The Archos 5 is the latest offering from Archos, and is currently available for $350. The Archos 5 is jam packed with capabilities, but realizing the device's true potential will require a slew of additional purchases. As it is out of the box, the Archos 5 might have problems competing favorably with the average iPod. The software interface is a bit less intuitive and a lot less attractive. The media player software is better than what you'll find on iPods, however. Overall, while the software is often better than what you'll find on an iPod, it lacks the overabundance of polish that iPod users are used to.

Performance (read the full lab performance results at MediaPlayerInfo.com)
The Archos 5 did had inconsistent audio test results. It had a very even frequency response, meaning it won't mess around with the way your music sounds. The Archos 5 did suffer from quite a bit of distortion, however, especially in the left channel. The distortion levels were just a bit above 2%, and 3% is very noticeable. The device had a negligible amount of crosstalk, but unfortunately also had a negligible amount of output power. The output power issue means that headphones with high impedence (the power it takes to run them; most mid-to-high-end headphones have a somewhat high impedence) will have a lower maximum volume level than headphones with lower impedence.
 

Comparisons (read the full lab performance results at MediaPlayerInfo.com)
The Archos 5, as compared to the iPods of the world, is best viewed as potentuality as opposed to actuality. The iPods, out of the box, are better devices overall. They have a better software interface, are far more portable, and not even the Touch will look as greasy as the Archos 5. The Archos 5 has far, far greater potential, however. Sure the iPods have the App Store, but in addition to having a more open policy on supplimental software downloads, the Archos 5 can also benefit from significant hardware add-ons. If you want, you can turn your Archos 5 into a DVR station, in-car GPS, strap on a helmet cam for your chance at YouTube stardom, or add other functionality. Of course, none of these options are supported out of the box and require an additional investment. If you're looking for an iPod alternative that's better for video and has the potential to fulfill the roles of many different gadgets, the Archos 5 is a great bet.