Toshiba - MEG-F10K MP3 Player Review

Toshiba ups the MP3 player ante with the introduction of the Gigabeat series of digital audio boxes.  In addition to the MEG-F10K Black and Pale Blue Acrylic Digital Audio Players with their 10GB capacity, there are also 20, 40, and 60GB versions.  Checking in at $199.00, the Gigabeat MEG-F10K is a serious iPod contender, especially when the comparably priced iPod Nano holds only 2GB of data. 

The Gigabeat MEG-F10K is about the size of a fully grown iPod and like the iPod, is equipped with a large, bright, crystal clear 2.2 QVGA LCD screen and a resolution of 320x240, which offers astounding picture quality.  The main controls for the Gigabeat MEG-F10K are arrayed along the right side of the player; the power, menu, volume and A-button (specialized button that is user programmable) are arranged in a neat row and glow blue when the unit is powered on. 

My Viewpoint

The sound quality one can expect from the Gigabeat MEG-F10K is comparable to other MP3 players at this price point.  Like most MP3 players this unit ships with a quality pair of ear-buds, but like most ear-buds they started to started to hurt my ears in a very short period of time; there was something about the way they sit in the ear channel.  So I replaced them with an after-market set of lightweight quality ear phones that I am very happy with. 

Though the Gigabeat MEG-F10K features a built-in user selectable graphic equalizer with three SRS® WOW settings I was under whelmed by the performance of the feature.  To be honest, I have yet to find a MP3 player that can faithfully reproduce the musical quality I get from my home A/V receiver.   

The controls of the Gigabeat MEG-F10K are (somewhat) easy to master.  Though the unit ships with a rather lengthy manual for both the player itself and the software, I was able to find my way around the menus within a few minutes.  The nice thick manual is a nice touch however.

I use the Gigabeat MEG-F10K mostly at the gym when I work out at 5:30 in the morning for an hour, but lately I have been taking the unit into work as well; I need music while I work on those long projects!  The lithium ion battery is rated at 16 hours, but of course your charge will vary.  As I write this it has been three days since I charged the unit and the battery indicator still reads full.  Over time with continual use the battery lasts me a good three weeks to a month before I have to recharge.

Conclusion

For me the Gigabeat MEG-F10K's is a clear winner.  The unit seamlessly synchronizes with Windows Media Player version 11.0 via the included USB cradle/charger.   And with 10GB of space I can load the player up with my favorite tunes with space to spare.  For me purchasing the Gigabeat MEG-F10K was a no-brainer; at this price point ($199.00), iPod need not apply.