WM-F66

The WM-F66 is a radio Walkman with built-in recording and a detachable or integrated external speaker arrangement that allowed the machine to be uses for shared listening as well as private headphone playback. Based on a derivative of Sony's budget playback architecture, it combined cassette and AM/FM tuner functionality in a body that clearly prioritized versatility over slimness or polish. The overall design remained practical instead of elegant.

WM-F66 was revealing because Sony was testing the limits of how solitary the Walkman really had to be. Most of the line was still built around private listening, but models like this suggest there was still interest in making portable audio a little more social or household-friendly when needed.