Cowon iAudio 7 (4GB) Comments

Had the 16gb model for a while now. I've owned many makes and models of mp3 player, Phillips, Sony, Ipod, Samsung, Creative, Sandisk. I have no interest in video playback. I require good sound quality and battery life. My mp3 player needs to be tough and small. There is no mp3 player I know of that can hold a candle to this little beauty. Every aspect of this device is perfect, once you get used to the gui. The sound quality is the best I have ever come across, once you plug in your own earphones as the bundled set are terrible. The sheer amount of sound manipulation is unmatched by any other mp3 player. I cannot stress this enough, the options may be a little confusing but they truly enhance the sound that is produced. The bbe effects and MP3 enhance are genuinely impressive for manipulating your tunes. Use these options along with equaliser and all your tunes will sound better than you would believe. I play many kinds of music, from Kate Bush to death metal so I use the options as I need. The volume goes way beyond what you will need and so powers full size cans at home with ease. The battery life is stunning. I use mine for 13 hours a day for 4 days to and at work on one charge with ease using Sennheiser cx300 earphones. I work in a factory and walk outdoors a lot so the robust build quality is a huge bonus as ALL of my other players have died or have destroyed screens.
I cannot believe anybody buys Ipods when there are devices lie this available. My only criticism is that the gui takes a while to get used to as there is so many options. It plays every file type you will ever need and some I've never heard of. Most reviews complain about the small screen but to me this is what I want. It is the perfect MP3 player, I have watched a vid and it is clear but not advised, but hey that isn't what this device is really for.

Great sound, amazing even, but do NOT buy this player.

The screen on it is made out of very weak plastic, and mine just broke for the SECOND time. I am careful, I do like my player, I will fix it again instead of getting another, but had I known this would be the case I would have passed.

The first time it broke in the FIRST WEEK after I got it, they were nice enough to fix it under warranty, but be advised the screen is NOT covered. Now I have moved to another city and although it is still under warranty, I'll have to pay for repairs.

The protective screen is MUCH weaker than on ANY phone I have ever seen or heard about. I'm very careful, my player has no scratches, and judging by the shape it should be VERY solid, had the right materials been used.

I like COWON, I am against ipods by principle, but this particular player caused a LOT of grief. Find another, or buy at your own risk. And do google it, broken screens on this one are not uncommon. Peace