We purchased the Sony Walkman NW-WS623 so that our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and review it. Read on for our full product review.

It’s hard to believe that the Sony Walkman brand still exists, but here it is with the NW-WS623. It’s a feature-rich, portable MP3 player that’s a bit on the expensive side when compared to some of the competition. Thankfully, Sony makes good on that price tag with an impressive array of features and modes, as well as killer battery life. But there’s a downside to such opulence: this headset is uncomfortable, stiff, and at times downright unpleasant to put on.

The Walkman NW-WS623 is an attractive headset, with curved earbuds that remind us of a sports car. But don't let its cool looks fool you, this headset/MP3 combo is durable and sturdy, with a matte finish that's resistant to scratches and drops. The buttons for changing the volume, activating Ambient Mode and other functions are clear and we found their functions quickly.

That said, the cord connecting the two earbuds is quite short, measuring about seven to eight inches in length. While they fit consistently, we found them to be a bit tight around our (admittedly larger than average) heads. We would have preferred a longer cord, but that’s far from a deal-breaker.