7 Best Sony Walkman | A Complete Buying Guide Gadget Verge

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When Sony invented the Walkman almost four decades ago, it revolutionized the world of entertainment. But, it was like discovering the wheel for music lovers like us: listening to music while walking on the subways, skating or climbing was unknown.

Sony Walkmans remained the best mobile music player for many years, both in the days of cassettes and CDs. Then Apple took another giant leap at the beginning of the digital age with iPods. Aware of the coming change, Sony also joined the bandwagon and designed its Sony mp3 player.

Today, most people prefer to listen to music from their smartphones, so Sony has also opted for its Sony Ericsson Walkman models that mix mobile quality with good digital sound. In addition, several companies such as Astell & Kern have launched digital music players or DAPS aimed at more demanding users in recent years. The new DAPS are the new MP3s and offer a sound quality far superior to any mobile phone.

Sony is looking to reopen its leading position in this sector and, to do so, has launched a new series of powerful Sony Walkmans. In this comparison, we review the best Sony walkman on the market, ideal for any budget and use. ^(1,2)

7 Best Sony Walkman MP3 Player Review

The Sony Walkman MP3 players on this list are excellent music players and are a safe purchase for anyone looking to enjoy their music on the go, with much higher sound quality than a mobile phone can deliver.

If you are looking for the best audio quality, the Sony Walkman NW-WM1A or the Sony Walkman NW-ZX507 is the best option. They are somewhat expensive but perform excellently in all respects.
The NW-ZX300 doesn’t offer the sonic dynamism of the NW-WM1A, but it is more affordable, offers excellent audio quality, and has good internal memory.
The new Sony Walkman NW-A105, on the other hand, is much cheaper and integrates the same components from the ZX series.
The Walkman NW-A45 is the best model for listening to high-resolution music without spending a lot of money.
The Sony Walkman NW-WS413 is perfect for exercising both in and out of the water. It is quite affordable as well.
Finally, the Sony NWZ-B183 MP3 player is perfect if you are looking for a compact and cheap device but of good quality.

Sony NW-WM1A

The Sony Walkman NW-WM1A is a more affordable version of the NW-WM1Z, the most expensive Sony MP3 player on the market. It maintains Sony’s most elegant model’s classy design and sound quality, but its frame is made of aluminum rather than gold. From our point of view, it is one of the best music players on the market.

Technical characteristics of Sony NW-WM1A

Internal memory: 128GB
Sample rate/Bit Depth: 32 bit/ 384khz and DSD 11.2 MHz
Audio formats: DSD, WAV, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC, MP3, WMA, AAC, HE-AAC
Dimensions: 2 x 7.3 x 12.4 cm
Characteristic: 268 g

Design of Sony NW-WM1A

The Sony Walkman NW-WM1A has an excellent build quality and is very comfortable to carry with one hand. It comes with an internal memory of 128 GB and integrates a slot for micro-SD cards to expand the capacity.

The main difference from its older brother, apart from the price, is that it comes with an aluminum casing. As a result, the body of this Sony Walkman is very resistant. The Sony Walkman NW-WM1A Music Player has a pragmatic yet attractive design. Integrate touch-recognizable buttons to control playback.

Sound quality of Sony NW-WM1A

After having tested it, we can say that the sound quality offered by the Sony Walkman NW-WM1A is excellent. This MP3 player supports any high-resolution audio format, including DSDs up to 11.2 MHz. The sound profile is very faithful and clear at all frequencies. It has a good dynamic range and offers remarkable details. The bass is deep but controlled, and all notes maintain a good presence. Overall, the sound is very well balanced.

The Sony Walkman NWWS 413 and other Sony MP3 players usually have a warmer and more pleasant sound profile. Still, the company decided to present this model with a more neutral and faithful sound. This is something that we like about this device. As a result, the Sony Walkman NW-WM1A can satisfy the most demanding audiophiles.

Connectivity of Sony NW-WM1A

The software is also very intuitive and easy to use. Of course, we recommend updating to version 1.20 when buying it since the previous one is somewhat slow. The 1.20 program comes with everything you need, including options like a sound spectrum analyzer and a Hz meter. The Walkman NW-WM1A also has a Music center program stored in memory that allows you to organize files from your PC. You can use this application with any computer with windows 10, 8, 7 SP1, Vista Sp2, or higher operating systems.

Battery performance of Sony NW-WM1A

The Sony Walkman NW-WM1A Music Player has an excellent battery performance. When playing MP3 formats, it can perform up to 33 hours, play FLAC formats for up to 30 hours, and DSD for up to 15 hours. This varies according to the sample rates and bit depth of each file. The full charge process takes 7 hours. ⁽⁴⁾

Conclusion

The Sony Walkman NW-WM1A Music Player offers excellent sound quality. Any song sounds like you’re in the recording studio. Its sound is well balanced, and it can read any high-resolution audio format.

Plus, its build quality is impressive, and it’s great value for money. So if you are looking for a good quality Sony Walkman MP3 that will last for a long time, this is our first recommendation. Of course, it is expensive, but the investment is worth it.

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Sony NW-ZX507

The NW-ZX507 is one of the new Walkmans that the company launched late last year. It can natively play DSD or MQA files, integrates a good memory that allows you to store many songs, and has a balanced output of 4.4mm.

Technical characteristics of Sony NW-ZX507

Internal memory: 64GB
Sample rate/Bit Depth: 32-bit / 384kHz
Audio formats: MP3, WMA, FLAC, WAV, AAC, Apple Lossless, AIFF, DSD, APE, MQA
Dimensions: 57.9mm x 122.6mm x 14.8mm
Characteristic: 164g

Design of Sony NW-ZX507

The ZX507 is made of anodized aluminum and is available in the colors black or silver. The build quality is great, and it has a compact size that allows you to use it with one hand. This Sony Walkman integrates the best of the company. It features new capacitors that enhance sonic details, bass levels, and the pristine Sony S-Master HX digital amplifier. ⁽⁵⁾

Its 3.6-inch screen is very responsive and bright. Through it, you can access all the functions of the Android operating system. This Sony Walkman is capable of playing formats up to 384 kHz/ 32bit. In addition, its processor improves the quality of compressed songs. On the right side, it integrates large and solid buttons from which you can control playback, control the volume or turn on the Walkman.

Sound quality of Sony NW-ZX507

We have nothing negative to say in this section. The sound offered by the Sony Walkman NW-ZX507 is simply magnificent. The dynamics are remarkable and do not present even the slightest noise when playing high-reproduction formats. It is faithful and pleasant to listen to. The basses are strong, but they stay in check. The tonal balance is impeccable.

The details are sublime when playing any musical genre. The Sony NW-ZX507 Walkman offers vivid and rich audio. Drums, vocals, and all instruments are clear and separate. In addition, sound spatiality is one of the best we have heard in digital music players.

Connectivity of Sony NW-ZX507

It works with the Android 9.0 operating system and integrates WiFi connectivity. Through the Google Play Store, you can download your favorite online streaming shows. The Walkman app designed for this device is very easy to use. It integrates a 64 GB memory, although it also has a port for microSD cards. At the top, it features 4.4mm and 3.5mm headphone connections.

Battery performance of Sony NW-ZX507

The battery that integrates the Sony Walkman NW-ZX507 lasts approximately 20 hours. Plus, it charges quickly via the USB-C charging port.

Conclusion

Both the design and the sound offered by the Sony Walkman NW-ZX507 are impeccable. It integrates the best components of the company, and the audio is perceived with sublime details when playing any music in compressed or high-definition formats. In addition, it’s a great, rugged, portable DAP.

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Sony NW-ZX300

In recent years companies like Astell & Kern have dominated the market for digital music players. However, Sony’s new MP3 player has nothing to envy them. The Sony NW-ZX300 is one of the Sony Walkman MP3 models that the company has released to satisfy the most demanding audiophiles. From our point of view, it is technically superior to most of the options presented by the competition.

Technical characteristics of Sony NW-ZX300

Internal memory: 64 GB
Sample rate/Bit Depth: 24 bit/ 384khz and DSD 11.2 MHz
Audio formats: AAC, AIFF, WMA, APE, Apple Lossless, DSD, FLAC, HE-AAC, MP3, MQA, WAV
Dimensions: 57.7.Xmm x 120.4mm x 14.9mm
Characteristic: 157g

Design of Sony NW-ZX300

The Sony Walkman NW-ZX300 has an aluminum frame that provides good resistance against electrical noise and enables the sound to be output more clearly and stably. In addition, this Sony Walkman has an internal memory of 64 GB and integrates a touch screen that allows you to control all aspects of playback. There are also buttons for on / off, hold, play/pause, volume, and fast forward or rewind the songs on the right side.

The NW-ZX300 comes with the S-Master HX digital amplifier. The company claims that it helps reduce distortion and noise in a wider range of frequencies. This Sony music player can read audio formats of up to 32 bit/ 384kHz and DSD of 11.2 MHz natively. It also supports the relatively new MQAs and integrates DSEE HX technology that greatly improves the quality of highly compressed files, such as MP3s. ⁽⁶⁾

Sound quality of Sony NW-ZX300

The NW-ZX300 Sony Walkman scans any digital audio format, including high-definition files such as DSD, illuminated during playback with an HR signal. In terms of sound quality, the Walkman NW-ZX300 stands out for its clarity, no matter what genre or format you play. However, when testing it, we were surprised by the texture reached by the notes of some instruments and the vowels.

All the frequencies are presented clear and differentiated; the mix is very well achieved. The sound profile is fairly neutral, and this is a good thing as it can satisfy audiophiles looking for fidelity. However, it lacks some dynamism and punches compared to the Astell & Kern SP1000 or the Sony NW-WM1A.

Connectivity of Sony NW-ZX300

The top of this Sony DAP or MP3 player integrates two headphone jacks (3.5 and 4.4mm). The Sony NW-ZX300 Walkman also features Bluetooth connectivity for wireless headphone users. It has an SD card slot that allows you to increase your memory capacity on the left side. At the bottom, it presents a USB port to charge the device, transfer files from your PC or use the Sony NW-ZX300 as an external DAC.

Battery performance of Sony NW-ZX300

The NW-ZX300 integrates a good performance battery that can last up to 30 hours when playing 128 kbps MP3 files or 26 hours with high-resolution FLAC formats. The full charge process takes approximately five and a half hours.

Conclusion

The NW-ZX300 has a sturdy body and offers great sound quality. It doesn’t offer the charisma of the Sony NW-WM1A, but it is more affordable. In addition, it supports all the high-resolution formats on the market. As a result, this Sony music player is the best model to enjoy any music genre with the highest possible definition in its price range.

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Sony NWA105

The Sony Walkman NW-A105 was launched alongside the ZX705 to celebrate 40 years of Sony producing portable music players. This Walkman produces a much better sound than any phone. It has a sturdy body, has a good battery, and high-quality audio components.

Technical characteristics of Sony NWA105

Internal memory: 16 GB
Sample rate/Bit Depth: 32 bit/ 384 kHz
Audio formats: MP3, AAC, FLAC, Apple Lossless, AIFF, APE, DSD, MQA
Dimensions: 55.9mm x 98.9mm x 11.0mm
Characteristic: 103g

Design of Sony NWA105

The NW-A105 is very similar to the more expensive model ZX507. However, it has a compact size, and its chassis is made of resistant aluminum. The NW-A105 integrates a 3.6-inch touch screen and many of the same components from the ZX line. It has dimensions of 55.9mm x 98.9mm x 11.0mm and weighs just 103 grams.

It is available in the colors black, blue, green, red and orange. On the right side of the Walkman NW-105, you will find the large controls to manage the volume and smaller ones that allow you to change the songs. The lower part presents the USB-C port and a micro SD card slot that allows you to increase the internal memory of 16GB.

Sound quality of Sony NWA105

The NW-A105 Walkman is Sony’s S-Master HX digital amplifier that reduces noise and distortion to deliver a very clean HiFi music playback. It also features DSEE HX technology that improves the quality of compressed audio formats. It does this by recognizing the instruments and voices and calculating the information lost during the compression process.

The NW-A105 supports high-resolution formats, such as DSD or PCM up to 32bit / 384 kHz. Among the codecs, you can enjoy MP3, FLAC, WMA, AAX, ALAC, and MQA. We tested this by playing an MQA file from tidal, and we noticed excellent detail at all frequencies. The sound profile is pleasant, and all instruments come through clearly in the mix. ⁽⁷⁾

The songs are perceived as rich, and the tonal balance is very well achieved. In the menu, you can also access different options such as ambient mode or noise cancellation.

Connectivity of Sony NWA105

The Android 9.0 operating system works flawlessly and is easy to use. Moreover, it integrates Wifi technology that allows you to access any application to listen to music online, such as Spotify, Tidal, etc. Among them, we highlight the Walkman application designed for these teams.

You can also connect the Walkman to your speakers or headphones via Bluetooth using Sony LDAC technology. With this technology, you can transfer approximately three times more information than with a conventional Bluetooth connection. Another good feature that this Sony Walkman offers is its high-resolution DAC. You can connect it to any computer as an external DAC to greatly improve the sound quality. (8)

Battery performance of Sony NWA105

The autonomy of this Sony Walkman reaches 26 hours of continuous playback at medium volumes, a capacity more than enough for any user. It also charges fast, thanks to the USB-C port.

Conclusion

This digital music player integrates the same audio components found in the expensive new Sony ZX lineup. The Walkman NW-A105 is not the most affordable DAP on the market, but its quality/price ratio is one of the best.

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Sony NW-A55/B

The Sony Walkman NW-A55/B is a high-quality digital music player and is available at a very attractive price. It is one of the best options to listen to high-definition music without spending a lot of money.

Technical characteristics of Sony NW-A55/B

Internal memory: 16 GB
Sample rate/Bit Depth: 24 bit/ 384khz and DSD 11.2 MHz
Audio formats: AAC, AIFF, WMA, DSD, FLAC, PCM, MQA, MP3, WAV
Dimensions: 55mm x 96mm x 10mm
Characteristic: 98g

Design of Sony NW-A55/B

The Sony Walkman NW- A55/B MP3 player has a body made of strong and attractive aluminum. It is somewhat chunky for its size but can be easily operated with one hand and is quite light. It has a 3.1” LCD touch screen with 800 × 480 pixels to control all the playback options. In addition, it integrates physical controls on the right side to control the volume, change songs, play/pause, or turn the Walkman on and off. The left side has a micro-SD card slot that lets you expand the 16GB internal memory, while the bottom side features a headphone jack and charging port.

This Sony Walkman is very easy to use and has quite intuitive software. The main menu allows you to control all the main functions and is customizable. The upper part has three circles used to activate the radio, the Language Study mode (ideal for learning files about a language), and the DAC mode.

Sound quality of Sony NW- A55/B

The Sony Walkman NW-A55/B, like the NW-ZX300 model, integrates the S-Master HX digital amplifier that reduces distortion and unwanted noise to enjoy music in the cleanest way possible. It supports most current audio formats, including high-resolution D SD, PCM, and MQA files. This Sony MP3 player also integrates DSEE HX technology that enhances highly compressed digital files in formats such as MP3, AAC, or WMA and brings them closer to the quality of high-resolution formats.

This Sony music player is designed to play any format with great sound quality. It does not offer the sound details of the more expensive models, but in its price range, it stands out. It also integrates LDAC technology to transfer up to 990 kbps per second through a standard Bluetooth connection. This means that you can enjoy your favorite music better than CD quality wirelessly.

Connectivity of Sony NW-A55/B

This Sony MP3 player connects directly to a PC with the included cable to transfer audio files, organize your folders, and create playlists. To do this, you only need a computer.

The Sony NW-A45 Walkman integrates Bluetooth connectivity and has a radio tuner. In addition, you can use it as an external DAC by connecting it to a Mac or PC via the included USB cable. In this mode, the Walkman replaces your computer’s video card with its hardware. It also has NFC technology that allows you to sync any compatible mobile device automatically.

Battery performance of Sony NW-A55/B

The built-in battery of this Sony Walkman can last up to 45 hours when playing MP3 formats, 35 when playing FLAC, and 25 with DSD. The total charging time lasts approximately 4 hours.

Conclusion

The Sony Walkman NW- A55/B has a good build quality and offers remarkable sound quality for its price. It is the best option if you are looking for a Walkman that allows you to play your favorite music in high definition without spending a lot of money.

Check price: Sony Walkman NW-A55/B

Sony Walkman NWWS413

The Sony Walkman NW-WS413 is an MP3 player with headphones for swimming or exercising. It has IP67 / 68 protections against water and dust, supports various audio formats, and has a good battery.

Technical characteristics of Sony Walkman NWWS413

Internal memory: 4 GB
Sample rate/Bit Depth: 11kbps (PCM), 128kbps (MP3)
Audio formats: AAC, ATRAC, LPCM, MP3, WAV, WMA
Characteristic: 32g

Design of Sony Walkman NWWS413

The Sony Walkman NW-WS413 is ideal for swimming or doing any exercise. It can be submerged up to two meters deep for 30 minutes and resistant to dust or sand. The Sony Walkman NW-WS413 integrates buttons to control all the basics of playback and also has one to activate the Ambient Sound function. This mode allows you to hear the ambient sound more easily but consumes more battery.

This water walkman comes with a 4GB internal memory to save up to 1000 songs in PCM format or 2000 songs in MP3 format. This is sufficient for most users, but you can go for the Sony WS414 Walkman if you need more capacity. This model is the same in all details as the Sony Walkman NWWS413, but it comes with 8 GB of memory and is a bit more expensive.

Sound quality of Sony Walkman NWWS413

The Sony Walkman NW-WS413 offers very decent sound quality and is also very easy to use. You can play your favorite songs in linear or random mode, and the audio is very clear for a water headset. When you use them to swim, the quality drops considerably due to the interference that the water can cause, but it is quite tolerable.

The sonic details offered by this aquatic Walkman are not as sublime as those of high-end music players, but they work perfectly for exercise. They offer a fairly good bass response (ideal for any athlete), and the sound profile is well balanced.

Connectivity of Sony Walkman NWWS413

Transferring music to the Sony Walkman NW-WS413 is a very simple process. First, you have to connect it to a PC or Mac with the USB 2.0 cables included in the purchase and drag the audio files to the playback folder of the aquatic Walkman that will appear in writing. It can play LPCM, MP3, WAV, WMA files. This is sufficient for most users, but you can quickly convert them with software without problems if you save your files in other formats.

Battery performance of Sony Walkman NWWS413

The NW-WS413 Water Walkman can perform up to 12 hours at moderate volumes without using the Ambient Sound mode and 7 hours with the function turned on. It also has a very useful fast charge. Three minutes of charging are enough to use them for an hour, while a full charge takes approximately an hour and a half.

Conclusion

The Sony Walkman NW-WS413 is great for doing sports in or out of the water. The headphones are comfortable, well-designed, and offer pretty decent sound quality for a very attractive price. It has 4 GB of memory, but you can opt for the NW-WS414 model that comes with 8 GB if you need more.

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Sony NWZ-B183

The NWZ-B183 is a very affordable and portable Sony brand MP3 walkman. It offers excellent sound quality, integrates 4GB of memory, and is very easy to use. It is one of the best options to enjoy your favorite songs anywhere if your budget is limited.

Technical characteristics of Sony NWZ-B183

Internal memory: 4 GB
Sample rate/Bit Depth: 128kbps (MP3)
Audio formats: WMA, MP3
Dimensions: 8.45 x 2.22 x 1.34 cm
Characteristic: 30g

Design of Sony NWZ-B183

The Sony NWZ-B183 MP3 player is quite light and compact. It weighs 30g, has dimensions of 8.45 x 2.22 x 1.34 x m, and is available in black, blue, red, and pink. You can conveniently store it in any pocket thanks to its slim design, but it has a strong and attractive aluminum body.

The Sony NWZ-B183 integrates three buttons at the top to control the volume and return to the main menu. In addition, this Sony player integrates a small screen that shows the playing time, an equalizer, the remaining battery time, the name of the song, and information about the artist or genre.

The Sony NWZ-B183 Walkman only outputs sound when you plug in headphones, but it can also be used as a USB memory to save any files. In addition, it has an internal memory of 4GB that is enough to store up to 1000 songs.

Sound quality of Sony NWZ-B183

This Sony Walkman NWZ produces pretty decent sound quality considering its price, although its audio doesn’t come close to the best models on this list. It has five types of EQ settings (heavy, jazz, unique, little, custom). It also integrates a function called Bass Boost that adds greater depth and strength to the bass.

The NWZ-B183 Walkman tunes radios with a frequency range of 87.5-108 MHz and can store up to 30 stations in its memory. It also allows you to record FM programs, a handy option to listen to a song or a program again. It supports MP3, WMA, and PCM audio formats. ⁽⁹⁾

Connectivity of Sony NWZ-B183

The Sony Walkman NWZ-B183 comes with a pair of headphones, but they are not of high quality. We recommend buying a good pair of headphones to take advantage of the sound quality it offers. File transfer is effortless. It connects directly to the USB port of any PC or Mac and has an approximate speed of 5 Mbps. This Sony player cannot project photos or videos, but it allows you to save files from transferring them to a computer. You can also view the files with your mobile phone if you purchase an adapter (not included).

Battery performance of Sony NWZ-B183

The Sony Walkman NWZ-B183 features a high-performance, fast-charging battery. It makes up to 20 hours of continuous playback. The full charge process takes approximately 70 minutes, but 3 minutes is enough to use them for more than an hour.

Conclusion

The Sony Walkman NWZ-B183 MP3 Player is an ideal device for anyone who wants to enjoy quality music at a very affordable price. This Sony player is compact, light, and has a good battery. As a result, it is one of the best cheap MP3 players on the market.

Check price: Sony NWZ-B183 4GB USB Style MP3 Player – Blue

References:

Sony Asia Pacific | Latest Technology & News from https://www.sony-asia.com/
Astell & Kernv from https://www.astellnkern.com/eng/content/main/
What is FLAC? The high-def MP3 explained from https://www.cnet.com/news/what-is-flac-the-high-def-mp3-explained/
What is DSD? from https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/usa/en/blog/what-dsd
What is S-Master Digital Amplifier Technology? from https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/articles/00023009
What is DSEE HX audio technology? from https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/articles/00230269
The 10 Most Common Audio Formats: Which One Should You Use? from https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/audio-file-format-right-needs/
LDAC™: High quality wireless listening from https://www.sony.net/Products/LDAC/
Music 101: What Is an Equalizer? from https://www.masterclass.com/articles/music-101-what-is-an-equalizer-plus-best-equalizer-settings-for-drums-and-guitar