Sony MDR-M1 Professional Reference Closed Monitor Headphones

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.) REVISION: I would take issue with the two straight cables' textured jacket. Inevitably it rubs on clothing and transfers physical noise into the left ear cup. When performing voiceover, this is darned distracting. A smooth jacket would not catch on clothing as much and would transfer less noise. This is a genuine drawback to the experience.

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.

I've been using the Sony MDR line since the late 1980s, when I bought my first pair of MDR-V6s and would've happily kept replacing them every 5-10 years or so had they kept making them. Along the way, I picked up a pair of the supposed superior successor the 7506, but for some reason the sound never clicked for me. Then in 2020, Sony stopped making the V6 (boo). I was due for a new set and went back and forth between a new 7506 or spring for the M1—and I'm glad I did.What I've never liked about any of the Sony headphones are the earpads, whether it's fake 'pleather' that inevitably cracks and begins to flake. The headband does eventually, too. And they make my head sweat, especially in summer or when worn a long time. What you're seeing on these brand new Sony MDR-M1s are an 8yo pair of Beyerdynamic EDT250V replacement earpads from my last MDR-V6, still in great shape, which fit -perfectly-, and a generic headband cover. Way more comfortable. (They appear still to be available, by the way.)As for the MDR-M1 set, WITH the replacement pads, they've super comfortable. Sound quality is superb and I'm hearing layers in the music I hadn't heard in years (and thought it was just my aging hearing). Dynamic range is excellent and audibly not quite as bass-muddy as the old V6s could sometimes be. One thing I noticed when I removed the existing M1 pads is the drivers in the cups are angled, unlike the old flat design. I do rather having the option of two different cable lengths and no more coils to deal with—the short one is a good length to connect to the DAC on my desk, although it'd be nice if it was maybe 1/3 longer. The alternate long cable, for what I'm using this for, is definitely longer than I need.I'll admit the sticker price is high, but I feel it was worth it.

These headphones are light, comfortable, and have a very detailed sound. The headband is wide and padded, unlike the Sony WH-1000XM4.

I am so happy to see that Sony finally came out with a really nice sounding professional headphones. I love the quality and the overall balance of all the audio frequencies that especially the bass frequencies are not over powering to my ears. Also, the fit is very comfortable and the cable is detachable for easy replacement. You will love them for the recording studio and for home/leisure listening as well! Comes with both standard 3.5mm plug and 1/4 inch adapter for studio gear. I give this Sony 5 stars for excellence.Ron Ajemian