Sound quality on Toshiba Gigabeat F

[LAfant]

Can it be that the Toshiba Gigabeat F has a inferiour sound quality compared to the Iriver h120.

Last week I did a comparison of these two with the same audio files, because I myself (owner of a h120) have ordered a Gigabeat and I was shocked. The Gigabeat sounded much worse, both at flat settings and the same headphones. With the eq we were able to improve the sound of the Gigabeat a little, but nowhere close to the Iriver.

What do you think about this?

[markun]

To me my Gigabeat F40 doesn't sound worse than my iriver h120. In fact, I have a lot more background noise when I listen to my iriver with my in-ears.

Maybe you could use Audio Rightmark to check if you can see any major differences in sound.

I probably don't have the best ears to really tell which one is 'better' so I'm curious what others who own both players will say.

[LAfant]

Soon I'll own both then I'm going to tell you more. My friend also has the Gigabeat, that's why I was able to compare. But in my opion (also of the 3 friend who also did the test) it was a huge difference. Maybe it's because my friend has a refurbished one and there was something fixed at the headphone jack.

[AlexP]

I own both, and can't really tell any difference between the two with what I normally listen to.  What sort of music are you listening to?  I'll try them tonight when I get home with some classical and see if that shows anything up.

[LAfant]

When we did that comparision we did it on some hip hop tracks, as that was an album we both had on our players. But I listened to several other tracks on his player and wasn't really impressed... Well maybe he chose some setting which I wasn't aware of, since he is new to rockbox. Well in the next 1-2 weeks I'll know more, but I'm glad to hear that you don't experience these differences.

Another questions, after reading that you own both players, which one do you like more/use more freqeuent?

Thanks for your quick replies...

[bascule]

...with the same audio files...

...an album we both had on our players...

These two statements don't necessarily mean the same thing

Were they exactly the same file, or was his possibly ripped badly or to a different format?

There are a lot of variables here...

[GodEater]

I own both, don't find the sound is noticeably different on either - but use the Gigabeat on a day to day basis.

The iRiver lives in my car, where with it's after market 2200maH battery it's ideal for long road trips

[LAfant]

@bascule: First statement is correct, same rip, same file. I already thought about that when writing it but I thought this was clear...

[chile_jim]

"The Gigabeat running Rockbox may have inferior sound than the original Toshiba sound"


Folks, I originally said the my Gigabeat F40 sounded worse under Rockbox - I take that all back!

I discovered my sound-canceling Sony headphones were the culprit - the battery on them ran down and they mute the sound when this happens! This was driving me nuts trying to figure out what the problem was.

I suspect that the Gigabeat F40 hardware is just as good as all other players - the technology for making good sound is well developed, as witness the *excellent* sound that the cheapest computers often have. If there is a difference, I still believe there may be a subtle differences in the equalization.

I still ask, are there any suggestions from more experienced F40 owners out there on how to optimize the sound settings??

THANKS from an even happier and impressed Rockbox user...

[GodEater]

* GodEater  prepares the tar and feathers

Where did you say you lived again ?

[Llorean]

Seriously, do an RMAA test using default settings on the hardware. That should tell us if it's "hardware is improperly configured" or if it's a case of "I like my sound altered in a specific way, and you're playing it back without various patented bass boosting features."

[XavierGr]

I have both of them and use them quite regularly, especially the H140. Also I use daily my H115 in my car, quite comfortable I must say.

It is true that the Hxxx series (H100,H300) has a greater noise level (hiss) than the Gigabeat, other than that I can't say which is better, they both sound very similar.
While the "hiss" of H100 is worse (louder) than that of the Gigabeat F, I can't say that it is inferior. There are more parameters in audio quality.

I have a Toshiba Gigabeat F40 and it seems to me that (*gulp*) the sound of my ripped CDs under rockbox using the "standard" equalizations isn't quite as good as under the original Toshiba system (but I will never go back!)

Sorry but I can't believe that (at least on flat levels). Many tests have been made and most of the times this is just a placebo effect or different audio settings on the firmware.

[chile_jim]

I now agree and edited my previous post - I discovered the problem was the batteries on my noise cancelling headphones had run down and the phones subtly mute the vocals when not active...

DOH!! It happens every time! I post something and immediate find out what the problem was

[AlexP]

Another questions, after reading that you own both players, which one do you like more/use more freqeuent?

I use the gigabeat most often, purely as it is smaller.  If I had to chose one to keep however, it would the the H140 - it has so much more hardware (radio, line in and out, optical in and out, recording, lcd remote...).  I also have a 2200 mAh battery in my H140 as GodEater which means it lasts for upwards of 28 hrs on a charge.

So I 'like' my H140 more but use the gigabeat more frequently!

[LAfant]

Well thanks for the many replies. As I said before I don't know if he changed anything in the settings, and I´ll find out when my Gigabeat is delivered. I just got a bit scared when I heard the Gigabeat first.

Strange is that someone said the h120 is louder than the Gigabeat. The Gigabeat of my friend was definitely way louder than my Iriver. Whatever time will tell.

One thing is for sure: I will definitly not give away my beloved h120