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Sony’s Walkman ZX2 Proves There’s Still a Market for High-End Audio

By January 8, 2015No Comments

The iconic Sony Walkman is synonymous with music. The portable audio player singlehandedly set the standard for the iPod (and later the smartphone) to provide a listening experience that combines convenience with portability. And while not many people find it necessary to have a music-only mobile device nowadays, there’s still a market for the beloved portable player.

But it doesn’t come cheap.

The Most Expensive Walkman Ever

When Sony released the Walkman ZX1 last year, audiophiles around the world rejoiced at the specs and build quality of the device. And despite it’s near-$900 price tag at launch, the ZX1 was met with critical acclaim from both critics and consumers alike.

But no matter how much of a fan of the ZX1 you are, you were probably shocked when Sony unveiled the ZX2 at CES 2015 with a price tag of $1,119.99.

“We have been focused on developing products that will reproduce the ultimate sound quality from any location. Sony’s new portable audio line-up represents a new music experience for consumers where environmental restrictions no longer exist and they can freely enjoy the best music, regardless of where they are.”
–Mike Woulfe, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Sony Electronics’ Sound Division

It’s clear the Walkman is no longer a portable music player for the masses like it once was. The ZX2 proves that with its high price. But if you think this is “just an MP3 player,” you’re mistaken.

There’s a reason the Walkman ZX2 costs over one thousand dollars and that’s because some music fans believe it’s worth it.

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Sony Walkman ZX2 Specs

  • Memory capacity: 128 GB
  • External memory: microSD (card not included)
  • Key features: High-Resolution Audio playback, S-Master HX Digital Amplifier, DSEE HX (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine), ClearAudio+, Clear Bass, Equalizer, VPT, one-touch listening via NFC and Bluetooth® connectivity
  • Compatible audio formats: MP3, WMA1, FLAC (192KHz/24bit), Linear PCM (192KHz/24bit), WAV (192KHz/24bit), AAC-LC2, HE-AAC, Apple Lossless (192KHz/24bit), AIFF (192KHz/24bit), DSD (2.8MHz, 5.6MHz)*1: Copyright protected WMA files cannot be played back.*2: Copyright protected AAC-LC files cannot be played back
  • Battery life: MP3 up to 60 hours**(MP3 128kbps), Hi-Res Audio 33 hrs**(FLAC 192kHz/24bit)
  • Charging time: Approximately 4.5 hours
  • Operating platform: Android™ 4.2
  • Display: 4.0 inch FWVGA (854×480) TRILUMINOS™ Display for mobile
  • Communication mode: Wi-Fi® (IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a)
  • Bluetooth®: Bluetooth® (A2DP/AVRCP/OPP/HID/SPP)Supported Codec: SBC/LDAC
  • NFC: Yes
  • Included applications: Media Go (for Windows), Content Transfer for Mac (for Mac OS)
  • Dimensions: 65.1×131.2×18.5mm (WxHxD, excluding max. protruding section)
  • Weight: 235g
  • Accessories: USB cable, leather carrying case, spacer (headphones not included)

Some Music Fans Place a Premium on Quality

When Apple opened the iTunes Music Store a little more than a decade ago, it essentially rendered physical media obsolete. The ability to download your entire music collection onto one device was very appealing to music fans and many of them chucked their Walkmans (and Discmans) into the trash.

But even the iPod didn’t last forever.

The rise of smartphones has made streaming media the preferred method of listening to music (and watching video) while making downloading content feel antiquated. 2013 marked the first time global download revenue fell ever and that trend continued into last year. But as digital album sales dropped to all-time lows, there was another form of media on the rise: vinyl records.

Infographic: Streaming Boom Changes Music Landscape | Statista
You will find more statistics at StatistaAccording to Nielsen’s 2014 U.S. music report, single digital track and digital album downloads dropped by 12.5% and 9.4% respectively. Meanwhile, vinyl album sales increased by a whopping 51.8% — proving that dedicated music fans do in fact place a premium on quality.

And that’s where the Walkman fits in.

Sony states they use unique audio technologies to “bring listeners closer to the spirit and intent of the artist’s original performance.” Similar to vinyl records, the ZX2 offers a superb high-resolution audio experience that’s unrivaled by other formats. And because the ZX2 features components not available on any other portable player, it’s the best-sounding on-the-go player you can buy.

The Walkman ZX2 Makes Digital Music Sound Like it Should

Sony is able to achieve master quality playback thanks to its S-Master HX digital amplifier. This single apparatus was developed solely to reduce distortion while reproducing a wide frequency response and makes songs sound exactly how the artist intended. Combined with Sony’s DSEE HX technology, the ZX2 can also upscale streaming sources to provide higher quality sound.

Popular streaming services like Spotify can streamaudio up to 320Kbps but this quality is not lossless. This is usually good enough for casual listeners but audiophiles who can hear the difference will usually demand more. The ZX2 alleviates this problem by playing back audio at 192KHz in 24-bit lossless quality.To put these numbers in perspective: CD’s have a sampling rate of 44KHz at 16-bits — and that’s usually the standard when comparing digital playback quality.

At nearly $1,200 and with so many alternatives, the Walkman likely won’t return to its 1980s glory. Many people also won’t be able to tell the difference in sound quality but the discerning ear will appreciate the ZX2’s high-end features. And while those who want the best mobile listening experience will have to pay a lot of money for it, these are exactly the people whom Sony made the ZX2 for.

Are you one of them?

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What do you think? Is the Sony Walkman ZX2 worth the money? Let us know in the comments below!

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Author Ivan Barajas

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