The word MP3 is a special word for me. The IT industry has continued to develop blindingly and rise for the last almost 10 years, but it is hard to find another example like the MP3, that has revolutionized our lives digitally, like the MP3.

Around 10 years ago, programs started to be uploaded in communication networks like Hitel or Cholian, where you could extract sound sources from CDs, and this was the turning point that got rid of the protective layer of CDs. However, all you could do with this was to save something as a WAVE file and record with an expensive SCSI CD-RW drive to make a CD with the songs you selected, or be satisfied with copying a CD you borrowed from a friend. However, a little later, a tool appeared that could compress this into a digital file, called MP3, and share it and listen to it, and a player called WinAMP to play this appeared at round the same time, to start a great change in the world.

The expression The IT world is like a world of light and trash may be appropriate because of the models that change so fast like the speed of light, and the characteristic of consuming and throwing away products like light, but just when saving MP3s in the expensive hard drive disk of a PC (PCs were expensive at the time. Especially those structured with a SCSI were almost the price of a car) was becoming burdensome, the world s first portable MP3 player called MP Man was released by Saehan Informaiton Systems, and received the spotlight of the world. I could say may fate of becoming the MP Man beta tester as a representative of the Hitel club, was a fate with the world s first ever portable MP3 player.

Since then, MP3 players that use CD-Rs and CD-RWs, and other various products have ben introduced, but the MP3 players that most people like these days are the memory type MP3 players. PMP types are getting a lot of interest these days, but whether it be a PMP player or MP3 player, the vocation of the developer should be to develop a product that plays a sound close to the sound source and has a better effect. There are many products that have included overseas sound field processors, but Samsung has insisted on developing its own processor called the DNSe, and adapted it to AV products of the Samsung brand. Let s take a look at how much sound field processors have developed through the most recent version, the DNSe 2.0.

The DNSe 2.0 introduced a technology called 3D. Since portable MP3 players are portable, they use earphones, and therefore listening to a sound like the original sound source is impossible. Like the table above, this is the understanding of original sound sources. Designers define sound source to be the sound source that can be heard in the place of production when the music producer first makes the sound, thus, listening to a sound source from a 30 degree angle from left and right. Since it is not possible to output and relay a sound from left and right at a 30 degree angle with earphones, it uses 3D technology to give a similar effect inside the brain and make the user think he is listening to the sound source. Now, let s take a look at through what kind of flow this effect is made, and how the output is made through earphones.  

All the technology and free sets in the table above are those that include the DNSe 2.0 processor to be included in Samsung AV products in the second half of this year, and most of these are portable MP3 players that will be released by Samsung Electronics.

The MP3 file that is copied through the USB port of a PC is interpreted and released through a decoder. After this process, the processor made by each company receives it to make various technology and effect, and the Samsung Digital Natural Sound Engine, called DNSe for short, plays the role of the independent processor. This processor improves on the technology of the 1.0 version, which was the base for various effects, and added technologies are the backbone, and the bundle earphone and tuned free set aids the user when listening to music. After this process, it goes through an amplifier to amplify small sound sources and relay them to the listener.

This series of movements are all adapted to most PMPs or portable MP3 players, so interested consumers should keep this in mind. In addition, let s briefly examine the street, bass, and extension functions, out of the many functions of the DNSe 2.0.

In most sophisticated listening environments, sound output from speakers that are placed in optimized positions are bounced off walls and listened to. However, portable MP3 players are mostly listened to in the subway or the street while in motion, and so the noise of cars and outside noise are heard together with the output of the earphones, causing a problem in listening to the sound source properly. That is why the DNSe 2.0 made the street mode. This outputs the high tone parts of the sound source as they are, but the parts with a small output are not heard a lot of times because it gets mixed with outside noise, but if you use the street mode, the device calculates the difference between high and low tones of the sound source, allowing the user to listen to music on the street.

Bass extension is also called bass enhancement. There is a difference between this and the street mode, explained earlier. Instead of calculating the difference with the overall sound source,it uses the psychological Missing Fundamental Theory to make the brain think it is listening to the lowest deep bass tones, which can normally only be heard through large speakers. When listening to music with a strong low tone, this function can be used to listen to an improved sound quality.

Portable devices have changed the quality of life. Portable MP3 players have become steady sellers, as have PMPs, and there is no way of knowing what other product will change our lives. Therefore, as long as there is a sound effect processor that does not use overseas manufactured products, like the Samsung DNSe 2.0, and as long as a lot of efforts are made to overcome the limits of portable digital devices, I think I will not be the only one that hopes for a more enjoyable digital life in this digital world.

 

 

 

10 years have passed since MP3Ps were first released, but they are still popular. Despite the fact that most digital products such as PMP, navigations, electronic dictionaries, cell phones, PDAs, voice recorders, etc. are pursuing convergence and basically include MP3 playing functions, it is strange that the popularity of MP3 players is not cooling down. What is the reason why it is continuously popular?

 

First, there is portability. Most recently released digital devices have portability in mind, but there is no other device than the MP3 that strengthens it as much . (I think the MP3P is the only device you can wear around your neck comfortably) Since the lightest recent product weighed only 15g, it can be said that MP3Ps have established a monopolized characteristic in this sense.

 

Second, is the lifestyle of Koreans. Many people, including myself do not like just sitting blank faced when they are taking public transport. There are many people who read the newspaper or a book, or listen to music or watch a video clip or DMB, but listening to music with an MP3 player is the most convenient and free thing to do. I think that people probably listen to MP3 players because you just have to put in the earphones and don t have to do much with your hands. (This is one of the reasons why people do not use PMPs but insist on using MP3Ps. If you watch a video or DMB for a long time in the subway your neck hurts, so people prefer listening to music).

 

Third, is probably the great efforts of manufacturers. When PMPs were released most specialists and users predicted that the market share of MP3Ps would crawl, but we can confirm that this prediction was completely off the mark. MP3Ps that were limited to listening to music now have video support functions, DMB, flash, dictionary functions, etc. to secure competitiveness, and since differentiated products are continuously being released, they grab the attention of young people who react sensitively to trends. (There is no other product field that is as portable and has good designs as MP3Ps).

 

astly, I would like to say sound quality. Almost all digital devices include an MP3 function, but they do not have sound quality as good as MP3Ps. (All products tend to focus on their main function. PMPs have to show video clips well, navigations have to show directions well, and dictionaries have to have good quantity and quality). MP3s have to place importance on endless research for the best sound quality.

 

That was a long introduction. We can confirm that Samsung, which was not evaluated as well as Cowon or iRiver in the past, is getting a good reaction from users with its sound field system called DNSe. It dreams of another rise this time with the DNSe 2.0. Let s look at what points have been strengthened and what changes can be felt through actual tests, through this review.

 

 

 

We can confirm that sound quality has been strengthened in many parts, as shown in the picture above. The goal of the DNSe is to relay optimized sound effects of the original sound source, and perfectly play the sound effects intended by the producer. The DNSe 2.0 was developed to improve unnatural stereo sounds or low tone playing capacity, which were the limits of portable players.

 

 

 

Being a heavy metal fan, I go to concerts often. The sound at a concert hall is much more abundant and stronger, incomparable to the sound of normal digital devices, because extra sounds that are reflected and a sense of space can also be heard in addition to the direct speaker sound. I personally like dry cut off sounds, but this is a function users who want to enjoy an abundant sound like that at a concert hall, will like.

 

 

 

What is the biggest limit of 2 channel sound? As mentioned above, you can only feel a limited sense of space. (The position of speakers and space is extremely important for an ideal sound, but if you have earphones on, the sound plays directly from the side, so the sense of space is weak). A 3D speaker was developed to overcome this limit, and electronic technology through division and combination of sounds was used to recreate a three-dimensional sound.

 

 

 

Individual sounds come together to make a song, but because of the characteristic of portable devices, the sounds can be distorted at times. (Distorted sounds drop the ability to relay the sound source). The clarity function electrically corrects the sound to improve sound relaying, and expresses a clearer sound. (This is one of the functions I most wanted, and clarity of sound is a very important factor when listening to various types of music. It is frustrating when the vocal sound gets smothered in effects or the drum beat in unclear, but these parts have been improved, and I very much welcome these improvements).

 

 

 

Not only myself, but most users extremely like high quality low tones. (I think it could be a unique characteristic of Korean users. There are hardly and products now that have a menu to improve low tones) However, since the playing capacity of low tones is so different for each device, it is not easy to choose a device or earphones appropriate for satisfactory low tones. The bass enhancer function is one that supports playing high quality low tones, and instead of increasing the sound energy of low tones it uses a missing fundamental theory to create a physical low tone possible substitute, and play extremely low tones.

 

 

 

How precisely a product expresses tiny sound effects is an extremely important factor when deciding whether a sound device is good or bad. It is especially hard to listen to parts where the sound becomes small, outside. The street mode adjusts the volume automatically according to the level of music, to control parts with small volume to an appropriate volume without a separate control, so it rids users of the frustration of adjusting the volume all the time. (It is not a function like the noise cancelling function, but it is one that could probably be well appreciated when outside).

 

 

According to DNSe version, the 1.0+ supported EQ preset and 3D+BE preset, but the 2.0 has much more detailed categories, such as the 3D+BE(Clarity) + EQ preset and Concert hall, Street mode, etc. (We can confirm that the 2.0 speaker has a separate Movie/Speaker category for products that have an internal speaker, like the 2.0+ or K5).

 

 

 

I received two products to compare the difference in sound between the DNSe and the DNSe 2.0. The K3 and U3 are both popular products with consumers, and have adapted the DNSe 2.0 for a higher sound quality.

 

Most Samsung products select the sound field of the device to be optimized with its bundle earphones, but since I have never used the bundle earphones since buying an MP3P (I think that most people who place importance on sound quality use music earphones) I carried out the test with products users acknowledge. I think that comparing it with the Audio technical CM7-Ti model with outstanding resolution, to confirm detailed sound differences, will be acceptable.

 

 

The K3 is the best of its league, is slim and has a simple charm. It is a product that still remains in the high rankings at price comparison websites, more than 6 months after its release. It does lag behind a little in function compared to other companies, but it is a product that even beginners can use easily with its touch pad and direct UI.

 

 

The U3, which appears to have been released to compete with the Apple Shuffle or iRiver S7, is a product with the best portability with a weight of just 22.8g. IT has an LCD that is not installed in products of the same league, and has an extremely simple device control, and has a nice design, too. However, the best advantage is its function compared to its price. 4GB models can be purchased now at around 100,000 won, so this product is popular among users who want a high sound quality compared to a low price.

 

 

Audio technica s CM7-Ti is a product that is constantly popular among users despite its price which is over 100,000 won. It is a product that has better medium to low tones compared to high tones, but it does not present sound that leans too much to one side, so it has the advantage of playing all types of music well, and has great resolution.

 

 

 

I tested the change between DNSe and DNSe 2.0 with test music samples. The picture above is the sound field selection menu of the K3, and you can see it supports 8 EQs (including user EQ).

 

 

Carrying out K3 firmware upgrade adapted the DNSe 2.0, as shown in the picture, and many changes occurred. The 8 EQ selections were upgraded to 12 EQ selections, and 3D and low tone improvement menus were added to the user menu. (The picture below is the U3 s UI after DNSe 2.0 has been adapted).

 

As a result of comparatively listening to sample music of various genres, the low tone improvement was most impressive. I could see that the lowest sound ranges that could not be felt with the DNSe were definitely stronger. (The strong low tones of floor level were extremely attractive). As a result of tests with a few sound fields (studio, rock, jazz, ballad, dance, user) the sound field clarity was improved compared to the past. (Personally, this was the most satisfactory part for me).

 

However the range of change in concert hall and 3D sound were too small to feel differentiation. (The 3D and concert hall function offer a more lively sound when listening to music, but the sounds are dispersed and there is a little lack of detail, so it is a mode I personally would not use. The change is very small, but it does offer a more three-dimensional and full sound, so it could be liked by users who like lively sounds). @ The street mode does not have a select menu, so tests could not be made on the sound change.

 

 

 

The most important thing about an MP3P is its sound quality. No matter how good the design is and how many functions it has, it is hard to make a good impression on users if it does not have a satisfactory sound quality. (I have said this before, but the reason why I do not use PMPs is because of sound quality. Portability is not that important because I carry devices in my bag, but the sound quality that is not as good as MP3 players is still a factor that makes me hesitant).

 

Samsung recently released its new product and is carrying out aggressive marketing. The sophisticated design, strengthened SMS, various functions etc. were enough to grab the attention of users, but the most satisfactory thing was the DNSe 2.0. I think that Samsung manias will increase because of the more diverse sound field selection menu and improved sound quality. (I hope that investments in sound field technology will continue. Compared to a still picture of other manufacturers, it is good to see a company putting effort into continuous technological development).

 

I think that the P2, S5 and T10, which will be reviewed soon, and which have the DNSe 2.0, will be popular with the users. I look forward to an equation of Sound=Samsung establishing, through continuous technological developments.

 

The word DNSe may still be new to some people, but DNSe is the sound field effect made by Samsung. SRS, BBE, words that MP3 player users may have heard of, are also words that express sound field effect.

The reason why sound field effect exists, is to present the user with a better sound than the general sound that is listened to in the current music listening environment. For example, it is hard to expect a sense of live music or sound like the original sound when listening to MP3 player music through earphones, but sound field effect is what makes the sound coming from earphones a little more like the real thing, and one of those is the Samsung DNSe.

When singers and musicians actually make records they generally work on their music in an environment where good sound can be heard and set speakers at a precise angle, so the album is made is a good environment.
However, when we listen to music through the earphones of an MP3 player, we can only listen to the music with the feeling of sound in our heads. In other words, we listen to a sound that is far from the good sound the sound source producer intended.
The goal of the DNSe is to make the sound better, as if listening to it through a speaker or better environment. It also includes functions such as bass enhancement, giving a sense of space as if listening from a proper speaker instead of headphone, or the effect of being at a concert hall.
The first of these is the 3D Speaker. Even when listening to music through speakers, there are a lot of times when it is difficult to have a good distance between the speakers, and the 3D Speaker mode is a mode that makes it seem as if a good distance has been secured.
Portable devices are used a lot outside, and most of the time small sounds cannot be heard because of outside noise. You could raise the volume, but just raising the volume can damage your hearing. Street mode can be used in this case, which is a function that automatically adjusts the volume according to the music level, and always maintains an appropriate volume level.

The only model that uses the DNSe 2.0 out of products that are currently released is the Yepp YP-K3, but the soon to be released Yepp YP-P2, YP-S5, YP-T10 will include the DNSe 2.0, and you can learn more about the DNSe if you visit the DNSe micro website.

A variety of other Samsung product groups other than MP3 players, like home theaters, have also adapted the DNSe, and the method where the user can easily experience the DNSe 3D sound effect, is through the Samsung music playing and devices management program, SMS (Samsung Media Studio).
Only simple effects can be used, but you can experience the 3D sound effect technology that cannot be heard from general desktops. You can down load it at the SMS Yepp official homepage.

Personally, I first experienced DNSe with the Yepp YP-T7F model. The MP3 player I mainly used before that was the Yepp YP-J70, but this model had a sound field effect called SRS WOW HD.

Since I was extremely satisfied with the SRS WOW HD at the time, I did not like the fact that Samsung introduced its own sound field effect. (Actually, thinking back to the Yepps of those days, they were quite bad). So I stopped using sound field effect then and listened to music in normal mode, and had a vague prejudice that the DNSe was not as good as BBE or SRS WOW, but the product that made me use sound field effect again is the Yepp YP-K3. The DNSe 2.0 really advanced enough for me to throw away any prejudices I had about DNSe. Those who were reluctant to choose Yepp because of sound field effect do not have to anymore.

As a person who has used around 20 types of Yepp product groups, I feel with my entire body that the recent Yepp products have improved greatly in function and sound quality. I think the product that started it was the Yepp YP-Z5F. You could say the history of Yepp is divided into before and after the Z5F. I look forward to the products that will be released after the P2, too. : D

Reviewer - Xenix
Blog - xenix.egloos.com
Me2day - Xenix Me2day
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A new DNSe 2.0 sound field technology, along with a new product
Samsung Electronics has developed a new upgraded DNSe 2.0 sound field technology along with the release of its new YEPP products that are focused on the interface - YP-P2, YP-T10, YP-S5 . They say the sound quality has improved a lot, so let's take a look at what technologies have been included.

What is DNSe 2.0?
It stands for Digital Natural Sound Engine. Most sound sources are produced under the presumption that it is listened to through stereo speakers, but a lot of people listen to music through earphones on their MP3 players. The DNSe sound field technology tries to minimize the differences between speakers and earphones. It may not sound appealing to people who don't mind what kind of music they listen to and just enjoy music itself, but it is extremely interesting for people who have experienced good sound fields.

"DNSe 2.0 sound field technology can be summarized as something that allows the user to listen to music that is close as possible to the sound effects of the original sound source "

It is especially hard to get the best sound effects through portable players because of various limits of the device itself. For example,

1. The limit of playing music through earphones or small speakers.
  - Channel division is too strong (earphones),
     or too weak (small stereo speakers that are placed too close to one another),
     and a natural stereo image is not established.
  - There is a lack of low tone playing capacity.
  - Due to limitations of small size, a low power structure and condensed codec,
    the audio signal path does not have ideal characteristics,
    and the clarity of sound is not good due to these factors.

 2. Portable devices are used a lot outdoors, where there is a high noise level.
  - A lot of times music is not heard well because of the loud outside noise level.

These are the limitations. The limitations of no. 1 may not seem too big for someone with dense ears, but no. 2 is a point all can relate to. The DNSe was made to overcome these limitations, and a road map was developed, as follows.



The physical limitations of portable players the DNSe 2.0 overcomes.
Let's take a more detailed look at the physical limitations the DNSe helps to overcome.

The first problem is the unnatural stereo sound effects. A sound source is recorded in an environment that presumes the sound will be listened to through stereo speakers, but a lot of the time people listen to music through earphones. Therefore the sound field heard in the user's head is unnatural, and the DNSe makes the sound natural outside the head first, so it enters the ears in a natural form.


The second is that the distance between earphones is too short to give a 2 channel stereo effect, so the channel division is extremely weak and it is hard to gain a natural stereo effect. The DNSe 2.0 virtually increases this, allowing a natural stereo effect.


The third is that small devices like earphones are physically too small to play low tones well. Generally low tone improvements are made by increasing the energy of the lowest tones that are played. The DNSe 2.0 uses an algorism called Bass Extension to form a psychological sound effect, making the user think he is hearing tones lower than the lowest tone played.


The fourth physical limitation is that the clarity of tones decreases. Because of the low power structure and condensation of portable devices, the clarity of tones decrease, and the DNS2 2.0 improves this problem. This particularly happens more when the condensation rate is higher.

Fifth is that the sound from the earphones gets buried when listening to music outside because of outside noise, and this automatically adjusts the volume according to the level of the music, allowing the user to listen to even the smallest sounds. This is a problem even people who are not picky listeners feel. A lot of people listen to MP3 players in the bus or subway, but the sound gets buried unless the user uses Street Mode. However, the Street Mode solve this problem to some extent.