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.
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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