Video Summary
top picks: hiby r1 and tempoTec variations v1 stand out for sound quality and overall value in the sub-$100 range.
user experience and physical buttons are prioritized — good controls often beat extra features at this price.
many players make trade-offs: some nail sound but have clunky UIs (snowsky series), others have great UX but weaker sound (fiio y1/y2).
none of the reviewed players support streaming services — they play local files from SD cards.
gapless playback and bluetooth vary by model (tempoTec, snowsky disc/echo offer gapless; several others do not).
The reviewer highlights the Hiby R1 and the TempoTec Variations V1 as top choices: the Hiby R1 for its quiet output, touchscreen + buttons, and navigation for large libraries; the TempoTec V1 for its strong sound, gapless support, and extra features like Bluetooth DAC mode.
No — none of the players reviewed support streaming. They play local music files from an SD card or onboard storage.
Fiio M3 Y1 is praised for its Apple-style scroll wheel and UX (despite weak sound). Hiby R1 also scores highly for UX with a touchscreen plus physical buttons. Several Snowsky models offer good audio but suffer from clunky button layouts or software quirks.
The reviewer warns about the Zaqe P30 (sound-quality issues) and criticizes the Astell&Kern Muzo for poor usability and sound — both are hard to recommend despite initial appeal.
"There’s a ton of options on the market that range from surprisingly good to surprisingly bad."
The sub-$100 MP3 player market has seen a significant increase in available models, offering a variety of choices for consumers.
While some players provide impressive audio quality and features, others fall short of expectations, highlighting the importance of user experience and sound quality.
"I need good buttons."
The reviewer emphasizes the necessity of having quality buttons, which greatly enhance the user experience while listening to music.
He articulates that the ease of navigation is crucial, as he prefers to avoid the inconveniences associated with using a smartphone for music playback.
"The user experience needs to be good."
A seamless and enjoyable user experience is paramount, especially given the convenience of modern smartphone apps which usually outperform standalone audio players.
The reviewer mentions that some players perform better than others in offering a more refined user experience.
"It’s got to sound good."
Although many audio players do not drastically differ regarding sound quality, there are noticeable distinctions in this budget range, which will be addressed in the reviews.
The reviewer shares that he has a large music library, making easy navigation an important factor in his rankings.
"None of these players support streaming services."
It is pointed out that the MP3 players being reviewed do not offer streaming capabilities; they are designed to play music stored on a memory card.
He also references his video series about building and managing a music library, offering resources for viewers interested in creating their own collections.
"So what we’re going to do here is we’re going to go through these audio players one by one."
The reviewer plans to systematically evaluate each MP3 player, detailing their features and performance before ranking them.
The first player discussed is the Fiio M3 Y1, noted for its user-friendly design, which includes an Apple-style scroll wheel that enhances navigation.
"Unfortunately, the sound quality on this is actually one of the ones that is kind of bad."
The reviewer expresses disappointment with the sound quality of the Fiio M3 Y1, mentioning significant bass roll-off that affects its performance with bass-heavy headphones.
Despite the player offering a clear sound overall, those with discerning ears may find it lacking in fidelity and general music enjoyment.
"I think we’re going to have to put you down in like the D tier."
The reviewer ultimately ranks the Fiio M3 Y1 in the D tier due to its sound quality issues, despite its excellent user experience.
The N E O Oasis Y2 is then introduced, which does not resolve the sound quality issues faced by its predecessor but offers an improved SD card option.
Similar to the Y1, the Y2 is also placed in the D rank, reflecting continued deficiencies in sound quality.
"This is the original Sansa Clip."
The review expands to include the original Sansa Clip, which is no longer available but serves as a reference point for the evolution of MP3 players in terms of user experience and sound quality.
The user experience of the Sansa Clip is described as basic, indicating the simplicity and limitations faced when browsing large music libraries.
"It sounded fantastic back when it came out, like 10 or 15 years ago, but unfortunately, using really sensitive earphones, it does have kind of a large hiss."
The speaker mentions a sound quality issue with older MP3 players, specifically that they produce a noticeable hiss when used with sensitive earphones.
Despite this issue, the overall sound quality remains satisfactory for those who do not use high-sensitivity earphones.
There's a nostalgic value to devices like the Sansa Clip, which still hold up reasonably well compared to newer options, even ranking it a B tier.
"The user experience is not the best...if you have a smaller music library, it's not so bad."
The Snowsky Echo Mini has appealing audio performance, better than the Sansa Clip, while priced at a reasonable $60.
The speaker highlights challenges with the user interface, stating that the button layout can be confusing, especially for those with larger music libraries.
While the device supports Bluetooth and features a balanced 4.4 mm headphone jack, it lacks gapless playback, which could detract from the experience for audiophiles.
"The user experience is still a little bit clunky."
The subsequent model, the Snow Sky Echo, retains many of the same characteristics as the Echo Mini but comes in at a higher price of $72 and features a metal build for a more premium feel.
The user experience remains similar, with ongoing issues related to the button layout and clunky interface, though it still supports Bluetooth and gapless playback.
Both the Echo and Echo Mini rank in the C tier due to these usability concerns despite their good sound quality.
"It is kind of better to use than the Echo and the Echo Mini."
The Snow Sky Disc introduces a touchscreen interface, making it more user-friendly than previous models, but has had software issues that can make it feel unreliable.
Priced at $90, it includes features such as Bluetooth and gapless playback, enhancing its appeal.
Despite sound quality being acceptable, the Disc's performance with sensitive earphones can be problematic, resulting in a ranking below the Echo and Echo Mini.
"I kind of just like it...it's a lot of fun to use."
The Snow Sky Echo Nano is highlighted for its compact size and enjoyable user interface, despite its minimal features compared to earlier models.
Straying from the standard features seen in other Snow Sky devices, this player has a simpler button layout and no Bluetooth or gapless playback, which may deter some users.
At a price point of $50, however, it performs well acoustically and ultimately receives a B tier ranking due to the enjoyable user experience.
"This is the little audio player I keep bringing up in my reviews."
Priced at $85, the Hiby R1 is presented as a leading contender in the sub-$100 category.
It boasts a positive user experience primarily due to its touchscreen interface, while still offering physical buttons for usability.
Overall, it is recognized for its superior features and sound quality, making it stand out among competitors in the same price range.
"The touchscreen is not the most intuitive, but it is still one of the better players that supports a really large music library."
The player mentioned utilizes a touchscreen interface, which, although not very intuitive, provides significant advantages for users with large music libraries, allowing for quick navigation.
For those with extensive musical collections, features like fast scrolling can enhance usability, contrasting with players aimed at smaller libraries where these features may not be as crucial.
"The sound quality is fantastic. In fact, even with really sensitive earphones, I don't pick up any noise or hiss."
The audio player exhibits excellent sound quality, remaining clear even when paired with highly sensitive earphones.
This model stands out as a reliable choice for audiophiles seeking quality sound without interference.
"This one does not support 4.4 mil balance, it's only 3.5 mil."
While the Hiby R1 is favored for its audio quality, it has limitations, specifically the lack of a 4.4mm balanced output.
Users who prefer the 4.4mm option might find this an essential drawback, although it is noted that the 3.5mm output suffices for many users.
"User experience on this guy is rough... navigating it is pretty difficult."
The XDUO X2S is compact and made of metal, but its small screen makes navigation difficult, especially for users with large music libraries, which can lead to frustration.
Additionally, recurring problems were noted, such as music not playing in order and settings resetting every time the device is turned off.
"This is basically the worst MP3 player that I've used in this market."
While the Astell&Kern Muzo is aesthetically pleasing and made of quality materials, its lack of functional buttons beyond volume controls significantly hinders user experience.
The poor sound quality and limited functionalities make it a player that is hard to recommend despite its initial attractive pricing.
"This is a warning about this player."
Although it offers Android-based functionality at a competitive price, the Zake P30 suffers from significant sound quality issues, leading to doubts about its overall value.
Users looking for a reliable, affordable Android audio player should be cautious, as performance deficits have been noted.
"The Hidizs AP30 is actually pretty nice."
The Hidizs AP30, though still in a beta phase, presents an appealing design and user-friendly navigation with a D-pad and physical buttons.
Initial reactions to the player indicate it has a solid build and good potential but may need further refinement before it reaches its full capabilities.
"It's a familiar format if you've ever used a video game console."
The review begins by discussing the physical layout of the MP3 player, noting the presence of a 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced output on the bottom.
A clicking volume dial is highlighted as a unique control feature, though the built-in Tetris game is regarded as a poor version and not a selling point.
The MP3 player is priced at $85, which is considered reasonable, and while it has some user experience issues, it is described as generally easy to use.
"The sound quality is perfectly good."
The user experience includes some challenges like the inability to scan a full music library but is rated easier than some competitors.
Sound quality is deemed commendable for casual listening, especially when paired with sensitive earphones, despite not having undergone exhaustive tests.
Additional features such as Bluetooth capability are mentioned, but the lack of gapless playback is noted to be a permanent limitation.
"I think this is basically as good as the Echo Mini."
The Hidizs AP30 is compared to the Echo Mini, indicating a level of capability and form factor that appeals to users.
The review transitions to another player, the Tempo Tec V1, which has garnered interest but was initially overlooked due to branding concerns.
The reviewer expresses surprise at the V1's performance and indicates they are still evaluating the device.
"This one has some of those extra features."
The Tempo Tec V1 is more expensive at $90, and its user experience is comparable to another player with a similar operating system.
It boasts a larger screen and numerous buttons but suffers from less intuitive touchscreen controls compared to smartphones.
Unique features include Bluetooth functionality, gapless playback, and the ability to function as a Bluetooth DAC amp, allowing integration with computers and phones.
"It is dead silent on IEMs."
The sound quality of the Tempo Tec V1 is rated highly, with effective power output that performs excellently even with in-ear monitors (IEMs).
The review suggests that few options can match the quality of this player within the sub-$100 price range and concludes with a note that it rivals more expensive players.
Emphasis is placed on the player's compact form, although the position of headphone jacks is viewed as a downside.
