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The next-generation Sony E-Series Walkman remains an first-class value thanks to its ultralow pricing, pocket-size design, convenient features, and amazing sound quality.

Though they’ve been properly priced in recent years, Sony Walkman MP3 players have never been straight-up cheap–until today. The latest models, including the second-gen E-Series featured here, provide rock-bottom pricing that might make even SanDisk blush. Sony may have cut some corners with design and features, yet the company managed to keep its signature amazing audio quality and strong battery life–and all in the name of proffering the first brand-new 16GB player we have seen that costs only $100. By the way you may get 8GB version for only $80.

Similar to its predecessor, the second-gen Sony E-Series has a somewhat standard design, which Is not necessarily a bad thing, as it makes the player very straightforward to operate. Beneath the 2-inch screen are the main playback controls: a five-way control pad, a back/home button, and an option key that gets up various contextual menus. One thing we discovered with the second-gen player is that the “up” arrow on the keypad is somewhat difficult to press. Sony includes a committed volume rocker on the right spine–always a nice touch–as well as a hold switch. The bottom of the unit houses the standard 3.5mm headphone jack and a standard mini USB port–we dig that Sony elected to revert to this more universal connection, although accessory compatibility may be a trouble as a result.

The second-gen E-Series is approximately the same size as its predecessor, measuring a compact 3.2 inches tall by 1.7 inches wide by 0.3 inch deep, so it is decidedly pocket-friendly and wouldn’t be an absurd thing to strap to your arm or waistband at the gym. It comes out a two color options–red or black–though the top of the player is all black plastic, which gives the red version a two-tone look.

The main menu of the E-Series is distinctive of those in the Walkman line, having a grid of icons that indicate the player’s principle functions. Unfortunately, there is no option to alter the wallpaper or theme for this Walkman: white font on a black background is what you get. In the music submenu, items are sorted by ID3 tag into albums, artists, genres, and so on, or you may navigate by folder. Playlists have their own icon on the main screen and do not show up in the music submenu; it’s a bit odd, but not a knock. Tracks are split into sections of letters for quick navigation, and you may browse albums by album art for a more visual experience. Album art may also be magnified on the playback screen, although not to full screen.