In 1996, Sony was refining the prestige, youth, and activity lines so each felt unmistakably distinct in the market. Placement, materials, and feature sets now spoke directly to specific audiences rather than a general public.
WM-EQ2
The WM-EQ2 is a playback-only Walkman with an automatic reversal function. It uses AA batteries.
WM-EX3
The WM-EX3 is a playback-only Walkman with an automatic inversion function. It features Dolby B and bass boost, and is compatible with AA batteries and gum-type rechargeable batteries. It is an early high-performance model that combines automatic inversion and noise reduction functions.
WM-EX5
The WM-EX5 is a playback-only Walkman with an automatic reversal function. It features Dolby B, remote control operation, and bass boost, and is compatible with AA batteries and gum-type rechargeable batteries. It is an early high-end model that enhances convenience through the introduction of electronic control functions.
WM-GX622
The WM-GX622 is a Walkman with radio and recording capabilities. It features Dolby B, bass boost, and auto-reverse, and is compatible with AA batteries and gum-type rechargeable batteries. It has an early combined configuration that combines radio and recording functions.
WM-EX633
The WM-EX633 is a playback-only Walkman with an automatic inversion function. It features Dolby B and bass boost, and is compatible with AA batteries and gum-type rechargeable batteries. It is an early high-performance model that combines automatic inversion and noise reduction functions.
WM-GX822
The WM-GX822 is a Walkman with radio and recording capabilities. It features Dolby B, bass boost, and auto-reverse, and is compatible with AA batteries and gum-type rechargeable batteries. It has an early combined configuration that combines radio and recording functions.
WM-RX822
The WM-RX822 is a Walkman with recording capabilities. It features Dolby B, bass boost, and automatic inversion, and supports radio reception and both AA batteries and gum-type rechargeable batteries. It belongs to the early lineage of portable devices that incorporated recording functionality.
1996 marked the point where the brand’s meaning now rested on carefully crafted segments rather than on universal appeal. The sharpened identities carried the category through the final years of analog dominance. 1996 left the Walkman as a collection of distinct propositions instead of one overarching idea, the very clarity of segmentation exposing how much the core concept had narrowed.
