Hello all

I just started synching my music collection (aac, 192kps encoded by itunes) with my new ipod nano 3rd gen (8gb). However all my music files now sound like they would have been encoded to mono (8khz). I am absolutely not satisfied with sound quality. What could be wrong? Do I need to try other Headphones than Apple supplied?

Thanks

Sound like mono on PC or Ipod or Both ?

On PC (ITunes) it sound fine! (like it should)

if the sound difference really is that bad it sounds like its broken... go to a store and listen to one

maybe its your headphones too?

I'm pretty sure there has been a firmware update for it. Maybe try that and or a hard reset.

Thanks. Mine is 1.0.1 (latest). Just checked with other headphones. Same thing.

Take it in and get a new one.

Did you plug in the earphones as deep as possible?

Of course but I returned it and I am waiting for a response. The lady told at the desk told me that the sound is ok... that the Ipod nano quality is generally lower than the normal Ipod quality. Now I am waiting for a replacing unit.

This isn't true at all and afaik the classic and the nano use the exact same audio chipset.

I also think they use the same main boards as well along with the same firmware (or very similar). So the iPod classics and iPod nanos have much more in common (including sound quality) than the Apple person is telling you. It sounds like there is a physical problem with the iPod as I have listened to a 3G iPod nano and I have a iPod classic. Both should sound very similar to the 5G/5.5G line of iPods. So something isn't right in their explanation. The only iPod that I have that actually has a decrease in audio quality is the iPod touch but I still can't really notice it too much (or at all whenever I use some decent cans).

You need to be forceful for a replacement. They might try to talk you out of it. Listen to the demo units on the floor using the same headphones. Bring your own headphones though as you don't want to catch other people's earwigs. I think they use 128kbps AAC files on the demo floor so if those sound better, then you definitely know it is a hardware issue with yours. It is not like you are trying to exchange a $400 iPod touch, this is a lower priced nano we are talking about.