WM-EX104

The WM-EX104 is a slightly better-equipped lower EX-series playback Walkman that added Dolby B noise reduction to the same broad two-AA compact format uses across Sony's entry-level cassette players of the period. It combined Mega Bass, anti-rolling support, automatic tape shutoff, and a manual tape selector inside a plastic body that stayed compact, direct, and easy to use. It still omitted auto-reverse and more advanced transport features.

The EX104 is a good example of how Sony uses very compact changes to create meaningful steps within the lower end of the line. It is not dramatically different from the EX102, but in real use the addition of Dolby makes the player feel noticeably more complete. That kind of tiny hierarchy counted for a lot in the mature Walkman era.