Kid-Friendly Audio Players: Final Thoughts
All of the players tested performed well with the pre-installed music, and most fared equally well with songs from my own CDs. None of them compare to more full-featured, "adult" audio players, but they're all a great way to introduce your child to music and/or encourage them to listen more and I would recommend them all for their applicable age groups. Even the Fisher-Price FP3 player would work, as long as you stick to songs and stories from the online store.
When your children are ready to move up to an iPod or other expensive audio player, be sure they understand the importance of listening at a safe volume. Volume-limiting headphones like the iHearSafe earbuds are one way to ensure the music never gets too loud, but some players offer a built-in limiter. For example, owners of most iPods can set the maximum volume level. This may give better results then I experienced with the iHearSafe earbuds and will work with any headphones, so check the manual before purchasing additional headphones or earbuds.
