Typical price: £135
What is it: MP3 and video player with 1GB of flash memory and built-in speakers
What we think: The MP-500 is a capable player, but niggling problems with the control interface let it down
What you need to know
Reviewed on: 12 April 2006
Tags: Jens of Sweden, Jens of Sweden MP-500 (1GB), microphone, portable, stereo speakers
We like:
Attractive high-gloss non-scratch finish; impressive volume from built-in speakers
We don't like:
Fiddly touchpad interface
You might also need:
You'll need to buy headphones separately -- the MP-500 isn't bundled with any
CNET UK judgement:
We've heard better MP3 players and we've used better control systems, but we've never seen anything this small with passable built-in speakers. The MP-500 never really curls its biceps at the iPod nano, but then the nano is worthless without headphones. If you want to go public with your taste in music, this is your best bet. Just don't get on our bus
Full review:
The Elton John of the MP3 player world, Jens of Sweden is notorious for its flamboyant gold MP3 player designs. The company has a speckled past. Jens' eccentric founder, Jens Nylander, once recorded a song in a bid to compete with Apple's iPod. In defence of this tactic, Nylander was reported to have said, "We can't quite afford to put U2 on our players yet – but I can sing better than Steve Jobs." Continue Reading...
Jens of Sweden MP-500 (1GB) History
31 Jan 2006 in Crave
Jens MP500: ghetto blasters go tiny!
Listening to music on the move without headphones used to mean lugging around an anvil's worth of electronica on your shoulder, but not any more. Speaker systems are going all Lilliput...
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