Sony NW-WS413 Waterproof All-in-One MP3 Player, 4 GB - Black

I bought this now about a year ago and have been using it about 2 - 3 times a week since. It's still going strong! Love it.Initially, I was appalled by the sound quality and was to write a negative review to that respect, like some others did. But I figured that the earbuds are the problem so I swapped them for some other ones I had at home and ... BOOM!!! Problem solved!Also, there is virtually no bleed. So nobody will get disturbed by Till Lindemann and Rob Zombie screaming into my ear.

I feel compelled to attempt to address what I've seen to be the biggest concerns/ misgivings about this product: the volume and what can be done about it.I've been after a waterproof MP3 player for some time, specifically for swimming, and after researching the competitors, I felt that this one provided the best all-round features. However, the mixed reviews on whether the volume is good enough seems to have been debated for some time so the purchase was a cautious one. There was also a lot of uncertainty/ lack of clarity on a number of different features and points, which again, I'll attempt to address below.Having run (and swum) it through its paces, I can confirm, in my opinion, that the volume CAN be really good, with the following understandings and potential, easy, tweaks:- Out of the box, the AVLS (Automatic Volume Limiter System) is disabled. If you're not sure if AVLS is on or not, turn the volume up as high as it can go. If you hear a series of beeps, it's off.I did not know this at the time, and so managed to turn AVLS on (more detail below) without realising. This resulted in a very underwhelming walk where the sound of my footsteps far exceeded playback at 'top' volume - at this stage, I figured the volume was as poor as some people have said and I was contemplating a return.- Turning AVLS on and off - the instructions advise that AVLS can be turned on and off by holding down the forward button and volume up button at the same time for around five seconds (whilst playback is paused). The battery indicator will then apparently flash a couple of times to confirm success. For the life of me, I could not get this to properly work. After attempting for a while, I apparently succeeded but then couldn't turn it off again.If this happens to you, reset the device to factory settings by holding the power button down for 17 seconds or so. You won't lose your music, and AVLS will be off once more.- With AVLS off, the volume at max is fair. However, to really get the most out of it, I would implore you to download any free program online that lets you increase the 'normal' dB of your track/ audio book/ podcast. It's incredibly easy to do and I did not notice any decline in quality after doing so.With AVLS off, and your track's dB slightly upped, the volume is absolutely fine - on the verge of being almost too loud on max, actually. Put it this way - when swimming lengths in a public pool (whilst a class did aqua-aerobics to the music of ABBA), I was able to listen to an audio book without the slightest hindrance.I won't go into much detail at all about other features as I feel they've been adequately covered already - in short, battery life seems fair, the product is light, fits very well and doesn't let any water in (providing you choose your buds carefully). All in all, a really good price for a really good waterproof MP3. Please do not be put off by negative comments on volume. If you're clued up and prepared to put in the slightest amount of work to get the most out of the system, you'll be happy.

If you are thinking about buying this, even at the ‘bargain’ price Amazon keeps offering, don’t. For swimming, it is utterly useless. It takes an age to get a decent seal on the earphones and when you finally managed it (it took me at least 10 attempts) you can’t hear the music! The other reviews on here are right; the volume is completely inadequate. There’s no danger of hearing damage, except from water ingress. This product really is rubbish. It’s almost incomprehensible that a manufacturer like Sony has failed to to match the performance of unbranded Chinese electronics costing a quarter of the price. Save yourself a lot of money and frustration by avoiding the ‘waterproof’ Walkman.

When my aquabeats by Speedo died I thought it was going to cost me a fortune to get another waterproof mp3 player till I found this one. My main question was will I be able to hear my music underwater as I've read many reviews of other cheaper products and people all have that issue. the answer is yes, yes you can.I only use mine for swimming so cant comment on how well it does when running or anything else but:Pros• Its waterproof!!• I can hear my music, and at a decent quality• There are multiple play formats - album, folder, random• It's easy to transfer music on to it• Battery life seems quite good• Different sizes of ear buds means you can change the sizes to fit your own earsCons• Swimming fast the headphone can come out of your ears so you need to stop to pick them up and put it back on• Little fiddly working out which buttons so what function especially when you are working upside down when they're on your head• You will still get water in your ears from time to time which makes the music muffled• Weird charger is needed so if you lose it you need to buy a replacement. Keep in a safe place

It takes a lot to make me feel so pleased with a product that I would take the effort to write a review. This device has done it though. I'm a runner and on training runs music is an absolute must. For a long time I had my rather bulky windows phone in a waist strap with wires up through my shirt...... It worked but it was never great and couldn't get to controls so if a song that wasn't working for you came on you just had to endure it. The benefit of course was that my phone doubled up as a GPS tracker so I could log my runs etc. A month ago I bought a Smartwatch (Garmin forerunner 630) so that I could capture more info from my runs which is great, but I have been missing the music or still needing to take my phone. Buying these was a risk, very few reviews due to their recent release and I was worried about ease of use (after all, the controls are behind your ears), would they slip on my head or fall out easily as many buds do when running and would the sound quality be any good. I am pleased to say it has exceeded expectations in all areas. They fit on my head as if they were designed specifically for me, the quality of sound is amazing and the ambient noise mode that enables you to hear things going on around you is surprisingly crisp and it..... Well, it just works! I haven't used them for swimming so can't comment on the waterproof feature but for everything else, they are brilliant! I can't recommend enough if you're a runner who wants to ditch the smartphone and leave home without as much kit then this is what you want.