+ The sound is excellent, but ... for "really good" sound one might again spend money on appropriate headset, because although the supplied work well, but are more likely for limited frequencies because (MP3 class up). The headphones are similar to those of my E585B which also Noisecanceling, FLAC + ALAC has support, but cost only 125 euros. In my sounds pretty much the same for most files (it seems to me just as if the F886 is a little louder. When E585B there are about real volume a damper, which is why I use the my MDR XB41EX, then go with Level 28 / 30). In MP3 or FLAC for me there was but no reason to go out 160 euros more here. Just so it runs Android. Hmm.
+ The display is top notch, although every Android phone in this price range the loose surpasses - I wonder if the upcoming Xperia will not bring at least these sound quality - and then also can make calls. If I want to have an Android device, this conclusion would be close but. Therefore, it is questionable whether Sony's concept will rise there.
+ The workmanship is impeccable, also the supplied headphones (which I in my've also here because Sony has given my colleagues nothing better -. What actually would have because of the glaring difference in price may be expected)
+ The File transfer also works just as with the previous Walkman's problems (I use the equipment only as devices under Linux)
+ The case design Like
+ Touch operation is very smooth, the processor should therefore be very strong
+ The battery life is good (is here positively assessed, although it is not half as long as in my Walkman. But in Verlgeich the competition it is good)
And now to the things that did not like me:
- The operation, if you have the unit in the host bag, is an absolute disaster - and that's no exaggeration
- The supplied headphones have no remote control function and the "high-end" enriches the Sony headphones have not got a key clips (only in the lower middle as Handset / Handsfree for phones) => my age-old MP3 Walkman had well-formed keys and not so heavy volume limit and was great "blind" to use in your pocket. Then came the "Design-Walkman", where every now and presses a wrong button by accident while walking and then lands in the album function. In the latest which was further exacerbated - even with my E585B. But the F886 beats here really everything. Since I can equally take my iPhone, I had not been used for just this reason. No idea what the Sony engineers have this thought. We now have not tried that hands-free headset would work here, but because the device was likely derived from the XPeria's, I'm assuming that that should work matching with remote control here. Hopefully, otherwise that would be really a disaster.
- The "Tapper" on display are just as distracting as a smartphone - the previous Walkmans have not the problem "real" through the panels
- The boot process takes too long.
- The device of my friend freezes sporadically completely. I'm assuming that the problem with the next firmware is gone. Nevertheless, perhaps released too early. This is Sony atypical (and I have very frightening many Sony products in the household). My friend says that he can live with it.
- The European way too small for HiRes audio memory (I take that but not from here, as the bigger versions can still come)
- The price is clearly too high and many customers will consider whether it is not rather here on the E585B (also with Noise Canceling and MP3 + FLAC ALAC + + WMA + ACC + HE-ACC + Linear PCM + + WMV MPEG-4 + + AVC set JPEG support), which is not even half as expensive
All in all it's a nice device that as the biggest shortcoming of 27GB provides the currently limited storage net for HiRes audio formats as well as the terrifying bad usability in your pocket.
I always suspect in such a control design that engineers briefly seen during the lunch break in Tokyo on the road, all kinds of girls it past plowing flying blind with the cell phone in hand and look at the display through the city until they eventually a Bus overruns => and the target group of "flying blind swallows" is adjusted according to the design (if you are always holding the device in his hand, a touch display as an operating instrument is also not bad). Unfortunately, I belong more to the genus audiophiles who want to use the device and the handset as inconspicuously as possible - when I think back to my old remote control of my MiniDisc Walkman, come to me today the tears - love Sony's engineers, which was then genuinely awesome. You could infect "each" listener with 3.5 mm jack. Bring it back, please.
I can only say that whoever puts only attach importance to FLAC suitability and does not plan to make "better" headphones, may as well buy the E585B. I hear there is no real difference. The noise-canceling like the F886 (at least according to my colleague - I confess to him the time to) work better, but that is, if at all, only minimally audible. Who "HiRes" affords suitable handset, the feature loses anyway. The operator flying blind when cheaper Walkman is better.
However, for those who value Android and touch operation and the battery life, the price and the service are not "sooo" important, but want to get the most out of audio quality, which can gladly accept the F886. Really wrong to do nothing with both devices. But I will stay despite the loudness issue (EU primary debt) at the "cheaper" model - at least for now.
Postscript: If you have a smartphone with good audio sound is halfway, rather disappointed given the high price - the Android with all additional features is nice, but already largely been implemented in 75% of the world's mobile phones the same. And since 17% iPhones are not even included. I think Sony will have here difficult to find enough buyers. A better compared to smartphones operating concept but would perhaps even be able to convince me.
