2. Good Sound, Not-So-Great Earphones

When it comes to audio quality, the Gmini XS 200 doesn't play second fiddle to its competitors. The sound is pleasant and no major coloration is audible. However, it lacks a little breadth compared to listening to a stereo set. This is due to how the extremes of the audio spectrum - both lows and highs - are not reproduced. Even customizing the equalizer didn't totally eliminate the problem. You'll do well to customize it anyway, since only five standard presets are offered - Rock, Techno, Jazz, Classic and Live. Still, this player has the finest volume adjustment currently on the market (from 0 to 99) and also allows you to change the sound balance between the two earphones.

With those earphones, on the other hand, Archos has an unpleasant surprise waiting for its customers. Despite a not-so-low retail price of $249.95, Archos has taken the cheap way out with the earphones that come with the device. Not only do they strongly attenuate the treble, but they swallow the sound. Even with the volume on the control unit pushed all the way up, you need to set the player's volume to at least 65 to hear the music clearly in a quiet room. So don't expect to hear much of it on a noisy street with these earbuds in your ears.