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General discussion

best mp3 player for under $250?

Apr 29, 2009 9:02PM PDT

im a tech novice, but when i usually see discussions on the internet regarding mp3 players, i see people recommend products out of the mainstream (ie: not ipod or zune) and say they are better but people just haven't heard of them because they aren't marketed like apple markets its products.

i am looking to buy a new mp3 player and am willing to spend over $200 if i like it enough. what would be my best bet? i am leaning towards the ipod touch right now but that is just because i don't know about anything else with those features. does anyone have any suggestions?

Discussion is locked

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Good point
Apr 30, 2009 4:49AM PDT

In the UK, until recently I seldom saw MP3 players aside in general retailers aside from iPod and unbranded cheap stick players. However Sony and Sansa brands are starting to appear (and to a lesser extent Creative and Samsung).

I'd have a look at the Sony range -- notably for good sound and battery life.

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Define "best"
May 2, 2009 4:23AM PDT

Need more criteria before rendering an opinion.

- do you plan on buying music online?
- do you want your device to do more than just music?
- do you want to have a lot of choices of accessories?
- do you care how good your music will sound?

etc., etc.

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cowon
Jul 6, 2009 3:27PM PDT

i own a cowon a2 which might be more than 250$ but cowon has other products u could check out. I really like my player ,sound is great . Much better than on iphone. It can play many types of video.

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Samsung P3 is One of The Best Choice!
Jul 9, 2009 6:54AM PDT

I would like to say the Samsung P3 will be one of the best MP3 player in this price range. I will highly recommend them.

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If it ever shows up in the U.S.
Jul 9, 2009 7:21PM PDT

Played with a 16GB Sony X-series (X1050?) at the local Sony Style store last night. VERY impressed; it's really neat. I've wanted to see a P3 for a long time, but honestly I would've bought a 32GB X-series right then and there, but they only received the 16GB units in their initial batches. The Sony was THAT good. Damn expensive though.

Also noticed that Amazon's already sold out of the 32GB. Samsung's dropped the ball on getting the P3 to market in the States. At this leisurely rate the Zune HD's going to be out before Samsung gets it here.