Pono Player Review – Full and Objective Explanation

The PonoPlayer, backed by Neil Young and launched via Kickstarter, aimed to deliver a revolutionary high-resolution music experience. 

Promising better-than-CD audio in a distinctive triangular form, it quickly gained traction among audiophiles and curiosity seekers alike. But how well does it hold up in real-world use?

This review covers everything you need to know about the PonoPlayer—from its unique design to battery life, sound performance, and how it compares to competitors like the Sony Walkman NWZ-A17.

Key Takeaways

• High-Resolution Audio Playback: The PonoPlayer supports playback of DSD, FLAC, ALAC, and more up to 24-bit/192kHz. Sound quality in balanced mode is especially impressive.
• Outdated Design Choices: Its bulky triangular form, lack of wireless features, and clunky touchscreen make it less practical for modern users.
• Battery Life Falls Short: Despite its large cylindrical battery, it delivers only about 6 hours of playback—far less than competitors.

Design and Build

Source: CNET

The PonoPlayer's triangular shape is unconventional, to say the least. At 5 inches tall and an inch deep, it’s awkward to carry in a pocket and doesn’t sit flat on surfaces. Still, it’s ergonomically pleasant in hand and offers a rubberized, grippy surface—albeit one that easily collects fingerprints.

Navigation relies on a small 2-inch touchscreen and a single multi-function button that serves as play, pause, power, and more, which can get frustrating. Locking the device involves a multi-step process that often results in accidental battery drain.

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Features and File Support

The PonoPlayer doesn’t try to do everything—and that’s intentional. There’s no Wi-Fi, no Bluetooth, and no app integration. This is strictly a dedicated offline music player. Supported file types include:

• Hi-res formats: FLAC, DSD, AIFF, WAV, ALAC
• Compressed formats: MP3, unprotected AAC

It also supports balanced audio output, which significantly enhances performance for users with compatible headphones or gear.

Storage includes 64GB onboard, plus a microSD slot supporting another 64GB (although cards are no longer included).

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Sound Quality

Here’s where the PonoPlayer shines. Designed in collaboration with Ayre Acoustics, it delivers warm, rich, and dynamic playback that easily outpaces typical smartphones or MP3 players. 

High-resolution tracks sound more open, detailed, and immersive—especially when played via balanced mode.

In a high-end test environment (e.g., Mark Levinson setup), the player offered nuanced and lifelike reproduction, making it a real contender for discerning listeners—if sound quality is your only metric.

Battery Life

The battery is a letdown. Claimed to last 8 hours, real-world testing showed it only achieved around 6 hours of high-res playback. That’s dramatically lower than rivals like:

• Sony NWZ-A17: ~48 hours
• Cowon Plenue 1: ~8 hours
• Astell & Kern AK Jr: ~9 hours

For travelers or anyone on the go, this is a serious limitation.

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The Verdict

The PonoPlayer is a love letter to sound purists, offering audio performance that outclasses most players in its price bracket. But it’s also a first-generation product weighed down by outdated design decisions, a clunky user interface, and short battery life.

Unless you’re specifically after balanced output or have a library of hi-res files and don’t mind manual syncing via USB, you're likely better off with a more modern, user-friendly device like the Sony Walkman A17 or Astell & Kern’s entry-level lineup.

FAQs

Is the PonoPlayer still worth buying today?

If you're a hi-res audio enthusiast and find one at a discount, it could be. But for most users, newer DAPs offer better usability and battery life.

Does the PonoPlayer support streaming apps?

No. The PonoPlayer is strictly for offline, locally stored music. It does not support Spotify, Apple Music, or any streaming platform.

Can I use Bluetooth headphones with PonoPlayer?

No. The device does not support Bluetooth. You must use wired headphones.