Greetings friend and Welcome aboard!!
Before we get into the Sony MDR 7506 vs. Beats comparison, grab a snack, sit back and relax because..
You’ve come to the right place!!
What I will bring you in this review
Because I have already written about both of these headphones, today I will compare and contrast both, then give my recommendation towards the end. 🙂
- Iterations of the “Beats by Dre” line
- Similarities & Differences
- Final Word
Now without further ado, let’s get rolling!!
Iterations
Wow. Okay. So before we even get into the specifics, let’s go over all the different versions of this headphone so we have a clear idea of what we’re getting into. This review will not cover any In-ear models. The models underlined in green are the only ones that have received overall positive reviews on amazon. I honestly wouldn’t even bother with the other models.
That said, if I’m missing anything, please let me know!
Beats Studio Wired (Discontinued)- Beats Studio 2.0 Wired Over-Ear (Circumaural)
- Beats Studio Wireless Over-Ear (Decent)
- Beats Studio Wireless 2.0. (Decent)
- Beats Studio Wireless On-Ear (Supra-aural)
- Beats Pro Wired Over-Ear (Decent)
- Beats Executive Wired Over-Ear
- Beats EP Wired On-ear
Monster Beats Solo (Discontinued)Beats Solo HD Wired On-Ear (Discontinued)Beats Solo HD “drenched in color” 2.0 (2013). Really? No.- Beats Solo2 Wired On-Ear (Good)
- Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear (Better)
- Beats Mixr Wired On-Ear (Decent)
So for the purposes of this article, I will be talking about the highest rated Studio version which happens to be the Beats Studio Wireless Over-Ear.
Similarities & Differences
Similarities
- Fold. Both can be folded for easy transport. The 7506 is a little different in that you can put the ear cups together and then push up, or you could simply push one ear cup upwards toward the headband, and do the same for the other side. The Beats Studio Wireless do not fold both ways, but they do fold in the second way like the 7506’s.
- Isolation. Both do a pretty good job of blocking out sound, though neither are noise cancelling.
- Circumaural. Both are Circumarual (Around the ear).
- Closed back. Both are Closed back. Closed back vs. Open back headphones.
Differences
- Weight. The Beats Studio Wireless is 260g compared to 230g for the 7506’s.
- Frequency Response. The Beats Studio Wireless goes from 20Hz – 20kHz, while the 7506’s go from 10Hz – 20kHz.
- Bass. With the Beats, you’re getting a head rattling bass. The good news is that the new version of the Studio Wireless improved upon the awful sound signature of previous models by toning down the bass and making the headphones more balanced overall. The bass on the 7506 is a little different in that it’s more textured. You’re hearing rather than feeling. It’s more intricate, revealing, and nuanced. It also meshes well with the rest of the sound.
- Treble. The 7506’s can get a little sibilant at times, while the Studio Wireless’ high end has been toned down some. It doesn’t have quite as much sparkle, which is better if you happen to be sensitive to brightness in that region. What does Sibilant mean?
- Look. The 7506’s have more of a professional look, while the Studio Wireless is more flashy.
- Portable. While you could theoretically take the 7506’s out and about, they do much better in studio and are meant for mixing/mastering purposes. The Studio Wireless is more of a fun headphone that does better in casual listening situations.
- Impedance/Amp. The Studio Wireless has a 45 Ohm impedance vs. 63 for the 7506. What is Headphone Impedance? Neither of these will need amplification either.
- Cable. The 7506 comes with a coiled non-detachable cable, while the Beats Studio Wireless comes with an optional cable that can be used if you don’t feel like going wireless.
- Carry Case. The 7506 comes with a pleather type of carry pouch, while the Studio Wireless comes in a fancy hard shell case. It also has fancier packaging in general.
- Bluetooth. The Studio Wireless has Bluetooth capability while the 7506 does not.
- Volume Control. The Studio Wireless has volume control while the 7506 does not.
- Battery. The 7506 does not run on batteries at all, while the Studio Wireless does and can be recharged.
- Ear-cup material. The 7506’s ear-cups do have a tendency to peel over time (for me it was around the 2 year mark), while the Studio Wireless’ seem to be a bit more durable as far as flaking is concerned. Both headphones’ ear-cups can be replaced.
Final Word
What you end up going with here depends entirely on your intended use. If you’re needing a good entry level studio monitor/mixing headphone, the 7506 is phenomenal. I would however go with its older brother the V6, because its treble isn’t as harsh and the bass is a little more realistic. I think both are great headphones, but the V6 edges it out ever so slightly. Interested in learning more about a closed back headphone with the best price to performance ratio around?
CHECK OUT MY OFFICIAL SONY MDR V6 REVIEW!!
If you’re going for more of a fun sound, and are looking for all of the features that the Studio Wireless provides, I would recommend it. Why? Because they immensely improved upon the sound signature, and it’s actually a very good headphone. The bass is no longer bloated and cheap, and the sound is much more balanced across the spectrum.
However, there is still a better option than that, and it comes in the form of the Beats Solo 3. Interested?
SEE IT FOR YOURSELF ON AMAZON!!
If you don’t need all the extra features, but still prefer a fun headphone, the M50 is what I would go with. Its sound is very comparable to the Studio Wireless, except it’s more articulate and detailed, with slightly less of an emphasis on bass. The bass is still tight and authoritative, but not as in your face. Interested in learning more about the M50 and 50x?
CHECK OUT MY AUDIO TECHNICA ATH M50 REVIEW!!
Well that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this Sony MDR 7506 vs. Beats comparison.
Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!
Which of these tickles YOUR pickle? I would love to hear from you. Until next time..
All the best and God bless,
-Stu
