Sony WM-FX290 Stereo Cassette Player with FM/AM/TV/Weather Tuning by Sony
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List Price: Our Price: $39.90 You Save: $5.09 (11%) Availability: Usually ships in 4-5 business days Buy Used: from $24.98 (click here) Category: Network Media Player See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Sony WM-FX290 Stereo Cassette Player with FM/AM/TV/Weather Tuning
Digital camera Review: A Great Little Contraption
Summary: 5 Stars
Wow, this was a great buy. It hardly weighs anything, the sound quality even of radio channels is fantastic. I couldn't be happier. It only needs one battery--which so far has lasted through 2 books, several hours of exercise and more.Digital camera Review: A terrific buy!
Summary: 5 Stars
Product arrived in a timely manner and was as advertized. The price was great and I am enjoying using it.Digital camera Review: AMAZING Sound!!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a small but wonderful unit, with extra bass, if you so desire to avail yourself of it. It plays my cassettes beautifully, and is a great value for the money.Digital camera Review: Adequate: Sufficient for most purposes.
Summary: 3 Stars
Adequate.
I've owned four of the Sony WM-FX290 series over the years. I use them primarily for audio-books - and I listen to thirty/forty books a year which easily means hundreds of hours of use. I'm mostly satisfied with the model, taking into account price, durability, ease of use, quality of sound, etc. There are significantly more expense cassette players (as well as really inexpensive, rather breakable models)but overall, this model is about as good as I've seen for the price. I'm not particularly thrilled about it mostly because I can remember sturdier models with more features and better design (at the same price) but, alas, they're no longer made.
Good points: Moderately priced, decent sound, great battery life (1 rechargeable lasts 4-6 hours cassette playing), easy-to-program radio
Bad points: Opaque-cover (you can't just look & see how much tape is left without taking tape out), no auto-reverse, battery "holder" easily broken (from a six inch drop)requiring tape to keep battery in place, no "clip" to attach to pants, too sensitive too squeezing (when I jog or walk, I hold the Walkman in my hand or pocket squeezing the player and slooowing the playback). Further, after several months of opening/closing, the tape holder doesn't seem to keep the cassettes in alignment making them again slow down (and making me adjust the tapes to just the right spot).
Despite all this, I'd recommend the player mainly because of the price. While I remember 10 years ago, we could've gotten auto-reverse, translucent views of the cassette, a molded rubber exterior, a convenient/unobtrusive clip, etc. from Sony, but they no longer bother with them at this price. I remember they also had the ability to rewind a tape while listening to the radio: not possible now.
(I've owned 4 over the 6 years: two I dropped (from less than a foot and once on a carpet) after several months and damaged the battery spring holder; eventually taping them didn't work, one just grew too old after fifty audiobooks (at least 400 hours use), and the fourth one's sound gradually faded away after a year.
Digital camera Review: Asking for more would be whining....
Summary: 5 Stars
Except for no auto reverse - this is one nifty little player. I admit I was disappointed when I realized this. I'm not too happy with the carry case it comes with tho. Overall, good sound, reception etc. Afterall, it's only $30 new! I bought this and the Sony CD/MP3 Walkman for my audiobooks. I LOVE THEM BOTH and have to recommend them both.
If you wear glasses - invest in earbuds! :p