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Best MP3 players of 2005

James Kim
James Kim
Senior editor
December 20, 2005

We reviewed a bunch of MP3 players in 2005, a year in which we witnessed flash-based players climb to 4GB, the appearance of mind-boggling form factors, and video emerge as a mainstream feature. SanDisk now sells the Sansa 4GB m260 for $200 ($179 online), while the MobiBlu DAH-1500i stole the show with its tiny cube design. It was a great year to buy an MP3 player, especially if you're an iTunes fan--three iPod variations, including the now defunct iPod Mini, received a rating of 8.0 or higher. The 8GB Creative Zen Micro Photo leads the subscription-ready WMA pack into the new year, and the NW-HD5 is Sony's best MP3 effort to date; sadly, it's being discontinued. We should also mention the iRiver U10, Cowon's iAudio X5L, and Samsung's Samsung YEPP YP-MT6 as outstanding runners-up.

More resources
 MP3 at CES 2006 preview
 CNET's Music Center
 Editors' top MP3 players
   Editors' top PVPs
 Apple family album
 

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Product name Apple iPod (60GB, video, white)
Apple iPod (60GB, video, white)  
Sony Network Walkman NW-HD5 (Silver)
Sony Network Walkman NW-HD5 (Silver)
Creative Zen Micro Photo (8GB, gray)
Creative Zen Micro Photo (8GB, gray)  
Apple iPod Mini (6GB, pink)
Apple iPod Mini (6GB, pink)  
Apple iPod Nano (4GB, black)
Apple iPod Nano (4GB, black)  
Samsung YEPP YP-T7X (512MB)
Samsung YEPP YP-T7X (512MB)







Review date October 20, 2005 July 14, 2005 November 22, 2005 March 17, 2005 September 13, 2005 April 1, 2005







Editors' rating
(Editors' rating explained)







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Review summary Get the affordable, sleek, and sexy 5G Apple iPod for its audio virtues. Although video looks great, poor video battery life and a relatively small screen hamper its appeal to video heads. If you want a slick alternative to the iPod and you're into Sony's Connect music store, then the NW-HD5 is a stellar choice. The Creative Zen Micro Photo is an excellent full-featured MP3 player and, for its size, a decent photo viewer; it just doesn't combine the two effectively. In the iPod Mini redux, Apple offers two capacity options and a more competitive pricing scheme--welcome improvements in an already fantastic player. Thanks to its limited capacity, the gorgeous iPod Nano isn't for everybody, but it sets the standard for MP3 players to come. We'd like to see a few improvements to the Samsung YEPP YP-T7, but it should be a top choice for those who want an MP3 player with tons of features.







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My Products







User comments 7.2 Very good (from 69 users) 7.8 Very good (from 60 users) 6.9 Good (from 98 users) Be one of the first to rate this product! 7.0 Very good (from 241 users) 8.4 Excellent (from 42 users)
Basic Specs
PC interface(s) supported Hi-Speed USB  
Hi-Speed USB  
Info unavailable 
Hi-Speed USB , FireWire  
USB  
Info unavailable 







Flash memory installed None  
Info unavailable 
Info unavailable 
No built-in memory  
4 GB 
Info unavailable 







Flash memory form factor Info unavailable 
Info unavailable 
Info unavailable 
Info unavailable 
Integrated  
Info unavailable 







Digital storage media capacity 60 GB 
20 GB 
Info unavailable 
6 GB 
Info unavailable 
Info unavailable 







Dimensions (WxDxH) 2.4 in x 0.6 in x 4.1 in  
3.5 in x 0.6 in x 2.2 in  
2 in x 0.7 in x 3.3 in  
2 in x 0.5 in x 3.6 in  
1.6 in x 0.3 in x 3.5 in  
1.5 in x 0.6 in x 2.4 in  







Weight 5.5 oz 
4.8 oz 
4.1 oz 
3.6 oz 
1.5 oz 
1.4 oz 







Resolution 320 x 240  
Info unavailable 
Info unavailable 
138 x 110  
176 x 132  
Info unavailable 







Battery technology Lithium ion  
Lithium ion  
Lithium ion  
Lithium ion  
Lithium ion  
Lithium polymer  







Mfr estimated battery life 20 hour(s) 
40 hour(s) 
Info unavailable 
18 hour(s) 
14 hour(s) 
Info unavailable 







Software type Apple iTunes for Mac , Apple iTunes for Windows  
Drivers & Utilities  
Info unavailable 
Apple iTunes for Mac , Apple iTunes for Windows  
Apple iTunes for Mac , Apple iTunes for Windows  
Info unavailable 







Radio Info unavailable 
Info unavailable 
Info unavailable 
Info unavailable 
Info unavailable 
FM: 87.5 - 108 MHz  







Manufacturer warranty 1 year warranty  
Info unavailable 
Info unavailable 
1 year warranty  
Info unavailable 
Info unavailable 







Product type Digital player  
Hard drive  
Microdrive  
Microdrive  
Flash player  
Flash player  







Color White  
Silver  
Gray  
Pink  
Black  
Blue  







Sound output mode Stereo  
Stereo  
Info unavailable 
Stereo  
Stereo  
Info unavailable 







Width 2.4 in 
3.5 in 
2 in 
2 in 
1.6 in 
1.5 in 







Depth 0.6 in 
0.6 in 
0.7 in 
0.5 in 
0.3 in 
0.6 in 







Height 4.1 in 
2.2 in 
3.3 in 
3.6 in 
3.5 in 
2.4 in 







Equalizer factory presets Info unavailable 
Info unavailable 
Info unavailable 
Info unavailable 
Classical , POP , Normal , Jazz , Rock  
Info unavailable 







Amplifier response bandwidth Info unavailable 
Info unavailable 
Info unavailable 
20 - 20000 Hz  
20 - 20000 Hz 
Info unavailable 







Digital player (recorder) WAV , AIFF , Audible , MP3 , AAC , Apple Lossless  
WMA , WAV , ATRAC3 , MP3 , ATRAC3plus  
WMA , WAV , ADPCM , MP3  
WAV , AIFF , Audible , MP3 , AAC , Apple Lossless  
WAV , AIFF , Audible , MP3 , AAC , Apple Lossless  
WMA , ASF , Ogg Vorbis , MP3  







 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Product name Apple iPod (60GB, video, white)   Sony Network Walkman NW-HD5 (Silver) Creative Zen Micro Photo (8GB, gray)   Apple iPod Mini (6GB, pink)   Apple iPod Nano (4GB, black)   Samsung YEPP YP-T7X (512MB)







Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications







Price range   Check latest prices
$179-$350
from 3 stores
 
 
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$114-$195
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$155-$419
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$165
from 1 store
 
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