Microsoft Zune 8GB Red

Reviewed by: AlexanderAkulick

Updated: 26-Jun-08

Strengths: Mineral glass LCD cover, beautiful red finish, touch pad and click controls, easy interface, loaded with custom settings and menu features, very thin and light, FM radio with digital information

Weaknesses: Supplied earphones are a little too large for my ears. Doesn't come with a protective leather case.

Overall Evaluation: The 8 GB. offers great sound whether using the FM radio or the the other media formats. MP3s, WMAs, CDs, or purchased media, are simple to install using the software interface - and the conversion and sync to the player keeps storage use way down without compromising sound quality. I purchased Sennheiser PXC250 headphones and overcame the poor fit of the factory supplied earplugs - but even the earplugs offered great sound reproduction. Stereo separation using either the radio or media formats is remarkably excellent using whatever stereo headphones you connect. Treble and Bass response is also high to very good. You won't be hearing any distortion from the Zune so long as the media was good to begin with - and the FM radio is a strong one offering 20 pre-sets and a very easy and fast station search feature. That radio also formats for European and Japanese stations if travel is in your schedule. Operation of the Zune is flawless, and you get updates to improve the firmware w...