How To

How to Buy a Portable CD Player

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(5 Ratings)

Portable CD players range in price from under $50 to $200. How much you pay will depend on the unit's sound quality, features and accessories.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  1. Step 1

    Take a few familiar CDs to your favorite consumer electronics store.

  2. Step 2

    Listen to song excerpts through good speakers or headphones on several models.

  3. Step 3

    Turn off as many sound-altering features (bass boost, and so on) as possible.

  4. Step 4

    Carefully test each unit's anti-skip protection if you will use the player in a car or while walking or running. Jostle the unit. Run with it.

  5. Step 5

    Compare performance features such as oversampling filters, digital-to-analog converters, length of digital anti-skip protection (10 to 45 seconds), and bass-boost switch.

  6. Step 6

    Decide which programmability features you want, such as programmable memory, random play, repeat play, and audible fast-forward and fast-reverse.

  7. Step 7

    Compare convenience features such as automatic shut-off, display type, line-out jack, remote control, and weight with batteries.

  8. Step 8

    Compare included accessories such as AC adapter, headphones, carrying case, remote control, standard or rechargeable batteries, and car cassette adapter kit.

  9. Step 9

    Compare ease-of-use of various models.

  10. Step 10

    Understand that extra hardware and extra features add to the price.

  11. Step 11

    Remember that the least expensive units have a 90-day limited warranty, other units have one year.

Tips & Warnings
  • A cheap player with decent headphones may sound better than a more expensive player with included headphones.
  • Longer memory buffers for anti-skip protection consume extra battery life when activated.
  • Some portable units won't play some or all CD-RW discs. Test a unit first if you expect to use the homemade discs.

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