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Is this the world's best Walkman Collection?

Discussion in 'Chat Area' started by Mister X, Jul 18, 2026.

  1. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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    It should be if it's in Sony's Headquarters!

    From former Walkman Designer's, Akiraa Tanaka's Twitter Feed
    https://x.com/akiraa_tanaka

    "This is the first-generation Walkman Room, built at the former Shibaura Tech (now the head office), and the second-generation Walkman Room, built at Shinagawa Tech after the relocation. Currently, a third-generation Walkman Room has been established at Osaki Tech, where the Walkman design team is based, and it is used for interviews and other purposes."

    Even the chairs look like a little like the Walkman Logo.


    upload_2026-7-18_13-37-30.png
    upload_2026-7-18_13-38-3.png
     
  2. LanceR

    LanceR New Member

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    Now I have a goal in life...
     
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  3. worldwide137

    worldwide137 Member

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    I wonder how many of them have the gooey melted rubber belt, lol. Nice collection for sure!
     
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  4. LanceR

    LanceR New Member

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    It would be even more impressive, if it stated that they all have been refurbished and work!
     
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  5. Valentin

    Valentin Well-Known Member

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    Indeed, although for a large collection it's unlikely all have been refurbished. That's one of the downsides of large collections: most will be for display only.

    It is pretty impressive given it looks to be SONY-only. However to me it seems focused on particular types of walkmans, rather than having everything.
    What I do like is how it's organized: that's very well done. But as far as the how impressive it is, have to say Kent's one is way more impressive than this.
    EDIT: Given what's stated in post below, the collection definetely is impressive. Was unaware of the existence of such devices.
     
    Last edited: Aug 6, 2026
  6. Machaneus

    Machaneus Well-Known Member

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    These are the companys official Sony Walkman Rooms their archives , the collection is unique because contains prototypes like the transparent Sony WM-2 and WM-F2 the only known blue WM-2 an ultra rare white or pearl white Hokkaido WM-2 a gold TPS-L2 and so on.
    There you can find the BM-12 the first ever walkman prototype , they have even the schematics for it.
    The most emblematic models are displayed in a special way at the center of the room (second photo).
    The cabinets below should contain the walkman boxes and related material.
    There are all type of Sony walkmans cassette , discmans , internal memory anything , probably not every model ever build and variant but this is a dedicated place to Sony walkman history, a lot of interviews are taking place there with walkman designers over the years for various events like new walkman presentations , anniversaries etc.
     
  7. Experious

    Experious Member

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    That would literally be a full time job, like painting the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Once you had serviced the last one, you would have to start on the first one again!
     
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  8. Machaneus

    Machaneus Well-Known Member

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    The Greek magazine "hxos+ sound vision" is the official Greek expert representative for the EISA (Expert Imaging and Sound Association) with a history of over fifty years.

    Here's the July issue :

    IMG_20260811_232500~2.jpg

    Still remember too many years ago when I read in the news column for the then new walkman... the Boodokhan !
    Several years ago the editors visited the Walkman Room and shot a video :

     
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