Rio RioVolt SP250 portable MP3 CD Player with FM tuner

Sonicblue RioVolt SP250

RioVolt SP250 portable MP3 CD Player with FM tuner Review, by Melissa J. Perenson December 14, 2001

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• Reviewed by: cdxskier

  Strengths: Lots of EQ settings, Amazing capabilities

  Weaknesses: Upgrading is hard to do, feels a little cheap

  Overall: This device is packed with features with few glitches. The EQ can be set by the user, it supports ID3 tags, comes with rechargable batteries(and also accepts alkaline AAs), has an indiglo backlight, and 180 second skip protection for CDs(8 minutes for MP3s). I've never been able to get it to play WMA files or upgrade the firmware.

• Reviewed by: phillycat81

  Strengths: Very good display, plays mp3's as well as wma's, has fm tuner, skip protection is pretty good.

  Weaknesses: drains batteries, have to let skip protection build up, cd esp cant be turned off.

  Overall: I bought the sp250 because I thought it was theh best out there and I was right I have had a lot of players but this is by far the best of the bunch. I havent had any problems with it, it even came with rechargeable batteries that charge in the player. The only problem I have with it is that if you play regular cd's, it will drain your batteries very quickly, and you cant turn off the cd esp

• Reviewed by: frankgrabs

  Strengths: Plays your own CD-Rs or CDs, so no uploads to player. Flash firmware for updates, easy to do. Approx 150-200 songs per disc with MP3s. Very customisable for your individual likes.

  Weaknesses: Nothing major...lots of menus, forget about programming while driving. Sounds good, but have heard better portable devices. FM tuner weaker than I would expect.

  Overall: Basic functions are easy to use. Menus for setup might intimidate some users. I haven't really tested battery endurance yet, so I can't say good or not. Used it mounted on a motorcycle for 2 hours , and no skips on my MP3s. (and batteries didn't die) I would recommend it for most users, except audio nuts who want the purest sound. Supplied headphones sound as I would expect, but it sounds good on good "closed cup" headphones

• Reviewed by: sholling

  Strengths: Looks really cool and sounds good with aftermarket headphones - just don't move it

  Weaknesses: Skips constantly with even the slightest motion, low maximum volume, poor FM reception, cheapo headphones, Poor support policies - leave us an email and we'll get back to you someday - maybe

  Overall: Although it looks cool and has some nice reviews, I should have known that there was a reason the market was flooded with refurbished units. I bought mine new and really - really wish I could return it!

• Reviewed by: erseason7

  Strengths: Plays Mp3 and WMA files with east to use interface. FM radio built in. 8 minute ESP. Light up LCD screen.

  Weaknesses: None

  Overall: This is a must ahve for any who is crazy about Cd players. The price might be a little steep but it's worth every penny.