Genuine Sony The MDR-7506 model could be carved into the Mount Rushmore of wired studio headphones. The simple black cans with a blue sticker are mid-range sound, well built, and shockingly affordable at just $100. These things have combined to make it a staple of studios around the world for decades. I’ve been rocking the same pair for about eight years and, despite having to replace the earpads a few years ago, they’re still going strong.
What the 7506s are not, however, are premium studio monitors. They are a bang-for-your-buck proposition. It’s great for most situations but often outpaces more expensive hardware. With the new, $250 MDR-M1, Sony is looking to play at the higher end of the market.
These are pro-grade studio headphones through and through, but they borrow heavily from what made the 7506s so enduring. If you’re a musician, audio professional, or just someone who wants to get more out of your music, the new model takes everything we love about the cheaper model over the top.
Ideal Studio Headphones
Looking at the MDR-M1’s frequency response chart next to the MDR-7506s doesn’t immediately reveal much; both have a slightly improved low end with a dip around 4K in the middle. If you’re familiar with the warm but still bright sound signature of the original model, these do just that but with more clarity.
Photo: Terrence O’Brien
The main difference is that the M1s are much larger general wider than the 7506s. The M1s will share a lot of sound in the highs and lows; Where the 7506s have a frequency response of 10 Hz to 20 kHz, the M1s claim a range of 5 Hz to 80 kHz, which is well beyond the range of human hearing in both directions.
This extended range translates to better sound at either end of the spectrum. The port helps control the bass and keeps things from getting too muddy at the bottom end. I find transients from instruments in the lower register to be a touch sharper with the M1s, and ultimately things shine without being overly bright—a complaint I’ve heard leveled against the 7506s from time to time.
Photo: Terrence O’Brien
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