Sony’s MDR-7506 headphones have become a go-to choice for recording studios and creatives. For just $100, this set of headphones delivers crisp, clean sound so you know exactly what your audience is going to hear. Today, the company announced a more powerful option in its studio headphones: the MDR-M1. The headphones feature a slightly updated design, new drivers, a wider frequency range, and improved bass response.
Inside the MDR-M1 are newly developed drivers capable of a frequency response of 5Hz to 80kHz. Sony explains that this ultra-wide range is crucial for picking up subtle details in a variety of recorded sources, especially Dolby Atmos and 360 Reality Audio. More specifically, the drivers have a soft edge for ultra-low frequencies and a hard dome shape for accurate reproduction of ultra-high frequencies. There are also “tuning ports” on the outside of the earcups, which Sony calls Beat Response Control. This allows for the ventilation needed to improve low-frequency control. According to the company, this component works with an optimized diaphragm to deliver “extremely tight bass response.”
“In a recording session, it’s important to pay attention to what musicians and singers are hearing as they play and sing,” explains Akihiro Nishimura, an engineer at The Power Station in Berklee New York, which worked with Sony to develop the headphones. “The MDR-M1 gives you the same impression as if you were listening through headphones in a control room, making it easier to create music while hearing each other.”
Sony
Since they are closed-back headphones, you don’t have to worry about sound leaking out or letting in ambient noise. Sony has beefed up the replaceable ear pads, improving both comfort and sound isolation. They’ve also reduced the overall weight compared to the 7506, so long recording sessions won’t be as taxing. The MDR-M1 comes with two detachable cables with machined aluminum connections. One has a stereo mini plug and a plug adapter (stereo mini to stereo standard), while the other is a shorter option for connecting to a variety of professional equipment. Sony also made sure to make the MDR-M1 more durable, as it’s likely to be dropped and tossed around in studios and other recording and editing environments.
The MDR-M1 is available for pre-order now and will cost $250, a significant increase over the MDR-7506. If you prefer open-back headphones for recording and editing, the MDR-MV1 offers similar specs to the new model, but costs more at $400.
