Kiiro CA-128S Review

Overall Rating

Unbelievably small, lightweight and sturdy. - (Great to impress people with too).

Fairly poor battery life, no backlit LCD, a bit on the quiet side.

I've had this Kiiro CA128S Mp3 player for about a year now and it really has served me well. - It's by far the most portable audio player around and given it's matchbox size it is able to hold up to around 30 songs at 128kbps. After installing the software it is simply recognised as an additional drive on your PC and transferring music back and forth is effortless. (No tedious, drawn out procedures just simply drag and drop files). It's also quick as a flash. - On average it takes less than 10 secs to transfer a 4 min song across. (At 128kbps). The voice recording facility is great fun and surprisingly good quality. However, despite all this and the fact that it gives crystal clear sound, the player is a bit lacking in 'oomph' as far as the volume is concerned. Even when it's playing at max volume, my mates' minidisc player completely overpowers it. (And his volume setting is only on medium!). I often use my CA128S on the bus and find that other noises drown out what I'm listening to, although I rarely turn the volume up above halfway so as not to put a strain on the battery.

Having said that though, it is fine listening to it in the comfort of your own home, free from other noise. (Which effectively defies the point of having a 'portable' player). :(

Another set back is the battery life. The player requires 1xAAA size battery which will only last a few hours when the volume is fairly low. As a result I soon resorted to using a rechargeable Ni-Mh battery instead of an alkaline one. This helps by another couple of hours or so, but it seems like a lot of effort to go to just to listen to some bloody music.

Still, like I said it's a really fine bit of kit and unlike other people I found the supplied headphones very comfortable and good quality. (Although I prefer my sony ones because the bass response is noticeably stronger and they just look better).

The last flaw is a minor one but nevertheless it's still annoying. - There's no backlit LCD. After all, that's surely the last thing you want when you're innocently walking down a dark alley at night listening to some Limp Bizkit.

Overall, this is a very cool Mp3 player which is so small and light you'll forget it's even in your pocket. - And if you don't want it there it also comes with a neck strap, which personally I think is a bit of a joke. You may want to wear it as 'digital jewellery' though.