Review Date June 19, 2006

Samsung neXus

  • Pros


  • Bottom Line


By Mike Kobrin

Bass Needs a Boost

The neXus's frequency response (with the electrical load of the included headphones) is flat down through the midrange; response decreases significantly in the mid and low bass, so you won't get truly deep bass. The player's output isn't exceptionally strong, though it does offer a Max Boost option in the EQ Set menu, which gives you some extra volume (actually, it just brings it closer to the average MP3 player's volume). With the EQ set to Flat, the player's output is virtually distortion-free even at maximum volume; with the Max Boost option on, you'll get significant harmonic distortion beginning at about two clicks below top volume. Of course, you'd probably damage your hearing if you were listening that loud anyway. There are seven other equalizer settings aside from Flat and Max Boost; I much prefer the simple treble and bass controls on the Helix and Inno.

The sound quality of content recorded from XM radio is fair. Since the recording function involves compressing an already-compressed audio stream, you can really hear the compression artifacts in the music. (This matters far less for talk radio.) Content recorded from one of the jazz stations definitely suffers a bit from some roughness around the edges—but then, you're meant to go to Napster and buy the songs you've recorded off the radio if you want a high-fidelity version.

I did a rundown test on the neXus's battery using the included earbuds at a comfortable listening volume. I got a very disappointing 7 hours 8 minutes—roughly the same as the tested battery life of the Sirius S50. Given that the neXus has to be docked to refresh the content, it doesn't seem that battery life is a huge issue, though I am still a bit surprised that the battery doesn't last longer, since it doesn't have to power a live XM receiver.

If there were no Samsung Helix or Pioneer Inno, the Samsung neXus might be a worthwhile purchase for serious XM fans (no pun intended). But given that a significant part of satellite radio's appeal (and that of radio in general) is the immediacy of its content—especially with sports events, news, traffic, and weather—the neXus's utility by itself is limited. If you've got the optional car kit, however, then you'll get a lot more out of this device. But that brings the total list price to around $339 (for the neXus 50), and at that point, it might be more practical to spend the extra $60 for the Helix or Inno.

Compare the satellite radio players mentioned above side by side.

More satellite radio reviews:
•   Samsung neXus
•   Samsung Helix
•   Pioneer Inno
•   Pioneer AVIC-N2
•   Sirius S50
•  more

Mike Kobrin
By Mike Kobrin


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