Sony - Walkman 8GB* Video MP3 Player With Wireless Headphones - White

After a few months researching MP3 players, I finally decided on this one due to the included Bluetooth wireless earbuds as well as the ability to listen to podcasts. I was impressed that the wireless feature, typically an extra $100+ to buy as an accessory to MP3 players, came included along with regular earphones. It made the price of $140 (on sale) a great value. In response to some of the comments regarding the wireless earphones not being truly "wireless" - it is true that it does have some wires causing one to have to be creative in putting it on to get the wireless feel. First, some specifics about them - the left earbud is attached to a 5 inch wire and the right earbud is attached to a 20 inch wire. They combine into one wire (about 12 inches) which leads to the 2 inch long by 3/4 inch wide clip-on controller. I personally run the longer wire behind my head and clip the controller on my collar near my shoulder or toward my back. I have read that this uneven length of earphone wires is common with some earphones. Since some people have compared it to the Sansa, here is some information for comparison since I used to own one before it died. The Sansa Clip+ player is a little over 2 inches long and 1 1/2 inch wide. The wire leading from each earbud to the main wire is 12 inches and the main wire which runs to the player is about 31 1/2 inches (much longer than the Sony wireless controller clip). In response to a complaint made by another reviewer regarding the automatic connection to the Bluetooth - I found that hitting the BACK button immediately will cancel the attempt to connect in the event you want to use the regular earphones. Not a big deal at all. In a nutshell: The PROS: - included Bluetooth wireless earphones (although wires exist, they can be easily placed behind your head to give you that wireless feel) - 3 different sizes of comfortable earbuds provided for each of the 2 earphones included - great sound quality with both the wireless and wired earphones - great picture and video quality - easy to navigate menu - easy to subscribe to podcasts using the software provided The CONS: - can't listen to the FM radio or use the voice recorder feature when using the wireless earphones - wireless earphones does have wires, although much shorter than the Sansa clip wires - doesn't come with a sleeve or case (and don't think Sony makes one). I bought a case designed for a slim cell phone and it seems to be adequate and gives me the ability to clip it to me if necessary. - not really getting the SensMe Channels. It chose Crawling by Linkin Park to be under the Relaxing category. - (minor) if you choose a horizontal picture for wallpaper, it displays sideways, as opposed to correcting the picture to fit upright to go with the vertical menu icon screen. So if you really want a picture to be your wallpaper, take it vertically or else it will display sideways.

If it weren't for the fact that my Sony Walkman MP3 player lasted about a year with no abuse etc., I would say it is a very good product. Good enough that I plan to replace it with the same model. With electronics it is a hit or miss thing. My player stopped accepting a charge. While I have read other accounts of this happening, I am betting that my Walkman (and those I read about on the internet# were the exception and not the rule. It seems to me that if the majority or even a significant number of Walkmans had this problem, it would not get such consistently good reviews from consumers. It would be getting a lot of 1 and 2 star reviews. If my next Walkman has a similar lifespan, then I am done with the Sony Walkman MP3 players. I will go back and change my review to a 1 or 2 star review! Do KEEP THE WARRANTY PAPERS as long as the warranty is good. Not keeping the warranty papers was my mistake. I am still going to try to send my dead one in for repair. The MP3 player has excellent sound through the headphones. In the past I was somewhat of an audiophile, so I am picky about sound quality. If hooked through your home stereo, the sound quality is not good at all. So, for exercising it is great. MP3 players played through your home audio system can't compete with CD players played through your home audio system. The bluetooth headphones do not sound nearly as good as corded earphones. I don't use the bluetooth feature for that reason, though it does work. The battery life on this player is outstanding! Much much better than I would have expected. The player's short comings are not really short comings when you consider the price. I wish it came with a case. I would have liked a little more volume. Although Rhapsody does not list the Walkman as a compatible device, Rhapsody has worked great with my walkman. I am no computer techie, so if mine worked without extra software or modifications, anyone's should. One other disadvantage is that the player can not play through a stereo #car or home) through the USB port. I had to run mine through the RCA jacks using an adapter from the earphones jack of the MP3 player. The USB port charges it and interfaces with the computer. You can not play the the Walkman when it is plugged into a USB port. I think that you can play an iPOD through a USB port. If I knew I could easily make an iPOD work with subscription services such as Rhapsody, I would try the iPOD classic. Software is sold to make the iPODs workable through a subscription service, but I am just not sure. I have over 450 songs on my Walkman. At 99 cents a download from itunes, that is just too much money. I'll stick with a subscription service for $10 a month. With a subscription service, you can only play the songs from that service as long as you are subscribed to the service. Once you are no longer a member of that service, the music files will no longer play. They are encrypted. I use my Walkman to get me through my exercise routine. For that it is almost perfect. The sound quality through headphones is very good. The battery life is outstanding! For these reasons, I'm going to give Sony a second chance. If my second Walkman's lifespan is as short as the first, then I am done with the Sony Walkman MP3 players.

great deal! i've been using this MP3 player for a while now and love it! easy to use and sounds great! haven't had any issues with it at all. has a microphone so you can use it as a voice recorder, even lets you sing Karaoke. only flaw is that pictures show up un landscape mode if they were originally in landscape, there's no option to rotate a picture. i love the bluetooth headphones it came with, its great to put the player down and be able to walk away from it without having to stop listening to a song. all around a great product, can't beat the price either!

if you don't hold it on the sides and accidently touch the face it will turn on,change stations ,programs etc. if you accidently turn it on w/o knowing by touching the face it could be several hours before you realize this ,and the battery could be dead. has good sound and capacity

easy setup, easy to use, enjoy it alot....for the person who said there was no FM well this does have FM i use it ....i always get what i expect when i buy sony

Easy to set up and use, great sound, just a perfect MP3

The blue tooth aren’t really wireless, just don’t have to be tethered to the unit. Which can be nice if you are say in a pool or calm water and the base unit stays on shore. Otherwise there is not much advantage to blue tooth, the unit is so small, and you still have to be “line of sight” away from it for it to work too far away. If you have a pocket why would you need blue tooth? You decide, otherwise the unit is exactly like the much less expensive E series units. Which are still top of the line players if you ask me. Better than a lot out there. There is one difference than the E Series, this unit is way more sensitive to touch, if it is on, just a slight brush can change settings, and if it is off, just a light touch and it comes on, which will waste your battery. These things need a "hard" on/off swith. The blue tooth headphones also only last about 4 hours b4 recharge., so keep that in mind.

I've wanted an MP3 player for a long time so it was great to get this one at such a bargain. I like the slimline case and sound quality of the wireless ear buds is GREAT. I do wish a manual had been included and I haven't been able to use in on iTunes like the sales agent said I could.