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Sony MDR-MV1 · Photo source

Sony MDR-MV1
Photo 1 of 22

Sony MDR-MV1 · Photo source

Sony

MDR-MV1

Released April 2023

The MDR-MV1 are Sony's first open-back studio monitor headphones, made for mixing and mastering stereo and spatial audio, with a 24-ohm impedance and a light 223 g build.

Type
Over-ear
Noise cancelling
No
Battery
–
With case
–
Best codec
Wired
Weight
223 g

What reviewers say

Reviewers agree these are comfortable, detailed and clear, with a spacious presentation, but not neutral. Sound On Sound heard lifted bass and treble that help immersive mixing but found the low end sometimes woolly; SoundGuys found them extremely bassy for casual listening, and What Hi-Fi? wanted a more balanced presentation with more drive.

From soundonsound.com, whathifi.com and soundguys.com

Specifications

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Sound

Type
Over-ear
Noise cancelling
No
Driver size
40 mm
Back
Open
Impedance
24 ohms
Bluetooth codecs
None (wired)
Drivers
Dynamic, 40 mm; 5 Hz – 80,000 Hz (JEITA); 100 dB/mW; maximum input 1,500 mW (IEC)
Audio features
Supports Sony's 360 Virtual Mixing Environment; 360 Reality Audio certified

Battery

Listening time (maker's claim)
No battery (wired)

Design

Weight
223 g
Headphone cable
Yes
Fit and ear tips
Circumaural, open-back; suede-effect synthetic leather ear pads, user-replaceable (sold as service parts)
Works with
Detachable cable with machined aluminium connectors and a screw-type locking ring at the headphones and a 6.3 mm plug; 6.3 mm to 3.5 mm adapter; cable 2.5 m long (What Hi-Fi)
Colours
Black
In the box
MDR-MV1 headphones, cable with 6.3 mm plug, 6.3 mm to 3.5 mm adapter

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Light at about 223 g without the cable
  • 24-ohm impedance and 100 dB/mW sensitivity suit phones and laptops as well as studio gear
  • Detachable cable with a screw-lock connector; user-replaceable ear pads

Cons

  • Open back leaks sound and lets outside noise in
  • Only one cable supplied, with a 6.3 mm plug (a 3.5 mm adapter is included)

Closest rivals

Model
TypeNoise cancellingBatteryWith caseBest codecWeightReleased
AudezeMM-100
Over-earNo––Wired475 gApr 2023
Dan Clark AudioE3
Over-earNo––Wired455 gDec 2023
HIFIMANANANDA NANO
Over-earNo––Wired419.6 gMay 2023

Sources

  1. sony.jp/headphone/products/MDR-MV1/spec.html
  2. sony.jp/headphone/products/MDR-MV1
  3. prnewswire.com/news-releases/sony-electronics-launches-immersive-open-back-moni…
  4. techradar.com/news/sonys-new-wired-audiophile-headphones-are-built-for-incredib…
  5. whathifi.com/reviews/sony-mdr-mv1
  6. pro.sony/en_GB/products/headphones/mdr-mv1
  7. sony.co.uk/electronics/support/wired-headphones-headband/mdr-mv1
  8. sony.com/electronics/support/res/manuals/5048/66308b5b24497f32260ad9e7e7d39ec6/…
  9. pro.sony/en_GB/pdf/products/headphones/mdr-mv1
  10. sony.jp/headphone/products/MDR-MV1/feature_1.html
  11. sony.jp/headphone/special/MDR-MV1
  12. sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/202304/23-0411
  13. sony.net/Products/proaudio/en/headphone/special/MDR-MV1
  14. sony.eu/presscentre/mdr-mv1
  15. sony.com.hk/press/pdf/20230412_e.pdf

Photo: sony.jp

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