Sony unveils gold-plated Walkman priced at nearly $5,900
Sony has announced three high-end Walkman music players, with prices ranging from $1,899.99 to $5,899. The top model, the NW-WM1ZM3, has a gold-plated chassis made from oxygen-free copper and is aimed at listeners seeking premium audio hardware.
All three players include Sony’s DSD Remastering Engine, which converts standard PCM audio to an 11.2MHz DSD stream, and gold-plating on the rear chassis intended to reduce interference. The two more expensive models also have hand-soldered copper wiring and upgraded power circuitry; the $2,999.99 NW-WM1AM3 shares much of the top model’s design but lacks its gold-plated copper shell.
- Sony’s new Walkman range starts at $1,899.99.
- The top model costs $5,899 and has a gold-plated copper chassis.
- All three are designed for the audiophile market.
New here? Start with this
A Walkman is a portable music player, a name Sony first used for cassette players in 1979. Modern Walkmans play digital music files and are designed for people who want a dedicated music device rather than listening on a phone.
Sony is a Japanese electronics company that makes consumer audio equipment, including headphones and music players. Its high-end Walkmans are aimed at listeners who prioritise sound quality and specialist audio features; prices can vary widely depending on the materials and components used.
Digital music can be stored in different formats, and some listeners prefer high-resolution files that retain more audio detail. The players’ processing features and construction are intended to appeal to that market, while the value of such features depends on listeners’ equipment and preferences.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A premium Walkman can be defended as a specialist product for listeners who value portable audio hardware, distinctive materials and careful engineering, and are willing to pay for those features. Sony’s use of copper, gold plating and upgraded circuitry offers a tangible luxury design, while the range gives buyers less costly options as well as the flagship.
The case against
At nearly $5,900, the flagship may be difficult to justify when far cheaper devices can play the same music and many listeners may not hear a meaningful improvement. The price risks making premium materials and branding more central than practical benefits, and could seem poor value even to people who care about sound quality.
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Originally published by The Verge as “Sony made a $5,900 gold-plated Walkman MP3 player”.