EmailBest Reviewed
MP3 Players
- Best MP3 player Apple iPod nano *Est. $140
- Best touch-screen MP3 player Apple iPod touch *Est. $280
- Best iPod alternative Microsoft Zune HD *Est. $290
- Best sound quality Sony X Series Walkman *Est. $380
- Budget MP3 player SanDisk Sansa Clip+ *Est. $50
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Best sound quality
- Excellent audio quality
- Noise-canceling headphones
- Integrated Slacker radio service
- Poor web browser
- Small on-screen keyboard
- Expensive
If sound quality is your primary concern -- and you don't care about apps, web browsing or other features -- experts say the Sony X Series Walkman deserves a look. The Sony X Series includes a 3-inch touchscreen, built-in Wi-Fi and an FM radio. According to reviews, the Sony X Series Walkman offers some of the best audio quality you can get on an MP3 player. Experts recommend it for audiophiles who are picky about sound quality and who like to tweak their own EQ settings. Although it gets high marks for audio quality, the Sony X Series is a letdown in other areas. The web browser is especially poor, and many reviewers say they are frustrated with the too-small keyboard. The Sony X Series Walkman also comes in a 16 GB version (*Est. $290). Overall, experts say the iPod touch (*Est. $280 for 32 GB) is a better choice for most people, though they acknowledge that the Sony X Series has superior sound. The Sony MP3 player can't compete with the iPod touch when it comes to web browsing and extra features.
The best reviews of the Sony X Series come from CNET, PCMag.com, Laptop Magazine and PC World. These sources all offer testing-based reviews, and individual rating systems make it easy to see which MP3 players are preferred overall. AnythingButiPod.com has a detailed review, but editors don't use a rating system. Shorter reviews at Wired and PC Advisor are also helpful. We also found some user reviews at Amazon.com.
| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
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Our Sources
1. CNET
Jasmine France at CNET says the Sony X Series Walkman is a "superb choice for audiophiles who want a luxury device." She rates the interface highly and says it's second only to the iPod touch. The biggest downside is the high price tag.
Review: Sony X-Series Walkman (16GB), Jasmine France, July 7, 2009
The Sony X Series Walkman gets high marks at PCMag.com, where Tim Gideon calls it "the best non-iTunes-centric player you can buy." However, he says the Sony X Series is let down by a poor web browser.
Review: Sony X Series Walkman (NWZ-X1051), Tim Gideon, July 6, 2009
Grahm Skee at AnythingbutiPod.com says the Sony X Series is an "awesome music player" that is worth the price if you can afford it. Downsides include limited file and podcast support.
Review: Sony X Series X-1000 Review, Grahm Skee, June 22, 2009
4. Laptop MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Like most reviewers, Jeffrey Wilson at Laptop Magazine says he thinks the Sony's web browser is its biggest weakness. Still, he says it's a good choice for those who want "top-notch audio quality."
Review: Sony Walkman X Series (NWZ-X1051), Jeffrey L. Wilson, Aug. 14, 2009
Ginny Mies at PC World has lots of good things to say about the 3-inch display on the Sony X Series Walkman, saying it's "one of the best touch interfaces I've seen." The Slacker radio also gets high marks, but she finds the Sony a tad too expensive.
Review: Sony Walkman X-Series, Ginny Mies, Aug. 9, 2009
6. Gizmodo.com
Dan Nosowitz at Gizmodo.com says he thinks the Sony X Series is not a serious contender against the iPod touch, and he describes the web browser as "completely unusable garbage." He still thinks the Sony is a good MP3 player, but he would be more likely to recommend it if it were cheaper.
Review: Sony X-Series Walkman Review: So Close Yet So Far, Dan Nosowitz, July 29, 2009
7. Wired
Not surprisingly, Terrence Russell at Wired isn't impressed with the web browser, but the sleek design, audio quality and responsive touchscreen all get higher marks. Overall, the Sony X Series Walkman gets a rating of seven out of 10.
Review: Sony Walkman X1051, Terrence Russell, Aug. 19, 2009
8. Amazon.com
In about 20 customer reviews, the Sony Walkman X Series earns an overall rating of four out of five stars. One reviewer says it provides the "best sounding music you can have in the palm of your hand," but others say the Slacker radio has some bugs.
Review: Sony Walkman X Series 16 GB Video MP3 Player w/ OLED Display, Contributors to Amazon.com
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