Sony NW-ZX707 & NW-A306 Walkmans get enhanced audio

By Shawn Chung - Singapore

Sony has announced two new Walkman music players, the NW-ZX707 and the NW-A306. Both players are designed for listeners to enjoy music the way the artist intended with high-quality sound with a sleek design.

Sony NW-ZX707 Walkman

The NW-ZX707 is a premium portable music player built to offer astonishing sound quality, and has enhanced battery life, balanced connection, a large 5" display and Wi-Fi compatibility for easy downloading and streaming functions.

The NW-ZX707 sports upgraded fine-tune capacitors and a FTCAP3 (High polymer capacitor) and a large solid high polymer capacitor which offers large capacitance and low resistance. While an OFC milled block covering the digital block, allows the NW-ZX707 to bring listeners sound that appears to rise-up from silence. Additionally, a large 8mm coil for balanced output creates an improved sound resolution across all frequencies.

NW-ZX707 integrates a DSD Remastering Engine where PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) audio is resampled into an 11.2 MHz DSD (Direct Stream Digital), offering even more ways to enjoy music.

Sony NW-A306 Walkman

The smaller NW-A306 is designed for discerning users looking for high quality sound and style. This stylish and compact music player lets consumers download and stream more of the music they love. With full Wi-Fi compatibility and weighing just 7 ounces and with the comfort and function of both a 3.6” touch screen and tactile physical music controls, the NW-A306 series is dedicated to delivering exceptional music experiences right from the users’ pocket.

The premium aluminium milled frame on the NW-A306 provides superior rigidity for low impedance and clear, stable sound and solid bass.

Advanced Sound Reproduction

Both new Walkmans feature Sony’s latest S-Master HX digital amp technology, which was independently developed for Walkman and is compatible with the native DSD format. It reduces distortion and noise across a wide range of frequencies, for rich and full-bodied sound, further enhanced by new high-quality sound lead free solder.

Both models apply a reflow solder containing gold, whose effect is significant in the overall improved sound localization and wider sound space.

To realize both music players’ evolutionary sound, a dual clock, film capacitor and fine sound register have been precisely placed within each Walkman.

Updated DSEE for enhanced music streaming

The NW-ZX707 and the NW-A306 both use Edge-AI (Artificial Intelligence), DSEE Ultimate (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) which upscales compressed digital music files in real time. The evolving algorithm now delivers even greater benefits for CD-quality (16 bit 44.1/48kHz) lossless codec audio. Restoring acoustic subtleties and dynamic range provides a richer, more complete listening experience.

With further progress from its predecessor models, consumers can enjoy DSEE Ultimate for upscaling their music, whether it is Wi-Fi streamed or downloaded. Now listeners can also enjoy DSEE Ultimate with wireless headphones.

The NW-ZX707 and the NW-A306 both feature a longer battery life compared to previous Walkman models, with the NW-ZX707 able to sustain up to 25 hours of 44.1kHz FLAC playback, up to 23 hours of 96 kHz FLAC High-Resolution Audio playback, or up to 22 hours even when streaming. The NW-A306 has a battery life of up to 36 hours of 44.1kHz FLAC playback, up to 32 hours of 96kHz FLAC high resolution audio playback, or even up to 26 hours with the streaming service apps.

Availability

Both new Walkmans will be available in select markets from late January :

NW-ZX707: 32GB JPY 46,000/US$347, 64GB JPY 57,000/US$430

NW-A306: EUR330/US$357

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