Sovereign USB Memory Stick Player and Bluetooth Speaker

I rate this 10 out of 10 for its intended function.This is intended as an AUDIO BOOK PLAYER for MP3 files and will be ideal for the visually impaired. There are very few controls and it is simple to operate. It plays the audio from a USB flash drive data stick inserted into the top of the player.It is easy to turn on and off, you just turn the huge yellow volume control knob on the front of the unit, the counter clockwise position is a good solid CLICK off position.Using this front panel knob you can simply turn it on and off as you wish without having to shut anything down so it's much easier than using any sort of PC.It resumes playback from where it was when you last turned it off.There are also "Next" (fast forward) and "Previous" (rewind) buttons on top as well as "Stop" and a button to skip to the "next folder" (book) on your flash drive.I use this so I can listen to audio books when i wake up in the middle of the night and can't get beck to sleep. I don't want to have to turn the light on, and this device is so simple you can operate it by feel with one hand in total darkness. There is a data light next to the USB slot that flashes when it's playing which I found a tiny bit distracting in a darkened room, so I put some black tape over it and that's no longer an issue.I have one suggestion for possible improvement. There is no tone control on this unit. However I find the sound from the device to be slightly bass-rich and on some of my audio books that makes them a bit boomy and hard to understand at low volumes.For a quick fix for this I've resorted to pre-processing the MP3 files in an audio editor (Audacity) using the 'chain' command to reduce the bass. So if they could add a tone control on the back of the unit (where it would be accesible by those who wanted to adjust it but not easily confused with the main controls), then this would be just PERFECT and I'd be trying to give it 11 out of 10.This is a splendid unit and I may well be buying some more for presents this xmas.

We bought this so that church members unable to attend services could listen to recordings on memory sticks. It works very well - and 'remembers' the position in the recording if the player is switched off and on.The yellow knobs are easy to see for visually impaired. My only criticism is that the buttons seem somewhat imprecise. The volume is entirely adequate and the player can run off it's rechargeable battery for a good time - handy in our case when the residents of a care home wanted to share the services in their lounge - saved carrying the power supply around.

I have always enjoyed reading very much, but now suffer from macular degeneration to a level which prevents me from doing so. Fortunately I can carry on enjoying literature by means of the super Calibre audio book service, which until now I have received as CDs. I thought it would be simpler to use their offered memory stick service, which is why I bought this unit.First of all, I had the usual superb Amazon delivery, receiving it by post the day after Amazon's e-mail indicating despatch.The Sovereign is a solid, very well made unit, and is extremely simple to operate, being accompanied by clear and easy operating instructions. It performs equally well using the internal speakers or my external headphones, the sound quality is crisp and clear, and the volume level more than adequate. Its 'bookmarking' facility is simple and accurate, and returns to exactly the same spot without fail.I can thoroughly recommend this unit to anyone who suffers from the same eyesight problems as I do.

It doesn't start playing mp3 files if the usb is inserted before it's switched on.Switch it on and insert a memory stick ands it starts playing.Controls seems weird as well - keeps looping at the way through the chapters.I assume this is a fault one.Returned it to Amazon.

I bought Sovereign USB memory stick player for audiobooks. I also have August MB 300 usb stick player and can compare them. August does not have "FastForward" function - and it was the main reason why I bought Sovereign. Who wrote that it produces clear sound? It is not true - August is much better in this area. Actually, August is better everywhere - sound is clearer, it is smaller, it is cheaper, it can play SD cards. Only buttons are better in Sovereign.Sovereign has dull sound, no rewind function, only very slow FastForward - to go to 5 minutes forward you have to press the button 20-25 seconds. It is very annoying. So I bought it almost for nothing.This item designed for elderly people mainly and the buttons are convinient, but dull sound for usually hearing-impaired people is not acceptable.

Excellent quality for the price. However, I do agree with a previous reviewer that a tone control would be a good idea. Easy to use and great for listening to programmes I have downloaded from iPlayer.

This player is so easy to use, though you do have to be carefull as it seems to play back audio files in the order they were added to the USB stick, so I have had instances of the last file on a list being played first. Would really recommend this, especially for someone who does not like technology. It seems to be as close to a cassette player as you can get. The battery means it is portable too.

Bought this for a family member who recently lost their sight.It does the job perfecly well and is reasonably priced. One thing to note is it does not appear to have a pause function. When you turn it off (and who can listen to a 17 hour audio book in one go?) It goes right back yo the beginning and you have to skip forward to try to find your place.