iRock 830 128MB MP3 Player Review
Today we take a look at another MP3 Player, but this time from iRock. The iRock 830 MP3 Player Review.
•
Size: 2.95" x 1.75" x 0.58" (75mm x 45mm x 15mm)
• Memory: 128 MB (830) (none expandable)
• MP3 Bitrates supported: 8Kbps~320Kbps
• WMA™ Bitrates supported: 5Kbps~192Kbps
• FM Frequency Range: 87MHz~108MHz
• Stereo Gain Differential: <0.5dB
• Display: Graphic LCD
• Power Supply: 1 AA battery
• Battery Life: 30 hours typical
• Signal to Noise Ratio: 90 dB
• Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.25%
• Maximum Output: 5mW
• Audio Connector: 3.5mm headphone jack
• Frequency Range: 20Hz~20KHz
Here we have the standard stuff with the iRock supporting various bit rates and housing a FM Radio. It not only supports MP3 but WMA as well. Using 1 AA battery, the iRock 830 can be used for around 30 hours. The unit is not upgradeable to more memory but you are able to update the firmware for any updates that are available.
The usual style of package
The iRock 830 arrived to us via next day delivery. iRock has always been quick on delivery and that’s a great asset. The front of the box is the usual plastic packaging that displays the unit front and center. The back of the box remains the same with added information about this unit.
Once I unpacked everything you receive the following items:
- iRock 830
- iRock branded Earphones
- Carrying case w/belt clip
- 1 AA Battery
- USB Cable
- Software w/driver and manual
- Quick Start Guide
The bundle
The iRock 830 looks pretty good. It’s around a creamy white color and very attractive with the chrome accents. The LCD is positioned in a nice place with the play/pause button below and is covered with plastic to prevent scratches. The overall construction was great with the unit not being flimsy or unjust. However, the only part that was a bit flimsy was the battery door.
The frontal action
The top of the unit has equalizer/fm presets of 20, the volume buttons and the dial that rewinds/fast forward during playback and pressing the dial inwards brings you to the menu.
The top of the 830 has the loop for the neck strap, headphone jack and the A-B function.
The bottom of the unit has the USB 1.1 compatible jack with its cover.
The back of the 830 and it's leather case
Software
Included on the CD are your device driver to be able to use the iRock 830 and the transfer management system software to transfer any of your MP3’s or WMA music files. The iRock Digital Download Manager has a nice skin interface that is reminiscent of the MAC look. As the iRock 830 is found from “My Computer” you can easily transfer music without using the download manager. For some reason using “My Computer” to transfer songs as opposed to using the Download Manager was in my opinion faster. I found when transferring from the Download Manager it was around 2-3 seconds behind what it was from “My Computer”. Also the USB 1.1 rate was slower than what I experienced with the iAudio unit.
Using the iRock 830
Using the iRock 830 was very easy and straightforward. The LCD screen handles the turquoise backlit LCD display. The backlit is very strong and makes the screen very easy to read. Tilting the LCD makes it a little bit harder to read text. I also noticed that the LCD when lit makes a small annoying buzz sound similar to what the iAudio unit did.
When you enter the options menu you will find these set of options to tinker around.
- Repeat
- Contrast
- Backlit
- Scroll
- Sleep Timer
- Delete
- About iRock 830
- Exit
As you can see, there isn’t really much of advanced features such as the important bass or treble options to tweak. There are only basic features, which you are able to tweak. The menu is however easy to navigate with small icons with it’s caption. The FM Mode allows you to preset 20 stations into the onboard memory. There are also four sample songs included with the iRock 830 so you can start listening to music in no time. Sound wise the iRock 830 is a good sounding player. The unit has clear sound with lots of treble but lacks the bass. More bass would have been appreciated. The earphones were of good quality but using higher quality earphones exhibited the same results.
Conclusion
The iRock 830 is a good MP3 Player. It supports MP3, WMA and has a built-in FM Radio but lacks the recording feature that it’s 730i sibling has and others have. It depends on what features you like and the sound quality to justify the purchase of the iRock 830. The bundle was standard of what iRock offers and the leather case is of high quality.
I am rating the iRock 830 a…
8/10!
Pros and Cons
+
Up to 30 hours playtime
+ Good sound quality
+ MP3 and WMA support
+ FM Radio
- LCD Buzz noise
- USB 1.1
- Download manager seems sluggish
- Lacks advanced features to tweak such as bass and treble
I would like to thank iRock for making this review possible.
