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Sony MDR-M1 · Photo source
MDR-M1
The MDR-M1 are Sony's closed-back studio monitor headphones for recording, mixing and mastering, with high sound isolation and the same 5 Hz – 80 kHz range as the open-back MDR-MV1.
- Type
- Over-ear
- Noise cancelling
- No
- Battery
- –
- With case
- –
- Best codec
- Wired
- Weight
- 216 g
What reviewers say
Reviewers agree these are comfortable, well-padded and sturdily built, with clean, clear sound. Sound On Sound found the treble airy and the response not the most neutral but easy to work with, including for bass-heavy mixes; SoundGuys disliked the frequency response, found the threaded cable socket awkward, and thought them pricey next to the MDR-7506.
From soundonsound.com and soundguys.com
Product links
Specifications
Report a wrong or missing specSound
- Type
- Over-ear
- Noise cancelling
- No
- Driver size
- 40 mm
- Back
- Closed
- Impedance
- 50 ohms
- Bluetooth codecs
- None (wired)
- Drivers
- Dynamic, 40 mm; 5 – 80,000 Hz (JEITA); 102 dB/mW; maximum input 1,500 mW (IEC)
Battery
- Listening time (maker's claim)
- No battery (wired)
Design
- Weight
- 216 g
- Headphone cable
- Yes
- Fit and ear tips
- Circumaural, closed-back; thick low-resilience urethane foam ear pads, replaceable
- Works with
- Detachable 1.2 m and 2.5 m cables with 3.5 mm plugs; 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm adapter
- Colours
- Black
- In the box
- MDR-M1 headphones, 1.2 m and 2.5 m cables, 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm adapter
Pros and cons
Pros
- Light at about 216 g without the cable
- Closed back isolates well for recording
- Two detachable cables (1.2 m and 2.5 m) and a 6.3 mm adapter included
Cons
- Closed back gives a less open sound than the open-back MDR-MV1
- 50-ohm impedance is higher than the MDR-MV1's 24 ohms
Closest rivals
Model | Type | Noise cancelling | Battery | With case | Best codec | Weight | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over-ear | No | – | – | Wired | 377 g | Oct 2024 | |
| Over-ear | No | – | – | Wired | 376 g | 2024 | |
| Over-ear | No | – | – | Wired | 305 g | Apr 2024 |
Sources
- sony.jp/headphone/products/MDR-M1/spec.html
- sony.jp/headphone/products/MDR-M1
- prnewswire.com/news-releases/sony-electronics-launches-closed-monitor-headphone…
- soundonsound.com/news/sony-announce-mdr-m1-headphones
- musicradar.com/news/sony-mdr-m1-headphones
- pro.sony/en_GB/products/headphones/mdr-m1
- support.sony.jp/electronics/support/wired-headphones-headband/mdr-m1
- sony.com/electronics/support/res/manuals/5061/85ab3c3bf554a9ffb01c82aaf311f039/…
- pro.sony/en_GB/pdf/products/headphones/mdr-m1
- sony.jp/headphone/products/MDR-M1/feature_1.html
- sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/202508/25-0827
- sony.eu/presscentre/sony-launches-closed-monitor-headphones-with-high-sound-iso…
Photo: sony.jp
- Sony MDR-M1: Left side profile: sony.jp/products/picture/MDR-M1_01.jpg
- Sony MDR-M1: Front view with cable and plug adapter: sony.jp/products/picture/MDR-M1_05.jpg
- Sony MDR-M1: Headphones with both supplied cable lengths: sony.jp/products/picture/MDR-M1_06.jpg
- Sony MDR-M1: Front view with earcups swivelled flat: sony.jp/products/picture/y_MDR-M1_013.jpg
- Sony MDR-M1: Outer earcup and cable connector close-up: Sony — official supplied product photograph; complete original canvas restored from historical source binding
- Sony MDR-M1: Ear cushion and headband detail: Sony — official supplied product photograph; complete original canvas restored from historical source binding
- Sony MDR-M1: Opposite ear cushion close-up with right channel marker: Sony — official supplied product photograph; complete original canvas restored from historical source binding
- Sony MDR-M1: Headphones on a mixing desk; equipment not included: Sony — official supplied product photograph; complete original canvas restored from historical source binding
- Sony MDR-M1: Headphones beside a microphone in a blue-lit studio; microphone not included: Sony — official supplied product photograph; complete original canvas restored from historical source binding
- Sony MDR-M1: Headphones on a pink-lit mixing desk; equipment not included: Sony — official supplied product photograph; complete original canvas restored from historical source binding
- Sony MDR-M1: Headphones beside synthesisers in blue lighting; equipment not included: Sony — official supplied product photograph; complete original canvas restored from historical source binding
- Sony MDR-M1: Musician recording at home wearing headphones; keyboard and other equipment not included: Sony — official supplied product photograph; complete original canvas restored from historical source binding
- Sony MDR-M1: Engineer wearing headphones at studio mixing console; equipment not included: Sony — official supplied product photograph; complete original canvas restored from historical source binding
- Sony MDR-M1: Manufacturer composition of headphones, adapter and creator in studio; equipment not included: Sony — official supplied product photograph; complete original canvas restored from historical source binding
- Sony MDR M1 — M1_HomeStudio-Large.jpg: Sony — official company launch press photograph; M1_HomeStudio-Large.jpg
- Sony MDR M1 — M1_Situation_HomeStudio_1-Large.jpg: Sony — official company launch press photograph; M1_Situation_HomeStudio_1-Large.jpg
