MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone

I purchased these Sony MDR-7506 headphones a couple of months ago. More recently, I've also purchased Sony's very similar (but not identical - see below) Sony MDR-V6 Monitor Series Headphones . My reason for purchasing a second pair (and getting both models) was because the V6's were very inexpensive at the time I ordered ($30 cheaper than the 7506's), and because I was curious to see if I could tell a difference between the two. In reading many of the reviews here on Amazon and elsewhere, I knew that the two are constructed very similarly but there were different opinions regarding both the differences (if any) and which has the superior sound. These are both headphones in the $100 and below price category, which seems like a reasonable price to pay for high quality sound. I do not like to listen to music using earbuds, I prefer this style of "over-the-ear" headphone. although it does take some getting used to. I also have very inexpensive Koss KSC75 Portable Stereophone Headphones for occasions when I don't want to use my more expensive Sony's. I am very satisfied with the sound quality from these headphones (both models), and with the comfort. They are the first "quality" headphones that I have owned, and the level of detail in the sound, lack of distortion, and overall quality is simply superb. I am completely satisfied. Now, regarding both similarities and differences between the Sony MDR-7506 and Sony MDR-V6, here is what I have found: - externally, they are almost identical in construction and appearance. The V6 has red stickers on each headphone "for Digital", and the 7506 has blue stickers "Professional". The phono jack for the V6 is silver metal (all metal), for the 7506 is gold (rubber and gold). Those are the only visible differences I am able to detect. - when I listen to the two headphones back to back, at the same volume level and with the same music, I can detect a slightly clearer treble and midrange from the 7506, and very slightly clearer sound. This is consistent with several of the other reviewers on Amazon for the 7506, who say they can detect a slightly better sound separation and more open sound for the 7506, with the V6's sounding a bit warmer. One reviewer also says that the internal grounding for the two headphones is different - the 7506 uses a separate internal ground for the left and right channels, where the V6 uses a single ground for both channels. (It seems to me that both grounds are going to the same place anyway, but if this is true - and I am not able to confirm whether or not it is - then maybe this contributes to a slightly different sound). - some reviewers state that the internal speaker drivers are different for the two headphones. However when I went to Sony's website to check the specifications for the two models, that is not what I found. And here is what the Wikipedia page states for these headphones: "both models share the same part number for their driver, but the magnet therein is known to vary. The MDR-7506 was introduced with a samarium-cobalt magnet, as is currently used in the MDR-V6. However, at some point, the MDR-7506 switched to the slightly more powerful neodymium magnet. These changes were made without changing the driver part number." - The box for the 7506 states "neodimium magnet". The operating instructions included with the V6 state "samarium cobalt magnet". Possibly either or both of these are out of date (as Wiki states, they may make spec changes over time) - the 7506 box is copyright 1994, and the V6 copyright is 1996. - The 7506 box includes an exploded view and parts list, which is very nice to have. The V6 box does not. - Both headphones include a soft case for storing/carrying the headphones, and both include an adaptor plug so that the headphone can be used with either a stereo mini-plug or a normal size plug. UPDATE 7/22/13 and 7/30/13: The Sony MDR-V6 and MDR-7506 headphones have just recently been reviewed by CNET, with similar comments to my own regarding the small differences in sound quality. Both headphones receive a very high recommendation from CNET. See the MDR-7506 review at [...] and the MDR-V6 review at [...] According to the specifications on Sony's website (which should be up-to-date), the only difference between the two headphones is frequency response: - MDR-7506: - Neodymium magnet, 40.0 mm driver, 10-20kHz frequency response, 63 Ohm impedance, 106 dB/W/m sensitivity - MDR-V6: - Neodymium magnet, 40.0 mm driver, 5-30kHz frequency response, 63 Ohm impedance, 106 dB/W/m sensitivity I am not able to explain how Sony is claiming different frequency response for the two headphones if all of the other specs are identical, but this is what they are saying. And I do believe that the two headphones have slightly different sound. Although there is a slight difference between the 7506 and V6, the sound from both headphones is very neutral. The "professional" choice between the two seems to be the 7506, and it is the more expensive model. If you read other reviews you will find that the 7506's are commonly used by studio engineers, because they are designed to reproduce the sound just as it is, without adding emphasis to the bass as some other headphones are designed to do. At this point, for me they are both excellent, and for thirty bucks less I'd go with the V6 if I could have only one of the two. I've been using these headphones with the Audioengine D1 24-bit digital-to-audio converter , and I am extremely pleased with the quality of the sound. As a final comment, some owners of these headphones comment that the ear pads wear out over time, and some owners also prefer different ear pads for better comfort. I also purchased a pair of Beyerdynamic EDT 250 Velour Padded Earcushions for this reason, and although I have not yet given them a try to compare them with the ear pads that come with the Sony headphones, I do like the fact that it is possible to fit different ear pads if desired in order to provide more comfort, as well as replace them when they have become worn (some owners use these headphones for many years). I notice that there are a very large number of reviewers for these headphones, many of them long-time owners who feel very strongly that these Sony headphones are the best. I'm just beginning to use them, but I have high hopes that they will be durable over time and that I will continue to be as satisfied with them as I am today.

These headphones are amazing, especially for the price. These headphones were introduced in 1991, so surely something in this price range has come along that is better, right? What I found, nope. These are still the king. I researched several headphones before making this purchase. I narrowed it down to these (Sony MDR-7506) and the Audio Technica ATH-M50, which at the time of this review, were $50 more than the 7506. I had seen both headphones recommended numerous times. Luckily for me, 2 co-workers had the 7506 and the M5's, so I was able to AB test both. I listened to a variety of music on each pair. Here's what I found: Sound: • Treble - The 7506 is a fairly bright headphone. It does tend to push the highs a tad, but I didn't mind it. I didn't find it painful to listen to, even after an extended period, and I liked the detail that it brought out in some songs. The M50 did not seem to push the highs as much, but to me, it felt a little bit more restrained and almost muffled sounding compared to the 7506. Not bad, just not as "airy". Overall, I preferred the 7506 • Mid-range - Both headphones did well in the mid-range, but I thought the 7506 was overall more clear. • Bass - This is where I thought the M50 would win hands down. After many reviews that I read, I expected the 7506 to really get trounced here. This was definitely not the case. It could be just my tastes in sound, but the 7506 had very tight, detailed bass. The M50 had slightly stronger bass, but not quite as detailed as the 7506. I would guess, like many things audio, this will be largely subjective on which you prefer. I did not find that the 7506 was lacking at all in bass, though. • Comfort - This was probably the biggest plus for the 7506 vs the M50. The M50 felt much heavier to me and squeezed my head a lot more than the 7506. The 7506 were light and much more comfortable. Complete win for the 7506. The pair I tried had the Velour ear pads, which may have helped with this. I highly recommend those as well. You can find them here: http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-Velour-Earcushions-MDR7506-Headphones/dp/B0016MF7W2 • Price - Even with the upgraded ear pads, the 7506 came in over $30 cheaper. Win for the 7506 here. • Build quality and durability - Both sets of headphones seemed very well built and durable. I don't see any immediate issues with either pair. I've heard many people with 7506 that have owned them for 10-20 years with no issues except for needing to replace the ear pads. I also read numerous people with M50s since they launched (5 years ago) with no issues either. Conclusion: Not surprisingly, I ended up purchasing the 7506. They were cheaper and I liked them better all-around. I'm sure there are other people that would do the same AB test and prefer the M50, so your mileage may vary. I actually ended up purchasing 2 sets so I could have a set at work and a set at home. Highly recommend these headphones and get the Velour pads as well as they are a very worthwhile upgrade.

I have had a few of these over the years (Sony has made this model for over a quarter of a century!) and they have never failed to impress me. They have been a standard among professionals for decades and I still see people in radio, television and all forms of broadcasting, sound engineers on location, musicians in the studio, etc. using these headphones all the time to this day! You can easily find better headphones for LOTS more money but you won't find a better wired headphone than these made anywhere by anyone for under $100! They are surprisingly rugged in construction, and the sound they reproduce is extremely detailed and extremely revealing (they let you hear EVERYTHING, a major reason professionals recording sound for a living use them so often), and are quite affordable. And they also collapse down to a compact size for storage or transport in the supplied heavy duty carry-bag, one more reason why professionals capturing sound for a living so often swear by them. Because Sony got so much about them right (and they are STILL so popular among professionals) they have remained available unchanged or modified in any way for a quarter of a century and remain so today. I heard my first pair in a recording studio over two decades ago and was as so impressed by them I immediately purchased a pair for myself. I had to get them from a supplier of professional recording gear back then because retailers in those days only carried the lower end consumer version, the MDR-V6 (now discontinued), which had a SLIGHTLY warmer sound but with SLIGHTLY less clarity and detail. Back then the 7506s came in a clear plastic box with a satin covered (which looked like expensive silk) molded form for the headphones to sit in (the most beautiful packaging I have EVER seen a pair of headphones come in, even though I've purchased other headphones that sell for over $1000). None of my expensive headphones have ever arrived in such beautiful packaging (the box was practically a work of art). The included carry-bag used to be made of a very soft leather-like material, too. Now they arrive in a somewhat bland cardboard box and the carry-bag is of a thick woven nylon (or some similar material) which I'll admit is actually just as durable and functional in every way as the old carry-bag, and the headphones are still the same excellent classic from all those years back--the best wired headphones for under $100 you'll ever find. They have a mini-jack on the end of the partially coiled cable with a full-sized screw-on adaptor that is of very high quality included in the box. Screw the adapter on and it looks like a permanent fixture--like they came from the factory equipped with a full-sized headphone jack. These very compact over-the-ear headphones seal so well that even though they have no electronic sound cancellation (such things effect the sound quality, something to be avoided for PROFESSIONAL sound capture or recording use) they are never-the-less surprisingly good for passive headphones at isolating your ears from outside sounds. If you are looking for wired headphones under $100, look no further. These are the finest you will ever find!

First off, these were an impulse buy to use with the Orange Crush Mini guitar amp since the built in speaker kind of sucks. I wasn't really planning to use them for anything else, but curiosity got the better of me. I've had to edit this review a bit since my thoughts have changed with extensive testing and even some experimenting with two different DACs. The short version? Buy them. If you're on a tight budget and don't want to do any thorough research, these headphones WILL be revealing in ways that may not alway be appealing, which is precisely the point. They've been on the market since 1991 and easily beat a pair of modern hybrid IEMs that were twice the cost. First impressions: The Sony MDR-7506 seem well built for the price and are actually quite comfortable. They are lightweight with soft padding, and they don't seem to apply too much pressure at all. Your mileage may vary of course since I've got a smaller head, and some reviews have complained about their fit. I'm glad they include a 1/4" adapter but was surprised to find that it actually screws on. I've never seen that before, but it seems like a good idea since it won't come unplugged like a normal adapter, especially if the cable is stretched out. The adjustable band is marked with numbered shallow notches, but it seems there is not enough friction to keep the cans from sliding out of position with regular handling, so be sure to check the adjustment prior to each use. Bit of a letdown, but certainly not a deal breaker by any means. I love that the coiled cord is not too stiff or springy, but is quite flexible and will stretch out with great ease while still retracting to its original length when allowed. This is critical since the tiny guitar amp could otherwise tip over and get dragged right off the desk with a stiff cable. Every other coiled cable I've seen was so stiff it would pull the cans right off your head and would even retain a bit of stretch if pulled too hard for too long, but this one seems to be of high quality and should not put too much strain on the ends, which are weak points on any cable. Sound: Now for my entirely subjective and probably unreliable analysis of their sound. Apparently these do have some emphasis of the higher frequencies above 2kc according to frequency response graphs, which is good news for me. I should mention that I have severe auditory neuropathy which makes me deaf to everything from 10kc up, with severe loss starting at just 1kc. With the right set of phones and proper EQ, I can hear pure tones up to 8kc, but hearing loss is more complex than just boosting certain frequencies and there's not much more I can do without using some rather sophisticated DSP software on a laptop. With all that said, I've been using the Ikko Gems OH1S IEMs for the last four years, paired with the EarStudio ES100 MkII DAC which does have a built-in 10 band EQ but is sadly discontinued. Fearing the inevitable I've since upgraded to the Qudelix 5K DAC which is even more sophisticated with its 10 band true parametric EQ and was purchased just a day after these headphones. Settings on the Qudelix 5k are as follows with frequency, dB and Q values in that order. 31.5: 0, 1.414 63: -7.5, 1.0 125: -12, 0.7 250: -15, 0.7 500: -12, 0.7 2k: 2, 1.414 1k & 4k to 16k: 0, 1.414 I can hear quite a surprising portion of the highs, and it's remarkably smooth compared to the IEMs. This is unusual for dynamic drivers, but of course some detail is missing since balanced armatures are more suited to my hearing loss. Generally I'm leaning more towards the smoother sound of the Sony. There is no apparent emphasis in the lows or mids, which may be why I thought music was boring in these headphones. Over time as they're breaking in I'm finding this to be more than welcome. Nothing seems to stand out in a way that it shouldn't, unless the mix was made that way. The bass is simply phenomenal. Clean, clear and well articulated, it can be quite mild mannered or it can hit you like a hammer. The low end reaches quite deep but never sounds bloated or muddy. I've never heard so much variation in the bass between songs, and it really does make music more exciting. Overall clarity seems to be on another level compared to the IEMs. Instruments and vocals are all clearly distinct and well separated, and the sound stage can be kind of wild on some tracks, though I'm feeling this may be influenced in part by the DAC as well since there seems to be some difference between the ES100 and Qudelix 5k. Trying to do A/B testing is hard without two separate pairs of these headphones, but for the most part they appear to be even more capable of extracting musical details which otherwise might be lost in the mix. They can handle dense mixes with grace, keeping things well defined even when it gets pretty hairy. I thought using studio monitors for casual listening was supposed to suck, but if anything it's the exact opposite with these. Oh sure, they won't do any favors for bad mixes, I've heard it myself. But a good mix is actually more enjoyable on these phones with the right EQ settings. I just wish they had a balanced cable since the crosstalk on the Qudelix 5k is not the best for the 3.5mm port. Aside from that, I'm seriously considering buying a second pair just to have as a backup. They really are that good, even by my flawed hearing and limited abilities to correct it. I would highly recommend them for studios on any budget, and casual audiophiles who don't want to (or can't) spend a fortune on headphones.

I had to replace my aging Grado headphones that finally gave up, but I really just needed something basic to plug into my headphone amplifier. I did a bunch of searches, saw this one was pretty well reviewed and sounded good. I'd say it's nicely balanced if you just want to play games and listen to videos. The ear cups are super comfortable, and it blocks out a lot of nosie without noise canceling built in. Quality is very good for the price point and I appreciate the super long cord. They're pretty heavy but I don't get tired wearing them for long periods of time. If you want to avoid the hassle of bluetooth charging and tech and want a good solid middle of the road headphones that will handle 90% of daily tasks this is an excellent value proposition.

Just what everyone says, very light and flat responding headphones for mixing and subtle mastering. Bass is clear and present with a bit of high end but hardly any mud in the mids. A lot clearer than my ath-m50's I had for 9 years. I would describe it as dull and neutral sounding which is great for capturing those unexpected frequencies that clashes. Big Plus on that but however the headphones headband you gotta be careful and the ear pads are a bit on the cheaper feel. 90s like style student headphones, a bit uncomfortable but they work just well. Nothing like an upgraded ear pads can't fix. Overall, solid headphones that Sony did an excellent job!

I’ve been using these headphones in my home studio for [recording/mixing/practice], and I’m genuinely impressed. The sound quality is clear and well-balanced, which makes it easy to hear details without anything feeling too harsh or muddy. I especially appreciate how they handle [lows/mids/highs—pick what stood out to you], which really helps when working on piano and vocals. They’re also very comfortable to wear for longer sessions. The ear cushions are soft, and the fit doesn’t feel too tight, which is important when you’re spending a lot of time listening and editing. Another thing I like is the build quality—they feel sturdy and well-made, not flimsy like some other headphones I’ve tried. For the price, these are an excellent value and work great for a home studio setup. I’d definitely recommend them to anyone looking for reliable headphones for music work.

-Background- This is my third headset for use in the workplace. I'm in the IT field. I spend about half my day talking to people, and the other half with my head down working. The trouble is, the people around me are in the same situation, and our quiet parts of the day are seldom aligned, plus we are all loud talkers, so my office is usually really noisy. The first two headsets I tried were earbud headsets. One set (Shure e2c) accomplished sound-isolation via earbuds composed of foam earplugs. Another set (from Phillips) used active noise cancellation. Both worked pretty well, the Shure being the standout for sound quality, but earbuds have a few fundamental problems. I found earbuds were a real pain to take in and out of the ear to accommodate 'drive-by' conversations. The Phillips would sometimes fall out of the ear. With the Shure headphones, I could stand to have them in my ears for about a half-day before the skin in my ears became irritated and wearing them became painful. The noise cancellation feature was great for external low frequency sounds, but did not isolate the real noise problem of background noise from other people talking. After some painstaking Googling and reading up on reviews here at Amazon ('Amazoning?'), I landed on these headphones. -Sound Quality- This was my first set of high quality over ear headphones, so I cannot size these headphones up against their competitors. That said, I was floored by the sound quality of these headphones. Previously, my favorite place for enjoying music was in the car, where I can play it as loud as I like without the concern of disturbing others (my own little environmentally-controlled acoustic bubble). They blew away any consumer-accessible home theater setup, car stereo, headphone or earbud I had ever heard previously, and instantly sold me on high-quality headphones as the ideal music enjoyment experience. These headphones are very well balanced. The lows are perfect: Strong but not overpowering or uncomfortable, present, and clear. Well managed bass is typically difficult to find in headphones, where it is either overdone or underpowered. Highs are are perfect: Clear, and not overpowering or "over bright." I have never heard high 'clipping' or distortion unless it was in the recording. With well-balanced highs and lows, the oft-neglected mid tones are in perfect balance with the rest of the sound. I feel like the sound is perfect, an even, level balance, even after several years of heavy use. I hear things in music that I never noticed before (even with other headphones), like sniffs and coughs from the audience during a winter-time recording of Horowitz. -Sound Isolation- The headphones have a sealed back. They do a great job of filtering out background noise. I sometimes wear them alone (no music) just to muddle down the noise in the office and on airplanes. They work just well enough - better than nothing but not as isolating as foam earplugs (and certainly more comfortable). Good sound isolation sets the stage for good sound reproduction. I barely have to turn my iPod up to enjoy music at a comfortable level. The lowest volume settings easily drown out my coworkers and works well on crowded airplanes, also. They also do a great job of not letting sound *out.* I often listen to really good jams pretty loud at the office. When I press the ear cups together, I can barely tell they are on while holding them in my hands. Great for not disturbing people around you or for not disturbing one's partner when playing video games late into the night. -Usability- You don't need a powerful setup to enjoy these headphones. I use them primarily with an iPod, but I have also used them for gaming. They are easy to take off and put on for quick conversations. While the sound quality is excellent, and a sealed back design is good for sound isolation, they may not be so good as a DJ headset, since the ear cups do not rotate 180 degrees. -Comfort- I have a large cranium (I wear a XXL motorcycle helmet) and large-ish ears. These headphones fit great and feel great. Usually they are all the way out to the second or third from last 'click' on the headband adjuster. With the ear cups on, the headband rests on the top of my head, but has never tossed my hair. I routinely wear these for a full 8-12 hours. There is no pressure on or around my ears or on my head. Sometimes they get a little warm, but never uncomfortably so. On airplanes, I usually put them on as soon as I sit down to filter out the conversations around me, and leave them on for the whole flight, including sleeping with them on. -Durability- These headphones don't get out much. They mostly sit in a drawer at my office when not in use. I have taken them on a few trips (DC to Salt Lake City and to Greece) where they have had to endure air travel in a laptop bag and a few trips through security. They have held up very well, with no signs of wear. -The Bottom Line- These headphones changed the way I listen to music, and they inspired me to seek out a headset for gaming. I would buy them again without a second thought. I know Sony has made a successor to these headphones, and from what I've read, the sound quality on the newer headphones is not as well balanced. I hope Sony continues to manufacture these, as they are a very nice, high quality product. Why mess with perfection? I often seriously consider buying another set for home or as a backup to my set at the office. Highly recommended.

J'ai récemment acheté le casque studio Sony MDR-7506 sur Amazon. Ce casque est devenu un incontournable dans l'industrie du son, et il est facile de comprendre pourquoi. Je suis extrêmement satisfait de mon achat La première chose qui a attiré mon attention est la construction solide du MDR-7506. Il est clair que Sony a conçu ce casque pour résister à une utilisation intensive. Les matériaux de qualité, les écouteurs pivotants et pliables ainsi que les coussinets d'oreille rembourrés garantissent un confort et une durabilité exceptionnels. En ce qui concerne la performance audio, le MDR-7506 ne déçoit pas. La clarté et la précision de la reproduction sonore sont tout simplement incroyables. Les basses sont profondes et bien définies, les médiums sont riches en détails et les aigus sont nets sans être agressifs. Cela fait du MDR-7506 un outil précieux pour les professionnels du son qui recherchent une reproduction sonore précise et équilibrée. De plus, le casque offre une excellente isolation phonique, ce qui est essentiel pour se concentrer sur les détails sonores pendant les sessions d'enregistrement, de mixage ou de mastering. Les bruits ambiants sont réduits au minimum, ce qui permet une immersion totale dans la musique ou le son que l'on écoute. Un autre aspect que j'apprécie du MDR-7506 est sa polyvalence. Il est compatible avec une large gamme d'appareils audio grâce à son câble détachable et à l'adaptateur jack 6,35 mm inclus. Que ce soit pour une utilisation avec une interface audio, une console de mixage ou un lecteur audio, ce casque s'adapte facilement à différentes configurations. Enfin, je dois souligner le confort exceptionnel du MDR-7506, même lors de longues sessions d'écoute. Les coussinets d'oreille doux et rembourrés répartissent bien la pression, ce qui permet de porter le casque pendant des heures sans inconfort. En conclusion, le Sony MDR-7506 est un casque studio exceptionnel qui mérite pleinement sa réputation dans l'industrie du son. Sa construction solide, sa reproduction sonore précise, son isolation phonique et son confort en font un choix incontournable pour les professionnels du son et les passionnés exigeants. Je recommande vivement le MDR-7506 à tous ceux qui recherchent une expérience d'écoute immersive et professionnelle.

Really good quality headphones. The sound is great and they are very comfortable.

I love these headphones and this has become my daily driver. I use it for casual listening, movies and monitoring. Comfort: Very comfortable headphones. This is lightweight headphones and doesn't have tight clamping force. Works fine with most head sizes. The padding is light though not uncomfortable. I can wear it for hours comfortably. I may upgrade for a thicker pads when this one wears out. Build: Very well built. The headphones feels sturdy in hand and can survive my clumsy handling. It folds well and I can carry it in my backpack easily. The coiled cables is made of quality material but undetachable and insanely long. The long cables can be wrapped over itself quickly to shorten it - check youtube videos. Spares of most parts are available online - so you don't need to throw it away when something breaks. Sound: This is fairly neutral sounding phones with somewhat flat sound signature . Really crisp mids and lows with tight bass. The bass is not overpowering or physical yet is punchy - maybe passable for bassheads. It has more bass than my AKG K371 but not as much as Brainwavz HM55. Its slight extension towards lows and highs adds some coloration but I kind of enjoy it. So instruments may stand-up than vocals a bit. You can EQ it for really flat response if you want - google for calibrated eq settings. The listening experience is on par with K371 except for the soundstage. Sound stage is not very wide but enough for proper instrument separation. My laptop and mobile can drive this pretty loud, I listen at around 50% volume. Overall this is a good no-nonsense cans well worth its ~7k price tag. This model has been around for 36 years for its good engineering and value for money.

This is my goat best headphones I used to mix my sounds , good dynamics , low end dynamics are so good

Been using daily for 3 years for gaming, listening, mixing, and recording. Excellent sound clarity, a little less low-end than more commercial over-ears (like beats), but mids and highs come through with exceptional clarity for a very balanced sound that's great for mixing/recording and gives really clear audio for general uses like discord calls and streaming. Fantastic headphones overall - especially considering the price point. I have a pair of audiotechnicas and beats that are 1.5-2x the price and these are far and away my preferred headphones. I have a big head that causes some strain on most over-ear headphones over long-term use; if there's a load-bearing plastic component it will usually snap on me after a year or so. This model was no different - the plastic crescent just below the hinge joint that holds the ear casing gave out about 1.5 years in. Fortunately none of the wiring runs through the plastic weak points, so I was able to slap some epoxy on it to repair with no loss in audio quality. An easy fix, and realistically not an issue for someone with a normal-sized head.