Aside from PlayStation, it’s probably fair to say the Walkman is Sony’s most iconic product.
The portable music player has declined in importance as the world has embraced smartphones, but the Japanese giant does continue to manufacture them for legacy purposes.
I can’t imagine it’s expecting to sell many of its latest model, however: the NW-WM1ZM3 is available to pre-order now for an eye-watering $5,899. It’s aiming to ship in January.
That’s not a typing error, by the way – it features a “precision-machined, gold-plated oxygen-free copper chassis, engineered specifically to further elevate its sound quality”.
Sony says this unit is specifically designed for audiophiles, which will “convey the artist’s original intent, delivering detailed, high-resolution sound”.
The press release continues:
“Developed in pursuit of exceptional sound quality, it captures subtle nuances throughout a performance, while maintaining clarity, scale, and dynamics at higher volumes.”
If you simply can’t afford the flagship option, two cheaper models – the NW-WM1AM3 ($2,999) and NW-ZX900 ($1,899) – adopt a “similar design philosophy, combining an aluminium-alloy main chassis with a gold-plated OFC rear chassis to enhance rigidity and sound quality”.
The screen is a little bit smaller on the cheaper option, but it boasts battery life of up to 40 hours, which is longer than the 35 hours touted for the two premium options.
Realistically, the market for these devices is going to be small, and Sony knows that.
It’s interesting to see the company ship such a premium product like this, though – are there any audiophiles among you tempted to splash out?
