Recommendations for portable music player?

[Darrell KSR]

Is the ipod still the go-to music player?

Looking for portable music player with these general features:

1. Great, easy to use digital display. Should be able to separate into folders, organize easily.

2. Very reliable. Would be used to plug in to auditorium sound systems for performance, auditions, etc. Doesn't have to have great sound quality, because it typically will just be the accompaniment, but probably will.

3. Ease of putting mp3 music on it, including self-created music.

4. Good battery life if rechargeable.

Ideas? Just trying to think of Christmas gift ideas for kids.

[Darrell KSR]

Oh, 5. Inexpensive. But you knew that already.

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[dan_bgblue]

Got this as a gift. I did try it out and it worked just fine and was easy to use. Transfer files from PC were easy. I do not use it much, but given that it works fine, sounds good, is easy to use, I am not sure you could go wrong with this one. It does not have Wifi capability but I guess that would make it cost more.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sandisk-clip-sport-8gb-mp3-player-blue/3761037.p?id=1219093520140&skuId=3761037

[Darrell KSR]

I like it a lot. Don't care about WiFi, and it sounds perfect.

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[blueboss]

While we're on the subject, how about a high quality speaker I can play the music off of an iPhone on. My car is too old to have wifi or a jack where I can plug my phone into. I don't like driving with ear phones/buds so I thought something portable I could use other than the car.

I'd like something with quality sound, but then anything is going to sound better than the phone speaker.


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[Darrell KSR]

While we're on the subject, how about a high quality speaker I can play the music off of an iPhone on. My car is too old to have wifi or a jack where I can plug my phone into. I don't like driving with ear phones/buds so I thought something portable I could use other than the car.

I'd like something with quality sound, but then anything is going to sound better than the phone speaker.


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I don't have any answers, but I do have a question -- are you wanting something like a bluetooth, wireless speaker, or something you'd plug your phone into instead?

I know between Dan, Dallen, Pedro, CBBN, BEvans, and gang they'll have a good answer for you. I think it's right up their alley.

[PedroDaGr8]

While we're on the subject, how about a high quality speaker I can play the music off of an iPhone on. My car is too old to have wifi or a jack where I can plug my phone into. I don't like driving with ear phones/buds so I thought something portable I could use other than the car.

I'd like something with quality sound, but then anything is going to sound better than the phone speaker.


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The best quality will come from a cheap aftermarket headunit that replaces the one in your car.

If you don't have the desire to play CDs, then this headunit fitst the bill. It does Bluetooth (including hands free calling) and AM/FM radio tuner plus drives the speakers (for $90):
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130X380BT/Pioneer-MVH-X380BT.html?tp=5684&awkw=148043070505&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=78533421265&awdv=c

If you need a CD player:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130X4700BT/Pioneer-DEH-X4700BT-2014-Model.html?tp=5684
Something like this would work.

Honestly, I have the first head unit to ever feature bluetooth integration, it is almost 10 years old now. Frankly, I can't live with out it. I seldom use the radio and never use the CD function anymore. Everytime I get in the car my phone is providing the audio.

[dan_bgblue]

Honestly, your price range would be nice to know. $200.00 to $50.00 is a large spread. Good quality sound and less play time per charge is on the lower end of course and then up to Bose quality sound with much longer play time on the upper end are all available. Also what do you have in mind for unit dimensions. That varies from pretty small with a suction cup for easy mounting to a windshield or side window, up to about 8"x3"x4".

One other thing do you want to send and receive calls thru a speaker microphone?

[blueboss]

For 100.00 bucks I could get Pedro's suggestion, and then, spend another 50-100 on something portable.

Pedro, what about installation?, I'm an idiot when it comes to that kind of intricate stuff.

Dan, got any recommendations for something portable with high quality sound for around "c" or so?


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[dan_bgblue]

Believe it or not, I would try this one and see if it suits you. Has a replaceable battery, which is not common among the portable speaker line, doubles as a speaker phone and has good quality sound for 1/2 C.
http://www.amazon.com/Rocksteady-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker-V1-5/dp/B00CXMFP30#Ask

Audiophiles love this one. Bose unit with terrific sound quality and volume with propriety battery. No speaker phone function, Just a hair over a C
http://www.amazon.com/Bose-SoundLink-Color-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B00N32I2Q6/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1448411107&sr=1-1&keywords=bose+portable+bluetooth+speakers

[PedroDaGr8]

For 100.00 bucks I could get Pedro's suggestion, and then, spend another 50-100 on something portable.

Pedro, what about installation?, I'm an idiot when it comes to that kind of intricate stuff.


Call up local sound shops and they can give you a quote for installation (BestBuy will likely be the MOST expensive). I honestly install all of my own stuff so I am not sure if I know how much it would run. The other option is you can watch youtube videos and see if you can do it yourself. If you lived near me, I would drop on by and help. I have helped pretty much all of my friends, except one, install a car stereo. It is intimidating, much like replacing brakes, but almost universally once it is done the response is "that wasn't too bad". Most of the work is getting the adapter for your cars radio harness and connecting the adapter to the stereo. It takes time and is boring, crimping wire after wire. After that , install is usually easy (most cars require a trim kit but some older ones don't).



Audiophiles love this one. Bose unit with terrific sound quality and volume with propriety battery. No speaker phone function, Just a hair over a C
http://www.amazon.com/Bose-SoundLink-Color-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B00N32I2Q6/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1448411107&sr=1-1&keywords=bose+portable+bluetooth+speakers

I haven't heard the Bose but I own this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardon-Onyx-Studio-rechargeable/dp/B00IYR8W2O/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1448453359&sr=1-1&keywords=HK+Onyx+Studio

And I freaking LOVE it, like really really love it. It gets loud, has solid bass and has a good battery life. Honestly, the sound quality is VERY enjoyable. When I got it as a Christmas gift last year, I wasn't too thrilled. Because, at the time I didn't really want a bluetooth speaker. Now, between myself and my gf, both music lovers, it is on AT LEAST 4-5 hours a day if not more. Like with any bluetooth speaker the signal range is going to depend a lot on your phone. She can be almost across the house with her phone and still play music, if I leave the room I start losing the connection about half way into the next room.

[PedroDaGr8]

Is the ipod still the go-to music player?

Looking for portable music player with these general features:

1. Great, easy to use digital display. Should be able to separate into folders, organize easily.

2. Very reliable. Would be used to plug in to auditorium sound systems for performance, auditions, etc. Doesn't have to have great sound quality, because it typically will just be the accompaniment, but probably will.

3. Ease of putting mp3 music on it, including self-created music.

4. Good battery life if rechargeable.

Ideas? Just trying to think of Christmas gift ideas for kids.
If you haven't purchased something. What about a no-contract phone, like this one.

http://slickdeals.net/share/android_app/t/8308959

$19.99 for the phone, just use it as a media player.

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[Darrell KSR]

If you haven't purchased something. What about a no-contract phone, like this one.

http://slickdeals.net/share/android_app/t/8308959

$19.99 for the phone, just use it as a media player.

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I thought about that. Definitely a possibility. I might even buy one as a backup if I don't go the true mp3 player route.

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[KSRdallen]

I've got two Bluetooth speakers I use with my iPhone. I spent about $200 on a Bose bluetooth speaker which I really like. Later, I picked up this gem for $24 and free shipping via Amazon Prime. It's small and would be perfect to put on your dash or take anywhere. While the Bose is slightly better, it's NOT work the price difference from it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NC3SU6I/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awd_sKVwwbWD4150V

EDIT: Forgot to mention, it has Built-In Mic Hands-Free Speakerphone as well.

[KeithKSR]

Tough to beat the Apple products.

[Darrell KSR]

Wrong thread.

[blueboss]

Bump


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[blueboss]

I've got two Bluetooth speakers I use with my iPhone. I spent about $200 on a Bose bluetooth speaker which I really like. Later, I picked up this gem for $24 and free shipping via Amazon Prime. It's small and would be perfect to put on your dash or take anywhere. While the Bose is slightly better, it's NOT work the price difference from it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NC3SU6I/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awd_sKVwwbWD4150V

EDIT: Forgot to mention, it has Built-In Mic Hands-Free Speakerphone as well.

Bought me an Oontz for now... Great little speaker option, so far I love it... All for $30.


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[bigsky]

Audioengine

[blueboss]

Audioengine

Did I mention I wanted something inexpensive to play music from my phone while in the car?

Maybe when I upgrade I'll go with audioengine...


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[bigsky]

Did I mention I wanted something inexpensive to play music from my phone while in the car? Maybe when I upgrade I'll go with audioengine... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk You did Im sure. AE is strictly for home, plug in, stereo.

[KSRBEvans]

This is intriguing: the Mighty music player (http://mashable.com/2016/02/24/mighty-spotify-mp3/), which looks like an iPod shuffle but has bluetooth and Spotify compatibility. It's a Kickstarter project so not available yet, but I'm going to give it a look when (if) it debuts.

[blueboss]

You did Im sure. AE is strictly for home, plug in, stereo.

Looks like some nice equipment...


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