Kenwood releases Media Keg MG-E504 audio player

Sun, 2008-09-21 16:00 — tekro

Name: Kenwood Media Keg MG-E504
Category: portable audio player
Price: About JPY15,000
Release date in Japan: September, 2008

Among the catalog of non-iPod audio players (a.k.a. Audio Players You've Never Heard Of) lies the Media Keg series from Tokyo-based audio specialists Kenwood Corporation. The Media Keg stable houses a handful of flash memory-based and hard drive-based models; its newest entry, the MG-E504, competes with the iPod nano in form and price. Let's jump right to a direct comparison:

Although a tad pricier at JPY17,800, the iPod offers 8GB of flash memory (vs the MG-E504's 4GB), a 2-inch screen (vs 1.5-inch), video playback (vs none), better interface and controls (including click wheel and accelerometer), and a body that's a skosh smaller and lighter than the MG-E504's. (Most users would count iTunes media management software as a plus as well, though it has its detractors.)

The MG-E504, on the other hand, allows additional memory via a micro SD slot, so you can match or surpass the iPod's storage; a 16GB card would take up to an impressive 20GB. The gadget also claims 54-hour audio playback time (vs the Pod's 24 hours). A quick-charge ability promises to supply 3.5 hours of playback on a 10-minute recharge.

MG-E504-supported audio formats are MP3, WMA, AAC, and WAV, vs MP3, AAC, Audible, Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV for the iPod. Comparisons of overall sound quality, including quality of the supplied headphones, is a debate we'll have to leave to the audiophiles. Neither device includes radio.

So there's the breakdown: if you value the expandable memory, the longer battery life, and WMA file playback, and can overlook the smaller screen, clunky mobile phone-like interface, and lack of video, the Media Keg MG-E504 is an iPod nano alternative that'll save you a couple thousand yen to boot. (Also available from October: the MG-E502 with 2GB internal memory, for JPY13,000. Either model comes in white, black, or pink.)

More info (Japanese):
http://www.kenwood.co.jp/j/products/home_audio/personal/mg_e504_502/