iPod touch Which ipod has the Best Sound Quality?

[kabunaru]

The Classic is the best bet, because it's the safest bet in terms of the general sound coming from both ends

I thought the iPod Touch was the best?

 

[josephina]

FWIW, I have a 3G Nano and a 160gig Classic. The Classic is nicer at the lower end, fuller without being too thumpy, but the Nano is much better in the highs- cleaner and crisper with way more definition. So it's really a toss up as to which sounds "better." I usually end up listening to the Nano with headphones and bumping the up the low EQ a bit, and plugging the Classic into my stereo.

That said, neither one sounds as good as my final gen Mini (which is going to be reborn as a 32gig flashPod! )

 

[Sesshi]

FWIW, I have a 3G Nano and a 160gig Classic. The Classic is nicer at the lower end, fuller without being too thumpy, but the Nano is much better in the highs- cleaner and crisper with way more definition. So it's really a toss up as to which sounds "better." I usually end up listening to the Nano with headphones and bumping the up the low EQ a bit, and plugging the Classic into my stereo.

That said, neither one sounds as good as my final gen Mini (which is going to be reborn as a 32gig flashPod! )

It's all about relative perception.

Because the older Nanos have a weaker yet still discernible bass but the Classic actually has a 'flatter' response, if you listen to both back-to-back and you're not a 'bass person' then since your attention is being drawn not to the lack of bass but an apparent increase in treble perception since the bass is not occupying your attention as much - you think it's better. Conversely the 'bass person' would think the Nano harsher and thinner in the same comparison. The degree to which this difference is perceived also depends on the headphones in use of course and what they do to bass.

Of those two differences in opinions, which come from exactly the same technical differences but of differences in the listener's perception, are many long drawn-out and completely pointless arguments on many hi-fi forums started.

Technically, the Classic is better - however if your headphones fudge or boost the mid-bass, or if you just prefer less bass in your music but the 'Bass Reducer' preset does it too much, you may end up feeling that the older Nanos deliver a cleaner sound. In terms of numbers all-round, the newer-chipped machines are better. But the >5G iPod vintage older machines are (with the exception of the aforementioned 'flat' response) actually pretty respectable as well.

 

[Mr. Giver '94]

you dont like bose because you cant afford them. I own a bose set and the sound is great.

You know some of us work for a living

The only Bose product I will ever use are the QC2 Headphones. ALL of their other products suck!!!

I prefer Bang & Olufsen products. They have WAY better sound quality and build quality than Bose. Even though you pay quite a bit more for B&O, I think it's worth it.

 

[Mr. Giver '94]

Back on topic... Does anyone know how the iPhone's sound quality fits into all of this. I'm not really that much of an audio guy, but I'm just curious what kind of sound it has compared to all of the other iPods.

 

[only]

...

Thanks, your posts were really helpful.