[Work in Progress] Kizune's Cowon Z2 Review - Page 7

Kizune · 03-19-2012, 15:22

Wow, that sucks. I expected it to drop. Oo

Androsone · 03-19-2012, 16:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAI

price actually went up here in the states. last time i saw the 32GB model for the S9/J3 it was 220 now it's 250

yea I saw the j3 16gb model for 300+

WAI · 03-19-2012, 16:36

where at? @Amazon only for 259 32GB or 200 used. 16GB is 200 which i guess is an alright price but the 32GB please... drop 30 off

Androsone · 03-19-2012, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAI

where at? @Amazon only for 259 32GB or 200 used. 16GB is 200 which i guess is an alright price but the 32GB please... drop 30 off

it was the white one, don't know why it's $600 though http://www.amazon.com/Cowon-Portable...2197424&sr=8-2

NonApplicable · 03-20-2012, 11:09

When devices are discontinued prices increase.

t.k. the hedgehog · 03-26-2012, 17:10

Hey Kizune, I have a question for you. This question has seemed to evade this topic entirely.

The z2...is it worth getting?

As you might know, i have an old X5 thats working, but probably not for much longer... is the Z2 even worth it? Is it stable enough for everyday use? is it worth the money and worth the wait to purchase? The D3 most CERTAINLY was not, and was a huge let down for a lot of us. please let us know.

these questions may seem redundant. but I want your full, blunt, final verdict on the Z2

Kizune · 03-27-2012, 01:29

That depends on your preferences.

For music related-tasks, the J3 is superior. The Z2 doesn't have playlist support and there isn't even a favorites list like on the J3. All we have is a bookmarks list, which I think is also to be considered a favorites list because when you add a track to the "favorites" in the file browser, it appears there.
Also, there's an annoying delay when you change tracks, even when the screen is switched off. I've had a J3 before the Z2 and it changed the track immediately.
My J3 just feels more sophisticated because Cowon improved the firmware a lot during the S9-era. (As we know, the S9's firmware was used as base for Cowon later products)
In case of the Z2 this period of firmware updates and improvements is still ongoing and this is probably also the reason why Cowon is waiting that long for the international release.

Please note, though, that I use the stock app because sometimes 3rd-party music apps love to kill my ears by setting the volume all the way up.

Video-wise the Z2 is definitely fantastic because it supports many formats and the video app provides lots of features and settings.

Battery-wise the J3 is a clear winner and when you forget to switch the Z2 off, its battery keeps draining quite fast.... at least that's how it was before firmware V1.28 Beta.
I forgot to switch my Z2 off for four whole days now and it's still running! Cowon definitely did a great job improving the Z2's sleep mode in their latest firmware.

I suggest you to wait for the international release.

snakebite2 · 03-27-2012, 10:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kizune

I forgot to switch my Z2 off for four whole days now and it's still running! Cowon definitely did a great job improving the Z2's sleep mode in their latest firmware.

What do you mean you forgot to switch it off? you left the player playing music? Did they improve the audio playback time?

Kizune · 03-27-2012, 11:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by snakebite2

What do you mean you forgot to switch it off?

No, I put the Z2 in sleep mode, i.e. I switched its screen off. Before V1.28 Beta, the battery drained all the way down when you forgot to shut the Z2 down entirely, and now I can leave the Z2 in sleep mode over night and it only loses 10-15% battery life.

t.k. the hedgehog · 03-28-2012, 00:25

Hmmm it sounds promising. One other question.....sound quality? My x5 is just about perfect....the j3 was quieter than my x5 at maximum.... is the z2 louder or as loud as your j3?

Kizune · 03-28-2012, 00:35

The Z2 is slightly quieter. (Tested with ATH-M50, both players at maximum volume)

Rob_127 · 03-28-2012, 11:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kizune

The Z2 is slightly quieter. (Tested with ATH-M50, both players at maximum volume)

My test yielded different results, the Z2 was a bit louder than the J3. I used my Grado SR225i.

t.k. the hedgehog · 03-29-2012, 03:39

So judging by both your results......and factoring in the differences......theyre about the equal? Lol

Enzyme · 03-29-2012, 10:24

quieter ath-m50 = 38ohms

louder grado sr225i = 32ohms

i'm still convinced its an issue ><

Lyrrad · 04-16-2012, 10:17

I have read through his thread but am still undecided what to get.

I have recently lost my J3 and was just going to replace it. However I am very interested in Z2. I would imagine that 75% of the time I used J3 for FLAC files and the other 25% was converted mkv files using Handbrake. So I think I certainly need to give the Z2 some proper consideration.

What I need help on is as follows:

The Z2 plays mkv files, but nearly all of my mkv files are 1080p encoded with DTS and range from 8 - 15gb in size. I am perfectly happy to use a 32 or 64 gb card and dedicate it purely to films. I know I would not get many on a card but I'm ok with that. It would just be nice not to have to convert films. Can anyone tell me if they have experience running this kind of mkv file on the Z2?

Also I have just recently bought Sennheiser HD 25-1 II headphones and the match on the J3 was stunning as far as I am concerned. Should the Z2 be just as able to drive these headphones?

Also I can't help think that the J3 is the finished article and whilst the Z2 may well be what the D3 should have been, my lack of real understanding of how Cowon behave when it comes to supporting a product in EU means that I am unsure if the Z2 will ever get a further firmware upgrade should it be needed.

I don't know if I should just stick with what I know and continue to wait for a player that can handle 1080p mkv files and buy that purely for my AV requirements. It does seem a bit wasteful to me though.

Feedback would be greatly appreciated.

03-19-2012, 15:22	#91
Kizune Feel free to call me 'Kizu' ;) Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Germany, Baden-Württemberg Posts: 5,968	Wow, that sucks. I expected it to drop. Oo __________________ me @ Google+ \| Twitter \| Flickr \| deviantART audio setup: Cowon J3 32gb \| Cowon Z2 16gb \| Audio Technica ATH-M50 other: Galaxy Nexus \| Nexus 7

03-19-2012, 16:36	#93
WAI VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: United States, Alabama Posts: 4,842	where at? @Amazon only for 259 32GB or 200 used. 16GB is 200 which i guess is an alright price but the 32GB please... drop 30 off __________________ My Thread D2 Theme/Flash Skin Packs, FAQ, and Tools S9 UCI's, FAQ, and Tools + READ the Disclaimer Notice.Thanks! Link to All COWON Products includes: Firmware/Manuals/logos (Unable to access them without Login) FOLLOW ME! Youtube UStream Twitter

03-27-2012, 01:29	#97
Kizune Feel free to call me 'Kizu' ;) Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Germany, Baden-Württemberg Posts: 5,968	That depends on your preferences. For music related-tasks, the J3 is superior. The Z2 doesn't have playlist support and there isn't even a favorites list like on the J3. All we have is a bookmarks list, which I think is also to be considered a favorites list because when you add a track to the "favorites" in the file browser, it appears there. Also, there's an annoying delay when you change tracks, even when the screen is switched off. I've had a J3 before the Z2 and it changed the track immediately. My J3 just feels more sophisticated because Cowon improved the firmware a lot during the S9-era. (As we know, the S9's firmware was used as base for Cowon later products) In case of the Z2 this period of firmware updates and improvements is still ongoing and this is probably also the reason why Cowon is waiting that long for the international release. Please note, though, that I use the stock app because sometimes 3rd-party music apps love to kill my ears by setting the volume all the way up. Video-wise the Z2 is definitely fantastic because it supports many formats and the video app provides lots of features and settings. Battery-wise the J3 is a clear winner and when you forget to switch the Z2 off, its battery keeps draining quite fast.... at least that's how it was before firmware V1.28 Beta. I forgot to switch my Z2 off for four whole days now and it's still running! Cowon definitely did a great job improving the Z2's sleep mode in their latest firmware. I suggest you to wait for the international release. __________________ me @ Google+ \| Twitter \| Flickr \| deviantART audio setup: Cowon J3 32gb \| Cowon Z2 16gb \| Audio Technica ATH-M50 other: Galaxy Nexus \| Nexus 7 Last edited by Kizune; 03-27-2012 at 01:33..

03-28-2012, 00:35	#101
Kizune Feel free to call me 'Kizu' ;) Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Germany, Baden-Württemberg Posts: 5,968	The Z2 is slightly quieter. (Tested with ATH-M50, both players at maximum volume) __________________ me @ Google+ \| Twitter \| Flickr \| deviantART audio setup: Cowon J3 32gb \| Cowon Z2 16gb \| Audio Technica ATH-M50 other: Galaxy Nexus \| Nexus 7

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03-20-2012, 11:09	#95
NonApplicable Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 178	When devices are discontinued prices increase.

03-26-2012, 17:10	#96
t.k. the hedgehog Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 72	Hey Kizune, I have a question for you. This question has seemed to evade this topic entirely. The z2...is it worth getting? As you might know, i have an old X5 thats working, but probably not for much longer... is the Z2 even worth it? Is it stable enough for everyday use? is it worth the money and worth the wait to purchase? The D3 most CERTAINLY was not, and was a huge let down for a lot of us. please let us know. these questions may seem redundant. but I want your full, blunt, final verdict on the Z2

03-28-2012, 00:25	#100
t.k. the hedgehog Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 72	Hmmm it sounds promising. One other question.....sound quality? My x5 is just about perfect....the j3 was quieter than my x5 at maximum.... is the z2 louder or as loud as your j3?

03-29-2012, 03:39	#103
t.k. the hedgehog Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 72	So judging by both your results......and factoring in the differences......theyre about the equal? Lol

03-29-2012, 10:24	#104
Enzyme (A)rrogance (B)reeds (I)gnorance Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 975	quieter ath-m50 = 38ohms louder grado sr225i = 32ohms i'm still convinced its an issue ><

04-16-2012, 10:17	#105
Lyrrad Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 2	I have read through his thread but am still undecided what to get. I have recently lost my J3 and was just going to replace it. However I am very interested in Z2. I would imagine that 75% of the time I used J3 for FLAC files and the other 25% was converted mkv files using Handbrake. So I think I certainly need to give the Z2 some proper consideration. What I need help on is as follows: The Z2 plays mkv files, but nearly all of my mkv files are 1080p encoded with DTS and range from 8 - 15gb in size. I am perfectly happy to use a 32 or 64 gb card and dedicate it purely to films. I know I would not get many on a card but I'm ok with that. It would just be nice not to have to convert films. Can anyone tell me if they have experience running this kind of mkv file on the Z2? Also I have just recently bought Sennheiser HD 25-1 II headphones and the match on the J3 was stunning as far as I am concerned. Should the Z2 be just as able to drive these headphones? Also I can't help think that the J3 is the finished article and whilst the Z2 may well be what the D3 should have been, my lack of real understanding of how Cowon behave when it comes to supporting a product in EU means that I am unsure if the Z2 will ever get a further firmware upgrade should it be needed. I don't know if I should just stick with what I know and continue to wait for a player that can handle 1080p mkv files and buy that purely for my AV requirements. It does seem a bit wasteful to me though. Feedback would be greatly appreciated.