▸MD-ST601

080　｜　Sharp　｜　'98  01.21

形色大反差

Sharp新聞稿指出，隨著年輕族群為中心的需求擴大，'98年MD市場推估約650萬台銷量(相較去年+153.2%)，隨著家用CD→MD轉錄的組合音響、MD錄音室等錄音硬體的普及，隨身型player的需求也急速增加。

特別是去年8月Sharp實現了業界初Slot In口袋尺寸，主要以10來歲輕少年族群的流行感設計的MD-J系列，共發售了Player x 3 / Recorder x 2共5機型。而作為薄型樣式的第二梯次產品，以速度與休閒感的設計，向熱外戶外活動的年輕族群提案。 

本次主要以急增的青少年族群需求，造型由過往的洗練簡約轉向流行動感的設計語言，配色也更為鮮明活潑，在外出時享受流行數位高音質。

作為"薄型Jacket Size"第二波系列作ST601發售~官方定義為"Sporty Casual Design"讓人頗有想像差距的強烈形色風格，提供了Titanium Silver、Deep Blue兩色系選擇。

厚粗的環形框搭配著曲線、曲面、凹凸等各式點線面裝飾反倒雕琢型塑出重厚剛毅的科技感，比起形色上的大鳴大方但宣傳卻是頗奇妙地有些矛盾的薄型機身概念。

基幹零件的導入等，實現了既纖薄還小巧的機身：

• 機構面積比起以往機型縮小約25%
• 機構底盤比起以往機型縮小約25%
• 導入薄型角型鋰電池

光學頭、LSI等省電化配合無記憶效果的高性能鋰電池達成充電池8 / 併用14小時續航力~

此外對於高音質設計的強調採用第5代24Bit演算ATRAC，以及大容量40秒防震記憶。 

配備的背光線控讓人感到不知所措，粉彩輕色調線控 x 重色高對比主機，怎麼看難以連結為一體的反差違和感~

也許Sharp設計師意圖藉由機身、線控 、機構三者彼此間的反差感來型塑青少年反骨不拘的叛逆個性吧~

Strong Visual Contrast

Sharp's press release noted that with the expanding demand centered on younger demographics, the '98 MD market was estimated to reach around 6.5 million units in sales (an increase +153.2% compared to the previous year). As recording hardware such as home CD→MD combination stereo systems and MD recording studios became more popular, the demand for portable players also surged rapidly.  

Notably, in August of the previous year, Sharp introduced the industry's first slot-in pocket-sized MD-J series, designed with a trendy appeal targeting teenagers. The series included five models in total: three players and two recorders. As a second wave of thin, stylish models, the new lineup features a design emphasizing speed and casual aesthetics, aimed at younger audiences who enjoy active outdoor lifestyles.  

This time, the focus was on the rapidly growing teenage market. The design language shifted from the previous minimalist elegance to a more dynamic, trendy look, with vibrant and lively color schemes, allowing users to enjoy fashionable digital high-quality sound while on the go.  

As part of the "Thin Jacket Size" second-wave series, the ST601 was launched with the official tagline "Sporty Casual Design." However, the design's bold and intense visual style, available in Titanium Silver and Deep Blue, created a sense of striking contrast.  

The thick circular frame, combined with curves, surfaces, and various decorative elements such as protrusions and indentations, paradoxically sculpted a sense of heavy, rugged technological sophistication. This seemed at odds with the thin body concept, which was heavily promoted despite the bold and assertive design.  

By incorporating core components, Sharp managed to achieve both a thin and compact body:  

- The internal structure area was reduced by approximately 25% compared to previous models. 

• The internal structure area has been -25% compared to previous models.
• The structural chassis has been -25% compared to previous models.
• A thin, rectangular lithium battery has been introduced.

To emphasize high sound quality, Sharp implemented the 5 Gen 24bit ATRAC processing along with a large-capacity 40-second anti-shock memory.  

However, the included backlit remote control created a sense of confusion. The pastel light-toned remote sharply contrasted with the darker, high-contrast main unit, making the overall design feel visually disjointed.  

Perhaps the Sharp designers intended this contrast between the main body, remote control, and internal mechanisms to reflect the rebellious, non-conforming spirit often associated with youth.  

MD-P20