Sonicblue Rio Karma

808 reviews

Nov, 2024

Positive
usability (537)
sound (245)
performance (226)
design (185)
price (163)

Negative
reliability (256)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 808 reviews of Sonicblue Rio Karma. The average rating for this product is 3.2/5, compared to an average rating of 3.9/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews. Reviewers are impressed by the price and design. The sound and performance also get good comments, whereas many are less positive about the reliability.

usability, performance, sound, design, price

reliability

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other products in the same category the Sonicblue Rio Karma is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 85/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 808 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(35% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (18% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews (6% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews (14% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews (28% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

usability
Show positive (84%)Show negative (16%)(Show all)

reliability
Show positive (32%)Show negative (68%)(Show all)

performance
Show positive (83%)Show negative (17%)(Show all)

sound
Show positive (94%)Show negative (6%)(Show all)

design
Show positive (80%)Show negative (20%)(Show all)

More features

Showing 771 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Disclaimer:

Below is a list of reviews for this or similar products. If you think this grouping is wrong please click here to flag.
Read more on our FAQ’s page.

Showing 1 - 671 of 771 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (37)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Sonicblue Rio Karma

alaTest has collected and analyzed 127 user reviews of Sonicblue Rio Karma from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 3.6/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.co.uk. Reviewers really like the battery and portability. The performance and sound are also appreciated, whereas there are some mixed comments about the durability. Many are critical about the reliability.

usability, sound, performance, portability, battery

reliability

69% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Nov, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Sonicblue Rio Karma

alaTest has collected and analyzed 534 user reviews of Sonicblue Rio Karma from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 2.9/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.8/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.com. People are impressed by the sound and design. The price and performance are also appreciated, whereas there are some critical comments about the reliability.

usability, performance, price, design, sound

reliability

53% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Nov, 2024

Expert review by (engadget.com)

Review of the Rio Karma

Pocket Lint review of the 20GB Rio Karma, the MP3 player that seems to have emerged as the first runner-up to the iPod's pagaent winner. Yeah, isn't quite as minimalist or whatever as the iPod, but it does cost a lot less and have a bunch of...

May, 2004

Read the full review

Expert review by : Bill Machrone (pcmag.com)

Rio Karma

This is a portable player that Rio seemingly discourages you from carrying, but comprehensive codec support and decent audio performance make it a favorite.

Hand-friendly design. Leader in codec support. Very good ergonomics and navigation. Ethernet on docking base.

Surprisingly thick. No belt clip or holster. Audio performance could be better.

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

Jul, 2004

Partner Source

Read the full review

Expert review by : Tom Mainelli (pcworld.com)

Rio Karma

Simple 20GB hard-drive player includes ethernet port and sounds great.

Unique features like Rio DJ, the ethernet connector, and support for multiple codecs--plus excellent sound quality and battery life--compensate for this attractively priced unit's shortcomings (such as no FM receiver, remote, or case).

Feb, 2004

Read the full review

Expert review by : Tom Mainelli (pcworld.com)

Rio Rio Karma 20GB MP3 Player (Rio-90260461)

photograph: Rick Rizner

Feb, 2004

Read the full review

Expert review by : Tom Mainelli (pcworld.com)

Karma 20GB Mp3 Player

While most vendors rush to cram more stuff into their hard-drive-based MP3 players--from FM receivers and transmitters to voice recorders and miscellaneous digital inputs--Rio takes a different tack with its Karma. The device comes with a handsome...

Music sounded crisp, clear, and plenty loud through the included Sennheiser MX300 earbuds, which are a small step above what vendors usually include with players. Similarly, the Karma's rechargeable battery was a notch more powerful than the norm: One...

Feb, 2004

Read the full review

Expert review by : Don Labriola (cnet.com)

Performance

Rio Karma (20GB)

Hand-friendly form factor; great sound; easy to use, outstanding playback features; long battery life; 20GB storage capacity; USB 2.0 and Ethernet; flexible software bundle.

No carrying case or in-line remote.

This is the new player of choice for audiophiles and geeks.

Nov, 2003

Read the full review

Expert review by : M. Wiley (gear.ign.com)

Rio Karma Review

Rio returns to the top with its new jukebox portable.

Web InterfaceAbout Track: Title, artist, album, genre, year, track number, duration, comment, codec, bit rate, PCM format, file size, date loaded, times played, last played, and autosynced (crazy, right?)About Rio Karma: Firmware version, disc size,...

Nov, 2003

Read the full review

Expert review by : Robert Irvine (webuser.co.uk)

Rio Karma

Most hard-disk MP3 players try to ape the svelte design of the Apple iPod, but the Rio Karma is confident enough to stay in a class of its own.

Although it looks great and is a wonderful concept, the actual implementation of the MP101 falls well short of the mark.

Read the full review

Consumer review (newegg.com)

Good Player

The Karma is a good player, and I have had very few problems with it. I like its menus and organization. I read when I got it that they had a string of bad hard drives, so right away I updated the firmware and haven't looked back since. Only problem...

Jan, 2005

Read the full review

Consumer review (newegg.com)

Rio Black 20GB MP3 Player 90260461

Its all about the combination of the best music player available and the retailer because if it wasnt for them, you wouldnt be able to get this for less than three bills. Better and cheaper than the iXXX, theres nothing else to talk about.

Dec, 2004

Read the full review