The recent announcement of the Echo R1 open hardware music player has sparked considerable discussion among tech enthusiasts, particularly those interested in alternatives to mainstream portable music devices. While the Echo R1 is designed to run Rockbox firmware and offers dual audio output jacks, community members have been quick to compare it to another existing open hardware option—the Tangara music player.
Tangara as an Available Alternative
The Echo R1 is still in development with its Rev1 prototype facing several known issues, but community members point out that those unwilling to wait can already purchase the Tangara music player. The Tangara takes a different approach, functioning as an iPod homage complete with a touchwheel interface and custom firmware. Unlike the Echo R1's dual-port design featuring both a TRRS headphone jack and a dedicated line-out port, the Tangara opts for a simpler configuration with a standard headphone jack.
One community member who owns a Tangara shared their experience with the touchwheel, noting that while it doesn't quite match the polish of Apple's original iPod wheel, it comes remarkably close—achieving 90% of the way there in terms of feel and responsiveness. The user also mentioned that previous sensitivity issues with the middle button have been resolved in firmware updates.
Echo R1 vs Tangara Comparison
| Feature | Echo R1 | Tangara |
|---|---|---|
| Control Interface | 4-way D-pad and 6 buttons | iPod-style touchwheel |
| Firmware | Rockbox | Custom firmware |
| Audio Ports | TRRS headphone jack + Line-out jack | Standard headphone jack |
| Current Status | Prototype (in development) | Available for purchase |
| Wireless | Not specified | ESP32 WiFi (currently unused) and Bluetooth |
| Battery | Replaceable BL-5C (~1000 mAh) | Not specified in comments |
| CPU | STM32H743 @ 480 MHz | Not specified in comments |
| Display | 18-bit, 320x240, 2.3 inch LCD | Not specified in comments |
Battery Life and Connectivity
Battery performance is a critical factor for portable music players, and several Tangara users reported impressive results. According to community feedback, the device can last for days with moderate usage when using wired headphones. One user specifically mentioned approximately two days of heavy use at around 10 hours per day.
An interesting aspect of the Tangara is its inclusion of ESP32 WiFi capability, though users clarified that the current firmware doesn't utilize this feature, keeping the antenna powered down to preserve battery life. The device also supports Bluetooth connectivity, though some users suggested this might impact battery performance compared to wired headphone usage.
Rockbox Nostalgia and Appeal
The Echo R1's support for Rockbox firmware has generated excitement among long-time fans of the alternative firmware. Several comments reflected nostalgic connections to Rockbox, with users recalling experiences of loading it onto iPods and other devices in their youth. One particularly enthusiastic comment simply stated Fuck yeah in response to the Echo R1's Rockbox compatibility.
I remember being young and having loading Rockbox on my iPod. Great times. Playing DOOM, which I hid from my hyper-religious parents, was always a blast. It trashed the battery so I kept it plugged in - it would get very hot. Probably terrible for the device but I was a kid and wanted to slay some demons.
This nostalgia factor suggests that despite the availability of the Tangara, there may still be significant interest in the Echo R1 specifically for its Rockbox compatibility, which offers features like game emulation, customizable interfaces, and support for numerous audio codecs.
Hardware Customization Desires
Beyond the comparison between existing options, community members expressed interest in potential modifications and improvements to the Echo R1 design. One notable suggestion involved replacing the specified BL-5C battery with more readily available 18650 batteries, highlighting the appeal of open hardware designs that can be modified to suit individual preferences.
Another user expressed interest in contributing to the mechanical design aspects of the Echo R1, suggesting that using Onshape (a cloud-based CAD platform) instead of the planned FreeCAD would enable better collaborative development of the device's case.
As both the Echo R1 and Tangara demonstrate, there remains significant interest in specialized music players with open hardware designs, despite the prevalence of smartphones for music playback. The community discussion reveals that factors like physical controls, battery life, audio quality, and firmware flexibility continue to drive enthusiasm for dedicated music players in 2025.
Reference: Echo: Open Hardware Music Player