Internet Radio devices

mafaneh · Post by **mafaneh** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 5:30 pm

I own the 605 30gb, and use it 90% of the time for Internet Radio using the Web Radio plugin. However, I am still disappointed with the poor sound quality of the 605. So, my question is:

Does anyone know of a good (or even any) portable media player that has the Internet Radio feature (similar to the 605's) and with good sound quality? I am very satisfied with the list of stations from vTuner on the 605, so even if the device had the same list I'd be ok with that.

I am also in the market for a new 3G phone, so if I can get a phone which can play a decent number of Internet Radio stations, and be able to play those anywhere, anytime (using the 3G network) I'm willing to pay as much as I can for it and would stop looking for a media device for that purpose. I am in the US, and will definitely stay with my current wireless provider (AT&T), but willing to pay more and get an unlocked version of a 3G phone that's not available through my carrier.

Some of my turn-downs from the 605 are:
- Poor sound-quality (I usually listen to stations of 160kbps and higher)
- device is too bulky for my use, and not easy to carry around.
- biggest turn-down is I that am limited to an area with a Wi-Fi network (that I have access to), so a 3G phone (or any other 3G-connected devices) which can play Internet Radio would probably be my best solution.

catnippants · Post by **catnippants** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 5:36 pm

I don't really have an answer to your question - because I think the lack of available devices with these capabilities is the main reason many of us bought our 605s in the first place. I would like to ask you a question though. What are you listening 'through'? Headphones? Which ones?

While I agree that the 605 audio isn't audiophile quality, I'm VERY satisfied with it through a fairly decent set of headphones. When not using headphones, I listen through a set of M-Audio studio reference monitors in my home studio. I'm just having a hard time accepting that my ears are THAT bad such that the 605 sounds pretty good to me. It may not be pristine, but I still think it's far from being classified as 'poor'.

So what exactly is the problem with it for you?

Thanks,
Mike

mafaneh · Post by **mafaneh** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 5:44 pm

I take my comment back. I wouldn't classify it as poor quality, but the lack of some options like 3D surround, stereo-widening (available on Nokia phones), and the existing buggy Bass Boost feature on the 605 is making me look for an alternative. I am using it with very good-quality headphones (Westone UM2s), and the sound is not bad as I described it (sorry about the confusion), but maybe my biggest problem is the lack of a HSDPA dock, and being limited to areas with WiFi networks.

So, the summary of my questions/comments is:

I am looking for a 3G-enabled device (preferably a phone) which has the capability of playing Internet Radio and which has better sound quality than the 605 (or the same quality in a worst case).

catnippants · Post by **catnippants** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 5:48 pm

Gotcha...thanks for the reply - and sorry to waste another post with no answer to your question.

Mike

kris994 · Post by **kris994** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 6:37 pm

My PSP has internet radio with the latest firmware.. but ive tried using it and have no idea what to do...

mafaneh · Post by **mafaneh** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 6:47 pm

catnippants wrote:Gotcha...thanks for the reply - and sorry to waste another post with no answer to your question.

Mike

Thanks catnippants. I'm really hoping someone will have an answer to my question!

I am considering buying one of these phones (and hoping that maybe one of them will have what I'm looking for):

- HTC Touch Diamond & Touch Pro
- Sony Ericsson Xperia X1
- iPhone 3G
- Garmin nuvifone
- Nokia Tube

Anyone has any thoughts on whether any of these will support Internet Radio (when they actually get released)? I can see the iPhone 3G being the best candidate for Internet Radio support (only because of the huge consumer interest and popularity of this device).

tazmanix · Post by **tazmanix** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 3:10 am

if your phone has windows mobile software (wmp) on it then all the links at
http://www.archoslinks.co.uk/Archoslink ... Center.htm
will work on your phone i have no problem using them with my old xda mini s.

kb · Post by kb » Tue Jun 17, 2008 7:44 am

mafaneh wrote:I take my comment back. I wouldn't classify it as poor quality, but the lack of some options like 3D surround, stereo-widening (available on Nokia phones), and the existing buggy Bass Boost feature on the 605 is making me look for an alternative.

I would argue that the lack of those `features' _improves_ the sound quality

I've never come across a portable device that can do stereo widening in anything other than a lame, gimicky way. It doesn't usually work with headphones anyway, even if done properly.

Buit each to his own, I guess

But if you listen to radio through a phone, won't that be very expensive?

mafaneh · Post by **mafaneh** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 2:44 pm

kb wrote:
mafaneh wrote:I take my comment back. I wouldn't classify it as poor quality, but the lack of some options like 3D surround, stereo-widening (available on Nokia phones), and the existing buggy Bass Boost feature on the 605 is making me look for an alternative.
I would argue that the lack of those `features' _improves_ the sound quality I've never come across a portable device that can do stereo widening in anything other than a lame, gimicky way. It doesn't usually work with headphones anyway, even if done properly.

Buit each to his own, I guess

But if you listen to radio through a phone, won't that be very expensive?

If you try the Stereo-widening function on the Nokia N95, you will see that it does make a big difference especially with headphones. It takes the sound experience to a different level, giving it the effect of a big sound stage. At least Archos should fix the "Bass Boost" option!! If you own the Battery Dock, just try the feature through the BD audio output and notice the difference.

Didn't understand what you meant by "But if you listen to radio through a phone, won't that be very expensive?"..

BlythS · Post by **BlythS** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 6:28 pm

[quote="mafaneh
Didn't understand what you meant by "But if you listen to radio through a phone, won't that be very expensive?"..

[/quote]

You said you want to listen to internet radio over 3G, so he's probably referring to data charges from the carrier. Without a cheap unlimited data plan, being constantly connected and streaming at 160kbs would rack up huge data charges...

mafaneh · Post by **mafaneh** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 6:32 pm

BlythS wrote:
mafaneh wrote: Didn't understand what you meant by "But if you listen to radio through a phone, won't that be very expensive?"..
You said you want to listen to internet radio over 3G, so he's probably referring to data charges from the carrier. Without a cheap unlimited data plan, being constantly connected and streaming at 160kbs would rack up huge data charges...

I guess if he's in Europe then maybe carriers charge a lot over there. Here in the US, AT&T for example will be charging $30 /month for unlimited data usage on the new iPhone 3G. Personally, I don't mind paying $30/month for data charges that give me access to unlimited Internet Radio listening in addition to Internet/E-mail access on my phone.

keirmeister · Post by **keirmeister** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 6:49 pm

mafaneh wrote:
catnippants wrote:Gotcha...thanks for the reply - and sorry to waste another post with no answer to your question.

Mike
Thanks catnippants. I'm really hoping someone will have an answer to my question!

I am considering buying one of these phones (and hoping that maybe one of them will have what I'm looking for):

- HTC Touch Diamond & Touch Pro
- Sony Ericsson Xperia X1
- iPhone 3G
- Garmin nuvifone
- Nokia Tube

Anyone has any thoughts on whether any of these will support Internet Radio (when they actually get released)? I can see the iPhone 3G being the best candidate for Internet Radio support (only because of the huge consumer interest and popularity of this device).

The iPhone 3G will most likely NOT support internet radio natively, not without the use of streaming portals (Accuradio, Flytunes). I'm going to get the HTC Touch Diamond when the USA version comes out in a few months. The Windows Mobile devices can handle regular streaming radio stations VERY well. There's a station in AZ I listen to constantly on my HTC TyTN using SPB Pocket Radio, which is an awesome app for WM.

- Keirmeister

mafaneh · Post by **mafaneh** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 7:13 pm

keirmeister wrote:
mafaneh wrote:
catnippants wrote:Gotcha...thanks for the reply - and sorry to waste another post with no answer to your question.

Mike
Thanks catnippants. I'm really hoping someone will have an answer to my question!

I am considering buying one of these phones (and hoping that maybe one of them will have what I'm looking for):

- HTC Touch Diamond & Touch Pro
- Sony Ericsson Xperia X1
- iPhone 3G
- Garmin nuvifone
- Nokia Tube

Anyone has any thoughts on whether any of these will support Internet Radio (when they actually get released)? I can see the iPhone 3G being the best candidate for Internet Radio support (only because of the huge consumer interest and popularity of this device).
The iPhone 3G will most likely NOT support internet radio natively, not without the use of streaming portals (Accuradio, Flytunes). I'm going to get the HTC Touch Diamond when the USA version comes out in a few months. The Windows Mobile devices can handle regular streaming radio stations VERY well. There's a station in AZ I listen to constantly on my HTC TyTN using SPB Pocket Radio, which is an awesome app for WM.

- Keirmeister

Yeah, that's the top candidate for my next phone too.. I am sure you're right, the iPhone 3G will definitely not support it natively, but I was thinking, since it's so popular some company will come out with an App that will support Internet Radio on the iPhone.

ccs_digital · Post by **ccs_digital** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:31 pm

Given that the original issue was the alleged 'poor sound quality' of the 605, I don't quite see how a phone will improve that much.

All the phones that I have heard are pretty c**p for audio quality.

mafaneh · Post by **mafaneh** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:38 pm

ccs_digital wrote:Given that the original issue was the alleged 'poor sound quality' of the 605, I don't quite see how a phone will improve that much.

All the phones that I have heard are pretty c**p for audio quality.

I've listened to audio on a number of phones and IMO they had better sound quality than the 605. Examples are Sony Ericsson Walkman phones, Nokia N95...etc
If you're talking about low-end phones then of course they will have "c**p for audio quality". I haven't tested sound quality on the iPhone, but I am sure it is better than the 605 (also taking into account the large number of EQ presets vs. the limited EQ presets on the 605)..

All these issues put aside, the most important feature for me(as mentioned in my later post) is connectivity/mobility/portability which the 605 lacks to some extent..

kb · Post by kb » Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:32 pm

mafaneh wrote:
BlythS wrote:
mafaneh wrote: Didn't understand what you meant by "But if you listen to radio through a phone, won't that be very expensive?"..
You said you want to listen to internet radio over 3G, so he's probably referring to data charges from the carrier. Without a cheap unlimited data plan, being constantly connected and streaming at 160kbs would rack up huge data charges...
I guess if he's in Europe then maybe carriers charge a lot over there. Here in the US, AT&T for example will be charging $30 /month for unlimited data usage on the new iPhone 3G. Personally, I don't mind paying $30/month for data charges that give me access to unlimited Internet Radio listening in addition to Internet/E-mail access on my phone.

Yes, that is what I meant. My service provider charges ┬ú1 per megabyte. That's about ┬ú1 per minute of music. For an unlimited data service I would have to pay ┬ú45 per month on top of my usual voice, etc., charges.

I don't if all UK services are that expensive, but I imagine they are similar. I'm not going to be listening to streaming audio on my phone any time soon. :/

PieOPah · Post by **PieOPah** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 12:42 pm

Doesn't the N95 have Internet Radio capabilities?

I tend not to use mine online (except for WiFi) due to the data costs on my plan (02 in UK).

IMHO, the N95 is a fantastic phone. It has a standard Jack so you can use your regular headphones.

ElCid79 · Post by **ElCid79** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:29 am

check out the sirius stiletto....

mafaneh · Post by **mafaneh** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 10:42 pm

tazmanix wrote:if your phone has windows mobile software (wmp) on it then all the links at
http://www.archoslinks.co.uk/Archoslink ... Center.htm
will work on your phone i have no problem using them with my old xda mini s.

Could you try playing any of the links on vtuner.com using your Win Mo device? I would like to know if it can handle streaming from these links (especially MP3).

Thanks!

tazmanix · Post by **tazmanix** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 1:41 am

i have left my phone at work so i will tell early monday morn. seeing it does play mp3 files then i will say yes it does.