SlashGear Japan
Ubiquitous wireless headphones are perhaps the no-brainer Next Big Thing in the portable media market, waiting only on battery life that can keep up. Last year we reviewed one of the first PMPs to feature the Bluetooth A2DP profile, Samsung’s YP-T9, and now Gear Diary’s Doug has been spending some time with Sony’s long-coming retort, the NWZ-A828K Walkman. Announced back in February as part of the company’s new PMP lineup, the headline feature might be wireless but the 2.4-inch display and 3/8ths of an inch thickness don’t hurt either.
We gave the YP-T9 a swift kicking for not including a set of Bluetooth cans in the retail packaging, but Sony have escaped punishment by not only bundling its DR-BT21G Bluetooth headphones but – for Doug at least - a set of wired in-ear ‘phones too. Looking at Sony’s own listing for the PMP, it doesn’t look like you get both normally; however they’ve made the right choice and the wireless set are standard. Battery life for the A828K is rated at up to 36hrs music or 10hrs video; even with the wireless and the screen turned on, Doug got around 20hrs mixed-content per full charge.
Criticisms include the absence of a memory card slot (though there’s a bigger, 16GB version of the 8GB model Doug tested) and the fact that Sony don’t include an AC adaptor, only a USB charging cable. The A2DP Bluetooth connection was “a bit wonky at times” but the ease of use seemed to push that aside.
The NWZ-A828K Walkman is available now direct from Sony and priced at $269.99.
One Response to “Sony NWZ-A828K Bluetooth Walkman reviewed: slimly superb”
Sed8ed December 18, 2008
Spectacular player for the money.
Simply doesnt get better than this. I have owned a bundle of MP3 players and this one which I purchased for my wife is simply the finest in a long while. The BT headphones were my biggest worry, I thought despite the pedigree that I’d be caught out as an early adopter, simply put this couldn’t be further from the truth. The sound over BT is very very good. Not the exact same as wired, but still LOUD and still Excellent. there’s a subtle difference but you would easily find it blends in as your enjoying being wire free. Simply put this is in a lot of ways an iPod killer simply because no ipod I’ve owned has had sound as good, or the ease of use…(drag and drop)
It goes well with a Mac too, as a portable HDD you just drop your stored itunes tracks straight on and it’s all go as AAC is fully supported, you’ll have to create playlist outside of software though for this but you can back it all up at any time and slip it straight back on again if you need. Video on the screen is superb, I’ve not done a lot of viewing even on my Nano but the screen on the Sony creams it. Despite not needing software all playlists can be done on the fly nwith whatever is on the unit, it’s simple and quick.
Nice touches are that the lighting for the bluetooth is under the chrome….and the chrome turns blue to indicate a connection, giving off a quick flash every 3 seconds or so….
Simply the best 8GB around!! I got mine for $260 in Australia and it cant be beat, I’m almost embarrassed to pull out my nano as the Sony simply creams it in every way. Included BT headphones are a serious bonus, Apple would never do this….Nice comeback Sony..and thank god you sent sonicstage to the depths of hell were it was originally conjured up!!!!
Dont spend time thinking about this unit…just get one, you definitely wont be dissapointed
+1