Ipod Classic sound quality

i bought a ipod classic but the sound quality sound really ****** and the volume is 2 low APPLE I WANT MY MONEY BACK !!

2 factors:
1. are you importing tracks at 128 bit (or less)?
2. are you using Apple earbuds or some other company?
Tracks at 128 or lower may sound tinny/am radio-ish.
Low-end earbuds may also sound "off"
128 bit is great for space conservation, especially on the smaller ipods (2-4gb), but the tradeoff is sound quality.
Since the classic has sufficient space, I would check iTunes prefs and reset track import quality to 256 or higher. Personally, I import at variable lossless. Typically runs between 950 and 1100 bit, which is close to CD quality.

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    Hi guys,
    I understand probably it's too much early to discuss this topic but anyway I try to ask.
    In order to the release of the new model (yesterday's event in USA)of the classic, anybody has any news about the sound quality complaints arised in the previous months?
    I mean, anybody knows if the quality sound problems, due to the change of the sound micro-chip, have been solved in the new modelMany thanks in advance for the help.

    Excellent question, the answer to which I eagerly await. If the sound quality improves, I might purchase a 120GB, otherwise, there are now alternatives by competitors with 120GB capacity, similar form factors, built in FM radio, subscription music services, and wireless sync of the music library for the same price as Apple's 120GB. They don't have the sound stage issue as the 160GB Classic. There is even a 240GB model being offered by a competitor.
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  • Ipod Touch or iPod Classic Sound quality

    Hi
    I am considering geting either an iPod Touch or iPod Classic and was wondering if there is any difference in sound quality between the two?
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    I looked at the tech spec and could find no differences.  I would not expect there to be much difference since mp3 are not that good anyway and the earphones have a great effect on sound quality.

  • IPod touch sound quality terrible

    iPod touch sound quality terrible

    Try another set of earphones to rule out the earphones as being the cause.
    - Try cleaning out/blowing out the headphone jack. Try inserting/removing the plug a dozen times or so. There is a little switch in the headphone jack that disconnects the speaker when the headphone jack is inserted.
    Try the following to rule out a software problem
    - Reset the iOS device. Nothing will be lost
    Reset iPod touch: Hold down the On/Off button and the Home button at the same time for at
    least ten seconds, until the Apple logo appears.
    - Reset all settings
    Go to Settings > General > Reset and tap Reset All Settings.
    All your preferences and settings are reset. Information (such as contacts and calendars) and media (such as songs and videos) aren’t affected.
    - Restore from backup
    - Restore to factory settings/new iOS device.
    - Make an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store. Seems you have a bad headphone jack or other hardware problem.
    Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar

  • New iPod Touch Sound Quality

    I am really interested in comparisons of sound quality between the various generations of iPod.
    Unquestionably, compression method and headphones play a critical factor, but taking these aside, I would be interested in people’s comments on particularly the 2nd Generation iPod Touch, and if anybody is aware of any technical analysis to compliment their listening views.
    Has the sound quality changed over this last year with new software releases for the iPod touch in general?
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    Finally (sorry!), with the new 120GB iPod Classic, does this have the same Cirrus Logic audio codec chip as the older 80GB and 160GB versions. I.e. can I presume that the sound quality (which has been questioned by a number of posters on this forum) is going to be the same?

    Well I don't have time to experiment in detail with and document technical analyses about the device but I will say that I did briefly compare it to the 2nd generation Nano as well as my home stereo using the same files (a couple of 256kbit AAC files ripped by myself in iTunes 8; one rock and one hip hop) several times and I enjoyed the resulting similarity throughout the various sources.
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  • 160 GB IPod Classic : Sound Distortion?

    Recently, I purchased a 160 GB IPod Classic from Wal-Mart. Once I got home and synched my notoriously large music library onto it, I immediately noticed a huge difference in the sound quality.  The kicks and snares were ugly, and the bass was even more disgusting! All of my favorite songs were so distorted.  At first I assumed it was the headphones, so I tested them out on my ''ex'' 8GB IPod Touch to compare - and everything was perfectly fine (and better).
    I searched my issue online and seen many buyers like me having the same exact problem, and most of them purchased their IPods in 2009-2010!  How can a problem like this go unsolved for so long? Why wouldn't Apple change/fix the software to be up with the newer generation's standards if they are still for sale today? There has to be someway this could be fixed.
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    Music post 2008 ish is recorded into an MP3 file at higher volumes than prior to that era.
    Modern DAC (digital to analogue converter) can deal with this increase in volume (earlier albums, particularly those ripped from 1980's CDs) will sound quieter.
    Unfortunately the DAC in the ipod classic hasn't been updated from one of the early versions.
    What I've done for some recent purchases, is run them through this volume levelling software:
    http://mp3gain.sourceforge.net/download.php
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    I reduce the volume by about 10% on a whole album, even if it's only 2 or three tracks that are distorting.
    Remember to keep a copy of your original files for safety.
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  • IPod Mini Sound Quality

    I have just bought a new 4gb ipod Mini from the Apple Store and would like to register my immense disappointment at the sound quality from the ipod. when playing songs back there is a noticeable distortion when using the EQ setting and to e lesser extent without the EQ setting. It's like listening to a cassette walkman with the asociated hiss. I have noticed other posts on this subject, SURELY this should be fixed by Apple. I now intend to return the ipod to Apple. Does the shuffle also suffer this problem?

    I also noticed this problem on the iPod Mini. I have the second generation iPod Mini and it's great. It does, however has two flaws:
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    AS for solving the first problem above, with some experimentation, I've noticed that you can eliminate distortion by adjusting the volume levels for each individual file. It's done by right-clicking the file you want to adjust and choosing Get Info. On the one of the tabs, there's an adjustment for volume levels and EQ settings. Simply move the slider down and that should eliminate the problem. But the best way to handle this is to convert the file out to a WAV file and use a WAV editor to adjust the volume level. Then when you import and convert the file, that should eliminate the problem. As for the second one, I hope that there can be a way to import your own custom EQ settings in iTunes to the iPod. I find this my major qualm. The preset EQ settings are good, but they are no subsitute to being able to adjust the sound how YOU want it. I hope Apple will answer the cries for being able to import your EQ setting from iTunes to the iPod. All it would take is some programming and that should do it. Maybe on the next release of iTunes and the iPod updater? I hope so!!

  • Ipod youch sound quality

    ive been an ipod user for 5 years and i must say im was very satisfied with everything....i use to own an ipod video was using it for 3 years for almost everyday...then just last week i upgraded to an ipod touch 2g...i was very dissapointed witht he sound quality...when i used it for music for the first time, i immediately noticed the inferiority of the sound quality. and i uploaded the same mp3's thatw as in my old ipod 5th gen... ipod touch 2g's too high pitched! even when eq setting is set to treble reducer. i use to listen to my ipod video for as long as 8 hours, but i cant even last an hour with the ipod touch 2g cause of the hihg treble, my ear starts to hurt after an hour! is apple doing anything about this? can they rectify this with future updates? i regreted upgrading to the touch. everything improved in the touch from the 5th gen except with the one thing that matters most. sound quality!

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  • Ipod classic sound from only one channel

    My 80GB Ipod classic has sound from only one headphone. Same problem when docked so it's not a headphone or socket problem. It's as if only one channel is working. Any ideas?

    Did you check System Preferences>Sound to make certain that the balance scroll section was in the middle?
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  • Ipod classic audio quality

    The audio quality on new Ipod classic is not as good as audio quality directly from itunes on lap top which it was synced with. Is there a fix for this?

    There is no definite answer for this, your hearing is unique to you.
    The best thing to do is choose a few songs and put them on your iPod in all the different formats you are considering. Then listen to the same song in the different formats and see whether if like the lower bit rate version or if you must have the higher bit rate version.
    Personally, I use (good quality) Bose on-ear headphones, a Bose speaker dock and a Klipsch speaker dock. Most of my songs are in 192kbps AAC, some are 256kbps and I don't hear the difference. But then, my age means that my hearing is no longer as acute as it was.
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  • IPod Classic product quality

    I've had an old 4G 20Gb for a couple of trouble-free years and recently updated to an 80Gb Classic. After having had it replaced once because of a faulty Clickwheel, the replacement just completely died on me after a week or so. I took it back to the PC World Store and the guy said that none of their UK stores had any left, so I haggled for a refund. when I asked why they had none left, he said he thought it's because of major quality issues with the product, which I suppose my experience supports. He also said that he'd never buy an iPod and advised me to buy a Samsung or Creative.
    I'm very dissapointed that Apple seem to place too much emphasis on design and Marketing and not enough on Quality management. I haven't decided whether I'll buy another iPod Classic when they're available again, can anyone out there convince that I ought to?

    I would definitely not give up on Apple so fast. I've had my 1st Gen Nano forever and it still works as good as day 1. Never has it given me problems, its always been a solid product.
    Its like the person said above though, newly released things usually have bugs but Apple is working as we speak developing new versions of the software for the iPods to fix stuff. By 1.0.3 most things will probably be fixed especially if Apple rep's monitored this forum and see bugs people posted. I am currently gonna purchase a Classic soon (want more space + video) but I am prepared for a few bugs. Apple will come through trust me.
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  • 30G iPod Classic - Sound completely gone, while everything else works.

    My iPod classic lost sound. Any idea what happened?
    It's not brand new, but it's definately not banged up. I bought it from a friend and besides the occasional drop on the floor (nothing super hardcore) it's never been mishandeled. Today when I was listening to it on the bus, the sound started crackling, then completely cut out. When I plugged it into my Bose sound system, it would play for about 2- 3 minutes, then do the same thing. It wouldn't have sound again unless I let it sit for about 5 minutes, then the same thing happened again. I tried scanning it on my computer, and it said that it fixed all problems. Has anyone experienced this before, and either way, do you think that it could be fixed ?

    I'm having the same problem with my IPod 30G. 1st the sound started to crackle then went completely silent. I have tried two different sets of working earphones with no luck. I have also tried IPod in a docking station and still have no sound. I have also reset the settings on the IPod to original and still no luck. Any solutions?

  • Nokia 6500 Classic Sound Quality / Buzz

    Hi - I have a new 6500 Classic - great phone, but a bit concerned about the sound quality during a call - seems very tinny.
    Also - when the phone is on standby - if you put the phone close to your ear you can hear a very faint buzzing from the earpiece.
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  • IPod music sound quality diminished

    Since the iOS 5 update, the quality of some of the songs on my iPod has gotten horrible. It was perfectly fine before I updated it. The music is "rough" with high pitched scratchy noises. The quality on the rest of my songs is still perfect. I already checked if it was the earphones, but I tried my headset and got the same result. If I play the music on iTunes, It sounds perfectly fine.    It's hard to listen to my favorite songs now without my ears starting to hurt.

    As a former sound engineer, I'd say that the audio quality on most Apple iPods is generally not that great (the original white iPod shuffle being a notable exception), so your comment regarding the iRiver doesn't surprise me. It wouldn't hurt to compare you iPhone against another unit though just in case.
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    I have reported this as a bug to Apple in the past and suggest that yourself and others do the same in the hope that they will fix it by applying a similar 'preamp' boost or cut appropriate to each of the built-in EQ settings to avoid the distortion.

  • Ipod classic sound but no video

    Hi,
    I'm hoping someone can help me with this, for it is becoming rather frustrating to deal with. I finally got a new universal dock for my new 160 gb ipod, along with a dynex a/v cord to hook up to my tv to watch various videos. I get everything hooked up, switch the video out to yes, and I get the sound, but no video. Does anyone know what is going on or what I am doing wrong (if anything)? To error on the side of simplicity, I will assume it is something on my end, but I want to make sure before I take the dynex a/v cord back. Oh, the a/v cord is composite, by the way, for that is the only connection I can use easily, without dismantling everything, but I would think that would work just fine.
    Any thoughts?
    Thanks,
    Greg
    ps. I have a feeling that since the a/v cable connects via the headphone jack, and since video is disables thru this, that may be the reason. Again, any thoughts are greatly appreciated.
    Message was edited by: uroborus

    I just wrote this in response to another topic about the classic and the video out so I figured it might help here. Maybe if we all say enough about it apple will fix the issue so we can use our items. This is rediculous that it would not work with items that have already been purchased, even items purchased that apple resells in the store seem to have issues. Check out the article that I found and posted below.
    I am having the same problem but with my philips dcp750 that I recently purchased. I was able to use it with my old 30gb iPod video but can not get it to work with new classic. The problem is that I can't switch the classics settings to turn the iPod's video out to on. I did some searching on the web and found out that with the new classic it seems apple has hidden from everyone that you can not use the video out anymore unless you use some type of special unlocking mechanisms that will be built in units. It may work with some items but it looks like apple does not want it to by default. Here is an article I found about it while doing some searching why it wouldn't work. Not sure if this is being rectified in a new firmware update or it is actually purposely done by apple. I hope they are going to fix this because I would not of purchased a new classic if I had known that it would not work with the items I have for it.
    http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/apple-locks-tv-out-in-new-ipods-b reaks-video-add-ons/P25/

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