So finally I have managed to come to a conclusion about the Zune 80 compared with the 808.
First, sound: Even though I don't use all the enhancements on the Sony, I do use the normalizer and a notch of clear bass on all instrumental. I love the way Sony EQ etc is so efficient and actually does a good job.
The Zune has no EQ. I think it's odd that Microsoft would assume we would all want to hear the music the way its engineers want us to hear it, instead of letting us choose for ourselves. To that end, I found the Zune lacking with my Denon C700. I needed more bass from the Zune and even the bassy Denons couldn't do it for me. The Zune has a much more neutral sound than the Sony - for those of you who are at all sensitive to hiss - the Zune has no hiss at all. Not even a whisper. It's perfectly silent. I was never bothered by the Sony hiss, but I know there were people who were irritated by it. Well, the Zune is 100% hissless!
With the Sony set to no enhancements, no EQ and no normalizer, it still packed a fuller more dynamic punch than the Zune (a Sony trait?).
But the Zune has a little more detail than the Sony. It's not enough of a difference to bother me - but as I was 'analysing' the sound differences, I thought I'd mention it. But the Sony has more than enough detail for my ears.
The bass: Sony does bass best! It's present and correct on the Zune - but if you want the extra kick, you won't get it unless you pair it with the right headphones. The Zune headphones that come with it are pretty bassy (although I'm not using them because I don't care for the cloth cable that gets knotted up as soon as you look at it.) But I think most people would be happy with the supplied headphones because they do pack more of a punch. I guess that was deliberate so no one would notice the lack of bass. And when I say 'lack' - I mean from a Sony bass-loving point of view
The Zune has an inoffensive sound quality, it's pretty and it's clean - but lacks excitement (for me with the Denons). Whereas the Sony always manages to sound exciting to me no matter what headphones I use with it. It's much more versatile in my opinion.
Software: SonicStage wins this round hands down. I swear to God I have never come across such truly appalling software. I was so frustrated at one point I was ready to send the Zune back. My library is meticulously maintained (a lesson learned in my early days of SS) - but once I tried to sync the music with the Zune, it went crazy. Album art missing on 30 albums, albums missing entirely etc etc. And a painful 90 minutes transferring one album that Zune decided was Elton John. I don't even have any Elton John but the Zune insisted it was Elton John. I then decided to rip the CD in the Zune software. Big mistake, as 15 tracks came up 'unknown' and despite having the correct artist named - once it was ripped, it reverted back to Elton John. I fixed it in the end by perseverence - but it shouldn't be that hard and it really spoiled the entire process.
It took 3 full days to figure it out and I almost had a breakdown. Honestly, why I ever complained about SS is beyond me. I can see Zune picking up 'worst software' award in the years to come, making everyone forget about the gripes they had with SS.
The only way to 'control' it was to turn off all auto updating for album art - and manually drag music folders over to the software - and then sync it with the Zune. It's boring and time consuming but it was the only way I could keep track. And God forbid if you need to edit your tracks after you've ripped them. It is hell on earth to get the Zune to accept the changes. I had to delete the rogue albums from the software and re-transfer once I'd edited the tracks. Having said that, I can get it to 'work' my way now - but the journey was not pleasant, trust me!!
Sound again: I'm currently trying out some outrageously overpriced Klipsch Image headphones with the Zune and the combination is wonderful. But it would have been nice if my perfectly capable Denons would have matched better. I can't see that I'll keep the Image. They're just too expensive but it's nice to know that the Zune responds positively to different headphones. The Image gives the Zune the Sony 'punch' that I felt was lacking.
Ease of use: Sony wins that. It's easy to get back to the 'now playing' screen no matter where you are in the Sony - but it's 2 or 3 clicks to get back with the Zune. Also, you can keep scrolling once you get to the end of your album list in the Sony, so once it reaches the end - it will scroll to 'A' again. not so with the Zune - you have to scroll backwards???
Screen display: The Zune has a much bigger screen than the Sony, but the display is not as clear.
So in 'brief'. . . if you're a Sony user who prefers no EQ, no normalizer and no enhancements at all - then you'll probably love the Zune with the supplied headphones as the combination almost mimics the Sony with flat EQ etc.
I love the Zune with the Image but I can't see myself keeping them. It's been an enjoyable tryout anyway, and I hope this was of some use to someone!
I'm still interested in the new Sony player as I can't fill up an 80GB player in my lifetime. It's complete overkill.
Which player do I prefer? The Sony because I like the enhancements I use. I like to have the option of EQing a nasally singer, or adding a kick of bass if I want to. I like to tailor the sound to my own ears. But I know there are many who prefer not to use any enhancements. In that case, you will certainly like the Zune. Especially as it is 100% silent.
The Zune + Klipsch Image is better than anything I've ever heard, and I don't yearn for EQ with that combination - but sadly, it's pretty much an unaffordable combination!
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juli_
So finally I have managed to come to a conclusion about the Zune 80 compared with the 808.
First, sound: Even though I don't use all the enhancements on the Sony, I do use the normalizer and a notch of clear bass on all instrumental. I love the way Sony EQ etc is so efficient and actually does a good job.
The Zune has no EQ. I think it's odd that Microsoft would assume we would all want to hear the music the way its engineers want us to hear it, instead of letting us choose for ourselves. To that end, I found the Zune lacking with my Denon C700. I needed more bass from the Zune and even the bassy Denons couldn't do it for me. The Zune has a much more neutral sound than the Sony - for those of you who are at all sensitive to hiss - the Zune has no hiss at all. Not even a whisper. It's perfectly silent. I was never bothered by the Sony hiss, but I know there were people who were irritated by it. Well, the Zune is 100% hissless!
With the Sony set to no enhancements, no EQ and no normalizer, it still packed a fuller more dynamic punch than the Zune (a Sony trait?).
But the Zune has a little more detail than the Sony. It's not enough of a difference to bother me - but as I was 'analysing' the sound differences, I thought I'd mention it. But the Sony has more than enough detail for my ears.
The bass: Sony does bass best! It's present and correct on the Zune - but if you want the extra kick, you won't get it unless you pair it with the right headphones. The Zune headphones that come with it are pretty bassy (although I'm not using them because I don't care for the cloth cable that gets knotted up as soon as you look at it.) But I think most people would be happy with the supplied headphones because they do pack more of a punch. I guess that was deliberate so no one would notice the lack of bass. And when I say 'lack' - I mean from a Sony bass-loving point of view
The Zune has an inoffensive sound quality, it's pretty and it's clean - but lacks excitement (for me with the Denons). Whereas the Sony always manages to sound exciting to me no matter what headphones I use with it. It's much more versatile in my opinion.
Software: SonicStage wins this round hands down. I swear to God I have never come across such truly appalling software. I was so frustrated at one point I was ready to send the Zune back. My library is meticulously maintained (a lesson learned in my early days of SS) - but once I tried to sync the music with the Zune, it went crazy. Album art missing on 30 albums, albums missing entirely etc etc. And a painful 90 minutes transferring one album that Zune decided was Elton John. I don't even have any Elton John but the Zune insisted it was Elton John. I then decided to rip the CD in the Zune software. Big mistake, as 15 tracks came up 'unknown' and despite having the correct artist named - once it was ripped, it reverted back to Elton John. I fixed it in the end by perseverence - but it shouldn't be that hard and it really spoiled the entire process.
It took 3 full days to figure it out and I almost had a breakdown. Honestly, why I ever complained about SS is beyond me. I can see Zune picking up 'worst software' award in the years to come, making everyone forget about the gripes they had with SS.
The only way to 'control' it was to turn off all auto updating for album art - and manually drag music folders over to the software - and then sync it with the Zune. It's boring and time consuming but it was the only way I could keep track. And God forbid if you need to edit your tracks after you've ripped them. It is hell on earth to get the Zune to accept the changes. I had to delete the rogue albums from the software and re-transfer once I'd edited the tracks. Having said that, I can get it to 'work' my way now - but the journey was not pleasant, trust me!!
Sound again: I'm currently trying out some outrageously overpriced Klipsch Image headphones with the Zune and the combination is wonderful. But it would have been nice if my perfectly capable Denons would have matched better. I can't see that I'll keep the Image. They're just too expensive but it's nice to know that the Zune responds positively to different headphones. The Image gives the Zune the Sony 'punch' that I felt was lacking.
Ease of use: Sony wins that. It's easy to get back to the 'now playing' screen no matter where you are in the Sony - but it's 2 or 3 clicks to get back with the Zune. Also, you can keep scrolling once you get to the end of your album list in the Sony, so once it reaches the end - it will scroll to 'A' again. not so with the Zune - you have to scroll backwards???
Screen display: The Zune has a much bigger screen than the Sony, but the display is not as clear.
So in 'brief'. . . if you're a Sony user who prefers no EQ, no normalizer and no enhancements at all - then you'll probably love the Zune with the supplied headphones as the combination almost mimics the Sony with flat EQ etc.
I love the Zune with the Image but I can't see myself keeping them. It's been an enjoyable tryout anyway, and I hope this was of some use to someone!
I'm still interested in the new Sony player as I can't fill up an 80GB player in my lifetime. It's complete overkill.
Which player do I prefer? The Sony because I like the enhancements I use. I like to have the option of EQing a nasally singer, or adding a kick of bass if I want to. I like to tailor the sound to my own ears. But I know there are many who prefer not to use any enhancements. In that case, you will certainly like the Zune. Especially as it is 100% silent.
The Zune + Klipsch Image is better than anything I've ever heard, and I don't yearn for EQ with that combination - but sadly, it's pretty much an unaffordable combination!
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