Can you use the Zen as 'your main stereo player'?

[ryan3000]

Hi,

I'm considering the Creative Zen to replace my stolen ipod. Could people please tell me - how does the Zen perform as a replacement for your main stereo plugged into 3rd party external speakers?

I actually don't use my ipods very much on the move, but more in lieu of a conventional stereo (plugged into external speakers)

1. I presume the speakers plug into the headphone jack and the Zen broadcasts reasonable sound quality? (dependent on speaker quality - in this case Logitech speakers)

2. Will the radio work through the speakers? I understand the headphones function as the Zen's antena - do external speakers work as an antena in the same way for good radio reception?

Many thanks for your help.

(ps - also posting this in the Samsung P2 forum - this and the Zen are my shortlist)

[CrowdAds]

[qwerty_uk]

Performance and sound quality should be fine. Speakers will need to be amplified of course.
I've never had any problem with radio reception when using speakers. If you do, you could try using a longer lead (or extension) to provide more aerial-ness!

The main thing I'd say, though, is that if you don't need something nice and portable and pocketable, then you might want to look at something that's a bit quicker to navigate and has the option of a dock, like the Zen Vision M. The Zen can be a bit fiddly and slow to scroll through long lists.

[BobbyRS]

Originally Posted by ryan3000

how does the Zen perform as a replacement for your main stereo plugged into 3rd party external speakers?

It works just fine. I have no problems doing so.

1. Yes and see above response.
2. Although I don't listen to the FM radio much connected to external speakers, both of the ones I use seem to work ok.

Originally Posted by qwerty_uk

Speakers will need to be amplified of course.

This will be the key point to getting decent quality and volume levels, but shouldn't really be an issue since most external speakers we are referring to should be amp'ed.

Originally Posted by qwerty_uk

If you do, you could try using a longer lead (or extension) to provide more aerial-ness!

Good point!