Sony's NW-A800, Samsung's K3, and Apple's iPod nano stacked

With Sony's NW-A800 Video Walkman (pictured center) now globally released, we thought you might like to see how it stacks up -- literally -- against the Samsung K3 and the notoriously thin iPod nano. As you can see, Sony opted for chub and squat over slim and long by comparison. But just look at that relatively huge, 2-inch display for video playback -- something neither the K3 nor iPod nano can do. Now go check the rest of the pics over at French site Le Journal du Geek. Fortunately, the thousand words spoken by pictures don't need machine translation.

[Thanks, Aniki]

[Robin @ Mar 7th 2007 8:54AM]

I'm sorry but is that an Orange Nano!?

I thought they only did Orange Shuffles...

[Mrmean @ Mar 7th 2007 8:59AM]

doubtful, the pink hue on the whole picture is distorting it..it's probably red? do they have a red one?

[Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Mar 7th 2007 8:58AM]

Can anybody with ears tell something on sound quality?

Personal experience. Apple & Philips are O.K. SanDisk & Creative are total suckers (especially with good earbuds).

Can anybody share his experience with Sony & Samsung? I'm interested in experience of audiophiles. Britney Spears fans please do not bother.

[Tausif @ Mar 7th 2007 9:25AM]

read any cnet review on sony walkmans, the excellence of the sound quality is always noted. The NW-HD5 won cnet's sq test, and by all accounts the following walkmans are an improvement (NW-S706F and this one).

Link to cnet comparo
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6450_7-6247126-1.html?tag=feat.7

[Truth Hurts @ Mar 7th 2007 9:12AM]

@Ihar `Philips` Filipau

http://tech.yahoo.com/ru/consumer-reports-says-these-mp3-players-rule/191824;_ylt=AmREo6Ga5QKpIyXcxoYvrnoFLZA5

[Ignacio @ Mar 7th 2007 10:24AM]

That report is meaningless, since the nano they used is the old "scratchable" model. The current models have double the capacity for the same price, and a much sturdier body, which would have made a huge difference in that report.

As for sound quality, the biggest difference would be in the ear buds/earphones but anyone who really cares about that would never stick with the bundled ones, in any player.

[Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Mar 7th 2007 9:34AM]

I do not trust C|Net on that. I have listened to my friend's Creative Zen Nano and it sucks. Yet C|Net said "impressive, but not great, sound". Calling crack/snap every five seconds "impressive" ... No comments.

That's why I have said "personal comments." I do not need what paid journalists are saying - I've read it all many times already.

P.S. c|net on Creative Zen Nano: http://reviews.cnet.com/Creative_Zen_Nano_Plus_1GB_Black/4505-6490_7-31398481.html?tag=prod.txt.5

[Tausif @ Mar 7th 2007 9:49AM]

Fair enough, in my experience, Sony players (I own the NW-HD1 and NW-S706F) have their foibles (I probably would have switched my HD1 for something else because of lack of mp3 compatibility, but didn't because of atrac lock-in) but sound quality is as good as any other DAP I have ever heard, the S706 even supports LPCM and atrac-lossless and to my ears the separartion and clarity of the soundstage on that unit is the best I have ever heard.

[SornyPanafonic @ Mar 8th 2007 5:29PM]

having been an owner of several sony daps i have to say the 706f rocks the most. i def think it was worth teh $270 i spent on it (japan) to get 50 hours on 1 charge or 40 hours with the noise suppersion thingymachig on. also looks damn nice and sounds great.

[Tim @ Mar 7th 2007 10:00AM]

This Walkman will have good sound quality- Sony products always do. I can't believe that the iPod still doesn't have an onboard custom EQ to manipulate (wonder if this walkman will also). It makes all the difference in a DAP. It's why I'm using a 2Gb microSD with Coreplayer in my Cingular 8525 as a DAP right now. Wish it had more capacity but the sound is great and settings very adjustable.

[Tausif @ Mar 7th 2007 10:58AM]

Every walkman I have ever used has had at least a 5-way adjustable EQ, even the small flash ones, expect the same for this one.

@Ignacio: your kidding yourself if you believe that the DSP in the player itself has no effect on sound quality. Have you never heard of the complaints about the lack of "fullness" in the iPod's sound? Also, the headphones that come with this player are more than $50 when sold on their own and most would see no need to upgrade from them.

[Ignacio @ Mar 7th 2007 12:12PM]

"Have you never heard of the complaints about the lack of "fullness" in the iPod's sound?"

I connected it to my stereo at home and I definitely don't have *any* complaints about how it sounds.

[Evan @ Mar 7th 2007 11:17AM]

Regarding the photo comparison: The iPod is a real-world stylish design, and appears like it was forged out of a solid piece of metal. The Samsung looks very sleek; very different than the iPod but also great looking. In comparison, Sony's is just plain clunky looking! It's disappointing, especially since we've seen Sony do better in other products.

[DonYorke @ Mar 8th 2007 9:55AM]

"Sony's is just plain clunky looking"...I just dont understand theese comments from apple fan boys. Like how small are your hands, and how tight are your jeans (size 4 ). The NW-A800 form factor should not be in question for the average person... this notion that every electronic device has to keep getting smaller, and thinner is getting ridiculous. Grow some man hands and stop your whinning.

[TrueDis @ Mar 7th 2007 12:25PM]

What's up with the pink?!

[Normal @ Mar 7th 2007 12:30PM]

I just bought a nano last weekend. It has the Nike+ running kit, and that is what I was after.

[Sintax @ Mar 7th 2007 2:01PM]

When officially does the K3 come out in stores? I have been wanting to get my hands on the 8 gig version ever since I first laid eyes on it.

[PJ @ Mar 7th 2007 2:18PM]

New & Used Ultrasounds
http://www.ameritechmedical.com

[shimman @ Mar 7th 2007 3:21PM]

walkman looks bit early 90s'...well a walkman. only reason i am interested in this walkman is the video playback, but with that small screen & limited storage capacity & questionable playable formats & drm, i am not sure this walkman can pull the popularity of the original walkman

with the very accurate earbuds, lousy mp3 player can sound really bad, but ipod & k5 were pretty good imho & sony walkman series did have ok to good quality but never been terrible or terrific

[PJ @ Mar 7th 2007 4:42PM]

used ultrasound

http://www.ameritechmedical.com

[gonzaguedambricourt @ Mar 7th 2007 4:58PM]

Thanks for linking to our post ;)

I know how often we link yours since you have a lot of things quicker than we do hehe.

Anyway to answer the first comment, it's a red iPod

[Luis @ Mar 7th 2007 9:13PM]

I've got a Sony NW-hd5 and the sound quality is phenomenal. The preloaded effects on the player and its equalizer are amazing. It took me a half an hour to configure all of the sound schemes. Configuring the player is not complicated its just that there are so many combinations that sound nice. Sony does audio really well just not its software. I really hated that sonic stage software.

[�COM-4 @ Mar 8th 2007 2:56AM]

Cowon>Apple>Samsung>SONY

[Moe Abe @ Mar 8th 2007 3:11PM]

Kev50027 you are funny.

You forgot to read the specifications for the Sony NW-A800 or the Apple iPod-nano, before writing your comment.

The NW-A800 at 2" has larger screen than the 1.8" screen of the Samsung YP-T9. The battery life seem to be about the same between both units.

About the iPod-mini at 1.41 oz it is lighter that your beloved 1.63 oz Samsung YP-T9. Finally, the iPod-mini is the thinnest of the three models mentioned about.

Please get your facts straight.

[�COM-4 @ Mar 9th 2007 4:26AM]

Cowon D2 owns all of you b*tches!

[Jason Choi @ Jun 25th 2007 9:28PM]

ummm

[Jason Choi @ Jun 25th 2007 10:12PM]

^^

[BlackBurn @ Jun 28th 2007 8:47PM]

wow... i can't believe that sony is comparing to the k3 and ipod.. wth.. whoever posted.. Posted Mar 7th 2007 8:26AM by Thomas Ricker he is a dumb ass. That sony player is a flash player, k3 and ipod is just a reguler mp3 players that dosen't support video,.... If sony has to compete with these two players, they 're sure that they can't make the players for sure, that includes the design. back to the Ihar `Philips` Filipau guy, i thnk you're right~~ through my personal experience with using philips, ipod, samsung and iriver, ipod is not that great, and I'm owning the SAmsung T-9, and it's the best flash player that you can get on the market!! It's got everything that you need~ and the earphone that comes with T9, it's better than the ipod earphone. Speaking of Ipod, the sound quality of Ipod is bed. when i used the ipod after Philips, and Samsung, i couldn't imagine that i was using ipod video. Because ipod dosen't have the Custom EQ, and if you can use them well, it is the HD player. If you're the person who always listen to the bass and clear sound, then don't go with Ipod!! I highly guarantee it!! If you don't trust me, then Buy one and you'll understand. For k3, i bought it for my g-friend and she totally love the sexiness and performance of k3! and she said she was going to buy he ipod and now she's saying that she was regreting that she was about to purchase the ipod and kissed to my face~ haah well yeah hope my comment will realize americans.(no wonder why they just buy ipod without spending time on comp to research other ones.! they could buy the better one that they want.. and slim dosen't mean it's good. it's uncomfortable to use and since most americans wear tight jeans, i can understand)

[Teddles @ Jun 28th 2007 5:27AM]

This tight jeans thing is becoming quite a reoccurring theme :p

[taylor @ Jul 14th 2007 1:29PM]

im trying to decide between the nano and the samsung. I dont know which to get.

NANO-GOOD-itunes. usb. wheel. scratch proof.
BAD-more expensive than samsung.

SAMSUNG-GOOD-touch screen. has the bar things when
when songs plays. fm tuner. thinner
than nano. less expensive. darn sexy.
BAD-fingerprints.



I dont know which one to get. Has anyone compared sound quality. I love ipods sound but i haven't listened to the K3.

which is the better choice???

[BONAFIDE @ Aug 8th 2007 8:32PM]

k3 rocks.........i-pod stinks.........

[Jack @ Oct 4th 2007 7:18PM]

BlackBurn you idiot. Dont call others dumbasses when you are one. All three of those mp3 players use flash memory, not just the Sony. Flash memory is just the type of memory it uses to store the music files (like the ipod video uses a hard drive). Also the Samsung T-9 is NOT the best player you can get. There are some out there which are better and this includes the Sony NW-A80x series, the one in this article. So what if it comes with better earphones than the ipod, the NW-A80x series walkman is probably among the very few mp3 players that come with high quality earphones that have a retail value of AUD$149. Also the Creative Vision M most likeley has better sound than your crappy Samsung T-9 so stop saying its the best just because your a Samsung fanboy.

Anyway I only wrote this message because what you said meant that a flash player can play video and if it cant, its not a flash player. Infact this made me angry because 1. you dont know what you are talking about and 2. you called someone a dumbass because of this problem which made me more angry when infact your the dumbass. Also the fact that you said that the Samsung T-9 is the best flash player (which it is definately is not) made me more angry, so i think you should do some research on your computer.