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**Update - Tested and working, see additional photos.**Rare new old stock (NOS) pair of Sony APM-X5A Square Drive Bookshelf Speakers from the early 1980s. Never installed, never used — box opened for photos only. Both speakers remain in their original foam/poly bags, nestled in the original styrofoam, with the manual included.A genuine NOS find for Sony APM collectors, Profeel/PVM system builders.Let me know if you have any questions.
This US$450 asking price is ambitiously high, sitting well above the 75th percentile of US$235 and nearly double the median of US$117 for recent comparable listings. While external data shows similar pairs selling between US$200 and US$275, the seller’s premium for open-box NOS status with original packaging is significant and likely exceeds what the market typically supports for this model.
The Sony APM-X5A, affectionately known as “The Lunchbox,” remains well-regarded for its tight bass, clear midrange, and durability as a compact square-drive bookshelf speaker ideal for CRT monitors or small rooms. If you are a collector who values factory-original NOS condition and the complete original experience, this listing offers genuine rarity; however, for most buyers seeking sound quality alone, waiting for a unit closer to the US$117–US$235 range is the smarter financial move.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Sony emerged from the ruins of post-World War II Japan, founded on May 7, 1946, by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo K.K. in Tokyo's Nihonbashi district. Starting with radio repairs and Japan's first magnetic tape recorder, the duo secured transistor licensing from Bell Labs, pioneering the TR-55 transistor radio in 1955. Renamed Sony Corporation in 1958—from the Latin "sonus" for sound—the brand symbolized Japan's ascent from cheap imitations to innovative leadership, fueled by Ibuka's engineering prowess and Morita's global marketing vision.
Sony's hi-fi legacy spans headphones, amplifiers, speakers, turntables, and DACs, alongside landmark formats like the Compact Disc in 1982 and Blu-ray. Iconic products include the Walkman for portable audio revolution and Trinitron televisions, blending consumer accessibility with cutting-edge tech. Today, offerings like the Signature Series headphones and ES amplifiers target discerning listeners seeking refined soundstaging and dynamic range.
Positioned as a mid-to-high-end powerhouse, Sony commands respect among knowledgeable buyers for blending mass-market reliability with premium performance, outpacing many pure audiophile brands in innovation and value. Far from vintage relic or niche boutique, it dominates with forward-thinking engineering, holding strong market share in headphones and streaming ecosystems.
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