WM-FX173

The WM-FX173 built a little upward from that lower FX tier by adding Mega Bass and auto-reverse to the same broad radio-and-cassette formula. It kept the FM/AM tuner, plastic body, and belt-clip portability of the simpler models, but the extra bass and uninterrupted playback made it feel more complete in real use without shifting it into the digitally tuned branch.

This is a very sensible late Sony product where a compact increase in convenience changed the whole feel of the machine. The FX173 is still plainly mainstream, but it is easier to imagine as someone's real daily portable instead of just a low-cost option on a shelf.