Nachus EMP-Z Coin-Sized MP3 Player Review

published: 05/25/05 last updated: 05/25/05

We have been reporting about this still extremely small wearable MP3 player since Eratech announced the EMP-Z coin-sized mp3 player in July 2003 in Korea. The now gone Virgin Electronics has sold the EMP-Z for a while last year in the US.
Now our friends at the Gadget Store Fancylogic sent us the Nachus branded EMP-Z for review. With 42mm in diameter and only 10mm thick the Nachus EMP-Z has a volume of 13.85cm3. This makes this wearable player much smaller than the Apple iPod shuffle (84x25x8mm) which has a volume of 16.80cm3.
Only the new MobiBlu DAH-1500 Cube MP3 player (sold now as JNC SSF-8100)  with 24mm edge length is with 13.82cm3 a tiny, tiny bit smaller and on top of that features a display and more functionss. The Nachus is selling for less money on the other hand.

Fancylogic sells the Nachus EMP-Z 128MB for $66.50 and the 256MB version for $86.50.

Nachus EMP-Z wearable  small MP3 player review
Nachus Photo Gallery

Overview
So yes the Nachus EMP-Z is not quite as small to fit up my nose (Kids, Do not try this at home!), but it is close. As said above this coin-sized mp3 player was first shown in 2003, now with the whole iPod shuffle mania it is kind of hip again. Also it is not that easy to get it outside of Asia. Now its available for international shipping at a low price from Fancylogic. The Nachus EMP-Z is nicely made. The 128MB model I got for the review has a mint green face plate.
The brand name Nachus reminds me obviously instantly on Nachos, but there are no round Nachos as far as I know. The Nachus EMP-Z has only two buttons with each two pressure points. The Play/Stop/FW button is also the power on/off button. The other pressure point on that button is used for REW. The other button is for volume control. The symbols are clearly visible on the front, there is definitely no need to read the manual.
 

Nachus EMP-Z wearable  small MP3 player review

On its thickest point in the middle the EMP-Z measures 10mm. More hi-res photos.

When powering on the LED light in the middle lights up green and short beep can be heard in the headset. The headset plug on the bottom is also used for the USB cable. After connecting the wearable player I can copy music files. Only caveat here, the Nachus EMP-Z only supports MP3 files no other format.
The sound has good quality and the volume can be cranked up pretty high. I usually like more bass, but its alright. There is no equalizer or any other settings available, which makes reviewing it a easy job. The bundled necklace style headphones have a little hook to connect the player to it. The length of the necklace is easy to adjust. It would be better when the headset would plug in on top of the player. The cable goes around the EMP-Z which looks a bit inelegant. Bluetooth would be the killer feature for this tiny mp3 player. Battery life is about 8 hours. More photos in hi-res are in the gallery.

 

Nachus EMP-Z wearable  small MP3 player review

The Nachos EMP-Z comes with necklace style headphones, USB cable, DC to USB converter, a audio cable adaptor and Win 98 driver CD.
More hi-res photos.

 


Conclusion
The Nachus EMP-Z is an impressively small mp3 player that is nicely manufactured. With a weight of only 15g it is truly a wearable MP3 players. The lack of features is an issue to be aware of.



How to Buy
Fancylogic sells the Nachus EMP-Z 128MB for $66.50 and the 256MB version for $86.50.
 



 

Specifications

Memory 128MB / 256MB
Transfer Interface USB1.1 (5Mbps maximum)
Operation System Windows 98/2000/XP/ME/NT, Mac OS8.6 or Above
Playing Time About 8 hours
Dimension 42(W) x 42(L) x 10(D) mm
Weight 15g (including battery)


 



















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