Cowon Systems iAudio G3

The Iaudio G3 is a great device depending on what you want to use it for. It is a 4 in 1 device: music player, recorder, FM.

Radio and removable USB Drive. So I will split my review accordingly.

Useful features

1. Backlit LCD giving plenty of information.

2. Intuitive user interface through a 5 direction button. The menus and the folder navigator are easily and intuitively accessible.

3. Uses AA batteries rather than a built in rechargeable battery. This is very important because all rechargeable batteries have a limited life after which they need to be replaced. The problem with the built-in batteries is that you would need to go to the manufacturer to get a replacement. However, AA batteries can be got anytime/anywhere in the world. With ever increasing capacities, AA batteries are the best way to power gadgets.

4. Nice transparent plastic cover.

5. Firmware upgrades are available.

6. Other features include a clock, timer, alarm etc

7. Works as a removable USB drive (USB 2.0) without the need for drivers.

8. Decent software - Jetshell, Jet audio.

Music player

Pros

1. Fantastic and powerful sound reproduction.

2. Useful equalizer features through Jeteffect - 5 band Equalizer, BBE, MP enhance, Mach3Bass, 3D Surround and Pan.

3. Useful play modes - All, Folder, Playlist, single, repeat, shuffle.

4. Dynamic play list capability.

5. Good quality earphones.

6. Multi codec support.

Cons

None

Gripes

1. The earphones though good are rather big making it useless for listening to music on the move. Otherwise the earphones are useable as they just about fit in the ear.

2. Deleting files while listening to music causes a break in the music.

3. Only 1 playlist is allowed.

FM Radio

Pros :

1. Works nicely.

2. User settable station presets.

3. Auto scan.

4. Configurable to work in several regions - Europe, US, Japan, China and Russia.

Cons

None

Recorder

Pros

1. Can listen and record at the same time.

2. User settable recording level.

3. User settable recording bitrates.

Cons

1. The bitrates are limited to either 96, 112 or 128 Kbps to all (line-in, voice and FM).

2. FM radio recording is not good. It records with noise.

3. Voice recording level is low through the built in mic even at maximum level. Does not have an external mic jack. I would recommend to use an audio editor like Goldwave to enhance the voice recordings.

4. Line in Recording has plenty of hiss.

Summary

As a music player the iAudio G3 is almost everything that you may ever want. As a recorder it is pretty much of no use.

Hopefully future firmware updates will solve the above problems. The manual (book) is incomplete (only half of the pdf version included on the CD).