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PSP's sound quality.....

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DSP Newbie

DSP

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hi guys,

as you might know the main thing I'm concerned about is pure audio/sound quality.

Therefore I was (and still am) a huge fan of MiniDisc.

And of course this is the reason why I only allow Sony DAP's to feed my ears with music.

But I'm really beginning to think that sony has another, perhaps hidden, secret.

The PSP. I have one, and I'm starting to notice the quiete good, if not fantastic soundquality it delivers.

I'm absolutely unsure how this is possible, but I have some thoughts about it.

I wonder if some of you guys has noticed this.

I think PSP sounds very natural (with EQ off) yet full, rich and clear with a very good soundstage and a comfortable sense of space in it.

I'm still putting it to the test right now, but I must say that I'm really surprised about this. especially by the fact that I only find out after a year of PSP experience.

I'm curious how you guys think of this.

(I noticed it with High bitrates atrac3+ and LAME 3.96 files and compared to MZ-NH900. NW-E307 and NW-A1200)

greetz

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Jillako Newbie

Jillako

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Yes, the PSP's headphone output is very good. Also, it is the only audio player that I know of that can play MP3, AAC, WMA and ATRAC natively, showing album art for all these files. I fully intended to use the media capabilities of the PSP when I purchased it and have been happy!

Now, I just need that 8GB Memory Stick Duo to reach $100!! :)

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Jillako Newbie

Jillako

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theFanboy, the memory stick duo prices seem to be dropping quite a bit faster :)

DannyB37, I went searching for a better price and found a great deal! Buy.com is selling the 4GB stick for $85 http://www.buy.com/prod/SanDisk_4GB_Memory.../202629242.html

If you use Google Checkout, you can knock off another $20 to bring it to $65 + tax ($71 in California). I couldn't resist the price and just ordered one myself :)

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navsimpson Newbie

navsimpson

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Well, I *finally* got a 1gb mem stick for my PSP yesterday and it rocks... it's so great to be able to download basically anything and just keep it without having to keep deleting. With photos, video, music and demos on there, my PSP is finally a multimedia device...

Anyway, I transferred some music over and DSP, you're right - it does sound pretty damn good. I wish there was a custom equalizer, so that you could set it yourself - but to my ears, it sounds almost as good as my NWHD3, which is pretty good. The bass sounds a little weak, but perhaps that's just my headphones.

-Nav

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simon.giesen Newbie

simon.giesen

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Yes, you are right, same to me.

Also I let only Sony feed my ears with music. In former days I owned a Sony portable DAT-Recorder with Super Bit Mapping and the sound quality of that device is still unmatched today. Afterwards I moved to Mini Disc and bought an ES device. Again extremely satisfiying quality. After that I moved to the HD-5 and from that on to the Sony Playstation Portable.

The Sony Playstation Portable is a great sounding machine, as you've described it wondefully.

I still have the PSP but I fell in love with another very special device:

The Sony Ericsson W950i Walkman Phone with 4GB Flash Memory Storage and the Sony Ericsson Stereo Bluetooth Walkman Headphones

Here you get everything: Sound Quality, complete Walkman-Player and a built-in-phone. A true iPod killer and winning the UI game by using the great touchscreen navigation. This is a top-notch-device, of course no alternative to the PSP - you can't play games such delightful. But in terms of an audio-device this is my choice!!!

Sadly there is no native Support in Sonic Stage for it and it does not play ATRAC.

If you are interested in more, I wrote an review with pics, here you can find it (in German):

W950i Review

Edited by simon.giesen
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DSP Newbie

DSP

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@ simon.giesen:

yeah, good old days, DAT, MiniDisc, too bad that's slowly becoming history now :(

( I'v owned some MD's and I truly love them)

The W950i is the best phone out there (for me), and it'll have decent audio performance, just like PSP. But If I had to choose an audio device purely for sound performance I'd go with the NW-S700 series from sony. (well, actually for a sharp 1-bit auvi MD, but I'll keep it ontopic) because I'm curious to NC, clearbass and clearstereo.

Or I'll wait for the new Walkman (video), and see what sound stuff they'll put in there.

But That will have to wait. Maybe I'll pick up a NW-S200 or NW-S700 series somewhere for x-mas :)

greetz

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guardian_of_death Newbie

guardian_of_death

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Im gonna have to disagree with that. Yes the depth in the music and sound quality are ok,

But the psp doesn't have a good enough amplifier. Basically its not loud enough. My CD player has better volume and quality in it

than the PSP. i think sony could have done better with this considering the fact that there other music devices are loud.

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DSP Newbie

DSP

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@ guardian of death:

PSP indeed has low volume, But I think that has something to do with EU restrictions.

But the volume is not my point of discussion. It's soundquality, pure soundquality. And that's where PSP scores points.

That the volume is low is correct, and especially with those damned ''ear-friendly'' buds supplied. But the soundquality is very good. It's crisp and clear and surprisingly natural, warm and full but never overdone.

So volume level is no point of dicscussion here.

greetz

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giki Newbie

giki

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Hi evryone, i just got a pair of sony v700 headphones and guess what.......

THE PSP ROCKS ON THESE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I tried the headphones and the PSP sounds loud enuff and maintains all its signature sound quality and clarity.Mind you the volume goes real high and clear with good bass and overall details.I reckon it depends a lot on your drivers since my PSP cant really seem to power my EX90 half as loud.

Anyone wanna double check it?

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DSJ Newbie

DSJ

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I couldnt agree more. The PSP's SQ is truly amazing - the trebles are sharp and the bass is pure and resounding. The remote helps make it a true walkman. However, concern is the price of memory cards. My local Jessops was doing a 4gb stick for £70, but it was out of stock. The normal price for one of these is over £150. Also, the size is a bit big to be a true walkman. Battery life is supposed to be good for music playback. I read a review online that said that the PSP can do around 11 hours of audio on a charge. Thats not bad by today's standards, and is better than the iPod Video, which has a smaller screen and poor SQ.

Take care all.

D

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paugustin Newbie

paugustin

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I too agrees with the MD like sound quality. The great downside is the low volume output. This is usual for Sony players, I was able to unlock the "spset" of my former HiMD player but afaik it is not possible for PSP. Even with in ear earphone it is somtimes too low if you want to listen to classical music outside or in the train/metro. I am still looking for a good pair of closed headphones (I'll probably get the Audio Technica ATH-ES7).

I second the comment about using MD remotes. The psp remote is too minimalistic. A screen would be great to use the PSP as an audio player.

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Guest Stuge

Guest Stuge

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I too agrees with the MD like sound quality. The great downside is the low volume output. This is usual for Sony players, I was able to unlock the "spset" of my former HiMD player but afaik it is not possible for PSP. Even with in ear earphone it is somtimes too low if you want to listen to classical music outside or in the train/metro. I am still looking for a good pair of closed headphones (I'll probably get the Audio Technica ATH-ES7).

I second the comment about using MD remotes. The psp remote is too minimalistic. A screen would be great to use the PSP as an audio player.

Gosh ,It needs a portable amp to crank up its low volume .I don't understand whats the point of doing that .Anyway ,Is this is still a problem in new Slim versions as well ?

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paugustin Newbie

paugustin

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Stuge : although I wouldn't want to attach another piece of equipment to my (bulky enough) psp, do you have any recommandation for budget portable amps ? they all seem to cost the price of a new DAP :( !

I don't know about the psp s&l but I would say it has the same low volume output as the fat psp. Has anyone around here been able to compare ?

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markey Newbie

markey

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Stuge : although I wouldn't want to attach another piece of equipment to my (bulky enough) psp, do you have any recommandation for budget portable amps ? they all seem to cost the price of a new DAP :( !

I don't know about the psp s&l but I would say it has the same low volume output as the fat psp. Has anyone around here been able to compare ?

Instead of spending money an amp, why not just buy a Sony dap and use that for your music and the PSP for gaming as it was intended. Headphone amps aren't cheap :)

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paugustin Newbie

paugustin

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hi,

I just received a new headset for my psp : Audio-Technica ATH-ES7. They really rock ! Great looks and great sound. They go very well with the PSP as they offer a very decent isolation and good sound pressure. Even in the subway I don't have to push psp to the max (listening to rock, classical or jazz) to get a decent sound level and max sound will hurt my ears.

So fellow PSP users, ATH-ES7 will probably make you happy :)

Ps: I used to have a pair of ATH-SJ5. Although a lot cheaper they do not match ES7 for sound isolation, power and quality. I paid 100€ to get them from Japan (50% cheaper that getting them in France !!!) but I'm happy.

PS2: Sound quality is really excellent, very detailed, rich natural sound.

Edited by paugustin
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- AK - Newbie

- AK -

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Sorry but gotta own all you guys when it comes down to soundquality here.

First off, my PSP is the old one, from 2005, which I prefer instead of the new and thin one.

Second, my headset is the Sony MDR-SA1000 (high-end if you didn't figure that out :))

SONY%20MDR-SA1000.jpg

Had an Super-Audio-CD from Dire Straits which I ripped with my PS3 with Bitmap3, ATRAC352 kbps @ 48.100 kHz

One track: 17MB :blink:

But anyways, especially "Calling Elvis" has given me the best musical experience in my whole life. Beats the meeting with a Abrahamsen-CD-player and a set of Sennheiser's.

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