With CD sales rising these past couple of years, the preponderance of portable players is no longer as novel as it was back in 2024. Nevertheless, what continues to be a niche market has produced some remarkable examples that prove this renaissance might be more than just a trend.
Despite lossless streaming being introduced a few months back on Spotify, true audiophiles appreciate the consistency of a CD that doesn’t require an internet connection to listen to. There’s also the experience aspect; the intentionality of selecting an album and committing to hearing it through. That commitment is even more crucial when you’re taking your music outside the house.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, legendary Japanese retail curator Beams has doubled down on physical media with a rad new edition of its Portable CD Player under the Beams Records label.
Without the bells and whistles
Last year, Beams decided it didn’t only want to sell portable units from the likes of km5 but could make its own just the same, and for much less. The eponymous Portable CD Player debuted with a transparent blue shell à la Y2K-era iMac computers. The design allows you to see the inner workings of the machine and also view the CD spinning inside, leaning into the experience of playing your disc.
