Learn: Home » Shopping for a portable CD player with your Teenager
The final round
Eva spent the most of our shopping time going back and forth between the final two candidates. The two units were so evenly matched that either would have been a good choice.
Facing off was the D-FS601 and the D-NE710. Both played audio CDs, CD-Rs and CD-RWs. Both players were the same price (around $100). Both had the advanced skip protection Eva was looking for (as did all the units we looked at). Both had repeat, resume, and random play, and 64-track programming. Both had the level of bass boost she wanted. The D-NE710's LCD display was a little more extensive, handling three lines of information as opposed to the D-FS601's one-line display, but Eva didn't consider that a major distinction.
The differences between the two players boiled down to audio versus sport features. The D-NE710 handled MP3 CDs and other computer-based file formats and came with special software for Sony's ATRAC3 Plus formatting. Unlike the D-FS601, the '710 had a jog control dial. Being only 3/8" wider than the discs it played, the D-NE710 would certainly fit unobtrusively in a gym bag or backpack.
On the other hand, the D-FS601, designed for sports use, had a built-in radio, TV and weather band tuner. Eva liked this feature, because often when batteries are too drained to power the CD player's mechanism, they can still bring in broadcast signals.
The '601 came with a Velcro hand strap that secured the player to the palm, and placed the player's basic controls within reach of the thumb. The water-resistant D-FS601 had a rugged lid latch, and an ergonomic sports design; the D-NE710 a slimmer, more compact size, barely bigger than the CDs it played.
The winner!
It was a difficult decision, but for Eva, the winner was the D-FS601. The '601's water-resistant case made it perfect for swim meets. The hand strap and thumb controls made it a good choice for running. The MP3 capability of the D-NE710 wasn't important to her. All she needed was something to share audio CDs and CD-Rs with friends.
Had I been making the final selection, I would have chosen the D-NE710. But we weren't buying a player for me; we were buying it for Eva. Which was really the point of our adventure. Our pre-shopping preparation helped us focus on what Eva (not Dad) really wanted — and it was a great excuse to do lunch! Instead of agonizing over the purchase, and possibly buying something that would have to be returned, Eva and I spent some time together, had some fun, and made what she felt was a major purchase with confidence.
...Happily ever after
Eva is very happy with her selection. The quality of the D-FS601 and its performance compared to her previous disposable units is something she's appreciating more and more with continued use. Several laps around the track and a few trips to the pool later, hers new player continues to meet her needs, and has gotten some accolades from her peers. As Eva likes to say, "Dad, it's all good."
Eva spent the most of our shopping time going back and forth between the final two candidates. The two units were so evenly matched that either would have been a good choice.
 The Sony D-NE710 CD Walkman |
Facing off was the D-FS601 and the D-NE710. Both played audio CDs, CD-Rs and CD-RWs. Both players were the same price (around $100). Both had the advanced skip protection Eva was looking for (as did all the units we looked at). Both had repeat, resume, and random play, and 64-track programming. Both had the level of bass boost she wanted. The D-NE710's LCD display was a little more extensive, handling three lines of information as opposed to the D-FS601's one-line display, but Eva didn't consider that a major distinction.
The differences between the two players boiled down to audio versus sport features. The D-NE710 handled MP3 CDs and other computer-based file formats and came with special software for Sony's ATRAC3 Plus formatting. Unlike the D-FS601, the '710 had a jog control dial. Being only 3/8" wider than the discs it played, the D-NE710 would certainly fit unobtrusively in a gym bag or backpack.
On the other hand, the D-FS601, designed for sports use, had a built-in radio, TV and weather band tuner. Eva liked this feature, because often when batteries are too drained to power the CD player's mechanism, they can still bring in broadcast signals.
The '601 came with a Velcro hand strap that secured the player to the palm, and placed the player's basic controls within reach of the thumb. The water-resistant D-FS601 had a rugged lid latch, and an ergonomic sports design; the D-NE710 a slimmer, more compact size, barely bigger than the CDs it played.
The winner!
It was a difficult decision, but for Eva, the winner was the D-FS601. The '601's water-resistant case made it perfect for swim meets. The hand strap and thumb controls made it a good choice for running. The MP3 capability of the D-NE710 wasn't important to her. All she needed was something to share audio CDs and CD-Rs with friends.
 The Sony D-FS601 S2 Sports CD Walkman |
Had I been making the final selection, I would have chosen the D-NE710. But we weren't buying a player for me; we were buying it for Eva. Which was really the point of our adventure. Our pre-shopping preparation helped us focus on what Eva (not Dad) really wanted — and it was a great excuse to do lunch! Instead of agonizing over the purchase, and possibly buying something that would have to be returned, Eva and I spent some time together, had some fun, and made what she felt was a major purchase with confidence.
...Happily ever after
Eva is very happy with her selection. The quality of the D-FS601 and its performance compared to her previous disposable units is something she's appreciating more and more with continued use. Several laps around the track and a few trips to the pool later, hers new player continues to meet her needs, and has gotten some accolades from her peers. As Eva likes to say, "Dad, it's all good."
