Sansa Clip Zip SQ

[OriginalGusBus]

Okay, so I just got the Clip Zip I ordered from amazon two days ago and I've been testing it out on my runs and I've noticed that the sound quality compared to my iriver is kinda lousy... I hear tell that Rockbox can improve the sq of the clip series. Thats all find and danndy, but I'm not sure how to install Rockbox on the the player I've read the how-to on Rockbox's website and even looked for youtube videos and still no luck. If I may ask some of you who are like that of the vanguard of the Clip for your everlasting geeky knowledge. Anyone got some pointers for me?

[CrowdAds]

[Marvin the Martian]

Originally Posted by OriginalGusBus

Okay, so I just got the Clip Zip I ordered from amazon two days ago and I've been testing it out on my runs and I've noticed that the sound quality compared to my iriver is kinda lousy...

I really doubt that.

Originally Posted by OriginalGusBus

I hear tell that Rockbox can improve the sq of the clip series. Thats all find and danndy, but I'm not sure how to install Rockbox on the the player I've read the how-to on Rockbox's website and even looked for youtube videos and still no luck. If I may ask some of you who are like that of the vanguard of the Clip for your everlasting geeky knowledge. Anyone got some pointers for me?

http://www.rockbox.org/wiki/RockboxUtility

[Tapeworm]

Originally Posted by OriginalGusBus

Okay, so I just got the Clip Zip I ordered from amazon two days ago and I've been testing it out on my runs and I've noticed that the sound quality compared to my iriver is kinda lousy...

I can't speak to the iriver's sound as I've never had/heard one, but there's got to be some sort of outside influence on this (EQ, bad file transfer, different earphones, defective player, etc.), as the Clip Zip has excellent sound quality with the original firmware.

Rockbox will not change or "improve" the sound quality; that is built into the hardware. It does though, "enhance" the sound quality that is already present by offering more sound manipulations and options to color or adjust the sound to your individual liking.

I see in your sig you already have a Clip+. The Zip is basically the same player and has many of the same hardware components, so the sound quality should be identical. Even if different, there are many, many people who own both models and would be quite vocal (here and on other forums, review sites, etc.) if they thought the SQ were different in the Zip (with or without Rockbox). They haven't been.

[WalkGood]

Originally Posted by OriginalGusBus

... I've noticed that the sound quality compared to my iriver is kinda lousy...

While I detect a bit of sarcasm from the *rolleyes* smiley you might be serious. Your iriver is a more powerful player and is probably giving you the placebo effect, now run your tests volume matched without any sound enhancements to make sure as I agree with Marvin.

Originally Posted by OriginalGusBus

... I hear tell that Rockbox can improve the sq of the clip series. ...

Not true, just a change in firmware doesn't make it sound better. Rockbox gives you much more flexibility with many more features and sound enhancement tweaks beyond your wildest dreams which does make it much better firmware to run on the Clip Zip. Also you don't have to live with the SanDisk db refresh PITA times

Originally Posted by OriginalGusBus

... I'm not sure how to install Rockbox on the the player I've read the how-to on Rockbox's website and even looked for youtube videos and still no luck. ...

You can't get any easier than this.

[breakbeat]

Originally Posted by OriginalGusBus

Okay, so I just got the Clip Zip I ordered from amazon two days ago and I've been testing it out on my runs and I've noticed that the sound quality compared to my iriver is kinda lousy...

Just like WalkGood said, maybe it's placebo effect regarding volume levels, and even though you're from USA, maybe somehow a region in your Clip Zip was switched to Europe, we have volume restrictions here. The same goes with goes with Clip and Clip+, people where complaining about loudness and thus i might affect sense of sound quality. But after switching regions to USA or Rest of the World in options the problem was solved.

[musichound]

As I always suggest with reported issues in the Clip's SQ: Are you SURE your headphones are plugged in all the way? If not, that will make all the difference.

[OriginalGusBus]

Originally Posted by WalkGood

Rockbox gives you much more flexibility with many more features and sound enhancement tweaks beyond your wildest dreams which does make it much better firmware to run on the Clip Zip.

Yes! That is what I'm talking about. I've had the Clip+ Rockboxed before and it did a world of good

Originally Posted by Tapeworm

I can't speak to the iriver's sound as I've never had/heard one, but there's got to be some sort of outside influence on this (EQ, bad file transfer, different earphones, defective player, etc.), as the Clip Zip has excellent sound quality with the original firmware.

This could be... I have spent a good minute making adjustments to the EQ on the iriver, so that might be part of it. Something else, would it make any difference if the media files were on the micro SD card? Somehow I doubt that would the be issue though cause it's the same card I use with the iriver... An any case, I know for a fact that the EQ on Rockbox kicks some butt on my wifes Clip+, so maybe that will help.

By the way, I know that as far as hardware and what not there is little to say about a difference in the two, I realize that. But still you have to admit that the SQ matched with the EQ on the original firmware isn't that great. Not bad by any means, just not fantastic.

With that said I'd like to say thank you for your help, input and usful links! I'm excited to get my new Zip Rockboxed and I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to do it with out your assistance.

P.S. Musichound, that was great! Always a good place to look with any and all players. Thanks for the tip :P

[dgb52]

The Clip+ and the Zip should have the same sound quality. Both are very good

[OriginalGusBus]

Originally Posted by breakbeat

Just like WalkGood said, maybe it's placebo effect regarding volume levels, and even though you're from USA, maybe somehow a region in your Clip Zip was switched to Europe, we have volume restrictions here. The same goes with goes with Clip and Clip+, people where complaining about loudness and thus i might affect sense of sound quality. But after switching regions to USA or Rest of the World in options the problem was solved.

Wow, dude! You must be some kind of genius! Wouldn't have even thought of that. Resting the player to US and some EQ tweaks the player sounds much better. Thanks for the tip

[breakbeat]

Originally Posted by OriginalGusBus

Wow, dude! You must be some kind of genius! Wouldn't have even thought of that. Resting the player to US and some EQ tweaks the player sounds much better. Thanks for the tip

No problem, i'm glad i could help, but still if i was you, i would consider installing Rockbox, it's really easy, it's awesome and you can gain additional space about `200mb by removing original firmware while already in Rockbox.

[skip252]

To be clear, Rockbox does not change the base sound quality from the sandisk firmware. The parametric equalizer, crossfeed, custom channel configuration, compressor, stereo width, bass and treble settings and pan/balance changes offer possibilities the OF doesn't have but the base sound quality remains the same.