It Sounds Better
Recordings are of good quality, especially if you switch to 128 kbps quality. Usefully, the record button doubles as a button you can configure to switch play speeds and set a repeat point (useful for transcribing), change from normal to repeat to shuffled play, or switch between sound processing options. The equalizer options are excellent, with the 13 presets actually worth trying out. The 3D effect gives you a real 3D sound that doesn't compress the sound, and you can adjust the level of 3D applied. And the custom EQ settings give you 9 bands to play with rather than the usual 5 - again, you can actually improve the sound rather than just making it sound processed.
The best sound you can get out of the YP-U2 comes when you rip your CDs straight to Ogg and turn on Samsung's Digital Natural Sound engine (DNSe). With MP3 tracks we found the quality was almost identical to the iPod nano - and preferable to the iPod shuffle. You can't hear a difference on some tracks, but on others the bass enhancement of DNSe makes a big difference. Compared to the shuffle, individual instruments sound more defined, with both lower and high notes sounding clearer. DNSe may have a name like the other marketing gimmicks, but it's one of the few that actually makes an improvement to the sound of the music.
The supplied headphones are in-ear buds; they're far more attractive than the usual run-of-the-mill earbuds, with a reinforced connector, chrome details and a black pillar beneath the earbud to help it balance in the ear. The sound quality is better than that of many included headphones; after feeling uncomfortable at first, they become more comfortable to wear after a few minutes. Of course, you'll appreciate the sound quality of the YP-U2 much more with a better pair of headphones.
The blue light that glows from the crystal cap while you're playing music is cute, but it also cuts the battery life down from a good 14 hours to under 9, so it's nice that you can turn it off. You can also delete files on the device without plugging into a PC, and turn off the irritating beep between tracks - although that is the best way of being sure you haven't pressed forward too many times, since the display isn't always as responsive as you'd want. The irritations are minor compared to the things Samsung does get right, like the sound quality and the low price.
Small Or Too Small?
For some users, the iPod shuffle will be just too small: no screen, no direct USB and little control. The audio is marginally less impressive than other iPods, but the iPod shuffle has a "wow that's tiny" impact that few other devices can match.
