Sony MDR-7506 Review: Still Relevant In 2024?

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Greetings mate and Welcome aboard! Stuart Charles here, HomeStudioBasics.com helping YOU make sound decisions leading to a beautiful audio experience that will make you fall in love with music (NOT gear), all over again, so…

Let’s take a look at one of audio’s oldest relics, the MDR-7506, and determine whether or not it’s worth a purchase in today’s crowded headphone landscape.

Box contents, specs, and back story toward the end!

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This is part of my “Budget Kings” Series, which takes a look at some of the best options for under $100.

• Budget King #1: The semi-open back Koss KPH30i Review!
• Budget King #2: The open back Philips SHP9500 Review!
• Budget King #3: This review
• Budget King #4: The closed back Creative Aurvana Live! Review
• Budget King #5: The semi-open AKG K240 Studio Review!
• Budget King #6: The closed back Status Audio CB-1 Review!

Why did I place this third?

Both the 9500 and 30i outclass the 7506, but it’s still a highly relevant headphone and has been since it first came out.

If you’re looking for closed-back mostly neutral headphones, the 7506 is definitely something to consider.

If you’re new to the hobby, the V6 (now discontinued) has been around since the ’80s, with the 7506 coming along in 1991.

With that, let’s get rolling!

Build & Design

First launched in 1991, The Sony MDR-7506 showcases a robust build quality, featuring sturdy metal adjustments that contribute to its overall durability.

Its compact design is a notable advantage, offering a sleek profile that doesn’t compromise on structural integrity.

The headphones, despite a flimsy-ish profile, boast a convenient foldable design, making them easily transportable for on-the-go professionals and/or casual homies alike.

However, a few drawbacks do exist.

Cable

The coiled cable, while providing flexibility, tends to become an annoyance over time as it starts to tangle after about a year or so.

Oftentimes you’ll find yourself wasting a bunch of time trying to loosen it up before you even start listening to music, and this can be a minor to major annoyance depending on who you are.

Padding

Another area of concern lies in the faux leather pads, which, although initially intact, exhibit a propensity to flake and peel over extended use, leaving plenty of debris: in your ears, on the floor, etc.

Ear Cups

Additionally, the earcup, held in place by a tiny slit around its circumference, can occasionally become dislodged over time.

With extended use and abuse, you will likely have to re-insert it, and this can also become a pain in the ass after a while.

Despite these nuances, the MDR-7506 remains a well-built and robust option within its price range, combining durability with a compact design for practical everyday use.

The 7506 further stands out with a free and loose feel in hand, an aspect that might raise initial concerns but hasn’t proven problematic for me thus far.

On the outside of the cups,

you’ll see that unmistakable lettering that reads “Sony”, as well as “Dynamic Stereo Headphones”, “MDR-7506”, and “Professional.”

The headband is stitched and provides sparse padding, and the top (as with the V6) reads “Studio Monitor” in hollow block silver letters. Note that the CD900ST contains gold lettering.

The headband adjustment contains a super robust metal piece with numbered indicators and the mechanism itself clicks rather nicely as you’re moving it up and down.

It also stays in place very well so you’ll never have to readjust after making the initial click.

All in all, build is very good with some caveats as discussed.

Comfort

All things considered, these headphones aren’t that comfortable and will dig into your ears after a while.

They are light, fit very snugly, and the clamping force is rather good, but the ear cups are fairly small and also tend to collect moisture while heating up pretty easily.

I’ve always considered this to be a hybrid Circumaural (Around-Ear) and Supra-Aural (On-Ear) fit.

• Recommended: Circumaural vs. Supra-Aural Headphones: Which Is Right For You?

In other words, it isn’t quite one or the other.

They rest on your ears, and around them at the same time (sort of) if that makes sense.

It’s hard to explain, but also depends on the size of your auricles.

If you have ears the size of Wyoming, it ain’t gonna be smooth sailing, I can tell you that right now. xD

Cheers big ears!

I would say comfort is about average, maybe slightly below depending on who you are.

One thing I find myself doing after around 30-45 minutes is pulling each ear cup a few times to give my ears a breather and also readjust the position they’re in.

Sound

The sound is a bit tricky to review since the 7506 is marketed as reference headphones and thus does a very good job in that regard.

• Related: The Best Studio Headphones For Mixing, Mastering, And Music Production

In other words, they will sound wonderful with certain recordings, and not so great with others.

For that reason,

the 7506 is fantastic for mixing by virtue of being some of the rawest and most honest headphones you’ll ever come across.

Mixing on them can be a bit of a chore because of the occasional harshness and sibilance in the high-frequency ranges, but that same “issue” actually becomes a huge benefit when you’re trying to dissect a mix and find flaws.

This is true for most headphones with a brighter treble around the 8-10kHz area, but the 7506 also has remarkable resolution – especially for a headphone in the $100 range.

Treble

Even so, the treble on the 7506, at times, can become fatiguing to the point of exhaustion.

I found myself having to take them off and give my ears a rest because of this.

Keep in mind that back in 2010-2011, I mixed with them into the wee hours of the morning, and, all things considered, they were still fairly tolerable.

They still work for casual listening, and I love them for that because of how neutral and revealing they are (outside of the hot treble).

Many people, like my boy Brennan Parker, will find them incredibly enjoyable for simply listening to music casually and nothing else.

I would say if you plan on mixing with these, do so at lower volumes to save your ears.

I also want to mention a great point that Fabian made down below in the comments and something I harp on quite a bit in articles and videos:

It’s that yes, the 7506’s treble can be a bit peaky at times, but a lot of this depends entirely on the track in question; how it was recorded, mixed, and mastered.

This is a concept that’s largely lost on audiophiles who refuse to acknowledge basic sound engineering principles; ones that will never change.

And the reason they refuse?

It’s because they’ve never actually mixed down a track and thus can’t understand that it’s the producer behind the music that has a lot of say in how something is going to sound.

Before I go off on a rant, I will digress for now.

Bass

For the most part, the bass is good.

It’s tight, controlled, and provides incredible detail and clarity. You can hear bass notes incredibly well, and the overall profile isn’t muddy, clammy, or wooly in the slightest.

That said, there’s a smidgen too much mid-bass emphasis which can put a subtle layer of … how shall we say, “hum”, over the low end. In other words, it almost has too much impact even though it’s by no means bloated.

Contrast that with the MDR-CD900ST; a more neutral representation of this area and arguably a better headphone for reference work. 

In any event, the 7506 was the first headphone that allowed me to discern very subtle sounds in my mixes, as well as my favorite music in general.

So they do impress in that regard and will likely cause you to look at music in an entirely different light.

Suddenly,

songs that I thought I knew front to back revealed themselves to me fully.

For that reason, it was an epiphany in every sense of the word.

Mid-Range

This is most certainly the 7506’s bread and butter, as the mids sound pretty much perfect to my ears.

It’s in large part what makes this headphone so incredible for mixing, as this area is the most crucial in getting the song right and having it translate well to pretty much anything you might play the track on (speakers, other headphones, sound systems, car stereos, etc.)

As a result, there’s not much to complain about.

You’ll notice vocals and instruments sound incredibly lively without really getting out of line or becoming too shouty and in your face.

Consequently, the sound is incredibly revealing; you’re going to start hearing subtle details in the music that you weren’t aware of before with cheaper products.

This is what makes the 7506 an incredible value and pretty much a jaw-dropping experience for the beginner enthusiast/producer like I was back then.

Few headphones beyond this price point reveal anything more, and this is in large part due to The Law of Diminishing Returns!

Pros

• Good for mixing at this price point. They aren’t perfect but get the job done. They are pretty analytical which lends itself well to studio applications.
• Exceptional clarity and detail. These headphones helped me discern small subtleties in my mixes as well as my favorite tunes.
• Solid Build. Aside from the ear cup issue, I could see these lasting long. They have been around since 1991, Sony’s gotta be doing something right, no?
• Tight, punchy low end.
• They are very flexible and fold in a myriad of different ways for added durability.
• They come with a nice carrying case and a 1/4″ adapter.

Cons

• The coiled cable can be a pain and get tangled frequently.
• Ear cups may start to peel after about a year or so, sometimes even falling out completely.
• Hot, sometimes essy treble.

Let’s take a look at a video!

Video Review/Discussion

Click the video for some BIG laffs. xD

Amp/DAC requirements

At 63 Ohms Impedance and 106dB Sensitivity, the 7506 is one of the easiest headphones to drive.

If you do decide on one, a FiiO K11 is a perfect entry point. Alternatively, the BTR5 or iFi Go Link is great for people on the go.

In fact, I just went on a beach trip and brought the 7506 + Go Link with me. Because the headphones are super compact and fold up really nicely, they’re perfect for any on-the-go scenarios you may encounter.

• Related: How to choose a headphone amp!

If you’re going to be doing a lot of mixing, you’ll likely want something like a Universal Audio Volt 2. 

That way, you can simultaneously mix with monitors and headphones and not even need to worry about getting a separate headphone Amp/DAC.

Who do these headphones benefit?

• Beatmakers on a budget looking for a good mixing option.
• Folks who like to hear subtle details in their music.
• Those who want great value, and an upgrade from their current earbuds or cheap headphones.
• People who want longevity out of their purchase. There is a reason these came out in 1991 but are still around today.

Final Verdict

Sony’s MDR-7506 is a durable, long-lasting set of headphones with an exemplary overall sound, fantastic mid-range, and excellent resolution perfect for the studio.  that won’t break the bank.

The treble can be harsh and fatiguing, the ear cups are prone to falling off, and the faux leather tends to peel off after some time.

Still, it’s a headphone that remains relevant even after 30+ years on the market.

For that reason, it’s an easy recommendation and a product I believe every person should experience at one point or another.

It was the first “good” headphone I ever purchased back in 2010, and I just purchased one again as you can tell from the brand-spankin’ new pictures in this article.

That said, I also just bought the MDR-CD900ST because I was curious about all the hype surrounding them. Are they better than the 7506 for mixing? I do believe so.

That said, the 7506 is never a bad purchase.

It’s one of those “aha” moments when you go “This is what music is supposed to sound like.”

Is it a perfect headphone?

Nope… but comes pretty darn close.

And, at the end of the day, I firmly believe every engineer, beatmaker, or producer should have one of these in their cabinet based on principle alone.

Learn More:

 

Sony MDR-7506

Price: Check Amazon! | Check Sweetwater! | Check B&H! | Check eBay!

In The Box

Sony MDR-7506 Headphones

Soft Case

1/4″ Adapter

Limited 90-Day Warranty

Specifications

• Type: Closed Back.
• Fit: Circumaural.
• Impedance: 63 Ohm
• Sensitivity: 106db/mW
• Frequency Response: 10Hz – 20 kHz.
• Material: plastic, a bit of metal, faux leather.
• Color: black, blue, red, some gold

Back Story

Ah, the Sony MDR 7506.

One of the most reviewed and popular headphones of the last 30+ years, dating all the way back to 1991 when it first came out.

To put that into perspective, 1991 was the year I got a Super Nintendo bundled with Super Mario World for Christmas. Yeah, I feel old.

This headphone happens to be the younger brother of the original V6 that came out in 1985, which was the very first headphone in a line of 7:

1. Sony MDR-V6 (1985)
2. Sony MDR-V600
3. Sony MDR-7506 (1991)
4. Sony MDR-7509HD
5. Sony MDR-7510
6. Sony MDR-7520
7. Sony MDR-CD900ST

I have owned both the 7506 and V6 at one time or another, and both served me exceptionally well.

The original V6 unfortunately has been discontinued after 35 years!

In fact, my very first set of “good” cans was indeed the MDR-7506 way back in 2010.

At the time, I just got into mixing beats and loved listening through headphones.

While others might have preferred studio monitors, I always felt like I could hear the subtle intricacies of sound through headphones a little better.

• Related: What are Studio Monitors?

Nowadays I actually like both, but tend to gravitate toward headphones because I just love them so much. <3

2007

I began making beats in 2007, and sampling in 2009.

In 2010 I knew that I needed to upgrade my setup in some way, as I was looking to improve the quality of my mixes. I was pretty much rocking an old Lenovo laptop and nothing else.

Before that, I had a desktop computer that you see pictured below, tower and all!

I don’t even remember what I was mixing with back then before I received the 7506 as a gift that year.

It could have been a Sony MDR-V150, but I can’t even be sure about that!

If I had to guess, it was these Logitechs that you see on either side of my computer monitor:

It’s rather strange to think about life before good headphones.

I sure as heck didn’t have any studio monitors yet either, and that wouldn’t come until 2014 when I purchased the JBL LSR 305s from Sweetwater.

When I finally got the 7506 in my hands and plugged them in, I was completely floored. I will never forget the feeling I got when I fired up a track and pressed play.

It’s almost indescribable.

Growing up in the ’90s, I was used to those cheap drugstore headphones and had never heard anything better. In fact, I just assumed that the stuff they sold in stores was the best I could realistically expect.

Wrong.

In retrospect, that sounds incredibly naive, but as a youngster in the pre-Napster days, this was all I had and all I knew.

Expectations

The 7506 completely shattered my expectations and undoubtedly changed the way I looked at music during those early days. That is no exaggeration.

Once you’ve put good headphones on and hear what music is supposed to sound like, there’s no going back. This is the experience that the 7506 provides and is certainly one that you won’t ever forget.

Many headphones have come and gone since then, and as of now, I’ve demoed over 135 of them. Still, I will never forget my first experience with the 7506, and firmly believe everyone should have a pair.

Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this Sony MDR-7506 Review and came away with some valuable insight.

Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!

If you love what I do here and want to support the blog and channel in a more personal way, check me out on Patreon and discover all the value I have to offer you.

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Would YOU purchase a 7506? Do you have prior experience with these classic headphones? I would love to hear from you. Until next time…

All the best and God bless,

 

 

-Stu

[Xtr@Ba$eHitZ]

Can’t decide which headphones to purchase? Interested in a complete buyers guide outlining over 40 of the best options on the market? Click on over to the best audiophile headphones to learn more!!

Be sure to also check out my Reviews and Resources page for more helpful and informative articles!

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