What are, in your opinion the most important models of walkmans in history (not only Sony)

Sorry, I know you said not only Sony, but I would have to say either the D6C or DD9 because of how they sound. I own a D6C and it sounds pretty impressive. From what I've heard, the DD9 sounds even better, can't vouch for that though as I haven't had the opportunity to listen to one yet.

 

I agree, and D6C have beautiful shell, in my opinion ;-)

 

Its a hard one and this is totally random but this one sounds frikkin fantastic with my Bose headphones

 

With regards to sound quality I can only talk about the ones I have owned so it would be Sony WM-D6C, WM-DC2 and Aiwa HS-JX707, just amazing how much sound quality they got out of these small units.

For compactness and what is possible the Sony WM-10 and the Aiwa HS-PL77.

 

Don’t believe what you hear about the DD9, it’s overrated.

 

in my eyes one of the most important ones is the Goldstar TSM-22 - WHY ?

because it's the base of the "Cloneman" - means, the TPS-L2 clone (you folks know i've got a passion for those...),

i assume, anybody has seen at least three derivates/aka's, even without knowing - under all it's different names it must be the most spread out unit ever !

http://stereo2go.com/forums/threads/my-tps-l2-clones-westman-so-far.331/

 

For me it was the humble Sony WM-22.



Why?

Well I'll tell you. With the WM-22 you could enjoy high quality stereo sound nearly as good as any walkman available for just £26.

 

For me it would be the panasonic rx-s40 (rx-s41 and rx-s45) as there are the only other Direct Drive walkman that were not made by Sony.

 

The ones I prefer are the Sony D6C and DC2, the Aiwa PX20, PX30 and PX 50 (and the JX50 to listen to radio), and the Panasonic RQ-S80. Those are the ones I have, so I know them... I'd like to try many of the other ones that were mentioned previously, to be able to make my mind about them.

 

How could i have forgotten the WM-22 .

 

Fantastic four:
DD9, D6C, DC2, DD-100

 

I hate to say it guys but you're not reading the question.

It's a good question actually. What do you think are the most important walkman's in history?

 

A.O is right. So this is my answer:

Most important walkman in the history by focusing to the word "walkman" is TPS-L2
Most important walkman in the history by focusing on improvement and progression of sound quality should be WM-2 that is considered as precursor of all Sony DD walkmans.

 

Actually, you've hit the nail on the head.

How can the first and by far the most popular not be the most important.

And the WM-2, the ultimate balance between design, sound quality, size and sheer cool factor. I can't think of much that says 80's more than the WM-2 in it's holder with orange foams.

Personally I'd love to give the prize to a non-Sony unit but it just won't be doing the brand justice. Let's not forget who gave us the word 'Walkman'.

 

Since I'm pretty new in Walkman collection, I don't have too much experience to judge but have some opinions on a newbie side:

Below is based on function side:
1. TPS-L2, obviously the invention to a whole new history.
2. DD Series, a new mechanism
3. DD-100, the super bass function back to 80s
4. DD9, may be the only double motor Walkman?
5. Can't remember the model, but the first wireless earphone Walkman
6. AIWA JX70, the voice control
7. EX921, the longest playing time model? cant remember the model exactly

Below is based on Cool looking side:
1. WM-20, smallest Walkman
2. W800, two cassettes player
3. HG series, cool shining looking
4. Toshiba TK-AS10, interesting looking.


To be honest, even people say DC2, D6C, and DD9 are the best of SONY Walkmans, but I didn't really figure out DC2 has better quality than other models like EX1 and EX20. DD9 is the best after I tried, and AIWA PX1000 us the same as DD9. D6C, I feel it's good, but DD9 still the best.

 

Let's not forget the first autoreverse Walkman, the WM-7, also with a basic remote control.

 

And to create the history of the Walkman, the Sony TCM600 and BM12 models -where the idea for the Walkman came from- should also be mentioned.
A nice read on the Walkman-Archive: http://www.walkman-archive.com/wa/2016/01/the-pre-walkman-sony-tcm-600/

 

TC-50: first walkman on/near the moon

 

That’s a good throw, must be a record chris!