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COWON iAudio A3

COWON iAudio A3
COWON iAudio A3COWON iAudio A3COWON iAudio A3COWON iAudio A3COWON iAudio A3COWON iAudio A3COWON iAudio A3COWON iAudio A3COWON iAudio A3COWON iAudio A3
alaScore 92

77 reviews

Apr, 2025

alaTest has collected and analyzed 77 reviews of COWON iAudio A3. The average rating for this product is 4.2/5, compared to an average rating of 3.9/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews. Reviewers really like the size and design. The performance and usability also get good reviews. Many are less positive about the durability and battery, while reviews about the memory and price are different.

sound, usability, performance, design, size

portability, battery, durability

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other products in the same category the COWON iAudio A3 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 92/100 = Excellent quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 77 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (46% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (40% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (4% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (9% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (2% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

sound
  Show positive (92%)Show negative (8%)(Show all)
usability
  Show positive (65%)Show negative (35%)(Show all)
performance
  Show positive (86%)Show negative (14%)(Show all)
design
  Show positive (86%)Show negative (14%)(Show all)
portability
  Show positive (43%)Show negative (57%)(Show all)
battery
  Show positive (42%)Show negative (58%)(Show all)
size
  Show positive (67%)Show negative (33%)(Show all)
price
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
durability
  Show positive (40%)Show negative (60%)(Show all)
reliability
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
memory
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
storage
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
headphones
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
More features

Showing 44 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 28 of 44 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (32)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for COWON iAudio A3

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 18 user reviews of COWON iAudio A3 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.9/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.co.uk. Reviewers are impressed by the battery and performance. The design and sound are also appreciated, but some have doubts about the price and portability.

usability, sound, design, performance, battery

durability, portability, price

100% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2025

Expert review by (engadget.com)

Cowon A3 review

 

When we actually stopped to think about it, we realized that we've waited an awful long time for Cowon's A3 to finally make its way into our grubby paws, and w...

Feb, 2008
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Expert review by (pcworld.com)

Cowon A3 (30GB) Portable Video Player

 

If you can get past its bulky design and unintuitive controls, the Cowon A3 shines as a portable video player.

Supports many audio and video formats ; Big, 4-inch wide-aspect screen

Bulky design and unintuitive controls ; Limited online music support

If you're looking for a single portable device to carry both your audio and video files, the Cowon A3 probably isn't your best choice. But as a portable video player, the A3 has just about everything you could want--if you can tolerate the tiny...

Oct, 2008
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Expert review by : Tim Gideon (pcmag.com)

Cowon A3

 

This portable media player does it all—and beats Archos at its own game.

Records audio, video, voice, and radio content. Sharp photo and video display. Strong file support. Excellent EQ.

Poorly designed joystick controller. Big and bulky. Mobile TV options are not available in the U.S.

More MP3 player reviews:• Apple iPod touch (2015)• Apple iPod touch (2014)• Apple iPod touch (2013)• PlayMG MG• Iriver Astell & Kern AK100• more

Mar, 2008
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Expert review by : Donald Bell (cnet.com)

Cowon A3 review: Cowon A3

 

Cowon A3

The Cowon A3 portable video player (PVP) offers outstanding audio and video format support; a sharp, colorful screen; the most attractive Cowon user interface we've seen; built-in video output; video and audio recording capabilities; and superb audio...

The Cowon A3 is cursed with a clumsy joystick interface; a highly reflective screen; no support for DRM-protected media; and archaic music sorting. It's also a little on the chubby side.

The Cowon A3 portable video player is a fantastic value when judged on the merits of its file support and integrated video-recording capabilities. If you've got nimble fingers and an eclectic assortment of audio and video formats, the Cowon A3 should...

Jan, 2008
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Expert review by : Roger Hibbert (wired.com)

Review: Cowon A3

 

Cowon A3 8/10 Learn How We Rate Wired Recording straight from TV rocks. The sharp resolution is sweetly addictive. Piles on features, including an FM...

Recording straight from TV rocks. The sharp resolution is sweetly addictive. Piles on features, including an FM tuner, radio and voice recording, and AV out. Substantial six hours of battery life while playing video

Awkward joystick control induces endless errors. Gets hot during use, making it ideal for cold flights or lonely Arctic expeditions

Dec, 2007
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Expert review by : Michael Brown (maximumpc.com)

Cowon A3 Portable Multimedia Player

 

If you're willing to look beyond everyone's favorite fruit company when you shop for a digital media player, you'll encounter some wildly underrated alternatives. Cowon manufactures more than a few, including the nearly divine A3.

Beautiful screen, awesome format support, and plenty of storage

The navigation joystick is frustrating to use; no carry case

Now if they could just do something about that finicky joystick.

Sep, 2008
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Expert review by : Grahm Skee (anythingbutipod.com)

Cowon iAudio A3 Review

 

The iAudio A3 is Cowon's flagship PMP with a very thorough list of supported codecs in both music and video. The 800x480 16.7 million color screen is crisp and will do justice to your video collection. There is a lot of good going on with the A3, and...

The A3 was a bit of a disappointment to me since I was really looking forward to the HD playback which failed to perform. This, along with the unorganized user interface and finicky joystick, makes me shy away from the A3. Despite my complaints, I...

Feb, 2008
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Expert review by : Jason Chen (gizmodo.com)

Lightning Review: Cowon A3 PMP With Incredible Audio/Video Format Support

 

The Gadget: Cowon's A3 portable music player, which supports about as many codecs as its bigger, beefier brother, the Q5W. The difference is the A3 can fit much easier into your pants.

Feb, 2008
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Expert review by : Amanda Lian (hardwarezone.com)

Cowon A3 Portable Media Player - HardwareZone.com

 

The Cowon A3 comes in as a very capable media player with outstanding file format support, great audio quality and a display to die for. But is it the perfect PMP? Find out after the jump.

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Expert review by : Trusted Reviews (trustedreviews.com)

Cowon A3 30GB Portable Multimedia Player

 

Can Cowon's latest PMP take on the best of the rest and come out on top?

Feb, 2011
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Price comparison for COWON iAudio A3

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