Sony’s gold-plated Walkman costs US$5,900, right down to the screws
NEW YORK, Oct 19 — Sony is targeting music purists with a new generation of Walkman players, led by a gold-plated...
Sony is targeting audiophiles with a new line of premium Walkman players, starting with a gold-plated model priced at US$5,900. The three new Walkman models, unveiled on October 15, range in price from US$1,900 to US$5,900. Sony's flagship, the NW-WM1ZM3, boasts an oxygen-free copper body with gold-plated screws, designed to provide a "stable ground connection" that delivers powerful bass, expansive soundstage, and smooth high frequencies.
The other models, the NW-WM1AM3 at US$3,000 and the NW-ZX900 at US$1,900, are also premium offerings. The high-end players feature 5.5-inch, 1080p displays, while the NW-ZX900 has a five-inch screen with 720p resolution. Sony has enhanced its DSD Remastering Engine to convert digital music into a warmer, more analogue sound, and the software runs on Android.
Battery life varies, but Sony estimates 31 hours of streaming or playback for the NW-WM1ZM3 and NW-WM1AM3, and 35 hours for the NW-ZX900. The high cost of these Walkmen means buyers will need compatible headphones to fully appreciate the premium sound quality. Sony faces competition from specialist brands and Chinese manufacturers offering high-fidelity players at lower prices.
The Walkman name holds significance in Sony's consumer electronics history, but these models cater to a niche audience. Sony continues to develop products for audio enthusiasts, including a $250 spatial-audio microphone for smartphones and new gaming headphones featuring Audeze's planar magnetic driver technology.
Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
