Creative Zen X-Fi 32GB

The Creative Zen X-Fi 32GB is a great improvement on its smaller-scale predecessors, offering the same multimedia functionality and wireless internet capability but with an expanded storage capacity that achieves a strong balance between Hard Drive MP3 players that boast larger storage capacities yet lack wireless functionality and Flash Drive MP3 players that offer wireless functionality but little room for video and MP3 data.
While the iPod Touch and Cowon D2 still have some advantages over the Creative Zen X-Fi 32GB, it does have several features that make a compelling argument for the Flash Drive MP3 player.

Standout Features

• FM Tuner
• Battery Performance
• Audio Restoration
• Voice Recorder
• Built-In Speaker

Features

The Creative Zen X-Fi 32GB features a powerful built-in FM radio tuner that greatly expands its usability and everyday functionality. Coupled with its impressive battery performance that offers up to 30 hours of continuous audio playback and nearly 5 hours for video playback on one full charge and built-in audio compression restoration software, the Creative Zen X-Fi 32GB delivers a level of quality few other MP3 players offer, for a much longer time. Though, the Creative Zen X-Fi 32GB lacks a touch-screen interface, which greatly reduces its internet functionality, it can stream content directly from your PC.

The built-in speaker functions as both an impressively powerful media speaker for audio and video content, as well as a high-fidelity voice recorder perfect for recording memos. The included noise-cancelling headphones are an added bonus, one that most MP3 players do not include.

W252 Wearable Walkman® MP3 player

Wire free and water-resistant* headphone-style Walkman® ideal for sports use

2GB, Quick Charge, 11hr playback, ZAPPIN™, 13.5mm EX Series headphones

• No more tangled wires for total freedom
• Secure fit and more comfort during exercise
• Water-resistant for training in rain, and washable**

Sony NWZ-A826

• Built-in Bluetooth (AVRCP1.3 A2DP) - easily stream your music to compatible products (car audio, mini hi-fi, wireless headphones, etc)

High quality 30 frame p/sec video playback for outstanding clarity from even fast-moving images

• 2.4" QVGA (320x240) high brightness screen for superior colour reproduction. Plays video horizontally or vertically.
• Stylish new design featuring a lightweight, durable aluminium body
• Superb sound quality from 4 built-in audio technologies: Clear Stereo, Clear Bass, DSEE digital sound enhancement + EX headphones that reproduce pure and live sound true to the original source.
• 4GB with capacity of up to 1,000 songs or 15 hours of video files
• Plays most popular music formats: mp3, AAC (non DRM), L-PCM and WMA (DRM)
• Compatible with popular video formats MPEG4 & AVC (H.264/AVC)
• Listen for longer - incredible battery life of 36 hours music or 10 hours video
• Express yourself - choose from 4 different colours

Sony X-Series Walkman

When I first saw the Sony Walkman X-Series, I almost couldn't believe it was a Walkman. Sure, other Walkman models we've tested have scored highly for audio quality, but none have really stood out for me as a candidate for the ultimate portable media player--until the X-Series. Sony's latest Walkman impresses with its OLED touch display, its integration with the Slacker radio-station app, and its built-in noise-cancellation technology, as well as its excellent audio quality.

Archos 504

The 504 is positioned as a bigger, thicker model with large amounts of storage in comparison to the 604. It is available in either 40 GB, 80 GB or 160 GB capacities, has a removable battery. It retains all of the 604's features. Unlike the 604, removing the battery exposes the 504's 2.5" harddrive. Users have reported successfully upgrading the harddrive themselves. However, this ability has been cutoff in firmware version 1.5 and later, but the users have been able to install the older firmware. The 504 uses the Texas Instruments DaVinci DM644x processor.^[4]

Cowon O2

Cowon is known for its high-quality portable video players; and the company's newest model, the O2, doesn't disappoint. With its gorgeous touch screen and crystal-clear sound, the flash-based Cowon O2 ($220 for 8GB; $250 for 16GB; $300 for 32GB) is sure to please customers looking for a fairly inexpensive PVP. But several gripes we've had with previous models--such as lack of ID3 tagging and no support for DRM-protected files--apply to the O2 as well.

Microsoft Zune HD (32GB Platinum) Media Player

The Microsoft Zune HD is the Zune that I wish Microsoft had released last year. I found a lot to like about the Zune HD and the Zune 4.0 software. The device marks a huge improvement from last year's model in speed, usability, video quality, and design, while the Zune 4.0 software delivers some fun music-discovery features and splashy visuals. But while the Zune HD is priced competitively (16GB for $220 or 32GB for $290, as of 9/15/09), you'll have to shell out a lot more money above and beyond the price of entry to take advantage of all of its features.