Axim Audio Quality?

Shizelbs · 07-15-04, 02:51 PM

Are there any audio enthusiasts out there using their Axim as an MP3 or WMA player? I plan on using mine for that purpose and want to get an idea of what the quality is like so I don't buy an exceedingly good set of headphones. Would you compare it similar to quality off your home PC? If so, what sound card are you using? And so on, you get the idea of what I am asking here. I am going to render a guess that the quality is going to primarily depend on the source (ie MP3) and I find them to be pretty lousy, as a refernce point. In essence, what I am really looking for is, is the Axim using WMP9 going to make a terrible source, or comparable to my home PC with an Audigy 2 sound card?

Also, if you don't mind, please post what headphones you are using. Thanks! :)

TheChosn · 07-15-04, 03:31 PM

Absolutly terrible for me, at least compared to my Audigy 2 ZS
I have a hissing model which I can't RMA because I ordered it over a friend in the states.
Someone here said audio quality might be better with a 600 ohm headphone, I'll try that in a few days.
I guess I am audiophil...

Greetings Thechosn

reese · 07-15-04, 03:39 PM

I will put it like this... I would give the axim a 9/10 for audio. It is good for a ppc, but it's not blazing awesomely amazingly good. For all intensive purposes, it is great.

Shizelbs · 07-15-04, 04:00 PM

What headphones are y'all using?

HighTymes · 07-15-04, 04:08 PM

I get no hiss in mine like i did with my X3i so it is wonderful. Great quality for me.

07-15-04, 05:51 PM

The quality depends on the bit rate you record at. I have an X5 running PPC 2002 A05 OS and the quality of WMA files recorded at 90 kbps is quite excellent using cheap (but good) Panasonic RP-HT51 'phones which cost less than £10 here in the UK and probably about $15 in the US where everything is cheaper.

Most of the people who suffer from hiss seem to have X3s running WM 2003 OS.

It is hard to compare it with my PC which has a SoundBlaster Audigy sound card and a five speaker Creative system.

Shizelbs · 07-15-04, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by davrol
The quality depends on the bit rate you record at. I

I realize that. Just trying to gauge the quality of the source. Sounds like hiss is the only issue. As far as I am concerned, if it hisses, it gets a 0 out of 10.

TheChosn · 07-16-04, 07:39 AM

To make that clear, not every unit hisses.
About 40 % of the earlier axim highs semm to do that ...
What I would want to know, are these unints really hiss free or are their owners deaf?

To all hiss free axim owners:

Can you hear for example bats calling/cheeping
or these devices that keep martens away from your car?

SALvation · 07-16-04, 09:59 AM

My unit has great audio. I'm not an audiophile but the music sounds just as good as my home PC which has an SB live card in it.

Shizelbs · 07-16-04, 12:29 PM

Thanks for all the replies. It sounds like it is nothing special, but tolerable. I guess I could buy a cheap adapter and try it out on my home gear.

Silvers007 · 07-26-04, 01:58 PM

Don't have my X30 yet (this week!) so haven't had the opportunity to listen to music through its 3.5mm jack. Having used several other PDAs in the past, the sound quality should be quite good as compared to portable MP3 players (which I have also). I have found that the biggest differential in the issue of sound quality is the ear phones you use....most that come with portable devices are cheap (even expensive devices). I have found the quality of the Sony MDR-E828LP ear-buds to be quite good. They even get better and louder with time. These buds have deep, rich tones...much, much better than most. The best part is that they only cost $10.99 at Best Buy. Have tried other sets from $5.00 up to about $50 (my highest tolerance) and have found none to match sound quality, wholeness and richness.

Shizelbs · 07-26-04, 02:07 PM

Thanks for the info Silvers007. You may want to check out a pair of Shure e2c's. To my understanding, they are the cheapest of the decent earbuds. Shure also makes a pair of $500 buds. I agree with you that most of the cheap and stock buds are junk, but I am glad you have found a pair you like. Once I get my Axim I will put its audio through the paces with a pair of Sennheiser 590s and report back. If they sound good I will either get a pair of Shure e2c, e3, or a cheap etymotic (in-ear-canal) headphones.

07-26-04, 10:20 PM

I borrowed x3i couple months ago
sounds good
recently I have soon ex-1945
with 160k ogg, sound is hardly discernable from (CD) discman
using koss KTX PRO1 headphone, the best for the price
hope the forthcoming x30 312 has similar quality with ogg

AMike · 07-27-04, 12:12 AM

The sound quality is OK at best. It's fine for casual listening, but don't expect it to blow you away. There is a hiss, but once music is going, if you don't listen too carefully, it's not a bother. Also, when the thing is in the cradle, its sound tanks, probably due to USB and AC stuff going on.

Here are some measurements (made with a Terratec EWX 2496, pretty decent mastering sound card - flat response and about real 105dB S/N.) Just to compare, I've included measurements for a iRiver iHP-120, which is a OK mp3 player in my book. I made all measurements RMAA 5.3

Freq response (40Hz,->15kHz), dB
Axim in cradle +0.12,-0,.86
Axim out of cradle +0.12,-0.87
(significant roll-off below 40Hz for Axim)
iRiver +0.04,-0.03

Noise Level, dB(A)
Axim in Cradle -39.7
Axim no cradle -75.6
iRiver -92.8

Dynamic Range, dB(A)
Axim in Cradle 69.4
Axim no cradle 74.9
iRiver 92.7

THD, %
Axim in Cradle 0.0069
Axim no cradle 0.0060
iRiver 0.0040

Stereo Crosstalk, dB
Axim in Cradle -64.5
Axim no cradle -75.4
iRiver -89.1

Totally acceptable without the cradle. I use etymotic 4p headphones....

guinness · 07-27-04, 12:20 AM

My Axim hisses, there's just no way of getting around it, bitrate, filetype, etc. IMO, Dell uses very poor audio components in the Axim, but considering the price point, you can't have everything.