2. Sound Beyond Reproach

We've said it again and again based on our tests: The sound quality of Creative's audio players is about the best on the market. The Zen Micro is no exception to that rule by a long shot. Of course, compared to a Hi-Fi set, the Micro's sound lacks a little bass, but that problem can be quickly solved by adjusting the equalizer. It's not perfection, but the result is close enough to satisfy the great majority of users.

Another pleasant surprise is that you won't have to change earphones to fully appreciate the sound. Creative bundles a pair whose quality is good enough so that they don't interfere with the music. They're also comfortable and stay put. All that's missing is a little dial for adjusting the volume without having to take the player out of your pocket.

The FM tuner built into the Zen Micro is also high-quality. And it can memorize up to 32 different stations instead of the usual 10.

However, one small fault keeps the Zen Micro from attaining perfection in the sound department. The built-in microphone generates a good deal of hiss. Unless you're in a completely silent environment, voice recordings you make won't be useable. It's true that the Dictaphone is not the primary function of an MP3 player, but it's often a useful plus for recording a lecture or making voice notes to yourself.