▸MZ-E44

089　｜　Sony　｜　'98  07.10

日本國內的MD硬體市場，由'96年開始正式普及，並於'97年總體銷售實績350萬台(可攜式為153萬台)，Sony推估於'99年將到達550萬台(可攜式為230萬台)。如此爆漿式的成長趨勢下，預告了日後百花齊放的MD世代。

綜觀歷屆MD隨身聽，相對於活潑奔放的的Sharp、Panasonic，Sony形色上偏向穩重保守。本次藉由新機型新氣象的無畏氣勢開創Sony New MD Style。

Active Design的設計語言，讓立志離經叛道的E44渾身動感閃耀，叛逆的X元素驕蠻地營造視覺與造型對比，而隨角度幻變的變色龍塗層，交織出悶騷的Southern Cross Silver與炫彩的Mermaid Blue。

通常是屈於配角或修飾隱藏操作鍵，動感的曲線造型如山丘般的延伸，並以使用頻率對應高低起伏並對應單手操控。端正的mMD四方格局中跳脫反骨，藉由型隨機能定義為獨特的造型亮點，堪稱是E44的靈魂所在~

以嶄新獨特操控性成為新經典的Stick Controller，以轉動、下壓即可單手操控Play、Stop等基本操作，本次加入了Sony MD初　絢麗夢幻的背光照明，更過分地還是系列限定的半透明Blue配色，線控採標準3.5mm耳機接頭讓用戶任意搭配耳機使用。

獨家專屬的迷彩流行感的飾帶，便於手拿外出的便利性，並讓3C的本質更適與服飾流行搭配。而即便是配角中的配角的外接電池盒，Sony依然打造出相輔相成的動感圓筒狀設計，展現青春熱情的Active Style。

充電池5.5 / 併用16小時的續航算是後段班的表現，而防震秒數也僅有短短的10秒記憶容量，主打Out Door的產品訴求來看顯得有些無力尷尬，雖然在當年約20來台競品中開出了二、三線廠商等級的¥33,000佛心價，不過這部分卻是塑膠材質機背所換來的代價...

The domestic MD hardware market in Japan began its official popularization in '96, reaching a total sales volume of 3.5 million units in '97 (1.53 million for portable models). Sony estimates that this will reach 5.5 million units by '99 (2.3 million for portable models). This explosive growth trend foreshadows the diverse and flourishing MD era to come.

Looking at past generations of MD Walkmans, Sony's aesthetics have tended toward steady and conservative compared to the lively and bold styles of Sharp and Panasonic. This time, Sony creates a "New MD Style" with the fearless momentum of a new model and a fresh atmosphere.

The "Active Design" language gives the rebellious E44 a sense of dynamic brilliance. Rebellious X-elements boldly create visual and stylistic contrast, while the chameleon coating shifts with the angle, weaving together the understated Southern Cross Silver and the dazzling Mermaid Blue.

While control buttons are usually relegated to supporting roles or hidden as accents, here, dynamic curved shapes extend like rolling hills, with their height corresponding to usage frequency for single-handed operation. Breaking away from the formal square layout of MD, form follows function to define a unique stylistic highlight—the very soul of the E44.

The Stick Controller, which became a new classic through its unique and innovative operability, allows for single-handed control of basic functions like Play and Stop through rotation and pressing. This time, Sony's first brilliant and dreamlike backlit illumination is added. Even more impressively, it comes in a series-exclusive translucent Blue colorway. The controller adopts a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing users to pair it with any headphones.

An exclusive camouflage-style strap provides convenience for carrying by hand outdoors, allowing the essence of 3C to better coordinate with fashion trends. Even for the most minor accessory, the external battery case, Sony has crafted a complementary dynamic cylindrical design, showcasing the passionate Active Style of youth.

The battery life of 5.5hrs for the rechargeable battery and 16hrs when used together sits in the bottom tier of performance, and the anti-shock memory is limited to a brief 10-second capacity. For a product marketed for outdoor use, this feels somewhat weak and awkward. Although it launched at a generous price of ¥33,000—comparable to second- or third-tier manufacturers among the twenty or so competing models that year—this was the price paid for a plastic-material back.

MZ-E45