CHIC’S
MP-30 64 MB / 128 MB MP3 PLAYER
Things in the MP3 player business are really moving fast lately and Personal
Telecom Inc. (CHIC) is not an exception. After having the opportunity reviewing
their MP-10 model just a few weeks ago, it is already time for us to present
their new MP-30 MP3 Player.
This latest model possesses a super slim design, but is it as good (or even
better) of a performer as its predecessor and the rest of the competition?
We will answer that question throughout this article.
| Features |
The
Product |
- 128MB Storage
- USB Connection
- LCD Screen
- Great Sound
Quality
- 4 mode audio
preset
- Compact Size
- 9 hour battery
life
|
|
Presenting the
MP-30
The very first thing I noticed about this audio device was its incredibly
small, slim, and light-weighting design. With its 47 × 75 × 13 mm dimensions
and weighting only 32g (like the MP-10), it is definitely one of the smallest
(and lightest) MP3 player out on the market.
Moreover, this slick and stylish gadget comes in different colors (we received
the silver unit).
In addition to a choice of color, we can also choose between two memory
sizes: 64 MB or 128 MB (it can also be expanded through MMC).
Furthermore, on top of being a MP3 Player, the MP-30 can also be a Recorder
(MS ADPCM, 34.5Kbps). Personally, I think that this is a pretty neat feature.
You can use it the make yourself voice memos.
As for this device’s
LCD, is it a 3-line graphical one which can be illuminated by an EL backlight.
This panel outputs the player’s mode (recording or MP3 playback), the battery’s
remaining life, the current playing song’s name (or ID3 Tag) and number,
the song’s length, and other settings.
Let’s now talk about the
unit’s battery. It is a rechargeable prismatic NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) battery which can be charge we
the help of a special charger (included in the box). While Personal Telecom
Inc. claimed it to offer 12 hours of playback, we found that MP-30 was able
to last about only 10 (which is still pretty good).
Like
most MP3 players, this device transfer data through a USB port (USB 1.1).
After flawlessly installing the player’s software, I was able to benefit
from its High-Speed data transfer (it took about 10 seconds to download
a 5 MB song to the unit).
Menu Options and
Button Positioning
| MP-30
MENU |
| Play
Mode |
Equalizer |
Hold |
Setting |
Delete |
Exit
Menu |
| Normal |
Normal |
Hold
On |
Contrast |
Music |
|
| Repeat
one |
Classic |
Hold
Off |
Backlight |
Voice |
| Repeat
all |
Rock |
|
Scroll
speed |
|
| Shuffle |
Jazz |
Track
title |
| Intro |
Live |
Language |
| |
User
EQ |
System
info |
As
you can see, the MP-30 has quite a few options. With its additional (compared
to the MP-10) Live and User Equalizer, Multilanguage capabilities, and System
information, this unit is rather attractive.
Now,
let’s talk about the unit’s positioning. On the top of the device, you can
find the integrated microphone and the earphone jack. Found on the bottom
are the MMC, battery socket, and USB connector. As for the unit’s right
side, it offers you the STOP/PLAY, FF, REW, MODE, VOL+/VOL-, and REC buttons.
I personally think the buttons are well placed.
Sound
Quality
Even
though I’ve already tested a few MP3 players, I was still amazed by the
MP-30’s sound quality. It would emit a pure and crystal
clear sound. Moreover, paired up with the right equalizer for your
track, this unit’s sound is truly amazing! However, at maximum volume (19
or 20) I could hear a bit of distortion. Nevertheless, on a more general
note, the MP-30 offers a great sound quality.
Summation
The
MP-30 is definitely one of the greater digital audio players out on the
market. Its Super Slim design, lightweight, rechargeable battery, numerous
options, recording capabilities, and fantastic sound quality make it a very
attractive product and a strong competitor. However, I would have liked
the battery to have been rechargeable through the USB port and OGG support.
Still, at a price of about 160$ for the 128 MB, the MP-30 is a serious threat
to the rest of the competition.
David
Dorgerville
03/02/18
