The new Sony W273 Waterproof Sports Walkman may just be the best portable music gadget that has been released since the iPod. I realise that is a big claim to make, but while it doesn't have the design and beauty of Apple's offering, Sony has seen a niche in the market and provided a product that does what it sets out to do. So what is that, exactly?
It weighs almost nothing, it is waterproof to a depth of 6 feet, and it fits and sits in your ears imperceptibly, which means swimming takes on a whole new dimension. No longer do you have to swim with the Jaws theme running through your mind to keep you motivated – you can actually have it playing in your ears.
The Sony W273 is ideal for those who play sport and want to be audibly entertained while doing so, whether it’s swimming or running, as the speakers sit directly into your ear with no other cables to impede the exercise your are undertaking. The ear buds hold four gigabytes of music and are held together by a nifty cable that sits behind your head and ensures the buds stay where they are supposed to. The Walkman comes with a plethora of different sized buds, so that no one will feel this is not for them. It also comes in a range of rather fetching colours to match whatever Lycra you wear.
There is a play setting that follows tracks numerically, a shuffle setting that randomly samples your playlist and a play folder so you can play the tunes you want when you want them – very important for runners who know their route and what tunes help at what stage.
Because of the size of the new Sport Walkman, wearing it is almost unnoticeable. However, if you catch yourself in the mirror you do look a bit like an extra from Buck Rogers in the 25st Century. I can handle that because the overall effect is immersive.
There are, however, some downsides to its size. The buttons are very small and hard to push. I get that the device is microscopic and therefore everything associated with it has to be too – I just think Apple would have made it slicker and easier. It is a wonderful device if you are sporty, and at only Dh299 even if you are not sporty and just want to go for a walk it’s well worth it.
q&a sound fundamentals
Buck Rogers, you say – that can’t be a good look.
The Walkman does look a little strange at first, much like the bluetooth headsets you see for mobile phones, although not nearly as big. The buds and connecting cable are easily angled so that they can fit into any size and shape of ear canal. However, once you have them in your ears the experience is all-encompassing and you may wonder why people are looking at you as you hum along to the tunes.
How is swimming with them?
If you are venturing into the pool make sure you have chosen the correct sized ear buds, as it needs to be a tight fit. When I first took the plunge, water became trapped between the bud and my ear and I spent the next few days listening to waves lap around my ear drum. The second attempt was more successful, with brilliant audio beneath and in the water; it focuses your concentration on your strokes rather than being distracting.
So the audio is excellent?
Well, it is excellent for someone who is more interested in sport. The audio itself may not meet some audiophiles’ expectations, but for the size, weight and shape you cannot expect much better. The dynamic range may not be challenging Dr Dre, but then I can’t go swimming or running in his earphones.
What’s the worst thing about the Sport Walkman?
It’s actually a byproduct of the best thing – it’s the size. The control buttons are tiny and rigid, so it’s tough to push and I was never sure if I was pushing the correct button, or if I’d actually pushed it at all.
ascott@thenational.ae
Follow The National's Business section on Twitter
