View source for Cowon

{{short description|South Korean consumer electronics manufacturer}}
{{Primary sources|date=December 2023}}
{{distinguish|Coway (company)}}

{{Infobox company
| name             = Cowon Systems, Inc.<br />코원시스템
| logo             = COWON.svg
| logo_size        = 250px
| type             = Public
| traded_as        = [[Korea Exchange|KOSDAQ]]: [http://www.krx.co.kr/por_kor/m2/m2_1/m2_1_2/JHPKOR02001_02.jsp?isu_cd=056000 056000]<ref name="about_1">{{cite web|url=http://eng.cowon.net/about/about_1.php|title=COWON SYSTEMS, Inc.|access-date=28 October 2016}}</ref>
| foundation       = April 1995<ref name="about_1" />
| founder          = Park Namkyu<br />Jung Jaewook
| location         = [[Seoul]], [[South Korea]]<ref name="about_1" />
| area_served      = [[South Korea]], United States, Japan, India
| key_people       = Park Namkyu <small>(president)</small><ref name="about_1" />
| industry         = [[Consumer electronics]]<br />[[Computer software]]<br />[[Online services]]<br />[[Mobile phone accessories|Cell phone accessories]]
| products         =
{{Collapsible list
  |framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
  |title=<small>MP3 players</small>
  |1  = [[iAUDIO#iAUDIO 9 and 9+|iAUDIO 9+]]
  |2  = [[List of Cowon products#Cowon D20|D20]] <small>(Western markets only)</small>
  |3  = [[List of Cowon products#Cowon X9|X9]]
  |4  = [[Cowon Z2 Plenue|Z2 Plenue]]
  |5  = [[iAudio#iAUDIO 10|iAUDIO 10]]
  |6  = [[List of Cowon products#Cowon C2|C2]]
  |7  = [[List of Cowon products#Cowon D3 Plenue|D3 Plenue]]
  |8  = [[List of Cowon products#Cowon X7|X7]]
  |9  = [[List of Cowon products#Cowon J3]]
  |10 = [[iAUDIO#iAUDIO E2|iAUDIO E2]]
  |11 = [[iAUDIO#iAUDIO 9|iAUDIO 9]]
  |12 = [[Cowon D2|D2+]] <small>(Korea only; discontinued in the West)</small>
  |13 = [[Cowon S9|S9]] <small>(Korea only; discontinued in the West)</small>
  |14 = [[Cowon D2|D2]] <small>(Korea only; discontinued in the West)</small>
}}
{{Collapsible list
  |framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
  |title=<small>PMP</small>
  |1  = [[List of Cowon products#Cowon G7|Cowon G7]] <small>(Korea only)</small>
  |2  = T5 <small>(Korea only)</small>
  |3  = [[List of Cowon products#Cowon A5 Plenue|A5 Plenue]]
  |4  = [[List of Cowon products#Cowon R7|R7]] <small>(Korea only)</small>
  |5  = [[List of Cowon products#Cowon V5, V5W and V5S|V5S]] <small>(Korea only)</small>
  |6  = [[List of Cowon products#Cowon 3D|3D]] <small>(Korea only)</small>
  |7  = [[List of Cowon products#Cowon V5, V5W and V5S|V5W]] <small>(Korea only)</small>
  |8  = [[List of Cowon products#Cowon V5, V5W and V5S|V5]]
  |9  = [[List of Cowon products#Cowon O2|O2]] <small>(Korea only; discontinued in the West)</small>
  |10 = P5 Study <small>(Korea only)</small>
  |11 = [[List of Cowon products#Cowon P5 and P5 Study|P5]] <small>(Korea only; discontinued in the West)</small>
}}
{{Collapsible list
  |framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
  |title=<small>Software</small>
  |1  = [[JetAudio]]
  |2  = JetVideo
  |3  = JetVD
  |4  = Vokhan
}}
{{Collapsible list
  |framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
  |title=<small>Other products</small>
  |1  = Q7 Plenue
  |2  = AD1 <small>(Korea only)</small>
  |3  = AC1
  |4  = W2
  |5  = L3
  |6  = N3 <small>(Korea only)</small>
}}
| services         =
{{Collapsible list
  |framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
  |title=<small>Services list</small>
  |1=Cowon Contents
  |2=Cowon Mobile
  |3=Cowon Shop
  |5=[[Cowon#JetVD|JetToy]]
}}
| revenue          = [[South Korean won|KRW]] 121.2 billion (2010)<ref name="ir_2">{{cite web|url=http://eng.cowon.net/ir/ir_2.php|title=COWON SYSTEMS, Inc.|access-date=28 October 2016}}</ref>
| operating_income = KRW 9.1 billion (2010)<ref name="ir_2" />
| net_income       = KRW 7.4 billion (2010)<ref name="ir_2" />
| assets           = KRW 72.4 billion (2010)<ref name="ir_2" />
| num_employees    = 193<ref name="about_1" />
| subsid           = JetAudio, Inc.<br />LIAAIL idea & art
| homepage         = [http://www.cowonglobal.com/ COWONGLOBAL.com]<br />{{url|www.jetaudio.com}}<br />{{url|eng.liaail.com}}
}}
{{Infobox Korean name
|img=
|caption=
|hangul=코원시스템
|hanja=
|rr=Kowon Siseutem
|mr=K'owŏn Sisŭt'em
}}

'''Cowon Systems, Inc.''' (simply known as '''Cowon''') is a South Korean [[consumer electronics]] and [[software]] corporation. The company’s initial focus was software development and [[microelectronics]], specializing in [[speech synthesis]] and [[speech recognition]] technology.<ref name="about_1_4">{{cite web|url=http://eng.cowon.net/about/about_1_4.php|title=COWON SYSTEMS, Inc.|access-date=28 October 2016}}</ref> In 2000, with the introduction of the [[iAUDIO#iAUDIO CW100|iAUDIO CW100]], Cowon expanded into the [[portable media player]] industry, which is now the core of their business.<ref name="about_1_4" />

In 2010, Cowon was ranked number one in the PMP category of Japanese Management Association Consultants’ Global Customer Satisfaction Competency Index, and in 2011, it was ranked number one in the same organization’s Global & Great Brand Competency Index.<ref>{{cite web|title=COWON SYSTEMS, Inc.|url=http://eng.cowon.net/news/press_view.php?number=116&pageSort=&boardID=A03&keyWord=&startpage=1&page=2&redir=LIST|access-date=28 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://eng.cowon.net/news/press_view.php?number=138&pageSort=&boardID=A03&keyWord=&startpage=1&page=1&redir=LIST|title=COWON SYSTEMS, Inc.|access-date=28 October 2016}}</ref>

In the west, Cowon is most well known for its [[iAUDIO]] range of portable media players, which has resulted in many people incorrectly referring to the company as “Cowon iAUDIO” or simply “iAUDIO.”  Outside the domestic market, Cowon iAUDIO's sales and market share have always been minuscule - however, it gained a certain niche market and retains a loyal following from fans and enthusiasts.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mobile-review.com/print.php?filename=/mp3/articles/mp3-global-en.shtml |title=Mobile-review.com MP3-players – Global markets |website=mobile-review.com |access-date=15 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061125191014/https://mobile-review.com/print.php?filename=/mp3/articles/mp3-global-en.shtml |archive-date=25 November 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/cowon-iaudio-9-first-impressions/ | title=Cowon iAudio 9 first impressions }}</ref>

==Products==
{{Main|List of Cowon products}}

In its marketing, Cowon distinguishes between "[[MP3 players]]" and "[[portable media players]]," where the latter are larger and have a greater focus on video playback. The categories differ slightly between the Korean and the global homepage.

All Cowon products are produced domestically in South Korea.

===MP3 players===
* [[Cowon M2]] (2014)
* [[Cowon E3]] (2014)
*[[List of Cowon products#iAUDIO 9+|iAUDIO 9+]] (2013)
*[[List of Cowon products#Cowon D20|Cowon D20]] (2013)
*[[List of Cowon products#Cowon X9|Cowon X9]] (2012)
*[[List of Cowon products#iAUDIO 10|iAUDIO 10]] (2011)
*[[List of Cowon products#Cowon C2|Cowon C2]] (2011)
*[[List of Cowon products#Cowon X7|Cowon X7]] (2010)
*[[List of Cowon products#Cowon J3|Cowon J3]] (2010)
*[[List of Cowon products#iAUDIO E2|iAUDIO E2]] (2009)
*[[List of Cowon products#iAUDIO 9|iAUDIO 9]] (2009)
*[[List of Cowon products#Cowon S9|Cowon S9]] (2008)

===LIAAIL products===
Cowon’s LIAAIL division, founded in 2011, focuses on personal audio and cell phone accessories. Among its products can be found:
* Earphones
** Cowon BT2
**[[List of Cowon products#Cowon EM1|Cowon EM1]]
**Cowon EF1
**[[List of Cowon products#Cowon XE1|Cowon XE1]]
**Cowon CE1
**Cowon SE2
**Cowon EM2
* Cell phone cases
** Bird Case
** Tree Case
** Leather Case
** Jelly Case
* Cell phone screen protectors

===Other products===
* '''Cowon AD1''', car camera released in 2012
* '''Cowon AC1''', car camera released in 2012
* '''[[List of Cowon products#Cowon W2 and W2 SSD|Cowon W2]],''' [[Windows 7]]-based [[ultra-mobile PC]] released in 2010, available in 60 and 80 GB models
* '''Cowon W2 SSD''', Windows 7-based ultra-mobile PC equipped with a [[solid state drive]], released in 2010, available in a 32 GB model
* '''[[List of Cowon products#Cowon L3|Cowon L3]],''' [[GPS navigation device]] and [[In car entertainment|in-car entertainment system]] released in 2009
* '''Cowon N3''', GPS navigation device and in-car entertainment system released in 2007

===Discontinued products===
* [[List of Cowon products#Cowon D20|Cowon D20]]
* [[iAUDIO#iAUDIO 10|Cowon iAUDIO 10]]
* [[List of Cowon products#Cowon C2|Cowon C2]]
* [[List of Cowon products#Cowon D3 Plenue|Cowon D3 Plenue]]
* [[List of Cowon products#Cowon X7|Cowon X7]]
* [[Cowon J3]]
* [[iAUDIO#iAUDIO E2|iAUDIO E2]]
* [[iAUDIO#iAUDIO 9|iAUDIO 9]]
* [[Cowon D2|Cowon D2+]]
* [[Cowon S9]]
* [[Cowon D2]]
* [[iAUDIO#iAUDIO 7|Cowon iAUDIO 7]]

====Portable media players====
* [[List of Cowon products#Cowon G7|Cowon G7]]
* Cowon T5
* [[List of Cowon products#Cowon Q7 Plenue|Cowon Q7 Plenue]]
* [[List of Cowon products#Cowon A5 Plenue|Cowon A5 Plenue]]
* [[List of Cowon products#Cowon R7|Cowon R7]]
* [[List of Cowon products#Cowon V5, V5W and V5S|Cowon V5S]]
* [[List of Cowon products#Cowon 3D|Cowon 3D]]
* [[List of Cowon products#Cowon V5, V5W and V5S|Cowon V5W]]
* [[List of Cowon products#Cowon V5, V5W and V5S|Cowon V5]]
* [[List of Cowon products#Cowon O2|Cowon O2]]
* [[iAUDIO#iAUDIO X5|Cowon iAUDIO X5]]
* Cowon A3
* Cowon A2

===JetEffect===
Each Cowon player is equipped with a set of software sound enhancement technologies collectively referred to as '''JetEffect'''. The latest version of JetEffect, JetEffect 5, was introduced with the release of the [[Cowon Z2 Plenue]].

JetEffect competes with products such as [[Sony]]'s [[Digital Sound Enhancement Engine|DSEE]], [[Samsung]]'s [[Digital Natural Sound Engine|DNSe]], and the [[Sound Retrieval System|SRS]] technologies found in products by [[iriver]] and [[Samsung]] and in products by [[HTC]] and [[Hewlett-Packard|HP]], where they are branded as "Beats Audio".

====Features====
{{Expand section|date=December 2012}}
In its latest iteration, JetEffect contains the following sound effects and enhancements:
* Five-band [[Equalization (audio)|equalizer]]
* [[BBE Sound, Inc.#BBE+|BBE+]]
** BBE+
** BBE Mach3Bass
** BBE 3D Surround
** BBE MP Enhance
* Special Effects
** [[Reverb]]
** Stereo Enhance

====In JetAudio====
{{Empty section|date=December 2012}}

====History====
{{Expand section|date=December 2012}}
* JetEffect 2.0
* JetEffect 3.0
* JetEffect 5

==Software==

===Computer software===
{{Main|JetAudio}}
* JetAudio, [[media player (application software)|media player application]] for [[Microsoft]] [[Windows (operating system)|Windows]] first released in 1997
* JetVideo, video player application for Microsoft Windows with features which partially overlap with those of JetAudio. Like JetAudio, it relies on external [[codec]]s (such as those included in the [[K-Lite Codec Pack]]) for some of its data [[Digital-to-analog converter|decoding]].

===Android apps===
* JetAudio for Android
* JetVD
''JetVD'' is an Android [[mobile apps|application]] for downloading videos from [[YouTube]] in a wide selection of formats. It was first introduced to users of the [[List of Cowon products#Cowon D3 Plenue|Cowon D3 Plenue]] with the upgrade to [[firmware]] version x.55. An online version of JetVD, called [http://www.jetvd.com/pc/ JetToy], exists in [[software release life cycle#Beta|beta stage]].

===Other software===
Other software developed by Cowon includes the ''iAUDIO LDB Manager'', a small application for tagging music files with [[timecode]]d lyrics displayable on Cowon media players as well as in [[JetAudio]].

Cowon also offers a number of freeware utilities, including ''JetCast'', ''JetMailMonitor'' and ''[[JetToolBar]]''. All of the above are available for free download from the JetAudio website.<ref>http://www.jetaudio.com/download/ JetAudio Download page</ref>

Cowon’s [[ultra-mobile PC]]s W2 and W2 SSD come with JetToolbar pre-installed.<ref>[http://product.cowon.com/product/COWONW2/product_page_5.php Cowon W2 product page] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107030712/http://product.cowon.com/product/COWONW2/product_page_5.php |date=2012-01-07 }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[iAUDIO]]
*[[JetEffect]]
*[[JetAudio]]
*[[List of Cowon products]]
* [[Cowon Z2 Plenue]]
* [[Cowon J3]]
* [[Cowon S9]]
* [[Cowon D2]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Cowon}}
* [http://www.cowonglobal.com/ COWONGLOBAL.com]
* [http://www.jetaudio.com/ JetAudio (American homepage)]
* [http://eng.liaail.com/ LIAAIL idea & art] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605102552/http://eng.liaail.com/ |date=2014-06-05 }}
* [http://www.jetvd.com/pc JetToy]
{{Portal|Companies|Technology|South Korea}}
{{Electronics industry in South Korea}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cowon}}

[[Category:Electronics companies established in 1995]]
[[Category:South Korean companies established in 1995]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies based in Seoul]]
[[Category:Consumer electronics brands]]
[[Category:Audio equipment manufacturers of South Korea]]
[[Category:Navigation system companies]]
[[Category:Portable audio player manufacturers]]
[[Category:Video surveillance companies]]
[[Category:South Korean brands]]