Portable CD/MP3 Players
This page lists 4 portable CD or CD/MP3 players I have tested.
KOSS CDP3400-4 PLAYER:
At first I thought that this was the best all round unit I've tried
so far, but it doesn't have all the standard features it could have.
What's more the first unit I bought seemed defective & would
run out of buffer memory before the end of some CD songs & would
cut off the end or beginning of a song even when the player was
sitting still on a solid table. The second unit I purchased had
the same defect, so I presume this is a design defect & I cannot
recommend this unit. This is Memorex's first venture into the marketplace
with an MP3/CD player so future models should show additional improvements,
but clearly some features have been cut in this model to come in
at a lower price point. It can be purchased at Walmart for $115.
CDN.
Dislikes:
- At power up, it takes a long time (45 seconds with 146 MP3s
in 5 folders on a CD-R that's 2/3 rds full) for the player to
survey what files & folders are on an MP3 disc before it starts
to play the first song. That in my opinion is an unnecessary waste
of time surveying for information you don't normally want to see
anyway, or that could be displayed at a later time once the buffer
is built up. Standard CDs only take 7 seconds for the first song
to play, or 17 seconds for CD-Rs.
- Doesn't have "line out" jack, only "earphones
out" jack.
- The memory buffer empties at the end of each CD song & starts
to fill up again for the next new song, so skipping or voids in
the music are most susceptible at the beginning & end of songs.
I consider this a major design defect in this unit. Too bad it
wasn't designed to fill up the buffer & not let it empty until
the last song is finishing. As mentioned above, this design flaw
can cause the end or beginning of some songs on CD to get cut
off, especially if the songs are butt up against each other with
no silent section between songs, such as some songs are on the
"Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" CD
(original Canadian Cast Recording).
- Does not always play MP3 songs back in the order they were recorded.
- No carrying case or belt clip supplied.
- Takes quite awhile between songs for each MP3 to start playing
(CDs are instant).
- Batteries do not kick in & allow music to keep playing if
external power supply is disconnected from back of player, or
if disconnected from wall plug or cigarette lighter. Too bad because
this is a major frustration in the car when the power supply comes
loose from the cigarette lighter. Also, when you plug the external
power supply back in, it stops playing the music & turns off,
rather than taking over from the batteries.
- Fast Forward on MP3s & CDs is not audible & looses memory
buffer.
- Doesn't display data type of MP3s (i.e. 128 kbps, 44.1 kHz,
stereo).
- When playing a CD on battery power & pause is pressed, disc
doesn't stop spinning after certain period of inactivity to save
batteries (I tested for 30 minutes).
- Bass boost setting seems to cut high frequencies.
- One user of this model reported that he couldn't get it to play
MP3 files at all.
Likes:
- Can put a maximum of 999 MP3s on a CD.
- Can play multi-session CD-Rs.
- The anti-skip memory buffer shows a graduated meter as it's
filling up. The CD does rotate faster while the buffer is filling
up, to speed up the filling of the memory buffer (this can take
a little extra battery power, but supposedly minimizes skipping).
Unfortunately as mentioned above, the memory unbuffers at the
end of each CD song.
- The mechanical anti-skip mechanism is adequate for minor bumps,
even with ESP buffer memory turned off.
- Good resistance from skipping or voiding music when unit is
bumped (ESP buffer on), but not as good as the Sanyo mentioned
below.
- MP3 tracks are continuously numbered regardless of folders used,
but unfortunately doesn't display folders.
- Can recharge rechargeable nicad type batteries (15 hours) &
has on/off switch on bottom for charging so you don't have to
take out alkaline batteries while using the power supply &
so you don't overcharge rechargeable batteries.
- Has 5 settings for equalizer although none of them impressed
me.
- On MP3 songs it will read up to 60 characters of the file name
which is better than most.
- Pause/unpause is instant (for CDs or MP3s).
- LCD display shows title & artist info if recorded into MP3
(called ID3-Tag) when ID3 is turned ON. When turned OFF it shows
file name. It's best to leave ID3 ON as it will show info if ID3-Tag
is present & file name if tag isn't present. Unfortunately
the ID3-Tag defaults to the OFF position when you power down.
I would prefer a display large enough to show the ID3-Tag info
& file name at the same time.
- It is rated to play MP3 music between 32-320 kbps data rate
& it does do this.
- Seems to have good quality sound with proper high frequency.
- Reads CD-R & CD-RW discs.
- Counter will go past 99 if MP3s are in root directory (maximum
999 MP3s)
- Can program up to 99 favorite tracks to play.
- Comes with small headphones, wall mole power supply, car cigarette
DC power supply & cassette adapter.
- Motor stops spinning disc to save batteries when memory buffer
for MP3s is full.
- Pair of batteries lasted 7:09 hours for rechargeable 1.2 volt
1200 mAh playing MP3 music (CD music would be less).
MEMOREX MD6459-MP3 PLAYER:
At first I thought that this was the best all round unit I've tried
so far, but it doesn't have all the standard features it could have.
What's more the first unit I bought seemed defective & would
run out of buffer memory before the end of some CD songs & would
cut off the end or beginning of a song even when the player was
sitting still on a solid table. The second unit I purchased had
the same defect, so I presume this is a design defect & I cannot
recommend this unit. This is Memorex's first venture into the marketplace
with an MP3/CD player so future models should show additional improvements,
but clearly some features have been cut in this model to come in
at a lower price point. It can be purchased at Walmart for $115.
CDN.
Dislikes:
- At power up, it takes a long time (45 seconds with 146 MP3s
in 5 folders on a CD-R that's 2/3 rds full) for the player to
survey what files & folders are on an MP3 disc before it starts
to play the first song. That in my opinion is an unnecessary waste
of time surveying for information you don't normally want to see
anyway, or that could be displayed at a later time once the buffer
is built up. Standard CDs only take 7 seconds for the first song
to play, or 17 seconds for CD-Rs.
- Doesn't have "line out" jack, only "earphones
out" jack.
- The memory buffer empties at the end of each CD song & starts
to fill up again for the next new song, so skipping or voids in
the music are most susceptible at the beginning & end of songs.
I consider this a major design defect in this unit. Too bad it
wasn't designed to fill up the buffer & not let it empty until
the last song is finishing. As mentioned above, this design flaw
can cause the end or beginning of some songs on CD to get cut
off, especially if the songs are butt up against each other with
no silent section between songs, such as some songs are on the
"Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" CD
(original Canadian Cast Recording).
- Does not always play MP3 songs back in the order they were recorded
- No carrying case or belt clip supplied.
- Takes quite awhile between songs for each MP3 to start playing
(CDs are instant).
- Batteries do not kick in & allow music to keep playing if
external power supply is disconnected from back of player, or
if disconnected from wall plug or cigarette lighter. Too bad because
this is a major frustration in the car when the power supply comes
loose from the cigarette lighter. Also, when you plug the external
power supply back in, it stops playing the music & turns off,
rather than taking over from the batteries.
- Fast Forward on MP3s & CDs is not audible & looses memory
buffer.
- Doesn't display data type of MP3s (i.e. 128 kbps, 44.1 kHz,
stereo).
- When playing a CD on battery power & pause is pressed, disc
doesn't stop spinning after certain period of inactivity to save
batteries (I tested for 30 minutes).
- Bass boost setting seems to cut high frequencies.
Likes:
- Can put a maximum of 999 MP3s on a CD.
- Can play multi-session CD-Rs.
- The anti-skip memory buffer shows a graduated meter as it's
filling up. The CD does rotate faster while the buffer is filling
up, to speed up the filling of the memory buffer (this can take
a little extra battery power, but supposedly minimizes skipping).
Unfortunately as mentioned above, the memory unbuffers at the
end of each CD song.
- The mechanical anti-skip mechanism is adequate for minor bumps,
even with ESP buffer memory turned off.
- Good resistance from skipping or voiding music when unit is
bumped (ESP buffer on), but not as good as the Sanyo mentioned
below.
- MP3 tracks are continuously numbered regardless of folders used,
but unfortunately doesn't display folders.
- Can recharge rechargeable nicad type batteries (15 hours) &
has on/off switch on bottom for charging so you don't have to
take out alkaline batteries while using the power supply &
so you don't overcharge rechargeable batteries.
- Has 5 settings for equalizer although none of them impressed
me.
- On MP3 songs it will read up to 60 characters of the file name
which is better than most.
- Pause/unpause is instant (for CDs or MP3s).
- LCD display shows title & artist info if recorded into MP3
(called ID3-Tag) when ID3 is turned ON. When turned OFF it shows
file name. It's best to leave ID3 ON as it will show info if ID3-Tag
is present & file name if tag isn't present. Unfortunately
the ID3-Tag defaults to the OFF position when you power down.
I would prefer a display large enough to show the ID3-Tag info
& file name at the same time.
- It is rated to play MP3 music between 32-320 kbps data rate
& it does do this.
- Seems to have good quality sound with proper high frequency.
- Reads CD-R & CD-RW discs.
- Counter will go past 99 if MP3s are in root directory (maximum
999 MP3s).
- Can program up to 99 favorite tracks to play.
- Comes with small headphones, wall mole power supply, car cigarette
DC power supply & cassette adapter.
- Motor stops spinning disc to save batteries when memory buffer
for MP3s is full.
- Pair of batteries lasted 7:09 hours for rechargeable 1.2 volt
1200 mAh playing MP3 music (CD music would be less).
Last updated January 26/2002
SANYO CDP-M300 PLAYER:
This is a pretty good unit, but doesn't have all the desirable
features. It can be purchased at Costco for $165. CDN.
Dislikes:
- On MP3 songs, only reads first 12 characters of file name (the
standard is 27 & Memorex can read 60).
- Takes quite awhile for each MP3 to start playing (CDs are instant).
- Can only put a maximum of 200 MP3s on a CD & a maximum of
20 folders. There is easily enough room on a CD to put more than
200 MP3 songs.
- Batteries kick in & allow music to keep playing if external
power supply is disconnected from back of player, but not if disconnected
from wall plug or cigarette lighter. Too bad because this is a
major frustration in the car when the power supply comes loose
from the cigarette lighter. Also, when you plug the external power
supply back in, it stops playing the music, rather than taking
over from the batteries.
- DBBS bass boast only makes a subtle difference.
- Fast Forward on MP3s is not audible (is audible on CDs).
- The anti-skip memory buffer doesn't display as a graduated meter
when filling, although when playing CDs the letters "AS"
(for Anti Skip) blinks as buffer is filling & stops blinking
when full. The CD doesn't rotate faster up to fill buffer faster
(probably to save extra battery drain), so it takes 45 seconds
per CD song to fill up buffer. Fortunately the mechanical anti-skip
mechanism is excellent.
- Doesn't display data type of MP3s (i.e. 128 kbps, 44.1 kHz,
stereo).
- Tracks reset to zero when new folder of MP3s start to play.
- Doesn't recharge rechargeable batteries (but can use them).
- When on battery power & CD disc is paused, disc doesn't
stop spinning after certain period of inactivity to save batteries.
- Can't play multi-session CDs.
Likes:
- Very good resistance from skipping or voiding music when unit
is bumped, even when 45 second buffer is turned off.
- Pause/unpause is instant (for CDs or MP3s).
- Fast forward on CDs is audible (not audible on MP3s).
- Displays MP3 folder number on LCD.
- LCD display automatically scrolls title & artist info if
recorded into MP3 (called ID3-Tag).
- Even though it is rated to only play MP3 music between 32-224
kbps data rate, I found that it did play MP3s at 256 & 320
kbps.
- Seems to have good quality sound with proper high frequency.
- Reads CD-R & CD-RW discs.
- Counter will go past 99 if MP3s are in root directory (maximum
200 MP3s).
- Can program up to 24 favorite tracks to play.
- Comes with carrying case, small headphones & wall mole power
supply.
- Motor stops spinning disc to save batteries when memory buffer
for MP3s is full (saves battery power).
- MP3 songs seem to play in correct recorded order.
- Batteries lasted 6:22 hours for rechargeable 1.2 volt 1200 mAh
playing MP3 music (CD music would be less).
Last updated January 20/2002
MP FIT PORTABLE CD/MP3 PLAYER:
This is a rather large portable CD/MP3 player that I purchased
in January 2002 for $115. CDN but I returned it to the store because
it had too many features I didn't like.
Dislikes:
- Doesn't read CD-RW's as advertised by store (only reads CD &
CD-R).
- It's rated to play MP3s up to 196 kbps but I found several at
192 & 128 kbps that it wouldn't play properly (fussy player),
that other CD/MP3 players would play properly.
- Can't handle MP3s above 192 kbps. Other players will play up
to 320 kbps.
- Doesn't display folders for MP3.
- Accesses all MP3s as though they weren't in folders, eliminating
the organizational benefits of folders.
- The display only shows up to 22 characters of the MP3 file name,
even though 27 characters are permitted for MP3s.
- You can't hear sound during fast forward.
- The LCD screen is just too small.
- When the external power is applied, if you are using alkaline
batteries (non-rechargeable), you must remove the batteries to
avoid damaging them. There should be an on/off switch to prevent
charging of non-rechargeable batteries like there is on the Memorex
MD6459-MP3 player.
- Looses power if external power supply becomes unplugged (batteries
don't take over).
- Battery compartment lid is too hard to open & it's way too
easy for the small lid hinge tips to break off.
Likes:
- Seemed to have good shock resistance without voiding audio.
- Has a remote control.
- Has 4 equalization sound modes (levels 3 & 4 sound good
for MP3s).
- Has a buffer meter to show as the buffer is filling up.
- Lid opens wide for easy access to disc.
- LCD display shows MP3 type (i.e. 128 kbps, 44.1 kHz, stereo).
- Comes with wall mole power supply & clip for belt.
Last updated January 19/2002
KOSS PERSONAL PORTABLE CD AUDIO PLAYER MODEL CDP1690CP:
can be purchased at Costco for $79.99 CDN. including a set of headphones,
AC power adapter, DC (cigarette) car power adapter & a cassette
adapter that allows it to play into a car sound system. The unit
is equipped with a 40 second anti skip memory as well as a mechanical
feature Koss calls "PLUS advanced shock protection" which
also is suppose to reduce the chances of a void in the music from
bumping the unit. Unfortunately this unit has several major design
flaws which I believe make it a poor choice for a CD playback deck
in a car or other portable situations. First & most important
was the fact that this player will not recognize & play any
CD-R discs that I burned myself (several brands & colours of
discs tried), even though several other portable CD players I tried
would play these burned discs. A representative from Koss suggested
that if I had burned the CDs at 1X or 2X speed rather than 4X speed,
they might play better, so I made a 1X burn with no better results.
I suspect that this Koss portable CD player uses a lower powered
laser than normal, so the battery power doesn't get used up too
quickly. Most CD audio players made in the last couple years have
higher powered lasers so that they can read CD-R audio discs. CD-R
discs that you burn yourself have lower reflectivity than commercially
pressed CDs, so a higher powered laser is required to recognize
& play them back. Next I found that when I gently dropped the
player down on the rug of my van from a height of about 2",
it would skip (void) the music for a couple seconds even when the
40 second memory was full. I also found that the cassette adapter
supplied in this bundle had more noise floor hiss than the inexpensive
Lenox model CK-2 cassette adapter I bought at Wal-Mart for $25.
CDN (you can easily hear this hiss at a higher volume, in a quiet
car, when the music selection is in between songs or in a quiet
passage). The DC (cigarette) car power adapter had an intermittent
connection in all 3 cigarette jacks I plugged it in. Through the
cassette adapter, the left channel occasionally cut out completely.
The Koss representative I talked to suggested that I might have
a defective unit, so I exchanged it at Costco for another one, which
had the same flaws except that it played CD-R burned discs some
of the time rather than none of the time & it wasn't quite as
susceptible to voids from bumping. I returned the unit & would
not recommend this model. Jan. 28/2001
PINE SM-200C PLAYER:
Available at Radio Shack for $99.99 CDN & made by Pine Lab
Korea Inc.
- 3 line LCD
- takes seconds to load MP#s
- Anti-shock didn't work on regular CDs
- Anti-shock is only 10 seconds in CD mode & 50 seconds in
MP3 mode
- Read Foldered MP3 disc as a "disc Error from Richo CD-R
- Second song on Johnny Cash disc it wouldn't read
- Does read CD-RWs
- Has minature personalized headphones, not sit on the ear types.
www.pinegroup.com
- comes with a thin pouch, but no way to fasten it to your clothing
for jogging.
- Comes with NI-MH rechargeable batteries & a clip that tells
the charger to charge.
- Battery door falls off each time you open it.
- Comes with line out stereo 1/8" to 2X RCA cable
By Doug Hembruff.
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