Cowon X9 16GB Black
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According to our MP3 player expert
Thanks to its expandable memory capacity, the Cowon X9 lets you access your entire multimedia collection¿anytime, anywhere. The compact player is equipped with a 4.3-inch touchscreen, that lets you easily navigate through the menus, and browse through your entire library. In addition to letting you enjoy your own music (in MP3 and FLAC, among others), photos, and videos, this multimedia player comes equipped with an FM tuner which you can immediately record. The Cowon X9 provides you with up to 110 hours of your favorite music with just 1 battery charge. Enjoy hours of entertainment with the Cowon X9.
Screen size | 4,3 inches | |
|---|---|---|
Total storage capacity | 16 GB | |
Battery life during video playback | 13 hours |
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You may know it, you are traveling and want to listen to music on the go (no charging point nearby) but save the battery of your phone for telephone calls and (business) email. I took my Ipod with me, but it quickly runs out despite all applications being turned off (it may need another battery), Â in the evening both phone and Ipod can be charged. Not really to enjoy. My other objection to the Ipod is the mediocre sound quality and options to set it up to your own taste.
I initially looked for an MP3 player that can also play files such as FLAC. I wasn't looking for a multi-media player, I'm just looking for an audio player. There is not much to be found about these types of players, you will come across a review here and there, but I have not been able to find a comparison of multiple players. Through “the Guardian” I came across the following players (within my budget): Cowon iAudio X9, the Colorfly C3 and the FiiO X3. The Colorfly eventually fell off due to the slightly less enthusiastic reviews and the very small screen, the navigation would also be a bit less. I then hesitated between the FiiO X3 and the Cowon X9. The decision was made because of an excellent offer from COOLBLUE (a returned copy with a high discount) on the Cowon, partly because of the very long life and the fact that this player should sound very good.
When I looked at the pictures of the X9 I had a bit of a “plastic fantastic” feeling. When unpacking I was therefore pleasantly surprised that the device does not feel that way at all, it is not light and feels robust. The buttons give a solid impression and respond well.
The few reviews (including on foreign forums) that I found were not very positive about the screen. It's true, the screen appears to be misdesigned, an extra black bar on the left suggests that Cowon would have liked a larger screen. The operation is not as you are used to from an iPhone, for example, you have to push a little. The operation itself is smooth, if you touch the screen well, something immediately follows. I wouldn't watch videos on it, but that's not what I bought it for. You can also not use it on the internet, no wifi or BT. I would have liked the screen a little smaller to reduce the dimensions of the X9. What I understood from it is that the device is also somewhat large in size because of the battery.
I was able to figure out the settings and operation without a manual, not so modern but you get used to it quickly.
What matters to me in the end is the sound quality. I don't know what a Colorfly or FiiO sounds like, but compared to an Ipod (touch) or Iphone, the X9 sounds fantastic in combination with lossless files. The settings to adjust the sound to your own taste are very extensive. I'm not an audiophile, but I've found that I've been missing out on playing low-bitrate MP3s on mediocre hardware in recent years.
The battery does indeed have a long battery life (not measured). After a week I wanted to put in a 32Gb card and play it, but the X9 suddenly got stuck and wouldn't boot anymore, not even on the USB of the computer. I had read about this (that this player can “freeze”) but when I connected it to a USB charger via a 220V charger it suddenly turned on again, perhaps the battery was empty after all. Just put the latest firmware on it just to be sure, this was a piece of cake by the way. Let's see in the coming time whether it was indeed an empty battery or a “freeze”.
My first high-quality MP3 player and for now I'm happy with this X9. Used in combination UE900 earphones and a Toshiba 32Gb card. The X9 fits perfectly in a Lowepro Volta 30 case.
In short, if you are looking for a multi-media device, the X9 is not what you are looking for (despite the large screen). If you are looking for a fairly basic device with a beautiful sound and a very long playing time, I would definitely consider the Cowon X9.
Jean
7 January 2014
Automatically translated from Dutch
Now my third Cowon MP3, but the sound remains fantastic and for the sound I buy a Cowon and there is simply no better one for sale than a Cowon, only the various sound settings give the device the sound of your choice, no Ipod can be used here against.
Perhaps Cowon should think of a successor to the X7 with a storage of 160 GB, because this is unfortunately no longer available.
But if you want to get the most out of an MP3 player in terms of sound, there is only one choice, a Cowon and everything that is extra on the device is included.
Johnno
12 January 2014
Automatically translated from Dutch
A while ago I was looking for a new MP3 player that should do what I expected: play music with an easy selection and easy operation. That means to me: Good sound Playback of folders (not just playlists) Sound buttons on the outside Scrolling within the existing music (for example, to start a one-hour set halfway through) Battery life. I travel a lot, so I listen a lot
The Cowon X9 does exactly that. The player has many options for sound control and music selection. For example, there are 43 different pre-programmed equalizer variants and you can set 4 more yourself, which use 5 * 5 different ranges.
The 16 GB provides enough space for all the music, but a MicroSD can be inserted if necessary.
The controls take some getting used to, and sometimes it seems like you select something wrong, but then the right selection still appears
The USB connection is solid in itself, only it is a connection that only cowon players have. Micro or mini USB would have been a lot more convenient.
But hey, this is all well and good, but in the end it's all about the sound. Simply put, this is the pinnacle of what's out there. All my previous players, or players of friends, don't come close. As a result, some have also switched from Sony and Apple. The range of this player is much wider and clearer, and therefore the listening pleasure is also better.
So my top is now: cowon, Sansa (nice little player with good sound for sports), All others.
It is recommended to buy better headphones or earplugs. The standard supplied earplugs are not bad, but with better headphones everything is used (a must for every player anyway).
Finally the battery. The more than 100 hours that are advertised are indeed easily achieved, provided you do not use the screen too much. If you sit down to watch 3 movies, it becomes more difficult of course. For most users, charging once a week is simply enough.
There is no WIFI and other peripheral phenomena, and that is fine with me. I have other equipment for that.
My conclusion is that this is a player for people who want an MP3 player, not a disguised tablet or phone. The controls are sometimes a bit strange, but this is more than made up for by the listening pleasure, and that's what an MP3 player is all about.
Jeroen
15 October 2013
Automatically translated from Dutch
Product number | 334189 | |
|---|---|---|
Manufacturer code | X9-16G-BLK | |
Brand | Cowon | |
Warranty | 2 years | |
Processing of your defect | Carry-in warranty |
High-resolution audio | ||
|---|---|---|
Audio file format | MP3, Ogg, WAV, WMA, ape, flac, mp2 | |
Plays videos | ||
Video file format | ASF, AVI, WMV, Xvid | |
Displays photos | ||
Photo file format | JPEG | |
Frequency range | 20 - 20000 Hz | |
Equalizer |
Depth | 1,2 cm | |
|---|---|---|
Width | 7,3 cm | |
Height | 11,5 cm | |
Weight | 0,159 kg | |
Color | Black | |
Built-in screen | ||
Touchscreen | ||
Color screen | ||
Screen size | 4,3 inches | |
Built-in camera | ||
Built-in speakers |
Headphone jack | ||
|---|---|---|
Type of headphone connection | [3.5mm mini jack] |
Total storage capacity | 16 GB | |
|---|---|---|
Memory card reader | ||
Expandable memory | ||
Expandable storage capacity up to | 64 GB | |
Memory card | MicroSD |
Bluetooth | ||
|---|---|---|
NFC | ||
Built-in WiFi |
Water-resistant |
|---|
FM radio | ||
|---|---|---|
Internet radio | ||
DAB radio | ||
Plays videos | ||
Displays photos | ||
Radio |
Power supply type | Rechargeable battery | |
|---|---|---|
Type of battery | Specific battery | |
Maximum battery life | 110 hours | |
Replaceable battery | ||
Power source |
Pen clip | ||
|---|---|---|
Memory card included | ||
USB port | ||
Number of USB ports | 1 | |
USB function | Charge, Data transfer | |
Rechargeable battery |