iPod Sound Quality of iPod nano vs. computer

[cosmokanga2]

Is it common that the sound quality coming out of a iPod nano 3gen is worse than that coming from a laptop?

I just played the same 320kbps song on both and the computer sounded clearer and less "muddy" than the iPod. Both iTunes and the iPods have the same settings and neither has an EQ setting. The computer is a cheap Sony laptop so I'm sort of surprised it sounds better. I used the same pair of Shure earphones as well by the way.

Just wondering if this is common or is a problem with my iPod?

Thanks.

 

[kmiahali]

first of all no person on earth who is sane would have picked that up and anyway, I'm thinking its your ipod because no one else who has ever bought an ipod nano 3 gen ever complained. then again they are sane.

 

[nick9191]

Computer = large and expensive
iPod = small and cheap

Its the same on my Macbook, the sound quality is much better (and ridiculously loud). And its the same with pretty much any other MP3 player (not great sound).

 

[Tom B.]

first of all no person on earth who is sane would have picked that up and anyway, I'm thinking its your ipod because no one else who has ever bought an ipod nano 3 gen ever complained. then again they are sane.

It's common knowledge that most computers will have better sound quality than any iPod. My five and a half year old PowerBook sounded noticeably better than any iPod I have ever heard, even with the standard Apple earphones.

 

[hexonxonx]

Yes, if you care about sound quality, don't buy a portable MP3 player. Doesn't matter if it's an iPod or a Zune.

These MP3 players are fine for most people because most people aren't going to sit there and compare sound between devices.