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iPods compared

To get a better idea about the sound quality of the iPod, I've compared the iPod with other audio devices.

Hifi equipment

I've compared the iPod using the line output to hifi equipment. As I have a convertor cable, it is easy to quickly hook up the iPod to any hifi around. The first experiment compares lossless compressed audio files, to distinguish decoding from the iPod electronics. Comparison to the Ayre CX-7 CD player (a $2995 or €3500 CD player!), reveals that the iPod sounds "closed". Instruments have less timbre (especially in the treble region), sound sources are less focussed, the bass is less under control, treble shows a bit sibilance, there is spatial information, and the whole has less drive. Despite these observations, the iPod certainly doesn't disappoint, especially considering it is 1/10th of the price. Where the Ayre would receive a 9 out of 10, the iPod still deserves a firm 7 out of 10. It is comparable with a good middle-of-the-road CD player, from brands like Marantz, Denon etc.

Comparing loss-less compressed audio with lossy compression, is quite another case. From the first notes it is immediately clear that lossy compression on good hifi equipment is a big step backwards. Sound sources start to intermix, sounds from instruments can hardly be distinguished from their reverb, treble sound muffled, and the whole lacks excitement, involvement and sophistication. Though the overall sound is acceptable, I would rate it a small 6 out of 10, just OK for background music, but not for intensive listening purposes.

Comparison between iPods

Apple iPod 2G. I had the opportunity to compare a 2G iPod with a 3G iPod, using my Sennheiser HD497 and Etymotic ER-4Ps. Generally, the 2G sounds more relaxing, refined, airy, deep, though a bit less dynamically involved.

Apple iPod 3G. My first owned iPod. Thought the sound is crisp and punchy, it misses refinement. It's lacks some transparency, and texture. This makes the whole sound a bit forward. It also lacks some bass (as explained on the engineering page), and therefore the overall sound is not "warm". Compared to other devices, the overall performance is still quite good.

Apple iPod 4G. A friend bought a 4G iPod, which I could compare to the 3G. The overall impression of the sound quality is very similar (bass, treble etc.). It is a little bit less grainy, but the canned sound character remains.

Apple iPod 5G Video. I was in the position of comparing the iPod Video 5G extensively with the 3G. The iPod video is a significant improvement over the 3G and 4G. It sounds more sophisticated, warmer, and with sufficient bass. It has no romantic sound (luckily) as common with other portable players, and it is very transparent. A significant improvement, that should be taken serious by anyone who cares about sound quality (see also the test at iPodLounge). From the technical perspective, I suspect the changes are caused by the new Wolfson Codec (WM8758BG).

Apple iPod Classic. I was in the position of comparing the iPod Classic with the iPod Video 5G. Unfortunately, the Classic sounds much worse than the iPod 5G Video. In a nutshell, the iPod Classic sounds less harmonic, and the treble seems to be over emphasized. I performed some measurements on both devices, to see if I could see any differences. These measurements confirm that the audio part of the iPod Classic is seriously flawed! I hope that Apple can and will patch the iPod Classic by means of a firmware update.

Comparisons with other devices

I've also performed some quick-and-dirty comparisons with other MP3 playback devices (e.g. iRiver H10, Creative Zen Vision M:3, Sony Ericsson W800, Palm Tungsten T3, Cowon iAudio X5L). In most cases the iPod sounded overall better (more coherent and transparent). In some cases it was a matter of taste, where the iPod has more transparency, and other devices sound more smooth.

I haven't performed the comparisons in great detail, and the conclusions that I draw from these comparisons is that the iPod is at least amongst the best sounding devices. Compared to my old walkman or portable CD player, it is a significant improvement anyway. Furthermore, the fact that the iPod is able to playback AAC or loss-less which in my ears is superior to MP3, makes it part of the best sounding devices anyway. For more detailed comparisons, with other MP3 players, have a look at some magazines or the web.

Conclusions

The iPod 5G Video is the best sounding device among the iPods I've heard. For use in hifi systems restrict yourself to lossless audio encoding!

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