Familiar Cowon quality (with conceptual shortcomings)

I was looking for a good sport mp3 player, actually been around for years. Sound quality, I am convinced that, in addition to all the convenience the most important requirement in mind. I hear when running and cycling music and sometimes loud. And would not destroy me by rattling sound hearing. Most manufacturers of players and, in particular, headphones, do not understand. They think sport suitable electronics may sound below average. This has dissuaded me from the Sansa Clip, although the first in terms of handling is cream. Apple is not an option for me.

Now Cowon had in this area last nothing. The E2 was unsuitable and C2 as well, even though I've used this temporarily during sports. Now Cowon comes with the E3 and what little could be read to opinions on the Internet, was premature slating. Reason enough to get him. A convenient source I got the 8GB version for 60, for 10 the clip. It's well priced. The 16GB version is more expensive, unreasonably expensive, in my opinion.

When most important criterion, the sound, the E3 convinced typically Cowon fashion. JetEffects he also, although less than the big brothers, essentially the Headphone-Effects. However, I also use the J3 not more than that. So do just fine. The Sound Settings are from the played song from changeable, so no need to switch to the Settings. So Sound class.
When the second most important criterion Opinions differ widely. Partly it is, that is beyond dispute. Even with clip it weighs only 30g. With 9cm he is then in turn more than a Sansa Clip, but also very flat. It can be worn comfortably in the hand. The clip I could possibly provided equal on the device, instead of using an optional accessory clip. But here believe Cowon, E3 would be used as a bookmark, see manufacturer's web page. The optional clip anyway, is rather cumbersome, therefore penalized. Nevertheless, I find the player visually appealing. The panel (no touchscreen) is perfectly operated with moisture. However, the keypads are very close together. If you want to fast forward instinctively easy to pause or volume. It would have been more space. The key operation itself requires some getting used to, but then understand easily and without looking.
The display is in b / w and with minimal resolution. The contrast is good in sunlight, the whole works but yesterday's. While the Sansa Clip proves that CD cover can look horribly over low color resolution, Cowon but would still have expected more.

Two additional features Cowon has relentlessly programmed past the need: Pedometer and Recording. For performance measurement, I use a GPS clock. The market for these devices and Schittzähler growing rapidly. It is hard to imagine that someone might get used to a stand-alone solution from Cowon. The steps are converted into kcal. On the small screen, this number can be read but hardly while running. So totally unnecessary.
The Recording function is easy and the recording quality surprisingly good. But why? To archive workout comments? Locate the position for the microphone could have been saved.
In other features Cowon has kindly waived. No calculator, alarm clock, notepad sheet etc.

The battery is of course not as strong as with Cowon players used to, but hardly anyone runs in music 12 hours, I would think. I have the player in the 8GB version and would not advise anyone to 16GB version. For large song libraries it is just not the right player, the operation cumbersome when it comes to song selection.

Important: Download the latest firmware from the Cowon webpage immediately after purchase. The first version knoweth no tags.

Conclusion: As the company can survive in the shrinking market of high-quality mp3 players, is indeed a mystery to me, but I am pleased with almost every new Cowon. So also the E3. It is small, light, looks good, has a super sound quality and is perfectly operated with moisture. The pedometer but is unusable Recording somehow misplaced and the optional clip unwieldy. The display is unnecessarily small.