In
use, the iRock 860 is quite intuitive and despite its small
size and even smaller controls is actually very easy to
use even for the biggest fingers. Powering on the unit by
pressing the Play/Pause button lights up the main display
with a cool blue backlight. You're then shown a 'www.myiRock.com'
logo before finally (in MP3/WMA mode) going to the top of
your file list.
Navigation
is accomplished via the fast forward/rewind rocker switch
and the play/pause button for selection. Navigation when
changing folders is quite slow (taking about 2 seconds),
and even slower when using an m3u playlist file, however
it isn't annoyingly slow but don't expect it to be instant.
Navigation icons are for folders, files, and playlists and
of course your root (or the selection to move 'up' a level).
You simply move to the song/playlist you want and hit the
play button. If you want to listen to the radio you push
and hold down the mode button until the FM Tuner starts
up. Using the IDDB Software you can save up to 20 presets,
or scan manually/automatically with the rocker switch.
Five
modes of equalization are available (Flat, Rock, Jazz, Classical,
Pop) and are easily selectable by repeated pushing of the
EQ button. If the HOLD switch is used then the Display will
flash 'Holding ….' upon a button press and the button
pressed will be ignored. A-B repeat mode can be setup via
the mode menu, along with other settings such as the backlight
timeout, deletion of files, contrast and scroll speed of
the file name scrolling. It's all very simple stuff yet
the player has a surprising amount of features for such
a small device and limited controls.
Sound
quality is very good although through using 4 different types
of headphones I did notice that very high and continuous sounds
such as a cymbal crash does have an undertone 'ticking' but
other than that sound is pretty precise to the file being
played. Volume is good and with the supplied headphones gets
to a decently high level which should please those who like
loud music (me included). Subjective listening tracks I used
were Hybrid: If I survive, Police: Roxanne, Evanescence: Tourniquet,
Linkin Park: Nobody's Listening and Rob D: Furious Angels.
All of these tracks sounded as I expected them too, with highs,
mids and lows being reproduced pretty faithfully, although
the very low sub bass was obviously lacking. Sound quality
was to my own personal tastes improved with the bass expanding
EQ setting of Rock which added a bit more life over the Flat
setting and almost made up for the lack of sub. It's a shame
their isn't a user programmable EQ, as this could be accomplished
in the same manner as the FM Tuner presets via use of a text
file in the IDDB. I found the overall sound quality to be
quite surprisingly good; with the right files CD quality sound
and reproduction is available.
Just
a FYI, VBR (Variable Bit Rate) MP3's and WMA files are
supported and play fine. You'll get a flashing VBR symbol
when playing them which rotates its display with the song
time. I've used VBR, 56-320 bitrate files on the 860
and had no issues with any of them. With 256mb of memory (247mb
useable) you should have enough space to store about 3 or
4 albums at 192bit MP3.
File
transfers are managed by the IDDB or iRock Digital Download
Manager (or you can use the included Music Match Jukebox
Basic) which comes on the software disk. This software will
allow you to transfer files TO the iRock 860 but not transfer
the included 4 songs FROM the 860 due to copyright laws.
However, you can explore the 860 via WindowsXP as a removable
disk that allows you to read and write … oops! The
IDDB will also allow you to setup the FM Tuner presets.
Anyway, the IDDB is very easy to use, simple but does its
job. Word of advice to anyone doing their very first transfer
of songs, use the download list rather than individual songs
direct to the device. You'll see why in a bit.
Testing
Testing
of the device transfer rates has been done with the IDDB but
for the record, incase anyone was wondering, the IDDB transfers
at the same speed as Windows Explorer or music Match Jukebox
(also included on the CD, the basic version).
As you can see, file transfers are slow and
below average for flash media taking about 2 minutes for a
60mb album of MP3's. In comparison with the DiskOnKey 128mb
the transfer rate is slower by quite a few seconds. It took
me over 7 minutes to put 244mb of MP3's on the 860 which is
quite a while but considering the nature of the product is
not too much of an issue in real world usage. It's when you
realize it takes over 7 minutes to fill it up you are thankful
for the Download List window in the IDDB, as you can decide
what you want to transfer (and even save different lists)
before you actually transfer it. Once everything you want
is in your list, hit the transfer button and go make yourself
a drink, kick the cat, what ever it is you want to do for
7 minutes.
Conclusion
iRock's
latest Digital Audio Player, the iRock 860 will please anyone
who is looking for a cheap and tiny unit for some music on
the move. Being a solid state unit you won't have to
worry about tracks skipping, and with its support of MP3 and
WMA (including VBR varieties) as well as an FM Tuner you should
be all set for a long trip. Battery life obviously depends
on the quality of battery but a singular 'el cheapo'
AA Battery from the local bargain store (they don't
include one) has lasted about 6 hours of continuous playback
which is pretty good. A decent make like Duracell for example
will give you about 8 or 9 hours of music at default settings
for backlight, scrolling etc.
Sound
Quality is pretty damn good, with only the real lows missing
which is common in walkman style devices such as these. With
five preset EQ settings you can have minimal control of your
sound, but I thought it might be nice to have a 6th user set
EQ. Still, the firmware on the device is upgradeable so who
knows, perhaps iRock may introduce this later on, and with
upgradeable firmware can easily accommodate a different format
such as ogg.
File
transfers can be accomplished by the supplied IDDB Software,
Musicmatch, WMP or any software that supports external players
such as these. Transfers are slower than your average flash
media but isn't annoyingly slow in comparison.
Control
is mostly intuitive but the supplied manual is very comprehensive,
and for those who are not big on reading, iRock include a
quick start sheet. Speaking of inclusions, the overall package
is very complete with a neck strap, leather case with belt
clip and some high quality earbud style headphones. iRock
even include 4 songs preinstalled on the unit. For 125$
USD, the overall package is a good one if you're looking
for a small and cheap player.
Pros:
Tiny size, Complete and plentiful package, Intuitive controls,
More than just basic features, Easy software supplied, MP3
and WMA and an FM Tuner, Good sound quality, up to 8 or 9
hours play on one battery, roughly 3 or 4 albums at 192 bit
Cons:
Transfer rates can seem slow (over 7 minutes to fill), no
battery included
Bottom
Line: With its tiny size, overall complete package,
easy to use functions and good sound quality you can't go
far wrong with the 860 player if you're on the look out for
a Digital player for music on the move. If you have any questions
or comments, feel free to use our Forums.
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