Comparison: Sony NW-ZX700, NW-ZX500, NW-ZX300 and NW-ZX100
I posted up my NW-A300 vs NW-A100 comparison, so time to compare the 4 generations of the ZX line. I am including all 4 models, since some users with the older models may wish to upgrade to the new ZX700.
NW-ZX700 | NW-ZX500 | NW-ZX300 | NW-ZX100 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dimensions/Weight | ||||
Height | 132.3mm | 122.6mm | 120.4mm | 120mm |
Width | 72.5mm | 57.9mm | 57.7mm | 54mm |
Depth | 16.8mm | 14.8mm | 14.9mm | 15mm |
Weight | 227 g | 164 g | 157 g | 145 g |
Capacity | ||||
64 GB | X | X | X | - |
128 GB | - | - | - | X |
Android OS | 12.0 | 9.0 | X | X |
Display | 5.0 in HD | 3.6 in HD | 3.1 in (WVGA) | 3 in (WQVGA) |
Touch Panel | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4/5 GHz |
No | No |
There is a big change from the ZX500 to the new model in terms of dimensions and weight. The display has also grown in size significantly. The WiFi is the same as before. For users of the older models who prefer the smaller footprint, I would not upgrade, unless you want WiFi and streaming from music apps. There was a 16GB version of the ZX300 (ZX300A) and ZX500 (ZX505).
NW-ZX700 | NW-ZX500 | NW-ZX300 | NW-ZX100 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Supported Formats | MP3 (.mp3): 32 - 320kbps (VBR compatible) / 32, 44.1, 48kHz WMA (.wma): 32 - 192kbps (VBR compatible) / 44.1kHz FLAC (.flac): 16, 24bit / 8- 384kHz WAV (.wav): 16, 24, 32bit (Float/Integer) / 8-384kHz AAC (.mp4, .m4a, .3gp): 16-320kbps / 8-48kHz HE-AAC (.mp4, .m4a, .3gp): 32-144kbps / 8-48kHz Apple Lossless (.mp4, .m4a): 16, 24bit / 8-384kHz AIFF (.aif, .aiff, .afc, .aifc): 16, 24, 32bit/ 8-384kHz DSD (.dsf, .dff): 1bit / 2.8224, 5.6448, 11.2896MHz *2 APE (.ape): 8, 16, 24bit / 8-192kHz (Fast, Normal, High) MQA (.mqa.flac): Supported |
MP3 (.mp3): 32 - 320kbps (VBR compatible)/ 32, 44.1, 48kHz WMA (.wma): 32 - 192kbps (VBR compatible)/ 44.1kHz FLAC (.flac): 16, 24bit / 8-384kHz AAC (.mp4, .m4a, .3gp): 6-320kbps / 8-48kHz HE-AAC (.mp4, .m4a, .3gp): 32-144kbps / 8-48kHz Apple Lossless (.mp4, .m4a): 16, 24bit / 8-384kHz DSD (.dsf, .dff): 1bit / 2.8224, 5.6448, 11.2896 MHz, APE (.ape): 8, 16, 24bit / 8-192kHz (Fast, Normal, High) |
MP3 (.mp3): 32 - 320kbps (VBR compatible)/ 32, 44.1, 48kHz WMA (.wma): 32 - 192kbps (VBR compatible)/ 44.1kHz FLAC (.flac): 16, 24bit / 8-192kHz WAV (.wav): 16, 24bit / 8-192kHz AAC (.mp4, .m4a, .3gp): 6-320kbps / 8-48kHz HE-AAC (.mp4, .m4a, .3gp): 32-144kbps / 8-48kHz Apple Lossless (.mp4, .m4a): 16, 24bit / 8-192KHz AIFF (.aif, .aiff, .afc, .aifc): 16, 24, 32bit/ 8-192kHz DSD (.dsf, .dff): 1bit / 2.8224, 5.6448 |
|
Bluetooth | Version 5.0 SBC, AAC, LDAC, aptX, aptX HD |
Version 4.2 SBC, aptX, LDAC |
Version 3.0 SBC, aptX, LDAC |
|
USB DAC Function | Yes | No | Yes | No |
NFC | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Noise Cancelltion | No | No | No | Yes |
Digital Amplifier | S-Master HX | |||
DSEE | DSEE Ultimate | DSEE HX DSEE Ultimate |
DSEE HX | DSEE HX |
Equalizer | 20 Band | 20 Band | 10 Band | 5 Band |
USB Charging | ~ 3.5 hours (100%) ~ 3 hours (~80%) |
~ 6.5 hours (100%) ~ 5.0 hours (~80%) |
~5.5 hours (100%) | ~5 hours (100%) |
USB Port | Type-C (USB3.2 Gen1) | Type-C (USB2.0) | WM-Port (USB 2.0) | WM-Port (USB 2.0) |
microSD support | microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC |
There are many differences, the newer models both use USB Type-C, where as the older models stick to Sony's own WM-Port. USB DAC function returns after an absence in the NW-ZX500. Only the NW-ZX100 had built in noise cancellation but not really an issue with the current wireless NC headsets.
With each newer generation, the recharge time has kept dropping, most likely due to the better charging speed. NFC is dropped for the past 2 generations, so if you use it a lot, no sense in upgrading, unless you want to stream from online services.
One interesting side note, the ZX-100 Bluetooth chip is certified at 4.0.
NW-ZX700 | NW-ZX500 | NW-ZX300 | NW-ZX100 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | MP3 128kbps 3.5mm ~25 hours Balanced ~ 24 hours FLAC 96kHz/24bit 3.5mm ~ 23 hours Balanced ~ 23 hours FLAC 192kHz/24bit 3.5mm ~ 21 hours Balanced ~21 hours DSD 2.8224MHz /1bit 3.5mm ~ 21 hours Balanced ~ 21 hours 5.6448MHz /1bit~ 3.5mm ~ 18 hours Balanced ~ 18 hours 11.2896MHz/ 1- bit 3.5mm ~ 13 hours Balanced ~ 11 hours |
MP3 128kbps 3.5mm ~20 hours Balanced ~ 19 hours WAv 44.1kHz/16bit 3.5mm ~ 20 hours Balanced ~ 19 hours FLAC 44.1kHz/16bit 3.5mm ~ 20 hours Balanced ~ 18 hours FLAC 96kHz/24bit 3.5mm ~ 18 hours Balanced ~ 17 hours FLAC 192kHz/24bit 3.5mm ~ 16 hours Balanced ~15 hours DSD 2.8224MHz /1bit 3.5mm ~ 10 hours Balanced ~ 9 hours 5.6448MHz /1bit~ 3.5mm ~ 8 hours Balanced ~ 7.5 hours 11.2896MHz/ 1- bit 3.5mm ~ 6.5 hours Balanced ~ 4 hours |
MP3 128kbps 3.5mm ~30 hours Balanced ~ 25 hours AAC 256kbps 3.5mm ~ 27 hours Balanced ~ 23 hours FLAC 96kHz/24bit 3.5mm ~ 26 hours Balanced ~ 23 hours FLAC 192kHz/24bit 3.5mm ~ 23 hours Balanced ~20 hours DSD 2.8224MHz /1bit 3.5mm ~ 19 hours Balanced ~ 13 hours 5.6448MHz /1bit 3.5mm ~ 15 hours Balanced ~ 12 hours 11.2896MHz/ 1- bit 3.5mm ~ 13 hours Balanced ~ 10 hours |
MP3 128 kbps NC ON ~ 60 Hrs NC Off ~ 70 Hrs AAC 256 kbps NC ON ~ 55 Hrs NC Off ~ 65 Hrs FLAC 96 kHz/24 bit NC ON ~ 50 Hrs NC Off ~ 55 Hrs FLAC 192 kHz/24 bit NC ON ~ 40 Hrs NC Off ~ 45 Hrs DSD 2.8224 MHz/1 bit NC ON ~ 29 Hrs NC Off ~ 31 Hrs DSD 5.6448 MHz/1 bit NC ON ~ 24 Hrs NC Off ~ 26 Hrs |
Bluetooth Streaming |
MP3 128 kbps SBC (Connection) ~ 22 hours FLAC 96 kHz/24 bit LDAC (Standard) ~11 hours |
MP3 128 kbps SBC (Connection) ~ 11 hours FLAC 96 kHz/24 bit LDAC (Standard) ~ 8.5 hours |
MP3 128 kbps SBC (Connection) ~ 25 hours FLAC 96 kHz/24 bit LDAC (Standard) ~ 14 hours |
MP3 128 kbps SBC (Connection) ~ 45 hours FLAC 96 kHz/24 bit LDAC (Standard) ~ 28 hours |
Headphone practical maximum output (JEITA 16ฮฉ/mW) |
50mW+50mW (3.5mm) 230mW+230mW (Balanced) |
50mW+50mW (3.5mm) 200mW+200mW (Balanced) |
50mW+50mW (3.5mm) 200mW+200mW (Balanced) |
15mW + 15mW |
The NW-ZX100 only has a 3.5mm output so it did not have much output. In fact the new NW-A300 has more output than the ZX100. The new ZX700 ups the balanced output even more than the previous models, approaching the WM1M2 models.
Although I suspect that the European models are volume capped again, since if the WM1M2 models are, so is the new ZX700 and A300. This is a shame, and I would highly recommend importing a model if you are able to or buying one overseas if you are on vacation/business trip.
That is all for the comparison, I will do a deeper dive into the ZX700 in a separate post.
These new devices would appeal to me if they featured three key functional improvements:
ReplyDelete- a replaceable, non-soldered battery
- native gapless playback
- above average measured performance
Would you please keep them in mind? The older models reportedly failed each of these criteria.
As gapless playback you mean a crossfade? or a latency between a track stopping and next one playing?
DeleteIt's the latency between tracks, especially important for classical music, among other genres. As far as I'm aware, gapless should never refer to crossfading.
DeleteMany thanks for your work! It would be great if you could also add the last Linux-based players to your A series comparison.
ReplyDeleteE_D___B_A_N_G_E_R
Nice work! Much appreciate it if you could update the comparison table with the NW-WM1AM2 model along with its predecessor.
ReplyDelete20 band Equalizer for ZX700 and ZX500 series?
ReplyDeleteFrom sony.com, ZX707 specifications:
SOUND EFFECTS
Direct Source (Direct), 10 Band equalizer, DSEE Ultimate, DC Phase Linearizer, Dynamic Normalizer, Vinyl Processor
My specifications for this post came from the Japanese model, as there was no US release when these were announced.
DeleteJapan still shows 20, guess US model has other limits apart from the output it seems.
https://www.sony.jp/walkman/products/NW-ZX707/spec.html
Nice work, thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'm not getting reliable info on this – I once had a stationary system from Sony, the HAP-S1. This player had an internal HDD but there was a maximum of files for properly working. The databank of Sony players seems to be limited and I believe other players just play what's on the memory cards or doesn't need a blown databank.
For some Sony DAPs I read a limit of 20.000 files. Is this also true for NW Z507 and 707? They both can handle memory cards of 2tb. Thank you!