WM-EX36

The WM-EX36 is a more complete mid-tier EX-series playback Walkman that combined auto-reverse, Dolby B noise reduction, anti-rolling support, and a three-stage Mega Bass system in a relatively simple plastic body. It supports chrome and metal tapes through a manual selector and runs on two AA batteries, balancing a fairly generous feature set with the practical shape and straightforward handling of Sony's ordinary playback branch. This model was clearly built to feel "full" without becoming luxurious.

The EX36 captures the point when Sony's tape-only Walkman had become less about individual breakthroughs and more about assembling the right mix of expected conveniences. It was not a flagship, but it was a very complete expression of what a good mainstream playback Walkman looked like in 1991. It was the center of the line done properly.