A Most Helpful Review
Written: Apr 13 '03 (Updated Dec 31 '03)
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Pros: Light, compact, backlight, LCD screen, interface, headphones, and battery life.
Cons: Headphones don't block out sound very well.
The Bottom Line: Highly recommended! It has a good song capacity, excellent battery life, good sound and easy interface and operation.
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| kenikov's Full Review: Rio S50 Street (128 MB) MP3 Player |
The Sonicblue Rio S50 has it all. Even for a flash media player, it can handle 12hrs of songs after a memory card upgrade (and more when 640MB becomes available).
Since I have used this MP3 player longer, I've decided to rewrite my review and make it more detailed. I've taken this player on long trips and to listen to it casually when I leave the house.
When you open the case it comes in, which is so secure it will take you hours you find:
1. Stylish headphones
2. A black, flexible case
3. AC Adapter
4. USB cable
5. Two music management CDs
6. Lots of paper.
7. Rechargeable battery
Headphones and sound
Like the other reviewer of the S50, I am not an audiophile but the headphones seem to provide good sound, and are very stylish. They don't fit well into my ear though and they do not keep the sound out well. Any noise will disrupt the sound and cause a huge headache.
Besides the look and size, I do not really like these headphones.
I was in a car once, and someone screamed while I had the song volume up high because the radio was on interfering with the sound. When the person screamed, it hurt my head so much I thought I was going to throw-up. I highly suggest noise-canceling headphones.
With good headphones, or with the headphones given (with no exterior noise), the sound is great.
Case
The case for the RIO S50 is very nice. It is an executive type, leather looking case that hugs the RIO s50 and protects it from scratches and drops.
The case doesn't fit the S50 perfectly, so you'll have to move the S50 into the right place, or the enter button won't be right through the hole. After you adjust it, the case looks great.
It is great for protecting the S50 on any occasion and I never take it off. It is very protective but isn't that bulky and includes a belt-clip.
FM Tuner
The FM Tuner is decent in the house, with just a tinge of interference. When in a car, the FM Tuner is awful, and you can barely here a thing. The FM Tuner is a lot louder than the actual songs on the player, be sure to turn the volume down or you'll have a bad headache.
The FM Tuner drains battery-life quickly.
Memory Upgrades
This player can old about twelve hours of songs, and up to 640MB with MMC or SD upgrades. I suggest a 64MB or 128MB upgrade, but if you want to max out the memory it can get really pricey. I got 256MB because it would fit all of my favorite songs and a bit more.
Transferring Files
USB 1.1 is getting a bit old but is still pretty good for transferring songs. I use iTunes and it works perfectly, and it is fast. The cable goes right into the top of the S50 where the headphones are suppose to be. A very nice design there.
If I play a song, transfer files and do a lot of other stuff on iTunes, transferring files does not go smoothly. Usually, when I play a song and transfer another song into the player it works fine. It however doesn't work when I am switching playlists and stopping and playing other songs. That completely disrupts the download.
You must use a separate adapter given by Sonicblue to recharge the player, as far as I know.
Software
Most of the Sonicblue players work perfectly with both Mac and Windows.
The RIO S50 works with iTunes, just like a proprietary item from Apple would. I own quite a few Apple products and the RIO S50 works with them very well. I am glad I didn't have to install some other music software.
It gives a CD to install into Windows just in case you do not already have a program. I imagine it works just as well.
Battery
The battery is very impressive. If you play just songs and have the backlight at two seconds, it should lasts 35 hours on a AA battery and 20 hours on the rechargeable battery given. You can get a stronger battery that will last longer to get more life. This is top notch battery-life and is probably one of the best available.
Interface
The interface is really easy to use. You control everything with just two buttons and is very self-explanatory. The interface is award-winning.
The LCD screen is also award winning.
Design
This MP3 player is small and looks very nice. It is blue, with a white wheel and enter button. Sonicblue makes very good looking MP3 players and has the best selling lines ever. They are coming out with more award winning products like the RIO Karma.
The MP3 player is also very light and the MMC/SD card goes under the battery compartment where it is not visible. Very nice design. It is no wonder why it is one of PCWorld's top choices. It is part of Sonicblue's Street Collection
Extras
The MP3 player includes a stop-watch for athletes and a clock. It also has a few other options like presets.
Conclusion
This is a highly recommended MP3 player by quite a few people. There are few disadvantages.
If you are looking to use this for sports, I suggest the RIO S35, as this is more street style than sports. The S35 is tougher, but doesn't have the professional/executive type look that people seek in the S50.
To see more information about this player go to these links:
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,109159,00.asp
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,109105,00.asp
I'm sure more positive articles exist, so search the web at sites like CNet.
This is a highly recommended and praised MP3 player.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): $159.99
Recommended for: Beginners - Easy Enough for Tech Newbies
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Epinions.com ID:
kenikov
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Location: Canada
Reviews written: 27
Trusted by: 4 members
About Me:
"I just came from the Price Club. I'm loaded up, baby!"
- Kramer
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