think you'll be disappointed at all with the E500/530 - and I'm pretty sure that a few months on from Westone 3's release, people will start pointing out 'faults' in it as soon as the next super-duper phone appears! So just enjoy them when they show up!

I think Westone UM2 would be a better match with the A808 than the Shures. The E500 will bring out the treble of the A808s too much and they are bass shy compaired to UM2s. They are meny on headfi forum that perfer UM2s over E500s. I think UM2s sound best with bright lively mp3 players. My UM2s sound a bit too dark with my S705 and have to add a bit of treble to eq. If you have S700 shure E500s would be best If you got the A800 Westone UM2s

i feel that the bass is really lacking when compared to the s706 Yes, me too, and I did think I sorted out the EQ a while back but I didn't test it with enough songs - and my gut feeling that it's not an improvement on the 706 is confirmed. I sold my 706 too, really wished I hadn't, but I thought I'd get 'used' to the 808 and it's not happening with the Shure E4 and even trying it with bassy Senheisers just made it unlistenable with all the EQ off, it sounded nasty and distorted - yet the Sennheisers paired with the 706 was fine! i tried playing aroung with the eq but the improvements are really small and it doesnt make the bass punchy like it is in the s706 Plus the 706 just has a richer sound - not 'muddy' or lacking in detail as some people said. I tested a Cat Stevens track on both units, same headphones - at the beginning of the track a band member says: "From the beginning. . . three, four". It's really clear and detailed on the 706, but on the 808 you can barely hear what he says - which means that for my ears, and my ears only (!) the 808 lacks the detail of the 706 and I can't think of any other way to prove it than with that track. The words are muffled and quiet on the 808 - but clear and bright on the 706. im hoping that getting better quality phones will remedy the problem. Yeah, I'm waiting for a friend to lend me her E500s - I had them for a while with the 706 but found the overall sound too warm with that player (I think because the 706 has a rich sound, it's too much paired with the 'warm' E500s) - but as I find the 808 so cold and piercing - the E500s might be a really good match for it. I'll let you know when I've tried them. I really want to like the 808, but when I first got the 706, I was impressed with it immediately, I thought the sound was just brilliant, and that was with the supplied headphones! Yet the minute I tried the 808, my first thought was that it was louder than the 706 (706 was loud enough for me anyway!) - but I was in 'pain' having my ears pierced by the awful sharpness! Sad though it is to say, I'm glad someone else feels the same way! Sadder than that even, is the fact I'll never 'rest' now until I can hear the band member's voice as clearly on the 808 as on the 706!

The sound quality is excellent but not loud enough for me, I think the maximum is 5mw?? I doubt that the UK version will have a volume limit on it. I have the 808 too and find it even louder than the 706. I use the Shure E4s (which IMO are a bad match for my ears, way too cold), and I set the volume at 17/30 which is loud - anything over 21 is unbearable. I boost the bass and cut the treble to try and cut the harshness I also tried with the Sennheiser CX300 and the volume is louder - 15/30 is enough but really bassy even with all EQ off, it's the complete opposite sound of the Shures - and the supplied headphones are ok, better than other supplied headphones. Re: 5mw x 2 - the 706 had the same spec and it could drive the Shures. super.fi's and sennheisers louder than a Zen Vision: m!! The ZV:m has 20mw per amp I think, yet I needed to set it to 23/25 to get the same volume as 17/30 on the Sonys and it didn't sound nearly as good. I thought the 808 and 706 would naturally produce a lower volume than the Zen because of their weaker output, but the exact opposite was true. There was no volume limit on the Zen so it didn't make sense. I think the volume on the Sonys is brilliant - and I wasn't aware either of them were volume capped - I got mine in the UK, and I know the a1200 and a3000 were capped, but these definitely aren't. What volume have you set it to, and what headphones are you using?

Do you have a link? Does not sound like the same player - The 4150 never has come with earphones! on full bass settings my eyeballs wobble on a bassy track on my UM2's. You're right, it wasn't the same model. I guess if you're using UM2's with it, you'll get all the bass you need! I must go and check out the 4150 now and do comparisons!! This is from cnet: Performance of HP iPaq Pocket PC H4150: Sound is quite good; supposedly the Windows Media Player upgrade to version 9.0 provides a boost in quality. I take cnet reviews with a pinch of salt as they said the ZV:m had 'excellent' sound and I certainly didn't agree with that! And they don't bother to say which headphones they used apart from saying: 'Using our favourite Sony earbuds the sound was improved". As so much depends on the headphones, you'd think they'd mention that first! Anyway, have to rip some more CDs now!

Interesting as Amazon.com mentioned this about the iPaq: Overall, the sound quality from the player didn't match the crispness displayed by the best players we've tested, and the flat bass response was particularly disappointing. It's hard to notice with the wimpy earbud headphones that come with the iPAQ, but it's immediately apparent when a more capable set of headphones is connected to the device. Just goes to show how difficult it is to 'hear' the same sound doesn't it? My boyfriend has a Creative Zen Touch which he uses with really cheap 10-dollar headphones and he thinks the sound is brilliant - whereas I think it's rubbish, so we agree to 'disagree'!

I've tested all units very good and studied the results but ZV:M can't beat A sony. Not even with EQ. But if you read carefully you'll se that I almost thought the ZV:m to be better then NW-S703. greetz

How is it that two devices released so closely together can have a different soundstage?

Of the two I prefer the 'warmer' sound of the S703. How is it that two devices released so closely together can have a different soundstage? I meant to tell you that I have dynamic normaliser activated in both units - it makes a difference to the volume and tone (plus no shock with louder tracks over quiet). If you have time, try the track again with the normalisers on (unless they're already set) I also found that tweaking the 808 helped improve it - I compared 'People are Strange' (Doors) on both units and my 808 tweaks have made it sound better than the 706, warmer (on that track anyway). I think the tweaking is really useful I've been listening with the 808s for a few straight hours, and am kind of warming to the sound now that it's been tweaked. I think it's cos I cut some frequencies instead of adding to them (I read somewhere it was often better to that as the effect is the same but without any clipping), but anyway, it is defo louder!!!

STOP PRESS!!! I just tweaked the EQ on the 808 and now have to say that "Riders on the Storm" is just as involving and I've even managed to reduce the harshness. Really beginning to like the sound now but still doing comparisons. . . My 706 EQ is set to flat but with clear bass up by 1 notch. On 808 it is set to clear bass up 2 notches, then from left to right, it is 0 0 -1 -1 0 They're the settings I use to get the most 'pleasing' sound through my headphones (which like I said can be a bit cold), and this helps to tone the 'shrillness' down. With Sennheisers I tend to leave the EQ off both units as I find they're warmer anyway. Like to know the results of "Riders on the Storm" - I mentioned earlier that on the Zen Vision, the storm was so faint I didn't even know there'd been a storm! OK, off to do more comparisons ) I've got all my stuff ripped about 300, 'cos I don't have more than 12GB of music anyway, and I've got that with both the Sonys, so I'm guessing there might be more detail in 'Riders' with the higher bitrate. Anyway, be interesting to compare results and opinions!

I'm not sure if you are referring to me? I don't have the E500's? Sorry - I misread SA5000 for E500!!

Indeed it is all subjective, for what it's worth I was comparing my Hi-MD units and A808 by using the EX082 / Stanton DJ Pro 60's / SA5000's on each. Can I ask what you thought of the E500 combination with the A808? I only used them with the 706 and sent them back as the 706 is full sounding anyway, and the E500's made them sound too warm. Does it make the 808 less 'sharp' sounding? Like I said I'm using the E4s at the moment and they're well known for their 'brightness' - so although they're acceptable on the 706, they're just too shrill on the 808.

a very pleasant and affordable portable open phone that goes well with the 8xx is the Sennheiser px100, I often use it at home for listeing in bed with the A808.

Well, I'm going to get the shure se420 next and test the 808 again as I think the phones might be 'warmer' than the E4 and I won't feel as if the 'detail' is too piercing. In fact, someone else mentioned that the 808 with the Shure E4 sounds too analytical and a bit bright - which was exactly my experience That's purely on how those particular phones sound with that particular model. As the SE420 isn't out for another month, I'm going to reserve final judgement until I've done another comparison!! I want to like the 808 I really do!

It's impossible for any of us to 'hear' exactly the same sound unless the same headphones, bitrates etc are being used with both units! I think the 706 is wonderfully clear with the Shure E4 - and piercingly sharp with the 808 using the same phones. They both have excellent separation and soundstage (compared to other units I have tried like the Zen Vision M) but some users have commented the 808 has less bass. I noticed that myself although it didn't detract from it at all as it's still there, just not so prominent and as you said - the clear bass is great and works very well. Again, it's all subjective isn't it? It might help for people to say which headphones they're using with which models to try to see if we're 'hearing' the same sound, as like I stated before, switching headphones also affects the sound quite dramatically. Either way, I love the Sony sound and wouldn't buy a different brand. In my opinion, I want SQ first, and that's why I'll continue to use (and weep with frustration!!) sonicstage. If the Sony sound wasn't so brilliant I'd have switched brands a long time ago!

I haven't got an Hi-MD but I've got the 706 and the new A808 and have to say i much prefer the sound of the 706!! Soundstage is the same as the 706 but the whole tonal sound is different to me. The 706 is full bodied and addictive and the 808 is much sharper so that I kept trying to EQ to make it sound more rounded, but I couldn't do it. Volume is the same on both models - I listened with Shure E4 and set the volume at 17 for both of them - and the volume was exactly the same. Then I tried a friend's Sennheiser's with the A808, and of course it made the sound feel much warmer than the Shure E4s, but I don't like the Sennheisers because I get much less detail from them. As for hiss - I get about the same amount as the 706 (no matter what headphones I use) but it's no problem for me as it disappears once the music starts. I also tried the Zen Vision M alongside the 706 and 808 and in my opinion the Zen scored 3 out of 10 in comparison, meaning the 808 still has great quality sound, but it was just too sharp for me - and there's definitely less bass in them. Before anyone disagrees with that - it's just my opinion based on the players and headphones I used. I was surprised the Zen sounded so awful side by side - volume was much lower, soundstage much smaller, and clarity was definitely not nearly as good as the Sony's. Like I said, the headphones change the tone anyway - but the E4s matched with the A808 was a horrible experience that made me want to stick chopsticks in my eyes and then get flattened by a bus to put me out my pain - and the Sennheisers are a no-no if I want absolute detail, which I do! I've just ordered a used NW-HD5 because from what I've read - the tone is very close to the 706. Hope that's helped a bit - or confused you

Finally - someone's explained how to use the shuttle switch!! I've had my 706 for three months and have never figured out how to get into 'folder' mode. I did get there twice, but accidentally and I didn't know how to get out of it, although I did without knowing why. Somehow I was able to view albums by every third one and wasn't able to select one in between. I learned later I was in 'folder' mode. I guess what you just said about pulling the switch in and out activates folder mode, something not explained very well at all in the 3-million user manual! So thanks for that - I live and I learn!

Thank goodness someone else brought up the 'analytical' tone of the 808. I thought it was just me that noticed it. In fact, I posted something about it earlier, probably in the wrong place knowing me. I've got the 706 and my Shure E4s are fine through it - 'colder' than the E500's but perfectly acceptable - but when I paired the E4s with the 808, expecting at least comparable sound etc as on the 706 - I was shocked to hear the cold shrill sound drilling into in my ears. EQ made no difference at all, the overall sound was still 'cold' and 'bright' with the E4s. When I put my friend's Sennheisers in, the sound was much warmer, although much less detailed. I thought the 808 would have been equal or better to the 706, but I find I prefer the 706 sound much much better. Does this mean the E4s are just not 'compatible' because they're bright and so is the player? In other words, if I re-bought the E500s, would that 'alter' the coldness of the 808? I know there are very few queries about this, and there are some who might not have a clue what I'm talking about as their 808 might be set up with different headphones etc, and the sound would vary enormously. So, has anyone tried the E500s with the 808 and made a comparison with the Shure E4s on the same unit? I would be interested to know what other people think - and also what headphones people are using. I can definitely hear a 'coldness' in the 808 that I can't hear on the 706 - so shouldn't the 808 be better? Or is it the headphones? HELP!!!

Hi Zizone - maybe you can help me with this as my post hasn't generated any replies because I asked such a dumb question!! You know the 'clear bass' slider on the nw-s706? Well, can you tell me if adjusting that is the same as adjusting the first 2 sliders on the equalizer (from left to right). All I know is that the first 2 sliders control bass and mid bass - so does the clear bass do something else? I can't figure it out - if the clear bass is increased by adding - then what are the bass and mid bass sliders for on the equalizer? Hope you can help!