Cowon Systems iAudio M3 Review

Overall Rating

Smaller than iPod (i think)
Alternative to iPOD
FM radio
Can be used as a hard disk for whatever files you want
Has a line in port so you can suck songs out of other peoples HIFI decks
Has a line out port so you can play it anywhere
Fast(est?) download speeds on and off the player
Can be used as a voice recorder - I use it to prepare for viva exams
Plays OGG

Remote control is a bit fiddly.
It's really aimed at people who understand computers and file management - not for newbies.

I thought I would say something about my Cowon iAudio M3 MP3 player as I love it, and it took me so long to decide what to buy in the first place. Like the other guy who did a review, I bought the 'brown' version which is lovely - I call it gun metal grey... I think that's what it's called anyway isn't it? Anyway, it's a simplistic minimal design, and when I bought it, it was the slimmest 20GB player on the market, including the iPod's. Not sure if things have changed in that respect over the last year though. iPod seem to be pulling out smaller players with smaller hard disks. I wanted 20GB, so I had to get this size.

I have to admit that the file management is really aimed at those who want to classify and organise their music as they want it, rather than how iTunes wants it. I don't like the id tag thing - it's too much bother for me to spend the time id'ing all my music. I really wanted something where I can control where is goes onto my player. It's not for those who know nothing about computers as it takes some knowledge and care of the hard disk for the file organisation to be just as you like it.

I love the way it doesn't matter what files you can put on the hard disk. It takes Word documents and PowerPoint presentations, if you want to transport it around. I do tend to use it for everything. Again, I am not sure if the iPod does that.

It plays OGG, and several more music files than the iPod plays, with better quality and smaller file sizes.

It has FM radio!!! I don't think iPod have gone that way, but it certainly hadn't when I bought it. I do get bored with all my own music, and it's great to listen to some new stuff so that I know what I should download next. It comes in useful when you are trying to find out about news and listen to football, if you are on the bus trying to get the pub.

There is a voice recorder which I am using a lot. Not sure how useful it is to others, but I use it to read out questions for my exam revision. I pause the player, try and answer the question and then play to see if I have got it right or not. It's a quick way to learn if you don't have the time to write notes. I've used it for dictation for my letters, but only rarely to be honest. It's useful for reminders and memos too. For example, when you are in the car and you hear a song that you want to download later, you can't write it down, so instead, you chat to the little gun metal one, and then listen to what you said when you get home.

The line in was really useful, as I had loads of my music collection on mini disk, and so I could record all of my music on to the player at any quality I wanted. I had to buy a cable from Richer Sounds for 9.99, but the results were really good! I was very impressed. I couldn't face downloading all those songs again.

I also plug it into my car radio (it needs a line in), or my HIFI with the line out port. I used the same cable as before. No need to spend loads on a silly iPod port, which has speakers that sound terrible, even from bose (that's just my opinion of course).

I don't know how long iPod's last in terms of battery life, but my M3 goes for about 15-30 hours. However, I do listen to the radio as well, and if I played only the radio on it, then it would last forever as the radio takes no energy at all, so I can't really comment on that.

There are a number of options for changing the quality of the sound, for example: The equaliser, sleep, fade, random, shuffle, auto time off, and bass controls etc... It's really loads of fun messing around with the characteristics of the sound.

The support centre is great, and they let us ask for new options and facilities, and then they write new updates and pass them on for free. It's a great little community.

I never liked the idea that you have to take out the iPod from your pocket to change the song, or change the mood of music etc... I live in London, and taking out an iPod on the street or bus is a bit silly. It would only be a matter of time before I got mugged. I love the way it just stays in your pocket or bag, and you control everything from the remote. I hear it's not for everyone, as some people like to flash around their iPod's.

I have to admit I was just waiting around for the iPod series to give me all the things I needed it for, but it doesn't seem to be heading in that direction. I am very very happy with the Cowon M3, and I would recommend it to people who are looking for something similar. I am slightly anti iPod now because everyone seems so self satisfied with them, and have a horrible unfounded look of superiority on their faces. I really just wanted to explain that there were other players out there that were very good as well.

There is a new version of the M3 out with a screen. I don't own one, but I'd check it out if you are thinking about the iPod photo.

hope that helped

Vik