Sony MDR-M1 Professional Reference Closed Monitor Headphones

Bought as a set to augment my wonderful but creaky sounding headband equipped Audeze LCD-1’s. I love those, but the headband has always made an annoying creaky noise with every little head moment. These don’t do that aside from appearing to use what very well could have been Sony parts for their headband system. They look very close if you compare images of the 2. Even the BT WH-1000x3’s are a similar design. Regardless, these are quiet from a mechanical noise perspective. Here’s my mini “review” from a headphone group I’m in on Facebook: “2 channel hifi on the go. Or on the couch when I don’t want to disturb anyone. These are the most recent versions of the ubiquitous and long time standard issue recording and mixing headphones but boy, they sure don’t sound like I recall the venerable 7506’s sounding. These are good. Not just for a professional application product but also a hifi enjoyment pair of headphones. They’re actually quite neutral to my ears but not in a way that makes things dull or boring, or even critically revealing to the point of merely being a studio tool like NS-10’s or Auratones. Something built for a specific purpose but not because they actually sound amazing. No, these are just plain good all around. For closed backs they actually throw a decently wide soundstage and their imaging is pinpoint precise. The have adequate bass and sub bass when called for but it’s not overdone to the point where it bleeds in to the midrange which remains crystal clear, full bodied and tonally correct. The treble range has appropriate energy and sparkle and air, but avoids being bright, harsh or sibilant. It’s just right. I’m super happy with these so far. I may investigate different ear pads to get a little more breathability as they can become a little warm on my ears for extended sessions. And I think something a little softer that perhaps uses a different material be it nylon, micro suede or something like a fenestrated sheepskin could work. As is though, pretty darn great. And I hear their open back siblings the MDR-MV1 are even better. I look forward to trying them. But Sony nailed it with this set IMO. And I’m happy to have them. These are the Sony MDR-M1. I dare say a potential future classic continuing Sony’s long standing professional product range, but one that also absolutely works for enjoyable music playback with a nice warm cup of coffee or beverage of choice and your favorite tunes.” So yeah, as you might have guessed, I’m very pleased. As mentioned the ear pads can be a little cramped and also don’t breathe super well which is common for closed backs using pleather pads. An easy fix for not much money. Not everyone may even feel the need to do this. Fed out of my iBasso DX-180 these are just plain silly good and a lot of fun to listen to. Thought about the MV-1’s and the HD-550 and Sennheiser HD-490 Pro, but probably as a companion to these, not a replacement. As for now I’m simply too busy enjoying my music. Btw, these come with 2 cables, a 1.2 meter cable for portable use with a 3.5mm single ended plug and a 2.5 meter cable with a standard 1/4 inch jack. The packaging could have been a little nicer for the price. A included case or storage bag at least. But that’s a nit pick.

Extremely lightweight and comfortable. These headphones have relatively low impedance and high sensitivity. This means that your amp/audio source will be able to deliver a good amount of current that will transfer to sound without much waste, and you'll go from inaudible to comfortable to loud in just 15% of the volume range. Most software controls will not be great for fine adjustment but it's still usable —I connected it to the Apple USB-C 3.5 mm dongle US version. I am not an expert but sound quality is amazing. Quality and durability look good to me. I like that the cable is removable.

When I pulled these from the box, admittedly I became a bit suspicious because of the construction. They just "seemed" flimsy. But I put them on and was immediately impressed with their comfort. Even with my glasses on, the cups were gentle and provided a great seal. I've used them to monitor my microphone in real time, monitor audio playback while editing video, and while listening to hi res lossless audio on my PC from Apple Music. The dynamic range and sound isolation of these headphones is pretty darn amazing, especially when listening to lossless music. I needed a great set of phones for multiple purposes and I wasn't disappointed one bit. On the pricing front, I think the range combined with comfort make them a good value. The headband is wide and the ear pads easily replaced when needed. As for their construction, I may have been overreacting a bit. 😏

Great sound! I have a larger skull and these fit well. The clearance between my left ear and the inside of the grille is a bit close as it presses on my ear now and then but it's mostly good. Don't let my oddball ears dissuade you. I'm no audiophile but these have a very good sound range. They're built well if a bit light and spindly. But for the price, at least on sale, they're hard to beat. I came from HyperX Cloud Alphas to these and the two are very close in performance and comfort.

Nice clear and crisp sound with noise cancelling, very durable, been using it for a while now very rugged ,the cups have not peeled off and it's very light weight for long sessions. The cable can be screwed-in to make it more secure, a reasonable long cable length too.

Update after many months: Still liking these a lot for voiceover recording. Many hour comfortable sound and fit. I have owned Sony MDR7506,7509,7510, 7520, and Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro in my professional film and recording career. The new M1 will replace my Beyers for audiobook recording for three reasons: superior physical comfort (better fit, lighter weight, less clamping, better cushions), and more comfortable sound. The Beyer have overhyped, super-detailed highs which create ear fatigue over many hours in the studio. In that way, they are like the harsh precision digital sound of CDs. The Sony M1 are more like an analogue LP, warm vinyl sound. More natural and less harsh and hyped. Infinitely better than 7506. At half the price of the former 7520, and a more even response with no overemphasized punches, the M1 are much more listenable for long recording sessions. No storage bag, but totally great to have TWO detachable cables of different lengths and NOT CURLY!!!! Very exciting and useful! (Curly weigh too much and pull on the headphones, especially lightweight ones like this.) I personally like the shorter cable and I know that is counter to what a lot of people might say. But for professionals of one kind or another, we don't need 6 extra feet of cable on cans; we are close to the gear, not laying on the couch. So for us, the shorter uncurled cable is great.

値段は国内仕様よりも高価だったが、値段なりのすばらしい商品でした。私の身近ではここでしか購入できない商品でしたので、その機会があることそのものは所有欲が満たされてとても良かったです。

note that i picked up this headphone for a somewhat challenging task- can i find a headphone which accurately represents delicate instruments like acoustic guitar / harp ,without weird EQ and without sounding exaggerated? this is quite difficult, btw - most HP tend to show their weakness in this area , they are usually not able to recreate the delicate transient string attack of acoustic guitars without harshness or without sounding somewhat dull and uninspiring. these HP are a surprising winner in this category ! i even tried it for recording my high end acoustic guitars with an earthworks mic and these HP are surprisingly good for studio tracking - the mic'd sound in your HP is ~same as your real guitar(!) overall, there is nothing in these HP which are exaggerated and the sound is quite natural when listening to all kinds of music - i used lossless tidal and an RME fireface interface. even banging club songs from the chainsmokers come out quite nicely , the big bass was very clear without being too boomy. having said that, these HP have a slightly laid-back attack/transients in the mids. so they may not be best if u are expecting bangers. but this also means ear fatigue is less. the hp dont look remarkable, simple and functional all-black , included are cables of 2 different lengths which is cool. time will tell how long these will last and then i can comment on build quality. lastly, i got these at a "discounted" price of Rs 18k, which is absolutely perfect for the sound quality. but no way i'd pay the full MRP of 40k for them.

Excelente fone, o melhor que na ouvir. Melhor que o Shure SRH 840A que eu tinha

Crystal clear in every frequencies. Deep bass and shining upper frequencies with studio quality voice output. Excellent. Only thing if Sony would have provided 4.4mm balanced cable with it. Endgame for me in headphones for the price.

Its nice