W Series Walkman MP3 Player

sounds like an old transister radio

Pros: wireless design

Cons: cheap tinny sound no bass adjustments

This headset is great to work out in or anything where you are moving around. No wires to get tangled or caught! However there is NO bass, treble, equalizer adjustments to sound at all! No mega bass or nothing. It really does sound like the transistor radio I had when I was a kid and would plug the earphone in my ear. After a short time it is annoying especially if you are accustomed to great sounding music. why does it seem that their is always a significant tradeoff made when a new idea is introduced. It's like they forget about everything else just to get the new concept out on the market, and then the bad news pours in.

Great idea, with a fatal flaw

Pros: Great hardware

Cons: Won't work with any OS that I use

The physical design looks great - I love the idea of an MP3 player integrated into headphones. But why does it only work with 32-bit Windows, and not any other OS? Most MP3 players work with any OS as a USB mass storage device that you copy music onto. What weird proprietary Sony software is preventing it from working with any computer that I own (Windows 64-bit, Mac and Linux)? Or will it actually work, but I can't run some bundled software (that I don't want)?

Great product, But....

Pros: Superb Sound Quality, Great Fit, Lightweight, Fast Charging

Cons: No Fast Forward or Rewind

I have left a prior review on this product and would like to update after using it for about a month. I had to return the original after it died on me in the middle of a workout. I got a brand new unit and behold, after about a week of running (5 miles per day), the unit started malfunctioning and eventually died on me. After returning it again I realized the problem...it does not like sweat! Sony aims this toward active people, however a few drops of sweat seem to render the player useless. I am very pleased overall with the player aside from the problem mentioned. The sound quality is truly unsurpassed and it stays on great contrary to what some may post on here. You can bend the wire to your liking making it looser/tighter making it fit snug. I was also happy that it came with the 3 sizes of ear buds. Overall, I would still recommend this to anyone although Sony should really think about waterproofing the internal parts on this model. If your tech savy like me, go buy yourself some "Plasti-Dip" rubber coating spray and take care of business on your own! The player is easily disassembled giving you the opportunity to "waterproof" the internal parts. Hope this helps someone who found themself in the same predicament!

great (long overdue) idea, needs 2 things fixed.

Pros: No cables YAY, good sound, smart controls, nice software widget.

Cons: Uncomfortable fit for my ears and cheekbones, malfunctions with the tiniest bit of moisture / sweat

I've been waiting for a while for someone to build this simple concept of a hassle free mp3 player. the controls are nice, the sound is good, sony's earbuds always had decent sound. The unit looks well designed all around, the charging stand is nice, and the windows drag+drop widget is great to transfer your music to it. Very simple and small, works with iTunes or Windows Explorer. No giant clunker of unwanted software needed. Fit is marginal for me though, the earbuds are in a fixed position and insist on bending your ear canal, which gets noticably uncomfortable after just a few minutes. the front end of the earpieces get pushed into your cheek bones, leaving a red indent on your skin, like some sunglasses do on your nose. Otherwise, the neckband and balance of the entire assembly is good. No worries about it falling off or changing positions on its own. To Do list for Sony: 1) Rounding off the front edge that digs into people's cheek bones. 2) Make the mounting of the in-ear buds adjustable. the direction they are mounted in are far from a universal fitting. 3) make them more water resistant, or else they are useless for their advertised purpose of jogging or working out.

Fix the Power issues

Pros: Loved running with no wires

Cons: Stopped working

Loved this product even recommanded it to a few friends. Then the same story as other popped in. One day I went to use it and it wouldn't power up. Showed it was fully charged but it would not play. Chated with customer service and was treated like an idiot. It is outside the warranty window so it is not covered. If you make a product and it has a common issue, fix it. Dont take your customers for a ride. Now really thinking I will not buy another.

I Love Simplicity - & It Does Work in Linux

Pros: light, comfortable, great battery life, simple, drag & drop is quick and effective

Cons: no screen, so no track id or video play, not expandable, transfer software is slow

Let's start with cons - no screen, so no track IDs, but Sony compensates with a scanning feature that plays short samples of each track (user selectable, 4 or 15 seconds) Windows content transfer software optimizes the sampling by analyzing the song to pick out the song's "hook" -- this slows song transfer, but works surprisingly well. In linux, the device is recognized as a storage device which you load via drag an drop (Or download directly to the device), so all samples are taken from each tracks 45-second point -- same for Windows if you bypass the content transfer software. Luckily you can use the content transfer software for tracks you're not familiar with, and use drag and drop for your old favorites. A full charge provides 12 hours of play, so if you're obsessive about fully discharging batteries before you recharge, you'll be reluctant to place it on its cradle, At first, I was constantly forgetting where I left it. So I bought an extended warranty, and now I cradle it whenever its not in use -- haven't yet seen any ill effect on the battery, the thing seems always to have a full charge...if you fall asleep wearing it, you'll find it still going in the AM!

Best MP3 Player with an awesome design

Pros: Best Design, Good sound quality, Zappin is good

Cons: Controls are few

This is the best MP3 player i have owned so far. Design is excellent. It is definitely a MUST HAVE for all the music lovers out there.

Highly Recommended - Mac compatible

Pros: Hands-free

Cons: No LED screen

I have a Mac OS X. I drag my music from itunes on to the walkman icon on the desktop. It works great. I love that I don't have to mess with my ipod armband anymore when I go from cardio to weight lifting. Make sure you understand how to use it before you work out. I know that sounds like common sense but I was frustrated on the treadmill. I was running while trying to figure out the zappin feature. Now I understand how to use it and I love it!

It cant fit my earhole

Pros: Sounds great and looks great in pink

Cons: The ear buds cant fit in my ear. it's too big

The ear buds do not fit in my ear. It has three size but it keeps slipping out when I'm using it at the gym. I hate it!

pure greatness

Pros: comfordable, great sound quality, no more tangled headphones

Cons: no radio..but who cares

i already reviewed the black one, i decided to give my review update...i have to say im more impressed now than when i 1st got it, the sound quality is just pure great, no ipods will ever sound this good, sony is just king when it comes to sound quality, wen i go to the gym i see people get tangled up with their headphones and messes up their work out, and in my mind im like, "wow" im happy i bought this walkman

NOT Sweat proof!!!

Pros: Ultra lightweight, very portable, NO wires!!

Cons: Not sweat proof, moisture kills this device quickly.

After searching for an mp3 player for intense cardio and weight training, I find what I believe is god sent, the sony w202. I quickly began researching the device and i stumbled upon reviews stating one common problem which ends up being sweat issues. I then decided to contact sony customer support. They told me that the current sweat issue had been resolved and as long as the serial # began with 53 or higher i would fine. Well 2 months later after leaving the gym from an average cardio workout, i notice that mp3 player no longer powers on. Sony advertises this product as the perfect mp3 player for an active lifestyle. Well its not!! I am so frustrated, I know I still have the manufacturers warranty, but I can not be away from an mp3 player for more than a few days, my workouts depend on this device. I really wish they could of sprayed some coating that would have made this device water proof or at least sweat proof. Whats the point of having a great size mp3 player that is ultra lightweight with no wires and all these functions if it can not even survive a day at the gym!!

If you sweat, don't buy it!

Pros: the wireless feature

Cons: It dies if you sweat

Loved the concept and the fit. Can wear it running, just can't depend on it workiing for very long if you sweat. I purchased two, one for myself and one for my sister. We began using them on January 2 and have had them replaced a total of 8 times to date. I have had 5 and she has had three..... same with all of them, just stopped working. Sony did replace them each time, most recently with the W252 "Running Mate" model...... hopefully they hit the target this time!!

Works fine in Linux and in Windows!

Pros: Drag & Drop works fine in Winows and Linux. goes 12 hrs w/o recharge

Cons: a radio would be a plus. no screen means no track IDs

Laird has screwed up the rating for this device with his invalid complaint. i find his motives suspect as he reviewed both the pink and the black models of this device with the same bogus issue. My Xandros-Debian Linux -- standard install on my new EEE PC -- recognizes this player as a mass storage device; drag and drop functions just fine. The bundled software won't work in linux, but it's utterly unnecessary. See my full review under the black model.

awesome

Pros: everything

Cons: no radio

after the new 3rd gen ipod shuffle came out, i was so dissapointed, i finally wanted to make a change ans stop being like everybody else and buy something diffrent. when i 1st saw this i was like wow, this device is awesome, dont have to worry about your headfones getting tangled up, sound is great and the controls are easy to use, and im happy to say that you can add songs from your ITUNES which is great because thats where i had most of my songs anyway....bottom line get it because its great and you want to be diffrent right...

nice player

Pros: good sound small and lite weight

Sounds great and is very small and out of my face when I am biking. I say it is good for almost any one who likes music and heats head phones all over.

WASTE OF MONEY

Pros: LIGHTWEIGHT

Cons: DIES WHEN WET

THE FIRST TIME i USED THIS IT GOT WET FROM SWEATING AND DIED. NOTHING I TRIED COULD MAKE IT WORK AGAIN. I LIKED THE UNIT FOR THE 10 MINUTES IT WORKED

Worst Disappointment from Sony EVER!!

Pros: Great there are NO WIRES!!!

Cons: Not Sweat Resistant!??

Why would such a great company make such a poor product and then name it for a GOOD product?? I loved the wireless design. I work out and hike and bike and I was so happy to not deal with wires, right up to the point where the unit stopped working. The first hint was it started going in and out of the Zap mode, then the battery would drain. Then the toggle quit. PLUS, that stupid clip is less than worthless. It doesn't hold the MP3 player, but without the clip the magnet won't hold and the battery drains. Very unhappy with this product, guys.

This is great! What do you expect for @ $50? C'mon

Pros: Lightwieght, inexpensive, ease of use

Cons: Feels strange on at first, shuffle does repeat some songs over

C'mon people, what are you whining about? This thing is under $50 (mine was) no wires, comfortable after you get the right earbuds on and plays great. Sure it doesnt have super bass response but when it is fitted right it sounds great and did i mention ITS UNDER $50! Ive had mine for over a year and workout and mow grass with it on and it is still working great. A great VALUE and i would recommend it to friends.

Great for jogging but one problem

Pros: Light weight, easy to operate, value for money

Cons: No provision for making playlist

I bought this player when i was in New york for a vacation, I gave it 5/5 for value for money bcoz it costs almost 2wice as much in my country :-). Its the ideal player if ur looking for one to use while running or jogging. One problem i've been experiencing is that one of the ear piece keeps slipping out of my year.. i wouldn't say its a design problem because it doesn't happen when my brother tried it out... maybe my heads ill-shaped :D. Great product just wish Sony brought out the water resistant version w/c it has now about 2 months earlier.

Finally an MP3 player for people that do things!

Pros: No wires (duh), Comfortable, Decent sound quality. Loong battery life!

Cons: Lack of Bass Ajustment, cant scroll from album (folder) to album, have to go song to song (takes a while)

I must say, when I first saw this product come out I was very intersted, but hesitant because of all the reported problems with sweat. However I purchased it anyhow to give it a go and Im VERY happy I did. Its so liberating being able to have my music along while I work, (I work outdoors) and play (MTB and hike) and no wires to get in the way. As far as the Sweat issue... I have perspired in(on?) this walkman and have had no isues whatsoever. I have been carefull not to over do it and when Im really sweating I take a break and clean them off... but really Ive had them quite damp (sweat and rain) and no isues to speak of. (perhaps Sony has adressed the issue already). My only small niggle with these is the lack of a Bass Boost or any bass ajustment. However I changed the suplied ear pads to the larger size and that helped with the bass (by closing the air gap). Id say also I wish there was a way to scroll between Albums (folders) rather than having to scroll one song at a time. But overall the Pros on this walkman far outway the cons! Id say buy it!

Disappointing :(

Pros: I love everything about this walkman EXCEPT

Cons: NOT WATERPROOF :(

I am the type of person who never returns anything because I rarely break anything and rarely get a defective product. I purchased this product and used it the first time and fell in love with it. The second time I used it my sweat seemed to short circuit it. I sent back for an exchange and promptly got a new one. I tried to be careful with the new one with my jogging and same thing :( 2nd time it started acting wierd. I took it home and blow dryed it. It now works, but works wierd. Fast forward goes back to the beginning of the song. and shuffle may be permenantly on. I tried formating and reset button to no avail. Anyways, I bought one for my girlfriend and it's on the way. I;m guessing I will have to buy some of that Plasti-Dip that one of the first reviews talked of and try to waterproof the unit. :( Sony always makes great products and this was so close :( They did a great job on everything else about it. Now I will have a walkman that works wierdly and i have to wonder about how it will work when i'm done with the waterproofing :( I wish Sony will hurry up and make a new model that is waterproof! Don't leave us hanging! I dont care if you must tack on more $'s to it. Please make it usable for working out! Sorry, if I seem like i'm bashing, i'm just a bit frustrated.

Great mp3 Player

Pros: MOBILITY!

Cons: none really

I bought this player for running, it is excellent for that purpose. The fact that the whole player is in the headphones is great. This mp3 player can go anywhere the sound quality is great, the zappin' in cool. really the only thing that i found bad about this mp3 player is that its easy to lose because it is so small. A great buy especially for the price!

OMG

haven't got them but Im very anxious t get them next week i hope there the best thing ever cause i like running for ever

y use this for two days and jet crack and buy a new une and do ths same !!