TOP 14 Best mp3 players with good sound

The rating based on the reviews of ordinary buyers presents the best players of 2020. We've divided audio players into categories: the most inexpensive ones are good for sports (but don't expect them to be over-sounding). Middle segment - good sound is already coming due to a separate DAC. The premium segment is good audiophile portable players. The rating did not include devices at exorbitant prices.

You can safely choose any player from the list. The only question is cost. If there is an opportunity and desire to buy more expensive, then it is better to do it.

Many people wonder why in 2020 to buy an MP3 player, if almost everyone has a smartphone that not only plays music, but also takes pictures, serves as a navigator, and so on. Music lovers have their own opinion on this matter. These people have special requirements for sound, so they prefer to use separate portable audio players.

We have already written about:

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Which MP3 Player is Better to Choose

The following factors should be considered when buying a portable audio player:

• memory size... If you plan to listen to music in mp3 format, a 4 GB model will be enough. The lossless format will require more memory, at least every 10 times. It's good if the device supports SD cards;
• supported formats... Many people don't understand what is the difference between MP3 and lossless music (FLAC, AAC, ALAC). The latter provide really high-quality sound, but in order to hear it, you will need to select the appropriate headphones;
• display... The main thing is that it is clear and does not fade in the sun;
• interface, controls... The buttons should be large so that you can blindly feel them in your pocket when switching songs. The way the menu looks is also important, the usability depends on it.

Many manufacturers provide MP3 players with additional features. So, from them you can watch photos, videos, catch the radio and much more. It is a matter of taste here, and whether it is worth overloading the audio player attractive by its simplicity is up to everyone.

The best inexpensive mp3 players for sports

When buying a budget MP3 player, don't expect it to be a technical miracle. Such devices are taken because of their compact size and simplicity. There are no special functions in them, but there is a basic one - playing audio files.

This digital player is made of aluminum and is about the size of a USB stick. In front there is a small 3-line display, quite bright (everything is visible, regardless of conditions). It has only 4 GB of memory, but there is a fast charging function. By putting it to charge for 3 minutes, it will play music for an hour. A full charge lasts 20 hours. And no wires are needed - the player is simply plugged into the USB port.

The formats that you can listen to are mp3 and wma (you shouldn't expect more among state employees). The music menu has filters (by songs, genres, folders, and so on), you can turn on bass boost, which will appeal to fans of electronic music, there is also an equalizer. In terms of control, the audio player is quite convenient - it is difficult to get confused in 4 buttons.

The sound quality is excellent. But it's better to get rid of the complete headphones right away - they are terrible.

The material of the player is black plastic with soft-touch coating.The device has a rather comfortable shape - it is easy to attach it to any part of your clothing. The main control is a push-button joystick. To display information there is a small monochrome display with moonlight backlighting. The advantage of this inexpensive portable player is support for microSD memory cards.

Again, the bundled headphones are not suitable for listening to music, they can only check the player's performance. The menu is quite convenient - music is divided into genres, albums. There are no problems with file names - both Russian and English are displayed well. If the standard sound does not suit you, you can dig deeper into the equalizer.

A feature of the device is the built-in file manager - you can delete unnecessary music in it, which is convenient. Additional functions include a voice recorder and radio. The only drawback is that music is recorded on it for an indecently long time, longer than on a standard USB flash drive.

In terms of form factor, the player looks more like an elongated USB flash drive. There is a USB connector under the removable cap (that is, you do not need to use wires for charging).

This is a fairly cheap digital audio player, but, despite the price, it compares favorably with 2 features: there is a screen, albeit a small one that fades in the sun, but it is there. The second advantage is the memory capacity of 8 GB (there is even a slot for microSD).

Additional functions include a voice recorder and a radio that can memorize 20 stations. Not without its drawbacks - it will not be possible to set the desired track playback order, and the control itself leaves much to be desired.

The best Hi-res players in the mid-range segment

This category includes high-quality portable players that do not cost fabulous money, but you can't call them cheap either. These players are made of better materials and have more functions. The sound is also better here, since the manufacturers install a good DAC in them.

The design feature of this digital Hi-Res music player is the leather-like back case. It is not only pleasant to the tactile, but also prevents slipping. The rest of the body is made from a combination of glass and aluminum.

Describing the sound with adjectives, it is: soft, bright, warm, detailed. For its price, this player plays brilliantly, it knows how to separate stage plans and ensures the correct presentation. As it should be for a serious device, the Cayin N3 is honest and correct, does not tint the sound and does not use enhancements. The player involves, evokes emotions and a desire to re-listen to your audio library in order to plunge into the sound of a different level.

The Cayin N3 is a powerful, high-quality and flexible turntable, the only drawback of which is the presence of several touch buttons (not everyone likes them). There are also small flaws in the firmware, but this is all quickly corrected by the manufacturer. This player is a serious competitor to the rest of the middle class devices.

The design of this music player is thought out to the smallest detail. It is made from a bunch of aluminum and glass. Nothing dangles, which indicates a quality build. The coating is stable, but you can always buy a cover. The screen is bright here with good viewing angles.

The autonomy of the audio player is provided by a 3400 mAh battery. On average, this is 15 hours of music playback. The manufacturer constantly releases new firmware for the device: there are updates over the air, and an adequate translation into Russian.

In terms of sound, the emphasis in this turntable is placed on low and high frequencies. The DAC provides surround sound: every cymbal is heard, and in the most detailed way. The mids are dense, saturated here, it seems that the player tints them slightly.The main role here is assigned to low frequencies, they are deep and massive, with a subbass that is clearly felt.

Hi-Res music player with high-quality sound looks like a black brick - it is not spectacular, but convenient and practical. The case is metal, the assembly is reliable, there is no backlash or creak. On the front there is a color display, which, of course, is inferior in quality to detailed IPS screens, but it is easy to read information from it even on a sunny day.

Besides listening to music, xDuoo can be used as an external DAC. That is, the player is connected to a PC and a pure digital signal is received from it, which is decoded, amplified and transmitted to the headphones. The player also has Bluetooth - you can connect wireless headphones to it, you just have to sacrifice sound quality (this method of signal transmission is characterized by compression).

As for sound quality, xDuoo engineers squeezed the maximum out of the ESS ES9018K2M DAC and OPA1612 amplifier, even a little more. The X20 delivers natural, detailed and rich sound. The frequencies here are worked out wonderfully well. Those who love lows will appreciate the accentuated bass, which is firm and accurate here. The mids are slightly pushed forward, which makes heavy and electronic music listen well. The treble is picky, but a little soft. The overall sound can be described as "darkish", but this is even a plus - after many hours of listening to music, it does not ring in the ears.

A compact, Walkman-style audio player with good sound that fits easily in the palm of your hand. Made of aluminum, the control buttons are located on the side of the case so that they can be pressed by touch. There is a small screen, which is clearly visible in detail even at minimum brightness. Supports memory cards, however, and native 16 GB here, which is a lot.

The NW-A55 is omnivorous, meaning it supports most popular formats. The control interface is convenient, there is nothing superfluous in the menu. When playing music, the difference between mp3 and FLAC format is especially noticeable. The detail is at a height, the high frequencies are balanced, the hearing does not hurt. To reduce the level of distortion and noise, the player is equipped with an S-Master HX amplifier, which provides clear sound.

We should also mention the autonomy of the player - 45 hours. Not every Hi-Res player can boast of this. When connecting the Sony NW-A55 to a computer via a USB port, it will act as a DAC, that is, the sound will be processed by the player, not the PC. If desired, the player connects to the smartphone via Bluetooth technology, which will allow you to broadcast high quality music that will sound in a new way.

Most of the body of this Hi-fi player is made of magnesium alloy, which gives hope for high durability. The front panel houses most of the buttons and a 2.4 ”display. The dimensions of the player are close to ideal, it pleasantly resembles the reference iPod Classic in its time. Easy to operate, the menu is logical.

Music on this hi fi audio player sounds solid and lively. The sound is warm, attractive to the composition, and at the same time, collected, balanced. The emphasis is on the midrange, but they do not stick out. There are no questions about detailing. Separately, it is worth noting how the human voice sounds: a certain naturalness is created, as if you are listening to the performer live. This is good for any composition, but especially in jazz and blues. The bass is deep, fast and precise.

A player that cannot be called a "brick" - its side edges are rounded, which makes it seem smaller. The back cover is made of all-aluminum, the front panel is made of glass.There is also a highlight of the device - a touch wheel used for navigation.

In terms of sound, it is not chasing the title of the best "basshead" - if you need serious bass, you should look at other models. Its presentation is neutral, with a slightly noticeable bias in the dark, and there is no perfect detail. The bass is fast, deep and composed, which is good for a device at this price point. The mids can be called moderately detailed. This player is not designed for listening in particularly difficult directions as it lacks sharpness. But the emphasis is on the vocals - it kind of stretches forward, it seems deeper.

This device with a metal body is slightly larger than a matchbox. It has a rather small OLED screen by today's standards. It contains little information, but it does not fade in the sun. The controls here are not mechanical, but sensory, and you won't be able to press with gloves.

The audio player produces a neutral sound, high detail and legible in all ranges. The player does not seek to decorate the composition and conveys extremely accurate sound. Instruments and vocals sound as if they are alive for engagement and emotion. Those who are used to embellished sound can use the equalizer presets. The bass is soft, deep and textured at the same time. The mids are clean, each musical instrument is clearly separated. High - detailed and sonorous, without artificial coloring.

The player has no additional functions. All he can do is play music. The model is quite old, so the price tag has dropped. This is a mid-budget codec player, although not on a new, but decent DAC.

TOP Portable players of the premium segment

Premium devices can cost more than fifty thousand rubles, and for some this is a barrier that makes no sense to cross. To tell the truth, there are devices that are cheaper, too, with a volumetric stage, where each individual violin will be heard. But there is no limit to perfection, and the premium models can really boast of their quality.

The feature of this heaped up Hi-Fi player is the tube output (it contains Korg microlamps). That is, the user can select "tube" and "non-tube sound". And you will have to pay for this pleasure, and the Cayin N8 costs a lot.

The player focuses on the emotionality and dynamics of sound. When you switch to tube amplification, the sound softens, becomes more aggressive and at the same time warmer (blues and jazz is a pleasure to listen to). The bass here is dynamic, deep, energetic, slightly pushed forward, but does not make the player "basshead". All instruments sound bodily and monumental, thanks to the bass control. Mids emphasize emotion and scale. Stage width is slightly less than the maximum, but one of the best among portable devices. The upper frequencies are ideal here - they are extended, detailed, layered.

The Cayin N8 is a top-end audio player, an uncompromising portable sound source that perfectly conveys the emotion of a song.

The KANN quality sound music player is a heavy, trapezoidal, corrugated brick. However, this does not prevent him from being comfortable in his hand. On the front there is a large display with 4 control buttons under it. On the side edge there is a vertical volume wheel, which clicks pleasantly with each turn.

The audio player gives out a light, calm and confident sound, without a corporate color - all tonalities are as natural as possible. The width of the stage is a bit lame, but the depth here is exceptional. The bass is fast and responsive, with a distinct texture, but moderate mass, which is sometimes lacking. The mids are more neutral.They are not melodic, without accents, but on many compositions you can hear emotionality, with good weight and realistic volume. The high frequencies are transparent and not sharp, they provide detail.

In terms of value for money, KANN is one of the best in this segment. It delivers a dynamic, detailed and rhythmic sound. At the same time, it has almost a record power, so it works well even with isodynamic headphones.

The peculiarities of this device are a huge touch screen that takes up most of the front surface and the fact that it runs on a full-fledged Android OS, which, of course, takes some getting used to.

Nevertheless, such devices are bought for the sake of sound, and in this regard, everything is fine with iBasso. The general impression is that the sound is neutral, technical, and at the same time musical. Low frequencies are fast, deep, with a natural flow, do not climb to others, but only faithfully convey details. The middle frequencies are more neutral, they do not add new emotions to the songs, but they play well those that are. Characteristic instruments are transferred without problems. But the upper frequencies slightly pumped up, they are quite simple, which is audible in some tracks. In general, the presentation of the player is neutral, so it is suitable for listening to any genre.

The design of the device immediately catches the eye - it is a wedge-shaped body, consisting of 2 parts: an aluminum frame and a back that resembles rubber. The quality is not to complain about, it is very pleasant to hold it in your hand. The dimensions of the player are small, so it easily fits into a jeans pocket.

PLENUE V sounds thick and solid. He does not divide the music into pieces, but gives out a driving composition that absorbs entirely. The bass is a bit accentuated, but the accent is so subtle that the lows complement the mids, making them warmer. With such a presentation, it is pleasant to listen to both jazz and electronics. Mids are emotional, with vocal emphasis. The player does not sound dry, more musical and warm, which is what most music lovers need. The high frequencies are slightly smoothed out, but at the same time they are clear, so there is no "dark" sound. You can listen to any genre on PLENUE V, fortunately, the musical settings are flexible here.

This audio player stands out for its ergonomics, design and autonomy (27 hours when listening to Hi-Res formats). At the same time, it has a modern audio chip and an advanced equalizer.

Conclusion

There are many Hi-Res players, as well as their manufacturers. Each model has its own unique sound. For some, a simple USB gadget is enough, where you can upload an mp3 file and enjoy it, while music lovers prefer serious devices where you can hear any detail and enjoy it. Before buying, it's best to evaluate the sound right in the store, but this will require good headphones.