MDR-R10

Released 1988

The MDR-R10 are Sony's historical wired closed-back home headphones with 50 mm bio-cellulose drivers and carved zelkova-wood ear cups.

Type: Over-ear
Noise cancelling: No
Battery: –
With case: –
Best codec: Wired
Weight: 400 g

Over-ear

What reviewers say

Home Technology Review praises comfort, spacious imaging and natural, extended bass. Den-Fi also enjoys the immersive presentation but finds limited bass extension and sharp treble on its refurbished sample, with small vocal ensembles suiting it best. Both question the price. Den-Fi warns that replaced foam may change the sound, so its findings do not establish how an untouched original pair sounded.

From hometechnologyreview.com and den-fi.com

Specifications

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Sound

Type: Over-ear
Noise cancelling: No
Driver size: 50 mm
Back: Closed
Impedance: 40 ohms
Bluetooth codecs: None (wired)
Drivers: Dynamic dome-type drivers with bio-cellulose diaphragms; 20 Hz – 20 kHz stated response; 100 dB/mW sensitivity; 300 mW rated input and 1,000 mW maximum input

Battery

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

Design

Weight: 400 g
Headphone cable: Yes
Fit and ear tips: Carved zelkova-wood housings, lambskin cushions and a self-adjusting carbon-fibre headband with magnesium hangers, described in Home Technology Review's contemporary review
Dimensions: Approximately 400 g without the cord, as specified in Sony's service manual
Works with: Fixed 3 m cord and standard stereo plug; 6.3 mm plug with rhodium and gold plating described in Home Technology Review
In the box: Hard case, wiping cloth, earphone/headphone cleaning tissue, contact-cleaning tissue and manual

Pros and cons

Pros

Bio-cellulose diaphragms and wooden acoustic chambers
Self-adjusting headband with lambskin ear pads
Hard carrying case included

Cons

Fixed three-metre cable
400 g weight excludes the cord
No microphone or active noise cancelling

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Noise cancelling	Battery	With case	Best codec	Weight	Released
beyerdynamicDT 770 PRO	Over-ear	No	–	–	Wired	270 g	1985
beyerdynamicDT 990 PRO	Over-ear	No	–	–	Wired	250 g	1985
SennheiserHD 25	On-ear	No	–	–	Wired	140 g	1988

Sources

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