▸MZ-E2

006   |   Sony   |   '93  12.01

Debuting at the Peak

Last year's debut of the MD portable player brought with it serious and substantial craftsmanship, resulting in a large and hefty device. It made the public realize that widespread adoption of high technology would still take some time.

Seemingly to accelerate the advancement of MD and change the perception of it as bulky and heavy, and to compete with its rival Sharp, the awe-inspiring sequel MZ-E2 was introduced a year later.

With a palm-sized form factor and a thickness reminiscent of cassette players, the E2 was approximately 50% smaller in surface area, about 43% thinner in body, and astonishingly lighter, at only about 30% of the weight of its predecessor, the MZ-2P. This marked an incredible evolution, setting a record for the largest volume reduction in MD history, and earning it the title of the smallest, thinnest, and lightest champion of the year.

Its square and angular design, coupled with a metallic gray tone adorned with a matte texture and a glossy coating reminiscent of piano lacquer, exuded a restrained yet luxurious flagship aura.

Equipped with Sony's first user-friendly MD liquid crystal line control, the E2 featured a separable headphone design that could be easily replaced(Unfortunately, it's Sony-exclusive spec), further enhancing both technology and practicality.

Despite its compact size, the E2 impressively utilized the LIP-10 lithium battery, weighing only about 1/5 of its predecessor. With a full charge, it offered 2 hours of battery life, but the charging time had significantly increased to a lengthy 5 hours.

The E2 introduced an external battery pack design, powered by three AA batteries, which slightly compromised portability but provided a maximum of 7.5 hours of continuous playback when used in conjunction with the rechargeable battery.

MZ-R2