We didn't expect much from the Sony MDR-M1 headphones when we picked them up for review, as we had certain preconceptions about how Sony approaches sound in its professional-grade products. Although we have not had the opportunity to listen to the upper MDR-MV1 model, we are well aware of the Sony MDR-7506 and some of the company's other headphone models. Therefore, any mention of the 7506 in comparison with the Sony MDR-M1 is a definite trigger for us and a possible negative factor that will lead to bias in today's review. We encountered many of these comparisons with the "legendary Sony MDR-7506" while preparing our article on the new product. We agree that bias is unfair and must be avoided at all costs. So, we gave the Sony MDR-M1 headphones a chance to speak for themselves, and we abstained from our bias.
And let's say right away that our experience with the new product speaks to something important: no comparisons between the Sony MDR-M1 and the MDR-7506 are valid. These are different headphones, and they cannot be compared to each other. While the 7506 was more popular in studios around the world due to its durable design, very few people focused on its sound quality, whereas the MDR-M1… But let's not get ahead of ourselves. As usual, let's start our Sony MDR-M1 headphone review with the device specifications.
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Best Price on Sony MDR-M1
The Sony MDR-M1 is a compelling step up in Sony’s studio headphone lineup — offering modern comfort, broad frequency response & a smoother sound profile that reduces fatigue. |
Classic Package
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The Sony MDR-M1 headphones come in a fairly minimalist, compact cardboard box. Inside, you will find the headphones wrapped in thin paper, as well as two additional pieces of paper: a reference guide and a warranty card. In the middle of the box are two cables of different lengths, one of which has a jack plug adapter from 1/8" to 1/4" (3.5mm to 6.3mm) screwed onto it.
These two cables are excellent quality with no noticeable memory effect, which is a big plus. The different cable lengths allow you to take your headphones outside and listen to your favorite music on a hi-fi player or portable amplifier. The headphones have a simple yet clear design, so they won't look strange on your head. The long cable is useful for stationary use. The cables are pleasant to the touch and have a metal clip that screws into the ear cup after you insert the cable into the jack, ensuring a secure fit. (Shout-out to Beyerdynamic! Can you do the same?) Everything holds very well, and the cable does not touch your shoulders or neck when you turn your head, which is convenient. However, both cables have a pronounced microphone effect. This is not a problem, though, and you can get used to it. While working with the headphones, we definitely didn't notice any noise from the cable touching the table or clothing, but compared to competitors, it's still a noticeable point.
The Sony MDR-M1 headphones are very light, weighing only 216 grams (0.47 lbs) — almost weightless. The clamping force of the headband is below average, and it can be easily bent, but over time, the ear pads make themselves felt. The inside of the headband is plastic, and the markings for adjustment on the sides are metal. We can't say for sure if the metal is just a finish or if it goes from ear to ear as a single piece. Judging by the stiffness when bent, however, it doesn't seem like it. The soft part of the headband resembles polyurethane leatherette. There is no indication of how it can be repaired in the future, as it's clear that these materials aren't eternal. The stiffness when putting it on is noticeable, and it does not feel premium.
The same goes for the ear pads. They are made of synthetic material, which feels a bit warm in hot weather—I'm wearing them as I write this review—but not excessively so. More surprising was that after an hour and a half, I felt the need to take off the headphones to rest my head and ears. Either the stiffness of the padding or the leatherette material was uncomfortable, but the fact remains. The fit is comfortable and light. However, it's surprising that I felt this way after only a few hours of listening. Of course, I'm partly to blame for the size of my head and ears, but keep in mind that this is possible.
The ear cup housing is plastic, and everything feels "plastic." However, the build quality is excellent. During testing and use, we didn't hear any squeaks or other unnecessary noises, and the plastic feels nice to the touch and doesn't feel cheap. The compactness and swivel capability of the ear cups are also convenient when you need to fold up the headphones and move around because they won't take up much space in your backpack or suitcase.
Now, of course, we will move on to the most interesting part of our review of the Sony MDR-M1 headphones: the sound quality section. When we first tested the sound, our editorial team was, to put it mildly, unimpressed. Testing the headphones with YouTube videos didn't produce any notable results, and we began to doubt whether we would finish the review. However, after a few hours of warming up and getting used to them, we played our favorite albums in high-quality, and then it started! Wow, friends! Are these really closed-back headphones? How did they achieve such detail and balance in the sound? Are these really Sony? We sat there and realized that we didn't understand anything.
We immediately looked up the frequency response measurements of these headphones and compared them with those of the closed dynamic full-size headphones we knew. We realized that our ears weren't deceiving us — we couldn't find anything similar among the competitors.
There is an obvious depth to the low frequencies. The stated range is extensive, and you can feel it. Sony made another smart move here. In addition to emphasizing the beginning of the range, they added a few decibels in the 40–80 Hz punch zone. The bass speed is not extremely high because the headphones' acoustic design and price are not top-of-the-line for this segment. However, we prefer them to any of Beyerdynamic's closed models in the seventh series up to this price point and slightly above. They're attractive, charismatic, and technical without breaking the bank! The Sennheiser HD 620S probably has slightly faster bass, but they have two different frequency response curves in this range. You need to listen to them to decide which is better. The AKG K361/371 models have a similar bass delivery, but significantly lower detail and resolution.
Still, the bass is unique and charismatic. We recommend checking out these headphones as soon as possible. You will easily be able to control the bass in the mix and monitor the drums and bass guitar (the main thing is that the fit is tight enough). Techno, rock, metal, and hip-hop rock their lows as they should. There is no doubt about these headphones' capabilities after the first few listens.
Thanks to a very smooth transition from the low frequencies, the midrange frequencies are not overshadowed and are easy to hear. Until recently, this was not a characteristic feature of closed-back headphones; rather, it was the opposite. Consider the significant gaps in the midrange of the Audio-Technica M50x and the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO, DT 770 PRO X, and DT 700 PRO X — these are legendary names in the industry. However, they are imperfect in terms of sound reproduction when viewed objectively. There is a slight emphasis in the 800 to 2 kHz range, which allows the headphones to reproduce vocals, guitars, and other instruments well. It's important to hear the "body" in the midrange. This is precisely why they can be recommended for monitoring when recording familiar instruments. However, you may be surprised to learn that the Sennheiser HD 560S/550 headphones and all their derivatives have a similar boost (these are open-back headphones designed for analytical work!). The midrange frequencies are the Sony MDR-M1's strong point, which is nonsense for the closed-back sound design segment.
However, the high frequencies here are more like embellishments, emotions, and moods. All of this is present and comes into play. Interestingly, we were reminded of the AKG K361/371 again. They are equally well-balanced in the high frequencies but have their own peculiarities, such as cheaper drivers that produce sharp peaks at certain frequencies. We were surprised by the high frequencies in the Sony MDR-M1, and we won't compare them directly with open-back headphones. Still, it's precisely the high frequencies here that are clearly trying to be neutral. Another thing to note is that competitors in the high-frequency range are far ahead in terms of price, which gives Sony a considerable advantage.
Now that we've reached the end of our Sony MDR-M1 headphones review, it's time to summarize the results. The Sony MDR-M1's overall uniqueness lies in its frequency response, which is atypical for this segment. When looking at professional-grade, closed-back headphones, you'll find that each pair excels in a specific area. For example, Beyerdynamic allows you to control the balance between bass and treble. In our experience working in the studio, Audio-Technica seems to be more suitable for bass control. Sennheiser is strong in the midrange and high-frequency details, even in the closed-back segment. AKG has a more balanced approach, but the drivers are slower than those of the other brands mentioned, and therefore less detail in certain aspects of listening. The MDR-M1 is not hype or gimmickry; it's Sony's attempt to create a single pair of headphones that can be used for production without having to use one pair for one stage of work, another pair for a second stage, and a third pair for a third stage. With these headphones, you can monitor, record, mix, and even perform certain aspects of mastering! If you want to produce full videos or podcasts, these are definitely the headphones for you! Gaming? You got it! Everything you need is in one package. The attempt to convey the best frequency response of open headphones in a closed format was successful.
Yes, Sony has achieved good sound quality with this model. Given their extensive experience in mass production, it is hoped that the differences between batches and individual units will be minimal, unlike with less popular brands. However, this product is not perfect. They had to cut corners and make compromises to fit into the price range. In this case, the simplification is in the materials used. Don't get us wrong; these headphones feel good in your hands and aren't heavy. However, compared to the repairable chassis of Beyerdynamic or Sennheiser, for which there are plenty of spare parts, we cannot be 100% sure of this product's durability. At the same time, there are no precedents to the contrary, only our subjective doubts.
After studying forums and reviews by headphone enthusiasts, we concluded that the Sony MDR-M1 headphones are highly repairable. They are easy to disassemble, providing easy access to the driver and all the necessary technical components. Everything is fairly easy to unscrew and reassemble, and spare parts and modifications can be found very cheaply.
The famous Sony MDR-7506 headphones have survived decades of noisy musicians in studios, accidental attempts to crush them with the back of a chair, and being thrown on the floor when performers got up and left, forgetting they were wearing headphones. However, their price allowed you to buy several pairs at once. However, the sound quality is questionable. The MDR-M1s sound very cool. We would not recommend using them in potentially unfavorable conditions. Take them out when recording yourself or very talented performers to give them the opportunity to be inspired by their work and the sound in their headphones.
Although we cannot draw a direct parallel with the frequency response of Shure headphones, we were impressed by the flexibility of the 440A and 840A models at their price point. We would say that the Sony MDR-M1 is similar but better. But the difference in price is obviously justified by the flexibility of the sound.
Sometimes it becomes apparent that noteworthy products do not have bright packaging or unnecessary brochures, adapters, or anything else superfluous. They simply exist to perform tasks well. They don't need aggressive marketing. They sell themselves. They don't have to prove anything. They just do what they were created to do, just like the Sony MDR-M1. The "Professional" logo on the ear cup is well-deserved and appropriate. These headphones allow you to analyze, record, and enjoy your favorite music. They require more careful use, but they're worth it. Don't hesitate — there aren't many products like this. This is definitely one you can "buy blind," without listening to it first. However, we always encourage you to listen first, then buy. The SoundGale editorial team sincerely recommends this product to anyone who loves listening to music in high quality!
We hope you enjoyed our review of the Sony MDR-M1 headphones. Please feel free to leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the section below. We will be happy to answer them all as soon as possible. If you already own an MDR-M1 and have used it for a while, don't forget to share your impressions and tell us what you liked or disliked about these headphones.
Pros
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Cons
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8.5
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Our Score
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