Cowon S9 Review Part 2 - BWOne.com

[Lmomjian]

ima get this thanks

[pioneer7777777]

Can anyone speak to the audio recording ability of this device? Does it have ability to hook up to external microphones?  Thanks!

[exconvictriddick]

I have a question for you bwonedotcom. I just got my Cowon S9 with firmware 2.52. Initial test was ok. But every now and then, It doesn't matter where, what part of menus, the screen seems to be unresponsive. It would take couple times to register my input or gesture. How do i know? It plays a sound (waterdrop) whenever you register an input or gesture. I figure the firmware is the culprit, so I updated to firmware 2.53 and still showing the same symptom. Did I just get a bad hardware? Thanks

[NoTalentSucks]

I use window media player too, and i want to add playlist i've made on windows media player onto the device. when i do this though, the songs from the playlist go on but the actual playlist doesn't show up under the playlist menu. how do i make, or preferably add, playlists on this mp3 player?

[Zillamp3z]

Should of added weight and a SDHC Card slot with WiFi, then that'll be a perfect PMP

[LieutHawkEye]

You sir just got me to buy this product and i'm very happy with it. Solid, Superb audio Quality, great Video Pictures and of course, damn good battery quality which lasts me 50 hours of quality and 9 hours of Videos. I really recommend this Player if your looking for the above said features.

[daplayer]

it would be a cool addition id Cowon added like an 5MP or more Camera,

[amyandjada]

does it sort by artist & album?

[mrkas1995]

@amyandjada ya

[blitzkreig000]

is there a sleep/wake switch kinda like the ipod touch?

[mrkas1995]

@blitzkreig000 ya

[MXZCharlie]

what extras does this have compared to the iaudio 9?

[bwonedotcom]

@MXZCharlie Not sure I haven't used the iAudio 9 before. Google search and I'm sure there are comparisons out there.

[MXZCharlie]

wich has better sound quality?.. this, or zune hd?

[bwonedotcom]

@MXZCharlie the Cowon S9 will have the better audio quality but the zune HD is good not as high as the S9 but defintly higher than the iPod family

[BodybuildingSteve]

@bwonedotcom how much better wud u say this cowan s9 is compared to a ipods (only in term of sound) is listen to music alot and have a 400.00 pair of headphones (shure se535) but the ipod bass setting in the eq setting makes them sound awful so looking for a good mp3 to compliment them well plz comment back soon :D nice review as well

[ctasker]

Does the S9 have the slow down and speed up audio setting like on the D2? I had my D2 stolen recently, I used it constantly to learn to play drums, very handy to slow the song down to a more comfortable tempo and learn the fills etc. Don't know of any other player that has that feature but It is the main feature I am missing now.

[crammage]

as for the ipod touch i love the Ui, the apps i dont really like itunes but in my opinion its not as bad as zune software, '

but the deal breaker for me is that the audio quality sucks either it has too much bass and very muddy or not enough and is just tinny.

echk!

so I'm thinking about getting the cowon s9

it has recently dropped to only $200 for 32 gb

is there anything i should know when buying one?

[crammage]

thanks for the great review

my 16gb creative zen has recently been bugging out (back light will fail and will loose charge after half an hour, )

so im thinking i will sell it

i like sony walkman the new ones have a built in speaker but its like $95 just for 16gb and $350 for 32 gb on the walkman x (dont think I will get that)

the zune hd is alright but has limited audio adjustments , and i hate hate , HATE the lame zune software , i like windows media player .

[memohavok]

@crammage Dont even think about zune if you dont like zune soft. I wasted 3 hours of my life installing that piece of crap. I had to install security updates, windows update agent, error reporting stuff, and other 3 componentes before the zune software could install. Worst purchase ever.

[crammage]

@memohavok well that sounds pathetic considering i have 2 friends with a zune hd and a 3rd that used to have it

and after i downloaded the software it worked fine

it just took a while to download

[memohavok]

@crammage Thats more pathetic, zune is aimed to people that only use common windows and average stuff, that never uninstall the windows update, and have their computer full of microsoft spyware and useless software. Good luck. I have my windows hacked, erased all the stuff you never need. You are ok if you have all the service packs, and all the windows crap patches, windows update is always downloading. Try MEIZU, is the best. 1.Plug, 2. drag and drop, 3.disconnect, 4. enjoy.

[crammage]

@memohavok meizu?>

they dont even come in 16 gb!

[jeremiasvokurka]

very good review, thanks

[Typhoon792]

How does the audio quality compare to the Samsung P3? Only answer if you realistically know please. The P3 has really good quality as well.

[bwonedotcom]

@Typhoon792 Probably the best audio quality of any media player out there. Cowon is known for having the best audio quality out there. My Zune HD comes close but its still just below the Cowon S9 and even the D2

[Typhoon792]

@bwonedotcom Hmm.. Well the Samsung P3 very identifiably exceeded the Zune HD. My friend who, just like I, is an audiophile, immediately noticed the difference when he listened to the same file on the P3 after he did on his Zune. If anything, the P3 would be sure to follow, but I'm wondering if that's actually the case. Have you ever listened on the P3 before, especially after customizing some of its PQ options?

[memohavok]

@bwonedotcom Bad, i brought a zune hd 2 days ago, is a piece of crap. SOund is low, EQ presets are crap, no bass, WORST EVER. Previously i had a meizu M6 SL and sound was great, had bass bost and treble to top, and sound was amazing. Rap or Metal, doesnt matter, sounded great! With zune, yes, you have all the fancy stuff internet and good looking stuff, but sound is not good. Would you recommend me cowon S9 or Samsung P3? Im looking for EQ settings and LOUD BASS.

[bwonedotcom]

@Typhoon792 My friend went from a P3 to a Zune HD and feels the audio quality is better on the Zune HD so I would say to each their own as it depends on how well your hearing is.

[Typhoon792]

@bwonedotcom Hmm. Interesting. Well, either way, the Cowon S9 seems to come out on top so that answers my question anyway. By default, I think the Zune HD might have superior quality but the P3 has more EQ options which can get that better sound. On Cowon's website, I saw a new device called the Cowon J3 I think. Have you heard anything about that? It doesn't seem to be released yet. Should I wait for that? If it has all this player's features + more, I should.

[bwonedotcom]

@Typhoon792 I actually haven't had the change to look at the J3. It will probably be a very solid player.

[TestifytoRedemtion]

I will never by an iproduct.

[PIXIED121]

does it has WIFI?

[bwonedotcom]

No it does not.

[PIXIED121]

does it has WIFI?

[HFIntegrale]

@PIXIED121 - As said before - NO it DOES NOT :-)

[evildead2002]

Hi i just wondered but what firmware was running on this when you made it? The touch screen seemed to miss a few hits here n there : )

I really want one of these!

THanks!

[bwonedotcom]

This was a little while ago so I'm not sure.

[boozaaa]

@bwonedotcom If I have all my songs on itunes library will it be easy to convert it to the Cowon's library?

[bwonedotcom]

@boozaaa It should pay without conversion but anything with DRM is not guaranteed to work. If you have them in mp4 format you should be all set.

[boozaaa]

@bwonedotcom My music files are mp3 format and my videos are mp4 format. I just got my Cowon S9 today and my Creative EP-630 for 12.99...real cheap. Good Buds. Tell me if it supports my formats. Thanks for responding you have the best review of the Cowon S9 and are probably a big reason I bought it. Peace.

[3PeNcEL]

@evildead2002 the newest firmware was released in january 2010 and he recorded his video in may 2009 so there are many improvements made and I NEED TO BUY MYSELF ONE OF THESE

[rustysweater37]

the fact that 93 til was on this...is a sign i need to buy this...thats my favorite song of allll timmme

[bwonedotcom]

Straight classic

[Tylerkb300]

is this old cause i dont want to buy it than they make a new one

[Mentor501]

The S9 is now nearly 1 year old, so younger than the Ipod touch.

I don't believe that there will be a newer one up to 2011.

Now Cowon realease the iAudio9 wich is a normal MP3 Player with a little display and a nearly the same sound, but S9 is and will be the best player on the market for (I think) perhaps 1 year or more.

[ampdreviews]

i never seen this in canada..

[Muphlon]

and you most likely never will. the koreans and chinese can't supply th north american demand. but they are much better than the ipod in terms of quality of sound and video and management.

[ampdreviews]

how much?

[HFIntegrale]

16gb = $199

32gb = $259

[StrawbearVi]

the BIG black thumps up, yes yes yes thanks very much for your great review

[clanghead]

how come you were playing a song then flipped it played jamie but when you went back to vertical it reverted to the pre jamie fox track??

[ActionWaction]

Does it have a speaker?

And only bad thing is no wi-fi :P (depends on if you use it or not)

[MrFunkeym0nkey]

no it does not

[HFIntegrale]

Cons: No WiFi No External speaker

Pros: everything else.

[smaakjeks]

@HFIntegrale

It has outlet to TV, though. If you have a good stereo hooked up to your TV, problem solved.

[HFIntegrale]

I finally got an S9 for the holiday! It's Awesome!

@smaakjeks

When I sit waiting in line, or meeting with my cousins and I want to show them a movie or play a song, I don't have a TV to hook up the player too, I wish it had an external speaker.

[IILDUDWEN]

i've got my mobile phone for wifi like the most. why do we need´more than one unit with wifi (pls dont tell me your phone doesnt have wifi) ?

[10blood]

@HFIntegrale Uuumm it has an external speaker. Duuuhhhh

[HFIntegrale]

@ActionWaction - No speaker (it REALLY sucks that it doesn't)

maybe in the next firmware upgrade, LOL ;-)))

Wifi would have been nice, but I use my phone for that (T-Mobile G1) if I need to, so no biggie.

[Khalifornia]

Isn't it harder to work with the touchscree than with buttons?

[MoonOvIce]

What I care about the most is sound quality, and I keep hearing the sound quality of these is one of the best and comparable with the Sony Walkman X series if not better...

Price is not bad either.

[wlsdn0128]

Cowon's all devices contains music system call "BBE+" U know it's famous... American products are sux at music quality... no music setting system , eq ... MP3 should be focused and based on listening music...

[MoonOvIce]

Yeah, definitely.

When have American products been VERY good at something? very rarely in my opinion, they are just one step ahead of Chinese products really.

I think so too, it should be focused on the music...but you know how it is, most people are trendy and sheeple.

They get sold whatever the big companies advertise, even though most of it is useless.

[wlsdn0128]

True , Im not saying the other features arent important too... They also have to have a good functions but first of all is Music feature... Ummm... and Dont sat chinese products please... Samsung , LG , Cowon , Hyundai , etcs are from Korea but made in china... Real chinese peoducts are sux even in Asia , Kor, Jap called them as a copy-cat country... since they're way late than other two asian country....

[wlsdn0128]

They cant even compare to other two countries... For asia , the hardwares are very good and improved but in america, the softwares are good...

[Drakainian]

to me it seems that when you keep the firmware updated yiu need years to work through all the functions XDD

[Rickles]

Cowon is simply nerd heaven...

[fightTHEpower08]

My six year old ipod 20GB can shuffle all my songs and i can skip songs when its in my pocket.

Can the S9 do that? i cant find an mp3 player that can do that which has claimed impressive sound quality. i hate all the new ipods, surely somethings changed since 2003.

[LoCoBoi187]

yeah, use bluetooth headphones

[fightTHEpower08]

no wires, how does that help me? i still have to pull the damn thing out of my pocket. does the s9 allow you to skip, use buttons without pulling it out of your pocket. thats wat i wanna know.

[LoCoBoi187]

uhh no? most bluetooth headphones have play, pause, next song, and previous song buttons on the side.

[fightTHEpower08]

so it has these keys exactly where. on the side of the ear piece? i havent come across these before. are they fairly new tech? wats the sound quality like. ive got a set of Sennheiser CX300's their fairly sufficient for $80 in ear canals, that surpass most earphones of greater or similar price.

[LoCoBoi187]

these keys are on the side of the earpiece, they are not new tech, sound quality is good (check out JBL Ref 610 about 50bux).

[fightTHEpower08]

cool cool. ill check it out. im kinda leaning towards a Creative Zen X-Fi now over a D2+ or S9. Cowon seems to over complicate its UI. i just want something quality and simple for 16GB/32GB. can the S9 Shuffle? theres nowhere, where it says these players shuffle. apparently the D2 (dont know about the plus) is an awesome player but it cant fucking shuffle properly.

[LoCoBoi187]

ofcourse it can shuffle ;] ; and i love complicated things; more advanced in my opinion; and probably others can't use it besides me if someone takes my cowon s9

[fightTHEpower08]

oh thats sweet. when i mean complicated, i mean overdone and a totally bitch to flick between screens. like menu and additional onscreen button overkill. is the s9 just complicated or a pain to use?

[degal13]

Yeah the cowon s9 has a bunch of tactile buttons on top and bottom. The top has volume + and - and forward and back.

[fightTHEpower08]

do you reckon you could run with it? weighty or not? my old ipod nearlybustedmy balls, so i went for a small Sony Mp3 Walkman 2GB. im trying to simplify, sick of compat problems and excess soft/hardware to make things work but never really work that well.

How would you rate a Creative Zen X-Fi? the USB Cables are standardised 2.0's which i can use on my car stereo. Cowon's are these special alternative ones.

I want an all round player, (ipods are good all round) but with better sound quality

[degal13]

Well if you want compact then the X-Fi is not for you but you do want sound quality, so go with the cowon s9 or any cowon, they all have amazing sound quality, the best. Cowon also packs a lot for not that much money with all the features. Another player people are always comparing with the S9 is the Samsung P3, no one can really help you choose between the 2 theyre both really cool, just preference.

[fightTHEpower08]

i thought the X-Fi was compact? its like a playing card almost. my ipods like a brick in comparison, you could throw it at someone and knock them out cold. its a good murder weapon when you think about it. could you run with an X-Fi? yeah Cowon's do look great but i do two things with my music.

1) keep it in my pocket & flick, scroll, shuffle through songs

2) hook it up to my car stereo headdeck

How friendly are Cowon's with that? Thanks for the advice so far (last post, i swear)

[Nids0722]

just on the top

[slayer1234567891]

Well any mp3 can do that as long as your familiar with it. I'm not to sure about the s9 and sq but if you want impressive sq try creative they have the zen x-fi I can personally say that the crystalizer makes a large difference. I have a sound blaster sound card from creative and the crystalizer makes everything clearer and nicer to hear. There is a noticeable difference with the crystalizer on and of.

[HFIntegrale]

Yes it can do that.

Watch PART #1 of this review!!

[fightTHEpower08]

too late bought a nano 5th Gen. u cant argue with standardisation and ease of interface. sorry cowon just not an all rounder.

[nickpuerta]

Does it have an internet browser?

[bwonedotcom]

No it doesn't

[ph1lo]

great review, thanks!

just one thing, how does the sound quality compare with the likes on sonys products? im looking for an mp3/mp4 player with the best sound quality.

thanks again!

[mrdude1337]

Can anybody let me know a few things about this player?

1. Does it support ReplayGain?

2. Embedded Album Art?

3. User definable grouping schemes?

(For instance if I use a %style% metadata field over %genre%)

[frankiepdx]

I owned 3 different Cowon players. Great sound quality.

[Macktube]

What were they and which was your favorite?

[frankiepdx]

I have (and still have) the X5L, the A2, and the D2.

I say the X5L did me well. At the time it had great battery life compared to others. Some have said it wasn't their greatest sounding player. Very solid. I use MP3 players about 6-8 hours a day. I work construction and I need ear protection from the loud machines. So with some noise canceling headphones I'm set.

[PaintballGhost68]

one more question, when the next song plays is there a pause between playing? E.G. If theres a two part song where there are two files would you hear a short pause between the two. I would assume no, for the price of the player

[PaintballGhost68]

AND if you zoom in on a menu does it stay zoomed like that next time you enter it?

[dosundeko]

it's not gapless. so there is a brief but noticeable pause between songs.

[greekmonstervt91]

this works for mac right?

[dosundeko]

yes

[PaintballGhost68]

is the screen plastic or glass?

[angela7157]

the screen is scratch resistant tempered glass

[peacerob12345]

does the cowon s9 have internet

[VoiTuboUser]

No, it doesn't have

[jjrosaria2]

question.. when you view the photo and changed it to landscape the zoom icon didnt disappear.. anyway to make it disappear when displaying photos??

[ASAFYY]

its to big the d2 is better

[j3ff1986]

It might just look big to you because of the up close camera angle of this video. It's actually 4 inches long, 2 inches wide, 3/8 inches thick at it's thickest point (middle), and less than a quarter of an inch at it's thinnest (ends of the device). In other words it's relatively tiny.

[KoreaIGeonKim]

Cowon is a made in Korea ..

Sometimes crazy people, they're telling me the Japanese cowon ...

P3 is also made in Korea and Samsung.

Samsung, LG, Daewoo, is also made in Korea.

not made in Japan! is made in Korea.!!! Remember!

[PowCrashBang]

Very nice review.

I wonder where they are going with this whole widgets thing...

[redman6657]

awesome review! 5 Stars!

[nikestyle1828]

good review