Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Gollywog]

It seems to me an MP3 player is essential in Korea. I didn't use one too often back home, but here I find myself lost without one. Back home, I had a CD/WMA/radio in the car, radios and TVs in the house, stuff at work, etc. And they played stuff IN ENGLISH!

But here I find myself quickly getting bored out of my skull riding the bus, walking to school, etc. The radio here, uh, leaves something to be desired. Even when there is half-decent programming, the sound quality from over-modulation, etc., is horrible.

I guess the other reason I use an MP3 more is the online availability of material, including radio programs like Harry Shearer's Le Show, etc. There is nothing to help you keep your sanity better than piping programing from back home into your skull while walking down a garishly lit, litter-strewn Korean street. Audio books are great, especially humor like George Carlin.

What do you use your MP3/PMP players for?

I'm looking for a new MP3, but the brands here are largely unfamiliar. I'm rather annoyed with these non-replaceable lithium batteries. My ideal would be a player that uses AA or AAAs. But I have only seen cheap, rudimentary models of this sort.

Has anyone found an external battery pack that will run an MP3 player from AAs or AAAs? I've seen a four AA pack in the States, but not here. I've seen a single AA charger. Anyone try it?

There are several lithium external packs, but that doesn't make a lot of sense to me. OK, you are traveling in a foreign country or whatever, and you can't charge your MP3 player. So you use an external pack that you can't charge, either? But maybe I'm missing something.

Here's an inexpensive version that looks like a possibility:

http://global.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=118973227&pos_shop_cd=SH&pos_class_cd=111111111&pos_class_kind=T&keyword_order=battery+pack+mp3

My ideal MP3 player would play FLAC, APE, OGG, WMA, etc. And have a standard USB connection (no iPods). And it would take SDHC or micro cards.

I found a cheap MP3 that plays FLACs, and only costs 33k for 2 gb. MROBO 390:

http://global.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=150311627&pos_shop_cd=GE&pos_class_cd=300004039&pos_class_kind=S

Anyone know the MUZ brand?

This one does FLAC and takes SD cards. MU-905 with 4 gb for 59k:

http://global.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=123417274

This one, the MU-939, 4 gb, 79k, does FLAC and takes "mini SD cards" -- mini???? Are they for real? I don't think mini SD cards are common.

Anyone use any of these? How good is the sound? I see screws on the back of some of them, so I wonder if the battery is replaceable? The specs show some pretty wimpy batteries, like 650 miliamp hours.

I don't want to spend a bundle on an MP3 player because I have dropped/spilled coffee on some of the deceased. And the batteries die. I like my Cowon, but the battery is sealed in, there's no SD slot, and they aren't cheap.

I've got to give MUZ credit for some cool looking designs. They look tempting.

What MP3 brands/models are you using? How about headphones?

All advice welcome!

[Jeff's Cigarettes]

I've this setup:

Cowon D2 2gb (no DMB) I got mine for 108,000 a few mo's ago but looks like the price is up due to the weak won I guess. Plays flac and wma, lossless...everthing. Huge batt life...I don't charge mine for a month sometimes.

http://www.interpark.com/product/MallDisplay.do?_method=detail&sc.shopNo=0000100000&sc.prdNo=94408020&sc.dispNo=016001

Phones: unbelievable sound for something priced this low...

http://global.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=130105439&pos_shop_cd=SH&pos_class_cd=111111111&pos_class_kind=T&keyword_order=koss

storage: I see the prices have edged up a little on these as well.

http://global.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=129692347&pos_shop_cd=SH&pos_class_cd=111111111&pos_class_kind=T&keyword_order=sdhc+16

Forums:

http://iaudiophile.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=53

[Jeff's Cigarettes]

Forums:

http://iaudiophile.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=53

[crossmr]

I don't use any. In Canada I had mp3 on my phone.. (SE K790A) but here I haven't figured out how to copy things to my phone so I haven't used. I can copy off..just not to..

[PeteJB]

If anyone can recommend good MP3 headphones on Gmarket, that'd be great. I got some a few days ago only to be disappointed with the lack of bass. And that's a Sony pair. First Sony item I've been disappointed with.

[Ukon]

[madoka]

What I use:

- 32 gig ipod touch

http://global.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=132004036&pos_shop_cd=SH&pos_class_cd=111111111&pos_class_kind=T&keyword_order=ipod+touch+32

- Sennheiser HD600

http://global.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=125624766&pos_shop_cd=SH&pos_class_cd=111111111&pos_class_kind=T&keyword_order=hd600

Like you, I use this combo to stave off boredom - mostly watch videos and listen to some music. The Sennheiser is the most comfortable headphones I've ever tried. They do leak sound, so other people could hear what you're listening to, but that should not be much of a problem on a bus. Personally, the idea of a battery operated mp3 player sounds nice, but reality is that ipods can run for 12 hours. That should be long enough for you to have access to an outlet in most situations.

If you are really roughing it, look into Power Monkey. It's a solar powered, rechargable external battery with tips to be used for anything from PSP to ipod to cell phones. I got mine for about $12 after rebate in the U.S.

http://www.earthtechproducts.com/p2588.html

Edit - included link to Power Monkey Explorer

[Underwaterbob]

I think using Sennheiser HD600s to listen to an MP3 player is a tad bit of overkill.

[Jeff's Cigarettes]

Bet they'd sound sweet w/ a D2 and a mini-amp.

[oder_etwas]

PeteJB (and OP): if you don't mind spending a few extra bucks, some pretty affordable and good quality earbuds are the Sennheiser CX 400. GREAT bass, plus sound isolation so you'll save yourself from going deaf too quickly by not having to crank it up so much.

I would avoid online auction sites for these, though. Quite a few fakes have come out of Hong Kong, but Amazon is an official seller...about $40 or so.

[PeteJB]

Not a bad price. But, are they tough? I hate earphones that fall apart after just a few months.

[Jeff's Cigarettes]

Sennheiser CX 500's are even better.

[harryh]

I'm using Ipod Classic 80GB / Go Vibe Petite / Sleek Audio SA6 which has kept me happy for a little while now. I also use Beyerdynamic DTX50 Audio Technica ESW9 headphones for portable use too.

Go to www.headphoneshop.co.kr

For a smaller MP3 player try looking into Cowon. They've got a good rep.

[Jeff's Cigarettes]

I often wondered about that site. Why do cx500's cost 45,000 on Gmarket and 116,000 on headphoneshop? Are the Gmarket ones knock offs?

[bogey666]