Audio on 2nd gen not too impressive

[Mwolverines]

I just picked one up yesterday at the Apple store and later tested it at home, and must say I'm a little disappointed with the audio quality. It is said the audio has improved over the 1st generation model, but I'm not so sure about that. Yeah, it sounds pretty loud (I'm guessing Apple a little more power to the amp) but the mid-range is not quite there; I can't hear the background details that was present on the 1st gen model (e.g. I listened to Tom Petty's greatest hits CD, remastered, and the same songs I listened to on my previous touch sounded better; more smooth sound. The most telling diffierence is with heavy metal music - Metallica, Slayer, Motley Crue, etc. On the new touch, the songs sound louder, sure, but they sound harsher with a tad bit higher level of treble; again, as mentioned, missing mid-range). I'm very picky when it comes to audio and expect to hear as much detail as possible; the 2nd gen, IMO, doesn't quite deliver. Also, when I tilt the ipod to the left, there is a trace of yellow tint (1st gen didn't show that). Perhaps I got a dud and so I will either a) ask for an exchange or b) refund. The problem with the latter is Apple will charge me 10% restocking fee. Darn, if only Frys had it in stock they would not have charged me any restocking fee.

[AndyT4097]

Well then just exchange it, they don't make you pay a restocking fee to exchange an item.... do they?

[trevpimp]

Dude just argue with them why you shouldnt pay for a defected item, youre paying 10% to restock an item that didnt even work fully when opened? Wow its bad enough that you have to go back and return it. :eek:

[AndyT4097]

I fully agree. But I'm curious now if they charge a restocking fee for an exchange? Anyone have any idea?

[anypats]

Dude just argue with them why you shouldnt pay for a defected item, youre paying 10% to restock an item that didnt even work fully when opened? Wow its bad enough that you have to go back and return it. :eek:
However, it may not be defective. Apple may have sacrificed some sound quality for sound volume. The OP is stating that it is louder. Once they take it back to the Apple Store they are going to look at it and test it and state that it is working and charge the 10% restocking fee.

[anypats]

I fully agree. But I'm curious now if they charge a restocking fee for an exchange? Anyone have any idea?
They do not charge a restocking fee for an exchange but you are going to have to convince them that there is something wrong with it first. If everything is functioning as they believe it should then they will not exchange it. I have been at the Apple store when people have tried to get exchanges or replacements on products but when the Mac Genius says that everything is functioning as expected they will not hand over a replacement device.

The same thing happens when sending it into Apple for repair. People mention all the time on these boards about sending something in for repair and they get a message back stating "no problem found" and get their original iPod back.

[Stay Alive 305]

It's never going to be as loud the iPhone 3G (that I own :D) but it is louder than the first generation iPhone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDig0KTzUqs

[Mwolverines]

I had the genius bar take a look at the touch, and the conclusion is there is nothing wrong with it (still, I swear the audio on the 1st generation sounded better). If, as someone mentioned, Apple downgraded audio quality in lieu of louder volume is true, that's very disappointing to hear. The logic makes no sense. The only reason I bought the new one and sold the old one on Ebay was because of the physical volume control; otherwise, I would not have sold it. On the flip side, there seem to be no evidence of hissing noise (can't completely confirm this as I've only played a few songs). As far as the yellowish tint goes when you tilt the touch to the left, I guess it's normal (all the display models as well as the iphones, all does the same thing at the Apple store). All in all, perhaps I'm overreacting here and that there is no problem. I guess I just got very used to my old touch.

[lunarpod]

You know I'm always skeptical about posts that judge sound quality. Video quality difference I can understand but audio . . . I just don't know.

I would love to have the OP take the pepsi challenge with the old touch compared to the new one. I'd bet big money that OP wouldn't conclusively pick the "lower quality" consistently. I'm not trying to knock the OP but some people just like to believe that they can tell the difference and can be so easily influence by reviews telling them that audio quality has changed. Just the mere suggestion of change can be powerful.


I just picked one up yesterday at the Apple store and later tested it at home, and must say I'm a little disappointed with the audio quality. It is said the audio has improved over the 1st generation model, but I'm not so sure about that. Yeah, it sounds pretty loud (I'm guessing Apple a little more power to the amp) but the mid-range is not quite there; I can't hear the background details that was present on the 1st gen model (e.g. I listened to Tom Petty's greatest hits CD, remastered, and the same songs I listened to on my previous touch sounded better; more smooth sound. The most telling diffierence is with heavy metal music - Metallica, Slayer, Motley Crue, etc. On the new touch, the songs sound louder, sure, but they sound harsher with a tad bit higher level of treble; again, as mentioned, missing mid-range). I'm very picky when it comes to audio and expect to hear as much detail as possible; the 2nd gen, IMO, doesn't quite deliver. Also, when I tilt the ipod to the left, there is a trace of yellow tint (1st gen didn't show that). Perhaps I got a dud and so I will either a) ask for an exchange or b) refund. The problem with the latter is Apple will charge me 10% restocking fee. Darn, if only Frys had it in stock they would not have charged me any restocking fee.

[archurban]

it is not defected but just your ears. If you bring some detail out, there is no satisfied device in the market. It is just damn portable. If you want better, why don't you buy expensive audio system or decent luxury earphone? It will make your arguement change.

[Scarpad]

The review here thought the new audio chips made it sound better than the 1G, but sound is subjective. As far as the Yellow Tint the Review did indicate it has the same yellow tint as all the new 3G Iphones have, indicating it's using a similar screen. I like the cooler blue of the 1g, but both still have the inability to show a strong Black Level Contrast. How are the colors the review says they are not as drab.

[madmaxmedia]

Better or worse is in the eyes (or ears) of the beholder. It does not surprise me that the OP would detect a difference between the 2, if he is very used to the sound signature of the original Touch. Some people like the Classic sound (such as the reviewers here), and some do not.

The new Touch apparently has the same Cirrus DAC as the Classic, and how the OP describes the new Touch is in line with most impressions of the Classic sound. I doubt there is anything wrong with the OP's unit, and I don't think sound quality was sacrificed to increase volume.

In many cases, we get used to sound from a certain device. It's possible that you might get 'used' to the sound of the new Touch and enjoy it just as much, or it's possible that you might ultimately just prefer the original Touch. It might also be possible that a different pair of headphones changes your opinion too, if you find something that might better pair with the new Touch for you.

[kendrid]

I prefer the sound of the 2G over the 1G with my Shure e2c headphones. There are many things that influence the sound quality (placebo, headphone impedance, what the user is used to).