My Sony NW-A806 so far…

[LuLu]

I purchased my Sony NW-A806 (Black) on April 21st as soon as it was available on the Sony Style (Canada) web site. It was delivered April 26th. I happened to be in a Sony Store on April 25th and saw the product for sale. I was told by the sales guy that it had arrived that afternoon. This is the second time the store has scooped the web site. It happened when I purchased my NW 407 a few years back.

I was stunned at how small (and thin) it was yet how comparatively large the screen appeared. The display is stunning (much better than my television!). The trailer for the Spiderman film did not appear “small” or cut off on the screen. It showcased the video function quite nicely. Nice choice Sony!

In addition to the player I also bought the CKHNWA800 hard carrying case. I think it provides superior protection without comprising function. You can access all the buttons and the screen is protected. Unlike the leather case (CKLNWA800B) the video screen is protected. Ditto for the clip style (CLPNWA800) device, this also provides no protection for the screen. Although the silicon skins (CKMNWA800) come with a protector sheet I was concerned it was not sturdy enough. I also ended up purchasing a carrying strap.

Video

I’ve been using some video software (AVS Video Tools) to convert videos to a format that could be played on this unit. This product converts to and from a variety of formats including MP4, which works well on the A806. I use this software to convert YouTube clips (they are in .flv or Flash format).

In addition, AVS Video Tools came with another application (DVD to Go) that converts video from a DVD to various formats including Sony PSP, which I assumed would work with the A806. I converted the entire “Alien” film from DVD and transferred it to my A806 using Image Converter. It worked beautifully.

I subscribe to many video podcasts through iTunes (note: I do not have an iPod, I just have the application installed on my computer). This is a great way to get started on podcasts in general. I did not have much luck using the RSS feed feature in Image Converter. Many of the feeds I chose were no longer working or I got error messages. Anyone else tried this out yet?

Other features

I’m quite used to Sonic Stage having migrated over from the MiniDisc players. I haven’t uploaded many of my songs as I’m still using my NW-E005F for music, partially because of the radio function.

Anyone know if there’s going to be an FM adapter for the A80X, perhaps using the WM-PORT?

I uploaded some photos I had taken. I changed the name of the photo directory while it was connected to my computer using Windows Explorer. No problems with that. I haven’t had much use for this feature but I will say the photos also look great.

The battery life is pretty good but it takes forever to charge. I must have been spoiled by my NW-E005F and its quick charge! The charger is not a bad idea if you don’t have your computer on a lot of the time.

BTW, does anyone know what the word “AUTO” that appears beside the battery indicator when the videos are playing means? It appears in the same location that “FULL” appears when the battery is completely charged.

Bluetooth® Accessories

I have the WLANWB1 Bluetooth® Adapter. It pairs perfectly with my CMTU1BT bookshelf unit allowing me to listen to my A806 without using ‘phones. I bought both the DRBT10CX Bluetooth® earphones and DRBT50 Bluetooth® headphones (ya, I have a lot of gear!). Both pair and work beautifully with the A806. I have had some drop-outs but I live in densely packed part of the city where there is a lot of potential for interfering devices. I have used the earphones quite effectively on the street with the A806 tucked away in my pocket.

LOG

[ppau0822]

I have just tried the MDR-EX82's that came with my A806 with my NW-S706. They sound extremely good with this unit. In my opinion they sound better with the S706 than they do with the A806. The S706 packs more of a punch when it comes to bass.

yeah i find the bass in the a808 to be lacking as well. i have tried the eq but iot doesnt really make that much of a difference. like you said the s706 has a more punchy bass and i was wondering if i got better quality phones like the westone um2 would there be a discernable improvement in the bass response?

also i was wondering if the firmware update made much of a difference?

[stantheman]

yeah i find the bass in the a808 to be lacking as well. i have tried the eq but iot doesnt really make that much of a difference. like you said the s706 has a more punchy bass and i was wondering if i got better quality phones like the westone um2 would there be a discernable improvement in the bass response?

also i was wondering if the firmware update made much of a difference?

Hi,

I have just purchased the NW-A808 and find the bass response through the bundled phones quite astounding for a freebie. One thing I did find though is that it is really important how you fit the earphones into the ear canal. Initially, I must have fitted them properly, but the next day put phones on and turned on player and it sound like a completely different piece of kit, with little or no bass and mid ranges quite tinny. I remembered reading about the fitting of the phones being important, somewhere in another forum and after re-inserting deeper into the ear canal found the transormation amazing. So, I suppose what I'm trying to say is try re-fitting the phones, before splashing out on a new set of phones, you might just find it makes all the difference.

[markey]

I know the MDR-EX71's are more lo-fi than hi-fi, but have been using them for the past week with the A806 and they sound surprisingly good. If anyone else has a pair of EX71's and an A8xx try it out and let us know what you think. I know the mids are lacking with these phones, but not as bad as they used to with other players. Not as muddy either.

[aob9]

I know the MDR-EX71's are more lo-fi than hi-fi, but have been using them for the past week with the A806 and they sound surprisingly good. If anyone else has a pair of EX71's and an A8xx try it out and let us know what you think. I know the mids are lacking with these phones, but not as bad as they used to with other players. Not as muddy either.

I use the Seinheisser CX-300's(ear canal buds)with all my players except for the NW-S703 when I need NC. I find the SQ from the CX-300's the best out of all my phones incl. the MDR-EX71's, which are good but a bit too dull overall.

[markey]

I use the Seinheisser CX-300's(ear canal buds)with all my players except for the NW-S703 when I need NC. I find the SQ from the CX-300's the best out of all my phones incl. the MDR-EX71's, which are good but a bit too dull overall.

Yes, I intend in getting a pair of CX300's. The EX71's are pretty dull as you say, but with the A8xx sound considerably better.

[aob9]

Yes, I intend in getting a pair of CX300's. The EX71's are pretty dull as you say, but with the A8xx sound considerably better.

Be careful where you get the CX-300's. There are a lot of bogus retailers ( on ebay for instance) selling perfect imitations with awful SQ. I know; I got caught. There are so many cheapies around I would go to the High Street to be safe........Check this!!!

http://homegadgets.blogspot.com/2007_06_01_archive.html

[markey]

Thanks for the link aob9 Amazon sell them for considerably lower than any high street retailer. Would you trust the ones off of Amazon as they are now approx £15 while in the high street they are approx £40?

[aob9]

Thanks for the link aob9 Amazon sell them for considerably lower than any high street retailer. Would you trust the ones off of Amazon as they are now approx £15 while in the high street they are approx £40?

I suppose the review of the product by Amazon customers should be a good indication of that. The only problem is peoples expectations. I gave my imitations to my sister and she thinks they are fine but they're crap. They are definitely fake, there is no comparison between them and the ones I bought in Heathrow Airport ( of all places). I would imagine that amazon are careful where they source their products. Make sure you buy from Amazon for real and not from an Amazon Market Place seller if you want to be really sure.

[markey]

I suppose the review of the product by Amazon customers should be a good indication of that. The only problem is peoples expectations. I gave my imitations to my sister and she thinks they are fine but they're crap. They are definitely fake, there is no comparison between them and the ones I bought in Heathrow Airport ( of all places). I would imagine that amazon are careful where they source their products. Make sure you buy from Amazon for real and not from an Amazon Market Place seller if you want to be really sure.

It's just the price difference between the ones sold on the High Street and the ones on Amazon. I know that Sennheiser changed them cosmetically recently. Maybe the ones on Amazon are the older style.