Walkman: A História Ilustrada (1979–2004) A timeline of Sony’s cassette Walkman models from 1979 to 2004 - EP.29 - early 1994: SONY WALKMAN WM-EX1

 

Released for the Walkman’s 15th anniversary, the WM-EX1 introduced vertical cassette loading. The change reworked how tapes were inserted while retaining EX-line hardware, including auto-reverse and EXDBB, in a compact, premium shell.

Later that year, Sony released the WM-FX1, adding a built-in radio. Its success led to the WM-EX2 and WM-FX2 in 1995, which carried the vertical-loading layout forward in a refined form.

Walkman: A História Ilustrada (1979–2004) A timeline of Sony’s cassette Walkman models from 1979 to 2004 - EP.28 - early 19902: SONY WALKMAN WM-EX808HG

 

Released in the early 1990s, the WM-EX808HG reframed the Walkman as an object, not just a

 player. Based on the EX808, it used a chrome-plated finish and an aluminum-magnesium

 chassis from Sony’s “thin husband” line. The HG label marked it as High Grade, reserved for

 models with upgraded materials. Audio hardware matched the presentation: an EX amorphous

 head, Dolby B, and EXDBB, paired with auto-reverse in a slim body.

Walkman: A História Ilustrada (1979–2004) A timeline of Sony’s cassette Walkman models from 1979 to 2004 - EP.27 - 1992: SONY WALKMAN WM-EX909

 

Released in 1992, the WM-EX909 used a rare dual-head playback system. Instead of a single

 auto-reverse head, it employed two fixed playback heads, each aligned for one direction. This

 preserved consistent sound in both directions without mechanical adjustment, a solution

 reserved for Sony’s top-tier models.