Cowon iAudio D2 review

Some nice touches better but there are younger faster models out there. Tested at £125.00

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

The Cowon is a decent player, but recent rivals offer more

Pros

  • +

    Decent music and movie performance

  • +

    very portable

  • +

    impressive battery life

Cons

  • -

    Screen is small, poor off-axis and prone to smudging

  • -

    fiddly menu system

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We gave this unit a four-star review back in April 2007, complimenting it on its smooth picture performance and impressive 52-hour battery life.

So why the loss of a star? With the fierce competition that's appeared since that initial test, certain of the Cowon's drawbacks are more obvious and jarring.

The touchscreen interface is a nice novelty, but the screen tends to get smudged and covered in fingerprints very quickly, while the menus are complex and fiddly compared to rivals.

Additionally, at 2.5in, it's a very small screen compared to the current leaders, while off-axis viewing is very poor indeed. You'll find you have to hold it straight on and close to your face to get a decent image.

That said, both sound and vision are very passable, and the D2 is a compact unit that'll fit any pocket. But now, there's better kit out there.

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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