WM-75

The WM-75 was the compact flagship of Sony's 1985 Sports Walkman range, combining splash resistance with a feature set that included Dolby B noise reduction, switchable auto-reverse, metal-tape compatibility, and dual headphone jacks. To preserve sealing, Sony placed the batteries and several secondary controls inside the cassette compartment, using rubber gaskets throughout and a raised porthole-style window with protective studs so the unit could be placed face-down without damage. Inside, the pressed-metal mechanism and anti-rolling system helped keep playback stable during movement.

This made the Sports line feel genuinely sophisticated rather than merely rugged. Sony had already proved that outdoor-oriented cassette players could sell, but the WM-75 brought the concept closer to a fully equipped everyday machine than a novelty for joggers or beach use. It is the point where Sports Walkman stopped feeling like a side branch and became one of the lineup's most fully realized identities.