Debuting in 1979, Sony’s Walkman cassette player didn’t just find cultural ubiquity, becoming a proprietary eponym for any portable music player through the next two decades, but it significantly altered the way society consumed its music, paving way for the likes of the iPod and even changing the music industry as a whole.
Some may be surprised to find out that Sony made the cassette-based Walkman all the way up until 2010. But what’s perhaps more surprising is that the electronics giant has continued to make the digital Walkman players since 1999, which predates the iPod itself, from the entry-level E Series to the top-shelf ZX. Recently, Sony launched the first in the new 700 Series: the ZX707, which makes the biggest updates since the 500 Series came out in 2019.
Featuring a 5-inch HD display, the Wi-Fi-compatible ZX707 runs on an Android operating system with a DSD Remastering Engine for a wider range of sound personalization and DSEE Ultimate tech which upscales your music in real-time via AI. Likewise, the milled aluminum frame houses plenty of upgraded hardware components that will make a true audiophile blush, such as the large solid high polymer capacitor for clearer vocals and more powerful bass, an 8mm coil for improved resolution, an S-Master HX digital amp, and audio-grade solder that contains gold for a clearer sound.
The Walkman NW-ZX707 is not currently available in the U.S. as of right now, but the pricing and release date should be announced soon. Head over to Sony’s website to learn more.
