Drop, charge, and lose the cordsSony Walkman Bean NW-E305 (512MB, Coconut White)
Manufacturer: Sony Part number: NW-E305
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Sony's half-baked Walkman Bean tries hard to be hip, but bad design elements and hissy audio make it one square audio player.
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Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Marketplace |  | In stock | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 12/02/2009 |
CNET editors' review
Sony Walkman Bean NW-E305 (512MB, Coconut White) price range: $64.87
- Reviewed by: Rick Broida
- Edited by: Jasmine France
- Reviewed on: 10/18/2005
The good: Excellent FM reception and battery life; retractable USB connector.
The bad: Poorly designed USB cover; awkward controls; tiny screen muddles interface; noticeable hiss during playback; music-store support limited to Sony Connect; slow file transfers.
The bottom line: Sony's half-baked Walkman Bean tries hard to be hip, but bad design elements and hissy audio make it one square audio player.
The 512MB NW-E305 comes in Coconut White and Tropical Ice Blue, while the 1GB NW-E307 comes in Black Licorice and, especially for the girls, Cotton Candy Pink. Sony has already lowered prices since announcing the Beans in August; you'll pay $119.95 and $149.95 for the 512MB and 1GB versions, respectively.
It'll come as little surprise that the Bean is shaped like, well, a bean--specifically, a kidney bean, with rounded edges and a slight bend in the middle. Although we applaud Sony's attempt at innovative design, there's nothing particularly practical about a bean-shaped audio player. If anything, the device is harder to hold and manipulate than it should be. It is adorable, though.
The Sony Bean has a small but very bright one-line OLED screen, a five-way D-pad controller, and three buttons, two of which are maddeningly stiff and shallow. A sliding plastic cover reveals a retractable, pop-out USB connector. That's handy, but the cover itself is a problem. When you close it all the way, it engages the player's Hold mode. To disable Hold, you have to nudge the cover back a notch, at which point it wobbles loosely and easily pops open again.
Although the screen gives the Sony Walkman Bean an immediate edge over the iPod Shuffle, its tiny size limits its value. Song navigation is fairly straightforward: press the up or down arrow on the D-pad to scroll through your playlist. But it takes considerable effort to figure out the complicated one-line menu system. Sony's kooky terminology doesn't help. For example, an option called Sound has three settings: Off, 1, and 2. You'll need lots of luck figuring out what any of that means without consulting the electronic manual.
The Sony Bean's other key advantage over the iPod Shuffle is its FM tuner, which allows for both manual and automatic preset selection (up to 30 presets total). You can't record radio, however, and again the controls make for somewhat awkward operation.
The Sony NW-E300 series supports direct playback of MP3, WAV, and ATRAC3 audio files; Sony's Connect music store uses the last of those. The player also supports unprotected WMA files--as long as they're first wrung through SonicStage for ATRAC3 conversion. Obviously we'd prefer protected-WMA support, which would permit access to a wide range of online stores. But to be fair, the iPod Shuffle has a similar limitation. The difference is in the software: Apple's iTunes is a robust, appealing music manager/store interface, while Sony's SonicStage remains a slow, clunky, relatively limited application. It took more than five minutes to import our 10GB collection of MP3s, which is an unusually long time. And SonicStage is just generally unintuitive to use, with a design that smacks of midgrade shareware. The exception is the nicely presented Connect music store, which you can sample thanks to a coupon that Sony includes with the Bean for five free tracks.
Ultimately, any audio player must be judged by its sound quality. Note to Sony: Loud doesn't equal good. Although the Bean can play really loud (concerned listeners should enable its volume-limiting feature), it suffers from noticeable background hiss. Our sample MP3 and Connect ATRAC3 tracks sounded quite good overall, especially when we ditched Sony's bass-deficient white earbuds, but the hiss was distracting, notably in quieter tunes. Thankfully, FM radio suffered no such problem, and reception was excellent.
In CNET Labs' tests, the Sony Bean transferred files at a disappointing 0.61MB per second. Even deleting songs from the device seemed to take forever: nearly three minutes to remove just two dozen songs. However, the player more than redeemed itself with its incredible battery life of a bit less than 47 hours. That's not quite the 50 hours Sony promises, but it's outstanding all the same.
User reviews
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fairly solid player with intuitive controls, OLED screen
by omniL on December 18, 2005
Pros: Awesome battery life, battery charges very rapidly, good sound quality
Cons: Must use Sony's Sonic Stage software to import music
Summary: I just bought one of these for my mother. The OLED screen is amazingly clear and bright and easily read even with the mid-day Arizona sun glaring off of it (...
Summary: I just bought one of these for my mother. The OLED screen is amazingly clear and bright and easily read even with the mid-day Arizona sun glaring off of it (unlike my 15GB 3g iPod). I have not tested the included headphones, as they are almost always cheap and have crappy sound. Instead, I gave her my old Sony MDR-EX71SL/WK (white)s and contrary to the CNet review, there was no "hiss-filled playback". In fact, the sound was clearer than from my iPod (and the files were pulled straight from my iTunes library, meaning it had the same bitrate).
As for the controls, the hardest part was figuring out how to take the player off of "hold" (done simply by sliding the USB port cover a very tiny bit out of the fully closed position). Navigating the menus is fairly simple and acessing the secondary functions of the buttons is as simple as holding them down for a second or so longer than for the primary functions. the 5-position hat switch that controls playback and volume is very intuitive and easily acessed when holding the player in the palm of your hand (which feels very natural).
As reported, it charges insanely fast (got a full charge from the low level charge it shipped with in just under an hour).
The FM tuner picks up a very clear signal.
My only complaint about the player itself is the placement of the OLED screen. While holding the player in the most natural position, the screen faces the palm of your hand and is thereby unreadable. Not a very large problem if your only skipping a track or adjusting the volume.
The Sonic Stage software is decent, but by no means does it help the player. while the newest release (v3.3) was easy enough for me to use, my mother gave up after about 5 minutes of trying to load a song onto the player. A simple to use format converter/uploader program would have been a much better better choice for Sony to include. Or perhaps made it drag and drop. the fact that it can't handle any DRM other than Sony's ATRAC3 is not a very big hassle. It seems to upload the music to the player very quickly (100 MB in under 30 seconds, tons faster than my iPod which takes on average about 10 seconds a song).4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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These Reviews Dont know Anything
by shordie2phast on January 5, 2006
Pros: Good Batt, Great Screen, Overall Excellent
Cons: Fm Radio a lil hard to adjust
Summary: I have both the ipod shuffle and the sony bean for full comparison. Ipod shuffle does not work with all computer interfaces, I have yet to have any problems with ...
Summary: I have both the ipod shuffle and the sony bean for full comparison. Ipod shuffle does not work with all computer interfaces, I have yet to have any problems with the sony bean. Secondly these people are talking about how long it took them to transfer music and convert to the bean what memory are your computers running? For me 104 songs at Atrac3 conversion only took 30mintues TOPS with conversion included. Understandbly my computer runs with a 1gig memory. The program does get a little laggy when updating the song list from the player to the pc. But other than that Sony has made a good Ipod shuffle killer.
2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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oh my god!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
by gymbonbonyc on January 24, 2006
Pros: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 11
Cons: bad bad bad
Summary: the reasin i bought this was that my ipod doesnt have fm tuner so i thought it was cute and.... yeah well
no... fm tuner was so bad to use ...Summary: the reasin i bought this was that my ipod doesnt have fm tuner so i thought it was cute and.... yeah well
no... fm tuner was so bad to use and each tiem i tried to tune fm radio it keeps go back to music player .. i wish i could return it...but too late my advice is DONT BUT IT BUY UR OWN RISK1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Cute, but awful
by LilithRayne-221143048896457962 on December 27, 2007
Pros: Small, nice sound
Cons: Terrible toggle, died after two weeks
Summary: This was my very first MP3 player, so when I got it I was very excited. That didn't last long at all.
About a week or so after I ...Summary: This was my very first MP3 player, so when I got it I was very excited. That didn't last long at all.
About a week or so after I received it, the little menu toggle buttons... freaked out (for lack of better wording). They became SUPER sensitive. You could blow on them (literally) and it would change songs. This was extremely frustrating.
After two weeks (of headache) the Sony Walman Bean put me out of my MP3 misery and stopped working. I didn't know whether to be mad at it because it quit or happy because I didn't have to deal with it any more. -
If only it weren't a Sony...
by beej1969 on March 8, 2007
Pros: Affordable, comfortable and easy to use.
Cons: Sony SonicStage is invasive, USB slider wears out quickly.
Summary: I researched MP3 players for several months before buying. Of the models in my price range, the built-in FM tuner and OLED screen (only high-end iPod's had a display ...
Summary: I researched MP3 players for several months before buying. Of the models in my price range, the built-in FM tuner and OLED screen (only high-end iPod's had a display at the time) were what finally what made me choose the Bean. Apparently SonicStage somehow became the default CD-burning software on my system, and when I tried to burn some data files onto CD with the HP MyCD software that came with the drive it crashed. I've had a few other problems burning CD's in the past so I didn't worry about it at the time. Shortly after I installed SonicStage (and arranged the files uploaded to the Bean), Sony came out with an upgrade required to access both the player's file manager and the MusicStore site. Unfortunately the upgrade was not compatible with WinME (I like WinME, and have had few problems except support issues). I was unable to uninstall SonicStage and can't seem to delete it either. I emailed Sony with the problem, their reply was to disable any Sony startup components and try again to delete the files. It didn't work. Now I am left with an MP3 player I can't manage the files on, Sony software I can't get rid of or access, and a CD burner I can't use.
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Overall Good Product
by greid13 on June 6, 2006
Pros: FM Tuner, Clear sound, easy to use
Cons: Does not come with accessories (lanyard)
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It DOES play MP3 and with awsome playback
by Occalikid22 on December 28, 2005
Pros: Small Size,Battery OUT OF THIS WORLD Cool Built In USB
Cons: Hold Button A little Flimsy when played with to much
Summary: People who say it doesnt have mp3 playbck dont know what they are talking about it I perfect for some one who Just likes to listen to music and not ...
Summary: People who say it doesnt have mp3 playbck dont know what they are talking about it I perfect for some one who Just likes to listen to music and not have to worry about programming and any confusing things.
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does NOT play MP3's
by jkimball on November 13, 2005
Pros: nice shape, amazing battery life
Cons: doesnt actually play MP3's
Summary: This device does not play MP3's. It only plays Sony propietary ATRAC3+DRM files. You cannot copy MP3's to it, you have to use Sonys horribly slow software ...
Summary: This device does not play MP3's. It only plays Sony propietary ATRAC3+DRM files. You cannot copy MP3's to it, you have to use Sonys horribly slow software to 'transfer' the MP3- the file will be wrapped in DRM and unplayable anywhere but on the device. The files wind up beign renamed 1000001.OMA and 10000002.OMA etc. if you attach the Bean to another PC, that PC can see the files but not play them. Finally the bean 'phones home' to sony for permission to play the files. You are expected to registe your device so sony can track you....
Sony still doesnt get it.
Brought it back less than 12 hours after buying it....
For the record I had the 512M blue one, and I never even attached headphones to it so I have no idea how it sounds.... -
nice try...get the circle not the bean
by jhkessel on October 19, 2005
Pros: built-in USB
Cons: awkward shape
Summary: while sony has tried to create an iPod Shuffle killer by adding a screen to this otherwise awkward USB thumbdrive, the implementation of their great idea did not result in ...
Summary: while sony has tried to create an iPod Shuffle killer by adding a screen to this otherwise awkward USB thumbdrive, the implementation of their great idea did not result in anything wonderful. if you are in the market for a NON-Apple flash based mp3 player be sure to check out the Sony NW-E107 Network Walkman (1GB) or its little brother (the 512mb version). i got 6 weeks off one AAA battery commuting to work with excellent sound...hard to beat.
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Back from Japan and tried the bean
by pinoihotshot on October 17, 2005
Pros: Weird design, sound quality, display
Cons: Weird design, felt like it would shatter if I dropped it
Summary: So I'm back from deployment and I was able to visit downtown tokyo and try out the cool gadgets they have there that we only dream of (and there ...
Summary: So I'm back from deployment and I was able to visit downtown tokyo and try out the cool gadgets they have there that we only dream of (and there are LOTS). And yes there was the bean. I guess it's pretty popular there (Japanese people like weird stuff). I demoed the bean at an electoronics shop in Akihabura and honestly, I think sony coulda done better. The sound quality was good but it wasnt anything to celebrate about. It may have been the cheap headphones that came with it. The display was a nice touch because I'm a very visual person. However there are big gripes that I have from the bean. One the interface is clunky and the little buttons were hard to press. Id hit the menu button but instead Id hit stop or back. Didnt like that at all. Anothing thing, this bean felt really delicate. I was afraid if I dropped it, it would shatter to a thousand pieces. And that spring loaded usb plug sounded like it was just waiting to break. The design was cool. My female friends thought it was cute. I thought it looked like a kidney. anyway, its a good effort by sony and it does look better than the shuffle in my opinion but the overall execution feels like it was rushed.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Sony
- Part number: NW-E305
- Description: As cute as a jellybean, the WALKMAN Bean is tasty. The easiest (and smartest) MP3 player you'll ever use, it is as cool on the outside as it is on the inside!
General
- Product type Digital player / radio
- PC interface(s) supported Hi-Speed USB
- Flash memory installed 512 MB Integrated
- Digital storage None
- Weight 1.6 oz
- Dimensions (W x D x H) 2.7 in x 1.5 in x 0.9 in
- Available body colors Coconut white, Tropical ice blue
- Software type Sony SonicStage
Carrying Case
- Case type None
Digital Player / Recorder
- Supported digital audio standards MP3, WAV, WMA, ATRAC3, ATRAC3plus
- Playback modes Repeat all, Random play / shuffle
- Additional features JPEG photo playback, PC Connection via USB, USB On-The-Go compatible
Built-in Display
- Audio system built-in display OLED
Audio Features
- Sound output mode Stereo
- Additional features Hold button, Volume limiter
Radio
- Tuner type Digital Radio tuner
- Tuner bands FM
- Tuning display OLED display
Remote Control
- Remote control None
Headphones
- Headphones type Binaural Ear-bud
- Sound output mode Stereo
- Connectivity technology Wired
Connectivity
- Connector type 1 x USB, 1 x Headphones Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm
Battery / Power
- Battery Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryInternal
- Mfr estimated battery life 50 hour(s)
- Power device type None
Product series
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Sony Walkman Bean NW-E305 (512MB, Coconut White)
Manufacturer: Sony
Specs: Digital player / radio, 512 MB, MP3, WAV, WMA, ATRAC3, ATRAC3plus, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryInternal
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Sony Walkman Bean NW-E307 (1GB, Cotton Candy Pink)
Manufacturer: Sony
Specs: Digital player / radio, 1 GB, MP3, WAV, WMA, ATRAC3, ATRAC3plus, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryInternal
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Sony Walkman Bean NW-E305 (512MB, Tropical Ice Blue)
Manufacturer: Sony
Specs: Digital player / radio, 512 MB, MP3, WAV, WMA, ATRAC3, ATRAC3plus, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryInternal
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Sony Walkman Bean NW-E307 (1GB, Licorice Black)
Manufacturer: Sony
Specs: Digital player / radio, 1 GB, MP3, WAV, WMA, ATRAC3, ATRAC3plus, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryInternal
Accessories
Manufacturer info
- Sony
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Sony products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://www.sonystyle.com
- Address:
16765 W. Bernardo Dr., San Diego, CA 92127 - Phone: 1-877-865-SONY
- Email: contact@sel.sony.com
- Fax: 941-768-7790
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