The article from 2008 measures accuracy that isn't directly related to perceived sound- especially since the human ear can't hear differences less than about 5db so most of the differences are lines on a graph rather than something that can be heard. Also, some of the best sounding devices have questionable accuracy and vice versa- e.g. the iPod Classic came in at #3 despite being widely perceived as the worst sounding iPod. The latest iPod is said to be the best sounding yet.
But I'll take your word for it that the Zen's sound is sufficiently better than the iPod that it actually matters. There you go.
"... They ne'er cared for us
yet: suffer us to famish, and their store-houses
crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to
support usurers; repeal daily any wholesome act
established against the rich, and provide more
piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain
the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will; and
there's all the love they bear us."
-- Shakespeare: Coriolanus, Act 1, scene 1
