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- Review count4
- Helpfulness votes66
- First reviewJanuary 18, 2011
- Last reviewOctober 6, 2013
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- Average rating3.8
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Dreven's Reviews
Listen to your favorite songs, watch videos or flip through your digital photo album while you're on the go with this Sony NWZ-E380 Series NWZE385BLK video MP3 player, which offers 16GB* of storage space and a built-in FM radio tuner.
Customer Rating
3
A downgrade from the previous generation
on October 6, 2013
Posted by: Dreven
from Fort Worth, TX
Age Range:35-44
Number of MP3 Players Owned:More than 5
Note: Incase this is missed below, right now the best Playlist editors for Sony MP3 players a free program called "WalkmanMTP". Do a google search for it. It's hosted under Google Code. While it hasn't been updated in a long time, it still works perfectly for this player.
This is my 5th Sony MP3 player. I own this player and 4 of the last generation of them (because 3 of them broke and I had to buy new ones).
*Unlike all previous generations, in this model you get black earbuds instead of silicon tipped in ear headphones. While the included ones do song good, they don't provide the same sound isolation as the in-ear style that was include with all previous generations.
The good: For this size player, this player is going to provide the best sound of anything carried at Best Buy. The Sansa Clip actually has a better amp if you don't care about not having a screen though. It's easy to use (you just drag and drop whatever music you want into it's music folder). The battery lasts a very long time and recharges pretty quickly. The radio works well and it's easy to set station presets. The screen is good enough for displaying album art. Even though I'm irritated by this new player It's still probably the best MP3 player out there in this size range other than the Cowan i9+ (which cost more and you have to order online - and the interface to it isn't as good).
Why 3 Stars (They went cheap and this player is like a step backwards):
1) In this generation, Sony has removed the HOLD switch and the volume buttons. The functionality for these has been moved to the wheel (up/down arrows for volume control) and the OPTION/OFF button (which now has the 3rd function of also being the HOLD button). I had always love being able to reach for this player in my pocked and adjust the volume or slide the hold switch. Now having to press the wheel buttons for volume changes means you'll have a high chance of accidentally changing tracks or going into FF or RW. You just know some bean counter somewhere figured out they could save 2 cents a unit by removing these buttons.
2) This MP3 player is thicker than the last generation of Sony MP3 players and is actually about equal to the thickness of two generations ago. There is no need for this player to be as thick as it is. It makes it a little less comfortable in the pocket. You don't make devices thin and then go back to fat. ?
3) All previous generations of Sony MP3 players used an unnecessary proprietary connector. This new version now uses a standard USB to USB connector. However, instead of using a USB-Micro B connector (which has been the standard for most cell phones and tablets that don't use a proprietary cable for years now), this player uses the much fatter USB-Mini B connector type. It's a bad choice I don't understand. For most people, it means more cables to keep track of.
4) The screen resolution on this new player is noticably less than in previous generations. But it does get the job done (I can still clearly see the album art). The price of these hasn't gone down but the screen size and resolution has decreased (bean counters again).
5) These things are cheaply made and break easily. I've lost three of these. Under frequent daily use, something goes wrong with these players after about a year. My original (2 generations back) just stopped functioning after a year. My 1st one from the last generations had a button on the wheel that stopped working. My 2nd one from the last generation had a battery that went bad. I'd say if you use your MP3 player daily you can expect 1 to 2 years of use before these break.
6) Sony's included software is horrible and a waste of time to install. The only thing you need is the free "WalkmanMTP" software if you want to create playlists (download from google.code). Otherwise, just drag and drop into the "MUSIC" folder of the player when connected to a PC. It really irks me that after all this time, Sony hasn't bothered to provide a Playlist creator. The have to have software engineers that could develop something very nice for playlist creation in a week or two.
7) Horrible FLAC support ( I just use Switch Sound Converter to make a 320Kbps MP3 copy if needed. It's time consuming though).
8) Like everything else out there, Sony makes a lot of money off of the storage size differences and always refuses to include a micro SD card slot in their players. If they did, for $20 you could triple the storage on this thing. 16GB just isn't enough anymore. I just don't like the corporate attitude of using available memory as a price gouging device. Although Apple really has always taken the cake on this front. But, it's impossible to find a player of this size (small but where you can still see album art and an interface to move visually between albums) that either has more than 16GB of storage, or a micro SD card slot).
What's great about it: Sound Quality
What's not so great: Lots of things, see the review
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Durability
2
Sound Quality
5
Features
4
Ease of Use
4
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+39points
39of 39voted this as helpful.
Talk, browse and listen to music on your Android device hands-free with these Klipsch Image S4A earbud headphones that feature push-button control for easily navigating your device's content. Oval ear tips ensure lasting comfort.
Posted by: Dreven
from Fort Worth, TX
How Often Used:Daily
I've tried a lot of high end earbuds and I'm a big fan of Klipsch. These sounded "thin" to me. I did a proper burn in and tried multiple EQ adjustments off a Sony MP3 player and an iPhone 5. Maybe if you only listen to classical or jazz you'd love them. If you love base response you definitely won't enjoy these.
What's great about it: size
What's not so great: thin sound
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Sound Quality
3
Comfort
5
Durability
3
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-1point
0of 1voted this as helpful.
Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball Mouse: Easily use your computer for long periods of time with this trackball mouse, which allows you to precisely navigate features with minimal wrist movement. Enjoy lasting comfort thanks to the sculpted shape, which supports the curves of your hand.
Customer Rating
5
Don't be afraid to try it
on January 20, 2011
Posted by: Dreven
from Fort Worth, TX
I was converted to thumb wheels by a friend about 8 years ago. I never liked the body style of the MS versions and have always used the Logitech ones (at home and work). Also, while I have tried several (finger) track balls over the years, I've never been able to get use to them. The thumb wheel design works extremely well.
WHAT'S IMPROVED:
- The rubber feet on the bottom are much better. They really stick the mouse to your desk surface much better. It also appears they will be more durable from their look (guessing so far). With the older design I had problems with the rubber feet peeling off after a year or two of use
- The hole under the ball is a little larger with a nice beveled soft edge to it. Occasionally you need to pop the ball out and wipe it down with alcohol as well as the little holder pegs inside the hole and the transparent laser cover. Just take a pen or pencil and press through the hole to pop the ball out.
- The fwd/back buttons are nice (don't really care). I need to see if those are customizable in the drivers.
- The rubber feet on the bottom are much better. They really stick the mouse to your desk surface much better. It also appears they will be more durable from their look (guessing so far). With the older design I had problems with the rubber feet peeling off after a year or two of use
- The hole under the ball is a little larger with a nice beveled soft edge to it. Occasionally you need to pop the ball out and wipe it down with alcohol as well as the little holder pegs inside the hole and the transparent laser cover. Just take a pen or pencil and press through the hole to pop the ball out.
- The fwd/back buttons are nice (don't really care). I need to see if those are customizable in the drivers.
IF YOU'VE NEVER TRIED A THUMBWHEEL:
- It took me a weekend to become use to thumb wheels. At first, it's probably going to feel very akward like you have no control over the mouse pointer (drunk driver). Hang in there through - the payoff is big.
- The payoff is that your wrist and hand will never become tired and the comfort of using this if far greater than using a mouse. I can also work faster with a thumbwheel in most situations (no idea how to explain it - it feels like I have more control).
- Unlink a mouse, you can sit this on a couch cushin next to you while on the couch to get away from laptop touchpads.
- It took me a weekend to become use to thumb wheels. At first, it's probably going to feel very akward like you have no control over the mouse pointer (drunk driver). Hang in there through - the payoff is big.
- The payoff is that your wrist and hand will never become tired and the comfort of using this if far greater than using a mouse. I can also work faster with a thumbwheel in most situations (no idea how to explain it - it feels like I have more control).
- Unlink a mouse, you can sit this on a couch cushin next to you while on the couch to get away from laptop touchpads.
GAMING
- First Person shooters are a total wash (at least for me). On my gaming desktop I also keep a normal mouse plugged in for FPS's.
- Third person games work AMAZINGLY well (like World of Warcraft). I *LOVE* 3rd person games with a thumb wheel. If you're a WoW addict your wrist will bow down and thank you for using a thumbwheel. In 3rd person games I actually feel as though I have more and faster control than with a mouse. You can play for hours with no wrist strain
- Any other type of game feels so much better with a thumb wheel.
- First Person shooters are a total wash (at least for me). On my gaming desktop I also keep a normal mouse plugged in for FPS's.
- Third person games work AMAZINGLY well (like World of Warcraft). I *LOVE* 3rd person games with a thumb wheel. If you're a WoW addict your wrist will bow down and thank you for using a thumbwheel. In 3rd person games I actually feel as though I have more and faster control than with a mouse. You can play for hours with no wrist strain
- Any other type of game feels so much better with a thumb wheel.
What's great about it: Better than a mouse in almost every respect
What's not so great: No tilt wheel & no sensitivity buttons
I would recommend this to a friend!
Design
5
Ease of Use
5
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+20points
20of 20voted this as helpful.
Enjoy your favorite jams with these Bose® QuietComfort 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling® QC15 HEADP headphones that feature a TriPort® acoustic structure for balanced audio. The carrying case makes it easy to take the headphones on the go.
Posted by: Dreven
from Fort Worth, TX
Type of Listener:Avid listener
Most Important to Purchase:Sound quality
How Often Used:Daily
My wife bought these for me a year ago. I use them daily for things like watching Video CBT's at work/home, music and TV. I watch all my 'personal' shows (mostly SciFi and such) in my own little man cave, always with headphones. I must have logged over 700 hours of use with these things over the last year. Except for a cord issue they are extremely durable and remain extremely comfortable to wear. I like to let people at work and such put these on and flip the switch. The noise cancellation always trips everyone out. I'd say 95% of people out there have never tried noise cancelling headphones. Normally open can headphones sound the best but they leak noise outward and leak outside noise inward. I'd say overall these exceed the sound quality of open can headphones and elminate almost all sound leakage (either way).
RECOMMENDATION:
-As with all headphones, I'd suggest the first thing you do is Armor-All the cord, and repeat every month or two. The cord will be protected from cracking/drying and will also remain much more flexible.
-After 1 months of heavy use where I used a heavy coiled extension cord for TV viewing, the cord began to pull out away from the plug exposing wire. It's $15 to order a replacment (no big deal). I'd just be careful about pulling on the cord or using something like a heavy extension. I also ordered the $15 lightweight bose matching extension and all is well now.
-As with all headphones, I'd suggest the first thing you do is Armor-All the cord, and repeat every month or two. The cord will be protected from cracking/drying and will also remain much more flexible.
-After 1 months of heavy use where I used a heavy coiled extension cord for TV viewing, the cord began to pull out away from the plug exposing wire. It's $15 to order a replacment (no big deal). I'd just be careful about pulling on the cord or using something like a heavy extension. I also ordered the $15 lightweight bose matching extension and all is well now.
BAD:
-In general the sound quality is about the same as a $100 pair of headphones (before noise cancellation). Specifically I own a pair of $100 Sennheiser open-can headphones and the sound quality on these isn't much better. I really take it as $100 for sound quality and $200 for noise cancellation (probably $100/$100 + $100 for the 'Bose' name).
-The base is over-done but I like it
-In some people the noise cancellation signal tricks the ear into sensing pressure. I never noticed this but it drives my wife crazy. She can't stand to wear them. Supposedly a couple of days of use will solve this problem, but not with her. Personally, that just means I don't have to share.
-Because these are designed to collapse, the spread out into points above your ear. They just aren't the coolest looking things to wear out in public.
-These aren't great for working out or manual labor. The ear pieces are extremely comfortable but they make your ears get really hot if and sweaty if you're working out.
If the battery goes dead - so does all the sound (keep a spare with you)
-In general the sound quality is about the same as a $100 pair of headphones (before noise cancellation). Specifically I own a pair of $100 Sennheiser open-can headphones and the sound quality on these isn't much better. I really take it as $100 for sound quality and $200 for noise cancellation (probably $100/$100 + $100 for the 'Bose' name).
-The base is over-done but I like it
-In some people the noise cancellation signal tricks the ear into sensing pressure. I never noticed this but it drives my wife crazy. She can't stand to wear them. Supposedly a couple of days of use will solve this problem, but not with her. Personally, that just means I don't have to share.
-Because these are designed to collapse, the spread out into points above your ear. They just aren't the coolest looking things to wear out in public.
-These aren't great for working out or manual labor. The ear pieces are extremely comfortable but they make your ears get really hot if and sweaty if you're working out.
If the battery goes dead - so does all the sound (keep a spare with you)
GOOD:
-The single AAA battery life is VERY long (there's also a little mesh pocket in the case that nicely holds spares)
-These things are extremely comfortable
-They are also fairly light for full size headphones
-The noise cancellation is not the best I've heard (comparing to Sony for example). It is very excellent though. Some things like people talking or knocking won't fully be cancelled at all. As an example though, you can stand next to a washing machine and not hear it. White noise (background random noise) seems to be eliminated the best.
-Although to me, the sound quality is no better than a $100 pair of headphones, the noise cancellation makes music sound extremely clear and sharp. It's rather amazing. The experience makes the price worth it.
-Also, I'm a programmer and watch a ton of video tutorials at work (shout out to Railscasts). These headphones removing all office noises and a lot of talking noise allow me to concentrate a lot better and that is a very valuable time saver.
-The single AAA battery life is VERY long (there's also a little mesh pocket in the case that nicely holds spares)
-These things are extremely comfortable
-They are also fairly light for full size headphones
-The noise cancellation is not the best I've heard (comparing to Sony for example). It is very excellent though. Some things like people talking or knocking won't fully be cancelled at all. As an example though, you can stand next to a washing machine and not hear it. White noise (background random noise) seems to be eliminated the best.
-Although to me, the sound quality is no better than a $100 pair of headphones, the noise cancellation makes music sound extremely clear and sharp. It's rather amazing. The experience makes the price worth it.
-Also, I'm a programmer and watch a ton of video tutorials at work (shout out to Railscasts). These headphones removing all office noises and a lot of talking noise allow me to concentrate a lot better and that is a very valuable time saver.
What's great about it: Comfort and Noise Cancellation
What's not so great: I'm pretty sure $100 of the price is for the 'Bose' name.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
4
Comfort
5
Durability
5
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+6points
7of 8voted this as helpful.
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