WM-FS397

The WM-FS397 is a mid-range Sports Walkman from 1996 that balanced durability with just enough convenience to feel complete in daily use. It includes auto-reverse, Mega Bass, anti-rolling protection, and manual AM/FM tuning, all housed in a drop-resistant shell that still remained practical for belt or pocket carry. Battery life reached about 18 hours from two AA cells, and the controls stayed mechanical and direct instead of moving into more elaborate digital territory.

Sony had started splitting the Sports line between very stripped models and more rounded everyday ones, and the FS397 belongs clearly to the second group. It was aimed at users who wanted the features they would actually notice, especially easier tape handling and stronger bass response, without turning the machine into a gadget-heavy object. That makes it feel less of a flagship and closer to a very well-judged middle model.