NEW Reviews Beta Feedback

Sony Sony NWZ-A818 Walkman

80

Very Good

Avg User Rating
3 User Reviews | add yours »

Pros
High quality headphones come bundled
Small and incredibly sleek design
Cons
Proprietary connection for PC hookup
No expandable memory slot

$139.99
From 1 Merchant

Performance: Very Good: 80
Features: Good: 72
Design: Very Good: 85

Find out how these scores, and their relative weights, combine to produce the PC World Rating.

Performance
Crosstalk, Average (dB)	-47
Frequency Response Deviation, Average (dB)	1.3
Maximum Usable Output Level, Average (dBV)	-7.6
Signal-to-Noise Ratio, Average (dB)	75
Total Harmonic Distortion and Noise, Average (%)	0.03

User Reviews for Sony Sony NWZ-A818 Walkman

Reviewed by: barkerdt

Duration of ownership:

Strengths: Plays WMA, WMA DRM, AAC and MP3

Weaknesses: Discontinued model

Overall Evaluation: (09-Mar-08) This is a discontinued product and discount pricing is widely available. After just a few months, Sony has already replaced it?s top-of-the-line video mp3 players, the NWZ-A815, A816 and A818 series. Subject to availability, existing stock of 2, 4 and 8 GB A-series players is available from sonystyle for $100, $130 and $170, respectively. The big box retailers are also offering generous discounts, but have limited selection. Sony?s new video mp3 players, which are still in pre-order at this time, have no discernable pattern in the model numbering. The A-series models all increase screen size to 2.4 inches (from 2.0 inches) and have altered the navigation controls. Beyond that, new features offered on various models include 16 GB capacity, noise reduction and/or Bluetooth. Prices have not been trimmed with the new models. The entry point is now 4 GB capacity, which is still $150. The series then ranges up to $320 for the 16 GB size with Bluetooth. Sony continues to be elusive in talking about format compatibility, as they were throughout their ATRAC era. (Who can forget the infamous ?supports WMA and MP3? language, which translated to the formats being incompatible with their players but that they supplied conversion software.) Currently, Sony buries specifics regarding DRM support in its user manuals, which are not linked from the product pages, so you have to find these in the separate Sony support website. These new players likely support WMA DRM for both purchased and subscription content, unlike their compact B-series players, which only support purchased content. If this is important to you, verify before purchasing. Although the pace of technological change is ever-faster, if Sony maintains its current pace, it will overtake iRiver for short product life cycles. Based on personal experience, this does not bode well from the perspectives of continuing enhancement and support or the availability of accessories and parts. This is (was) a good mp3 player. My 2 Star rating is because you soon will not be able to purchase it.
Reviewed by: lgoodman

Duration of ownership:

Strengths: Great sound, vivid screen, not an IPOD

Weaknesses: Expensive accessories, does not support OGG files, proprietary USB cable

Overall Evaluation: Sony finally has a winner in its MP3 lineup!! This player has excellent sound and video quality. The screen size is small yet vivid and readable. Battery life is very good. No software is required to drag-and-drop files to this player; one can use Windows Explorer. Its weaknesses are: -expensive accessories -does not support OGG files -a couple of interface quirks -position of the hold button -proprietary USB cableIt is definitely a great player!!