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Ipod CLassic 160GB Sound Quality

Hello,
I just got the Ipod Classic 160GB and the sound just *****, no bass at all and very high pitch.
I have tried setting the equalizer, but it just distorted the sound quality and also tried using different ear buds, like my Logitech Headphone (which I am using at home) and Sennheiser CX500 earphones, and still no bass.
Am I doing something wrong?

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Russian

Intel Quadro, Windows Vista

Posted on Jul 26, 2008 1:08 PM

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Jul 28, 2008 7:08 AM in response to Russiansu

Probably not (you doing something wrong). When the Classic line first came out, there were a number of people who used older iPod models, like the 5th generation video iPod) and noticed a difference in the sound quality. Most people thought it was worse. Apple did change the audio Chip in the iPod, the one that actually outputs the sound signal, so there was speculation that the particular IC was not as good sounding.
I don't have a Classic, so can not comment first hand, but just wanted to confirm, you are not the first to complain about this.
Patrick
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Jul 28, 2008 1:12 PM in response to Russiansu

I've heard a lot of complaints about the iPod Classic sound quality. I was thinking of getting a 160GB Classic so I could get my whole collection on there and hook it up to my stereo receiver.

Does anyone know if the firmware updates are able to fix the sound problem?

Thanks,
Matt
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Jul 28, 2008 2:12 PM in response to Russiansu

I've had the 160 GB Classic since Christmas, and haven't had any problems. I had an 80GB model before that, and they seem about the same, regardless of whether I play them on high end or low end speakers. The max volume does seem to be less, but not to where it's a huge issue for me.
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Jul 30, 2008 10:18 AM in response to sg207

Thanks for the responses. Do you think the criticism of the sound quality is exaggerated? I want to have an MP3 player that sounds great when I hook it up to my stereo. I know sometimes reviewers get so nit-picky they hear things the rest of us might never notice!

Here's another way to put it: if I use the iPod Classic to hook up to a stereo, can I get the same sound I get from a CD?

I assume I would save the file at a higher bit rate, of course.

Thanks,
Matthew
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Aug 6, 2008 3:45 AM in response to Russiansu

I bought the iPod Classic 160GB. Compared to my iPod 4G and 5.5G, the sound quality is inferior. Deep bass is overblown, middle bass is weak, voices are suppressed, high frequencies sound harsh, the stereo image sounds as if it's constrained inside a box and everything sounds slightly less distinct than it does on the earlier iPods, as if it's being played behind a curtain.

Overall, it sounds cheap.

I don't like using an equaliser setting as I believe the player should be good without such tinkering. I tried it anyway, and it made the sound worse.

I reported my experience on http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipod.html.
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Aug 6, 2008 12:36 PM in response to InternetCloud

Good Afternoon,
OK, I was going nuts trying to decide which MP3 player to get, so I went out and bought a Samsun P2 and an Apple iPod Classic 80GB. I put a few test songs on each one and played them to compare the sound quality.

I was fully expecting the iPod to sound worse. Now, look, I'm no audio expert, but in every one of my tests, the sound on the iPod was just as good -- or better -- than the Samsung. I know this is only comparing two players, and maybe I should have included a Sony in there since they get sucnh great sound ratings. But still...

The other thing is, I want to get my whole collection on one player, and 4GB or 8GB just isn't enough.

So, in the end, I'm going with the iPod.

Keep in mind, I'm not an automatic Apple fan. I really was not sure which player I was going to keep.

Thanks!
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Oct 16, 2008 3:24 AM in response to Russiansu

This post is interesting to me.

I've just bought the latest 120GB Classic (my first ever iPod). I didn't "test drive" it, I just presumed that I would be satisfied with the quality (as I am with most Apple products). First I battled to try and find decent sounding headphones, blaming my choice of headphones. Then I bought a Universal Dock to hook up to my HiFi - huge disappointment in audio quality. Maybe we are spoilt by good sound systems all around us - especially Dolby Digital and its Ultra Low Frequency Effects response... So the contrast is huge (between playing a CD and an iPod on the same HiFi system). I find that there is no sound fidelity. Its all just a mushy facsimile. Especially poor from the mid frequencies downward... So now I've started chucking out digitisations done in High Quality AAC and replacing them with Apple Lossless, which I haven't assessed yet...

But now what you are saying point to the hardware itself. How disappointing... Oh well, I got a portable hard drive instead?
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Ipod CLassic 160GB Sound Quality

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