1990

WM-805

LCD Remote

The WM-805 was a more advanced wireless Walkman that pushed the receiver closer to a real control interface rather than a passive listening device. Its separate receiver included an LCD display showing playback status and tape side, while the main unit handled the cassette transport and RF transmission. Sony also added 16 selectable pairing codes to reduce interference from nearby wireless systems, while the player itself retained auto-reverse, Dolby B, Extended Dynamic Bass Boost, and an EX Amorphous Head.

What is interesting about the WM-805 is that Sony was clearly learning from the weaknesses of its own earlier experiments. Wireless freedom alone was not enough if the interface felt blind or interference made it unreliable in public. The 805 reads as a more mature attempt to turn the wireless Walkman into something that could survive real commuter use, not just demonstrate a clever concept.

The WM-805 explored a wireless control system that separated daily operation from the cassette mechanism. The player transmitted audio to a cordless headset and sent transport information to a wireless LCD remote, creating a setup where most interaction happened away from the main unit.

Commands returned through the same RF channel, so listeners could control playback without handling the cassette body. The wireless architecture shaped both the design and the materials.

To avoid blocking the signal, Sony used a plastic enclosure rather than a metal shell, and the unit weighed 185 grams without its battery. A sixteen-code pairing system prevented nearby remotes from interfering with each other.

The WM-805 was aimed at early adopters who wanted a new way to interact with a cassette Walkman. Its short runtime limited portability, but it showed how far wireless control could be integrated into an analog system before digital formats reshaped portable audio.

Sony Walkman in 1990 View all Walkman models >