Did you think the humble Walkman died alongside cassette tapes and early 2000s MP3 players? Rising like a phoenix, the Walkman has been resurrected by Sony. But it's not like you remember.
Sony has just refreshed its premium digital media player lineup, opening preorders for three new Walkmans: the flagship Sony Signature Series NW-WM1ZM3 ($5,899), the aluminum-bodied Sony NW-WM1AM3 ($2,999.99), and the slightly more "approachable" Sony NW-ZX900 ($1,899.99).
No, we didn't slip on our keyboard and add a few extra figures to those prices. These new Walkman models are "engineered to deliver exceptional sound and incorporate a wealth of premium audio components throughout their design." Don't you get it? These aren't your parents' Walkmans.
The Sony NW-WM1ZM3 is built around a precision-machined, gold-plated oxygen-free copper chassis. Inside, Sony packed dual solid high-polymer capacitors, heavy KIMBER KABLE wiring, and its S-Master HX digital amplifier with Native DSD support. Consider the 5.5-inch touch screen, Android-powered streaming capabilities, and up to 35 hours of high-res battery life, and that $5,899 price tag looks like incredible value for money.
We jest. $5,899 for a portable music player is completely absurd to 99.9% of people. Dropping five grand on gold-plated copper screws and audiophile-grade coils is purely for ultra-wealthy sound purists. Does that sound like you? These wild new Walkmans ship in January.