Why You Can Trust CNET Iomega Mixx MP3 Digital Music Player review: Iomega Mixx MP3 Digital Music Player
The flash-based Iomega Mixx has some nice tricks, including a good price, but it's lackluster overall.
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Geared toward sports and fitness fanatics, the flash-based Iomega Mixx MP3 player includes FM radio, voice recording, and an equalizer--features the similarly priced Apple iPod Shuffle lacks. Available in 256MB ($59), 512MB ($89), and 1GB ($129) versions, this sporty little player has flaws of its own, however, such as slow USB 1.1 transfer speeds and short battery life. It's a decent companion for a run or a trip to the gym, but it doesn't stand out from the budget-class pack.
The silver, gray, and red Iomega Mixx weighs 1.8 ounces with its single AAA battery--a full ounce heavier than the iPod Shuffle--and measures 3 by 1.5 by 0.75 inches. Neverthless, it's pocketable, though it's intended to be worn around the neck using the well-designed neck-strap earbuds that come with it.
Iomega Mixx MP3 Digital Music Player
The Good
The Bad
The Bottom Line
At the center of the unit's face is an easy-to-read, blue-backlit, three-line LCD. The display provides at-a-glance information such as volume level, equalizer mode, song title, ID3 tags, elapsed time, battery power, and play mode (Normal, Repeat One, Repeat All, or Shuffle And Repeat). To the right of the screen is a button that starts and pauses playback, as well as turns the player on and off.
Above the screen on the outside edge of the player sits a multifunction A-B/record button that lets you toggle through play modes, set up to 30 FM presets, or start recording voice or radio. To the left of the A-B control are three others: a Menu button, for accessing and selecting the player's settings, and reverse and forward buttons, for navigating through menus or changing tracks and radio stations. The mini USB 1.1 port, the volume buttons, and the mic reside below the LCD.
The Iomega Mixx's generally solid design has one oddity: a short cord winds through four holes on the outside of the body, crosses the battery compartment on the back, and extends past the top end where the headphone jack is located. The cord doesn't seem to have any function except to make the player look sportier and possibly to help keep the battery compartment more secure.
The Mixx doesn't come with any software, nor do you need any to transfer files. Simply attach the player to a computer (Windows or Mac) via the included USB cable, then drag and drop files onto the device. Disapointingly, the Mixx transfers files at only USB 1.1 speeds. In our tests, this came out to a sluggish 0.7MB per second. If you like to frequently change your workout music, that may be a deterrent. Also, the Mixx supports only MP3s, unprotected WMAs, and WAVs, which means it's not compatible with most major online music stores or subscription services such as Napster To Go and Rhapsody To Go.
As for sound, the Iomega Mixx plays impressively loud. The remarkably clear and crisp headphones have respectable bass response, even at high volumes--a nice surprise, considering the player's price and how important the headphones are to the design. We just wish Iomega included a set of foam covers for the earbuds. The player has five EQ modes to tweak sound quality, which is good.
A single AAA battery powered the Iomega Mixx for 9.4 hours in CNET Labs' drain tests. This is within Iomega's advertised 10 hours of continuous playing time, but it's still substandard. Also, the supplied battery is not rechargeable, so you'll quickly burn through batteries, even if you're using the Mixx only while you exercise.