I Pod Sound Quality

[david]

Hi All,
I've got a 5th generation I Pod and sound qulaity is OK for music on the move but lacks transparency and is a little grating at the treble end.

I've heard (Hi Fi World etc) that 4th genration I Pods 'sound better'. As I've got to get one for the wife and there are a few of these still for sale, I'm wondering if the difference is worth having?

Anyone any experience of these?
Thanks
David

dont know what gen mine is, how do i tell?
Ive also not tried it through my system, but will give it a go if its any help.

[powertriode]

Originally Posted by david

Hi All,
I've got a 5th generation I Pod and sound qulaity is OK for music on the move but lacks transparency and is a little grating at the treble end.

I've heard (Hi Fi World etc) that 4th genration I Pods 'sound better'. As I've got to get one for the wife and there are a few of these still for sale, I'm wondering if the difference is worth having?

Anyone any experience of these?
Thanks
David

is there a difference?
All the ones I've heard sound like cheap 70s transistor radios.

[david]

Hiya,
So called 5th genration is the latest6 music /video/podcast jobbo with 30 or 60gb memory.

4th genration was photo/music and maybe movies and came in 20 and 40gb sizes.

transistor radio is a bit unfiar but a good walkman would give it a clean pair of heels!

As i said, Hi Fi World keep saying 4th genration has the better sound quality, hence my question!
David

So my black and white, music only ipod is what, caveman generation?
Ill try it today and see what it sounds like, ive never bothered before as a) i assume it saounds **** and b) all the music on it i have on cd or vinyl.

[david]

well it partly depends on what you've got in your I Pod. If it's uncompressed wav files, it's going to sound a lot better than MP3, so if you are reporting back please let us know what format you are using.

thanks
david

its all mp3 im afraid.

[Loktal]

Due to some EC regulation designed to protect our ears, European spec iPods have weedier amps than those sold in other parts of the world. My US spec 3G iPod has noticibly more gain, and sounds better than a UK spec 4G. Reputedly, the 1G iPods sound even better, though I haven't tried one.

I dont think that matters if you use a dock. If you dont, you can get an adapter that splits the port socket into charge and mini jack sockets.
The volume thing only matters if you use headphone out (i think).
I remeber reading if you take the line out from the bottom it gives better results.

[david]

Hi,
I have a line out adapter and interestingly the sound from that thorugh the aux input on my car stereo or computer sound system sounds marginally worse than via the headphone socket and not better as I'd expected!
David