Sony recalls some NWZ-W202 Walkman headphones over sweat-related issues (update: no recall, 'limited number of units' affected)

Sony's NWZ-W202 Walkman headphones may be great for folks looking for an all-in-one device to use while going for a run or working out -- just so long as they don't work out too hard, that is. Apparently, they have a little issue with not working if you sweat on them too much, which has now prompted Sony to recall all of the affected models. That includes both the black and pink versions, but only those within a certain serial number range. Hit up the link below to check to see if if that includes yours and, in the meantime, stay cool.

Update: Sony's dropped us a line to clarify that the original Sony Insider report is incorrect and that the issue is only affecting a few number of units -- hence, no recall. Here's the statement: "The intention of our announcement and support site was to facilitate voluntary customer exchanges for the limited number of units affected by moisture. To be clear, this is not a recall."

[Via Sony Insider]

[pika2000 @ Jun 23rd 2009 6:04PM]

I guess that's why these are on clearance at Target.

[Joseph T. @ Jun 23rd 2009 6:06PM]

Saw them there today! 12 bucks!

[tamazer @ Jun 30th 2009 1:08PM]

the clearance at my target was $35

[Matt @ Jun 23rd 2009 6:10PM]

How much sweat is too much? Does it literally have to be doused in icky sweat to malfunction? Lol.

[murmermer @ Jun 23rd 2009 6:15PM]

but i thought they were supposed to shock you... at least thats what Apple told me


http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/05/21/apple-warns-ipods-are-shocking/

[Stacky @ Jun 23rd 2009 6:24PM]

Oh no =( mine is affected! =(

[Patrick @ Jun 23rd 2009 6:28PM]

I've never owned a pair of sony headphones that didn't break if you sweat on them too much. I guess these are expensive enough for them to care...

[dsteve303 @ Jun 23rd 2009 6:29PM]

I sweat like a pig in southern heat and mine still work.

[Aaron @ Jun 23rd 2009 9:31PM]

My S9 was replaced 4 times because they could not take the sweat.

[paul34 @ Jun 23rd 2009 11:26PM]

Interestingly enough, actual pigs don't sweat at all.

[htd @ Jun 23rd 2009 6:43PM]

my old moto s9 was ruined by sweat

[va jj @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:51PM]

rub deodorant all over your ears. then buy it for 12 bucks. save big!

[andres @ Jun 23rd 2009 8:49PM]

you mean anti-perspirant

[paul34 @ Jun 23rd 2009 11:27PM]

Yes, I was made the mistake of buying only a deodorant with no anti-persp properties. :sigh: I walked around everywhere looking like someone dropped a bucket of water on my shirt.

[Mik @ Jun 23rd 2009 9:15PM]

I had one of these units that stopped working after I sweat into it during a workout. It was replaced with another unit a few weeks ago. That unit also started behaving weirdly after my 3rd workout with it. My girlfriend has one too. I punched in both our serial numbers and they're both listed as being affected but we're in Canada. The Canadian site doesn't list the recall. Do Canadians get a recall too?

[Mik @ Jun 23rd 2009 11:42PM]

I just got a reply from Sony Canada. There is no recall for Canadians, even for affected players. Good job Sony. I guess they would rather we just wait until our players break again.

[pika2000 @ Jun 24th 2009 3:01AM]

Recalls happen pretty often in the US because companies are afraid of lawsuits. I'm guessing Sony USA just decided to take a preemptive strike before somebody sues them. Not sure how the laws are in Canada, but maybe Sony thinks they can get away easier in other countries.
Or maybe there is simply a corporate delay.

[Jamesology @ Jun 23rd 2009 9:59PM]

It must be from all the fat people as they sweat more. So if yours breaks, you must be fat.







jk

[PhotoFre@k @ Jun 23rd 2009 10:12PM]

Do they mean the sweat get inside the earphone through the earpiece? I have an aluminum Sony earphone that has a similar earpiece and I didn't recall they calling it back.

[project109x @ Jun 23rd 2009 10:21PM]

I have iPhone 3GS, Touch 2G, iPod 5G, 4G and Shuffle 1G and I am still jealous of my wifes walkman--even if it is pink and shocks your ears. It sounds great, charges to 90% in 3 mins, fits great, no cord or BT to hassle with and the "zappin in and out" thing is actually pretty cool. Was a steal at $35, Wish I could find the $12 ones.

[joseComments @ Jun 23rd 2009 11:56PM]

I have one of these and it's awesome.

I got mine at Target for $35 two weeks ago and I totally love it. It was a steal at $35 and I'd gladly pay full price for it.

The sound is great, it plays AAC files and is real easy to use on both Mac and PCs. I have one of the affected units and I haven't seen the problem but I'll send it in. I called the number on Sony's site but all I got was a weird busy signal (like the number wasn't active).

[Muhammad-Oli @ Jun 24th 2009 2:01AM]

Man that's funny. I was thinking about these just last night, and I thought they'd be great for when I go running. I actually wondered whether sweat would ruin them too. Then I come on Engadget today and see this!

[EI8HT @ Jun 24th 2009 4:04AM]

so our ears sweat?...alot!!!!!!!!????????

[Idlemind @ Jun 24th 2009 9:49AM]

Sony tested this with no problems.... but no one sweats in Asia, so........

[tekdroid @ Jun 24th 2009 10:47AM]

SOMEWHERE IN SUBURBIA...


Internal battery of the dead NWZ-W202 talks to the internal Flash Memory storage:
"Pssst, can you believe it, Flash Memory?"
"Believe what?", Flash Memory sez.

"Don't talk to me, I'm sick; for all I know I could have this Swine Flu."

"Listen...", Battery sez.

Flash respoinds: "...I don't want you to get it too. They made me non-removable so I be isolated from you, and you are non-removable, too. We are in this together..."

"...we just have to talk when necessary, nothing more. I need to rest. Only wake me when they decide to implement FLAC http://flac.sourceforge.net , OK?"

"Hah! Don't be stupid, Flash Memory; that would take a miracle...", Battery sez.
"...but listen...We are getting recalled!".
"Yes!", Flash Memory yells.

"Who told you?"
"Rember when Joe bought us? Remember?", Battery responds.
"How can I forget!", Flash Memory sez.
"What a sweaty pig!"

"Yeah, well there'll be no more banging us against the desk and throwing us against the bedroom wall now 'cause he found out about the recall!"

"Thank God!...though it was funny when he cursed our homeland and our manufacturer!"
"Yeah it was kind of funny about the Sony curses, because I am still bitter about us being non-removable...", Battery responds, shaking his head.

"Are we going back to China? I feel homesick... and I need a good clean.", Flash asked.
"I don't know... I'm pretty sure it's a replacement... but I doubt we're going all the way back. I just hope we make it out alive...we might become factory-reconditioned refurbs...but seriously, anything is better than being sweat on, including death. The conditions we have worked under have been among the most inihospitable in the electronics industry. Plus let's face it; one of us would die sooner rather than later anyway - we are just non-living, non-removable, sub-chip componentry to Sony! She doesn't feel our pain!"

"I know...", Flash Memory sez. "I really wish I could get out from here like my microSD friends...they are so lucky getting the sun and air"

"No time to think about what could have been now", Battery sez. "Get some rest and goodnight. The main thing is the worst is over."
"You're right! Goodnight, Battery"
"Goodnight, Flash Memory"


TO BE CONTINUED...
http://www.sony.co.jp/

[GN @ Jun 24th 2009 1:15PM]

Looks like they pulled the support article with the number to call - are the replacements in the US dead now?

[cphthomas @ Sep 15th 2009 7:49AM]

I bought white ones they were great for sports untill they went dead, I sent them to repairservice. I bought black ones because I couldn't wait for the first ones to return. Still waiting for the first ones the black ones has just gone completely dead. Be careful.