MP3 player

Electronics Times, May 8, 2000

Outrageous Soundmaster MP3, Absolute Multimedia, starter pack #79.99

The Outrageous Soundmaster MP3 player from Absolute Multimedia is small and lightweight, which makes it good for travelling, and the `hold' option means that if the buttons are pushed by accident, then nothing happens.

Overall the sound quality is good but the two features which are supposed to change the sound capabilities (surroundsound and EQ button) do not seem to make that much of a difference when on the move.

Setting up the separate downloader to a PC is not very easy. But when it has been done once, it is quite simple to use.

The Outrageous Soundmaster is the lowest price player out to date, which could make its popularity, and that of MP3, rise. But it is the flash memory cards which will cost the consumer, at #29.99 for 16Mbyte, the equivalent of only 16 minutes of music.

The overall look of the player is quite tacky due to the fake chrome effect but it is a bargain for the price.

Good quality sound, compact, and the starter pack has all you need.

Reviewed by Huw Griffiths