Zen Micro - Garbled Sound.

Hey guys,
Im new to this Zen Micro thing, because i just acquired it broken from my sister. She got this thing on Christmas, and about a month after, broke it. Right now, it plays all the songs, connects to the computer, and its library is fine. The problem is that the sound becomes garbled/wangy about 20 seconds after the song starts playing. Usually, the songs are ok for the first few seconds, but then the sound becomes wavering and it sounds like the music is under a destortion setting.
I guessed this probably isn't a firmware problem, hopefully not a hardware problem, but i was told that it was a problem with a soldering point, and i would need to RMA it.... Im not sure if this is true, and would be REALLY happy if i could fix it before i go on my trip in a couple days. Anyone else have this kind of problem?
Thanks!

Im reformatting it, disk clean up, and upgrading the firmware as we speak. I will proceed to put new music on it and then test it through the computer (if that is possible which i think it is). If i can plug speakers into it also, I will . Ill let you guys know how it goes, but in the mean time, any other suggestions or experiences with this situation? Thanks!

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Problem with my Zen Micro's sound j

Okay, I am getting very, VERY sick of all the hassle with this litlte piece of junk.My Zen Micro has had a series of problems and, personally, I just want rid of the little beast. But, unfortunately, I'm not one of those cliche upper-class Canadian kids who can harass their parents into getting them a new one. So, I guess I just want to know if anyone's got any suggestions for me in my predicament.My Zen Micro's headphone jack recently became faulty and, as I have had multiple problems with it, I'm used to this. So I brought it back to the place I got it from and requested, very calmly, for them to ship it out for repairs. And, just my luck, that complany recently got into an argument with Creative and will no longer carry, service, or support their products. WONDERFUL.My warranty is going to be void in a matter of days and I'm very, VERY frustrated. This means they're no longer honouring my warranty, and, to me, that's just NOT COOL. I would like to stress that this is the HEADPHONE JACK AND NOT MY HEADPHONES. And, yes, I'm sure. I believe I was unlucky enough to get one of the ones where it wasn't properly sautered... and I don't know what to do about it. I guess, at this point, seeing as it seems like I'm left without any other options, I'm just gonna crack the thing open and try to fix it myself unless someone can suggest anything more logical. All I'd like from you guys is to know if anyone has had similar experiences or problems and can give me any suggestions or tell me how I might go about repairing it.

Yep, Philazen, that's it exactly. The jack is really sensiti've, and I usually end up in some really obscure position - with the cord of my headphones wrapped around my finger or a piece (or 20) of tape holding the headphone jack in a very specific place - if I want an at all reliable connection. I was told by the people who sold it to me a few months ago (only AFTER I returned my first one) that there were some faulty models of Zen Micros near the very beginning where the sound jack only had 2 pieces of sauter and let go very easily. However, it's also apparently a topic they're very touchy about and deny ever happening, but hey, at this point, I can only assume that's the case for me.Beasts indeed.
Message Edited by Sevyn on <SPAN class=date_text>08-6-2006 <SPAN class=time_text>05:34 PM
Message Edited by Sevyn on 08-6-2006 05:35 PM

Zen Micro SE Sound Probl

Recently when I turned on my Zen Micro, I found that the audio was not coming through the earphones properly.
I thought that it could be the earphones, but after trying three different pairs, the problem still exists. I also tried my earphones in another mp3 player and they work fine.
I think that the headphone connection is faulty. I always have my zen micro in my pocket and now when i walk along the music dips in and out.
i got my zen micro SE in august 2005 so it is still under warranty i sent a message to creative a week ago but it is looking unlikely i will ever get a reply.
this player cost me ?30 and im not happy.

lauren87,
Did you receive any auto-responses back from support after you send in those email? If you didn't, properly they didn't receive those query from you too and it's best to send in again. You might want to check your spam trap/filter just in case those email are stuck there.
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Zen Micro No Sound- Warrenty is d

I have 2 mp3 players from creative zen and BOTH of them have had problems. There jacks I believe are broken [researched the forum a little bit] No sound comes from either of them I have tried different headphones and speakers and nothing. Will they still fix it if my warrenty has been done for years? How much will it be? A company's that buy back sort of working mp3 players.

I have almost the exact same problem. I bought my Zen Jukebox Xtra just under a year ago, but last month my headphone jack started malfunctioning so that I could only get earplug to play at a time unless I held the male end just right into the connection. I just want to know of an approved place to get it fixed, if there is such a place, or how I would go through Creative to pay for repair. Sorry I'm no help to you, but at least you aren't alone.
Edit: After checking the forums like I guess I should've done first, I found a nice thread about the same thing, and if you follow the links you can find a do-it-yourself website if you trust your soldering skills. The link is here. Hope that hel
ps.
Message Edited by Discospawn on 05-2-2005 05:53 AM

Terrible sound from Traveldock Zen Micro

We just bought a traveldock for our daughter to play her Zen Micro. When we hook up the Zen Micro to the docking ports of the Traveldock, the sound comes out very quiet and garbled. Connecting to the back line-in jack plays perfectly - only when playing through front docking ports it sounds like garbage. Very quiet, missing vocal track.
Has anyone else had this problem? Is there a way to fix this or is this just a bad unit's
We are very disappointed with this product.

Thanks for the response.
As it turns out, I did some experimenting. In the Zen Micro menu, the Audio EQ setting was set to New Age. I turned this off. Also I turned off the Smart Volume setting. Hooked it back up to the Traveldock and, lo and behold, it played perfectly.
My opinion of the product is now much better.
I don't know if it was the change in audio settings, making sure to attach the player firmly in the dock, or what, but it sounds much better now.
I also downloaded but haven't yet installed the 2.2.02 firmware update for the Zen Micro just in case there's anything in there that helps its computability with the Traveldock. Anyway, we are happier now that the sound is coming out loud and clear.

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Hello! I have had Zen Micro/Zen Micro Photo in -2 years, before I this year switched to some Asono player, but the sound was low on that, and I wanted to go back to Creative for it's quality and sound.So I bought the new small Zen Vision Plus, very satisfied with video & other cool new functions! And to secure me a good sound, I bought big Creative headphones for 400 NOK, and they are very good with good sound and base(bass).But whenever I used the MP3 player, the sound dissapointed me, I also tried with the default earphones which followed, and the sound is still not as high as on Creative Zen Micro/Photo.My friend has Creative Zen Micro the old one, and we started the same song at the same time on both our players, and tried with the default headphones and the new headphones which I bought. And belei've you me the sound on his MP3 (Zen Micro) was much louder then on mine. So it is dissapointing to see that I am stuck with this MP3 with lower sound. I love the design & functions on Zen V Plus, and love the sound on Zen Micro. So I don't want to go back to Zen Micro. Is there some way to fix this? Some sort of upgrade? Or has it something to do that the MP3 in USA has lower sound and MP3 in Europe has higher, or the other way around? How do I check where my MP3 is from?I hope someone here has tips & tricks or solution to this problem, very annoying that my MP3 is "almost perfect"! I got to go play tennis now, waiting for a positi've reply, thanks a lot guys! Every single post is helpfull, thanks again!

well man all i can say is...bigger isnt always better. I have a Zen Micro Photo, its about a year old, i just have regular good ol target special headphones and its loud enough to blow an ear drum. Sometimes if i dont feel like?wearing headphones, i just turn it all the way up and set the headphones on my desk or something. sooooooooooooooooo i would just stick to the stuff you know is good...plus the micro photo is BAMF

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I noticed that the equalizer setting of my zen micro pales incomparison with my i-ri'ver flash mp3. from what i read on the internet, creative should have better technical audio qualities vs i-ri'ver, but the i-ri'ver's sound settings seems to beat my micro big time. i hope people from creative do something about the sound options on the next firmware (THIS should have been a priority when Creative released the new firmware, together with the issues of the BACK BUTTON. anyways...
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2. whats the smart volume suppose to do? turning it on seems to make the sound coming out from my micro like the sound just jame from a hallow plastic container
peace out

. Well at least the Micro has a custom EQ setting. Many other players only offer presets. I don't think anyone else can tell you what the "best" EQ is for you. You'll have to experiment. My personal feeling is that you shouldn't need any EQ if you have good enough headphones.
2. The smart volume makes it so all your files play at the same volume level. If you don't need this, it's best to leave it off as it will consume more power from your battery.

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I'm on my second Zen micro since xmas (first one didn't work the first time I used it) and having only had it for month, I'm now having problems with the headphone connection. The sound is crackly, and often the only comes through one earpiece. When you touch the connection point, it affects the sound. It's NOT a problem with the headphones, as i've tried different pairs - so it must be the socket. My friend who also got a new one at xmas, is having exactly the same probs (she's on her 2nd one too!).
Is anyone having similar problems, and has anyone got any solutions? Please?!!! I'm really don't want to have to exchange it again...
thanks

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I was listening to my Zen Micro and got the headphone cord caught on something and walked away. My sound quality is now not clear and the vocals cut in and out.
Does anyone know what I can do to fix this issue? I purchased my Zen in the middle of July, but I don't believe the warrenty would cover this.
Please let me know what I should do! Thank you

yes, i'll tell you what happened, the headphone jack broke, its ok though this "wear and tear" is normal on the Zen Micro. When Creative designed the Micro they failed to properly reinforce the headphone jack In case you you haven't noticed theres a huge topic on the headphone jack problem located somewhere in the Forum. i suggest that you exchange your micro for a new one before your 90day warranty runs out.
good luck
owner black zen micro
-- MDR-EX5's

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Recently got a Zen Micro, first thing i realise - AMAZING sound quality!
If you want to make the most of this great little player, use WMA (If possible Version 9 or 0) @ 92 Kbps (however this does has a large effect on battery life), configure the custom EQ and perhaps buy some new earphones (I own some Sennheiser Mx500's - FANTASTIC sound quality).
Hope this has been of some help!!

Even better, use LAME encoded VBR MP3s and some Sony EX5/7 canal phones

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I have a black zen micro I purchased about a month and a half back and whenever I plays songs the volume changes by itself(The hold button is on) and the singers voice on the track doesn't play at times and all I hear is the instrumentals. Is there anyway to get around this problem, how can I fix it's

Pulkman: Have you tried wiggling the headphone plug, albeit do it gently. Also try rotating the headphone plug in the socket. If it distorts when doing this it sounds like the headphone socket is faulty.
You should also make sure the EQ and Smart Volume are turned off.

Sound problems on the Zen Micro HELP!!

I bought a Zen Micro about a Month ago. It worked perfectly fine I enjoy it. But then maybe 3 weeks after I have sound problems. It's not my headphones i know that for a fact because I tried two sets of them. I think it's the Headphone port. Because everytime i move my headphone plug when it's inside the port the sound get's dull. I can still hear the music but the sound of the music gets ugly. I hope someone can help me with this PROBLEM

Nbarretto,
The number of players that are having problems when compared to the total number of players out there is very small. Consider that Creative sold 2 million players in the last 3 months. Taking into account that the Zen micro was a very large portion of these sales, you can see that the number of complaints represents a very small percentage of the players out there. Looking at a support forum can make even the most rock solid device look bad if you take only that into account.
The good news for you is that there are lots of options available that can help you get a working player. I would suggest contacting support and seeing what they can do for you.
http://us.creative.com/support/custsup
Jeremy

[Zen Micro] Sounds Very Fu

I recently upgraded the firmware of my new Zen Micro to the most recent version (can't recall it at the moment.) Before I upgraded, everything was fine -- perfect sound, perfect everything. But after I upgraded, I noticed that the sound isn't clear at all. It sounds EXTREMELY fuzzy -- to the point where you can just barely hear the artist.
Is it possible this has to do with the upgrade? Or is it a hardware issue, and this is a complete coincidence?
Something (the battery, or headphone jack) is extremely sensiti've. I can't touch my MP3 player at times without having it screw up...
Thanks in advance!
AuveeMessage Edited by auveeb on -09-2005 03:45 AM

Sounds like the headphone socket has failed. It's not unknown for this to happen with the older Zen Micros. Assuming you're under warranty contact support to get a replacement (click the Support > Contact Customer Support link on this page).

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I bought a zen micro 5gb for my son for xmas and returned it because the sound keeps cutting out on the headphones. They replaced it and I am sending this one back with the same problem. Have tried different headphones but it must be the insert on the machine itself. I sure would like to know how many complaints they have had on this because they told me this is doesn't seem to be a problem. I will get my money back if the next one doesn't last.

Yeah, Tech Support number is a toll call no matter what ( probably to discourage too many people from calling) If you wanna try and use other sets of headphones to make sure it's the headphone jack and not just the phones themselves. If the problem persists I'd then contact Creative Support. I know in the US the support e-mail takes about -2 business days to respond to an email. The whole process of getting an RMA can take up to a week.

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Hi
We bought mp3 zen micro 6gb pink, in Feb for our daughter. In June she said the volume whether on the docking/speaker station or through the earphones was greatly reduced. When on 'high' you can just hear the music.
I tried to read other posting re volume but I did not understand anything! I am not very computer/mp3 literate, so I need very basic (dummy type) step by step instructions.
Many thanks
Aileen
Message Edited by aileenchalmers on 08-23-2006 0:23 AM

Where/how do I check fimware?
In the audi setting - equiliser (EQ) is shown as 'Off" the settings are all 0 (table shows +2, 0, -2).
Smart volume is 'Off'
Have tried headphones which we got with the zen micro and another set. Both work with my portable CD player fine.
Volume of songs when played on pc are fine.
Any other advice?
Aileen
Have just looked in system and states version ..0 - is that the fimware?Message Edited by aileenchalmers on 08-24-2006 2:34 AM

Zen Micro - Garbled Sound.

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