Aloha friend and Welcome!!
Before we dive right into the Sony MDR 7510 vs. 7506, grab a snack, sit back and relax because…
You’ve come to the right place!!
What I will bring you in this review
I will outline the MDR 7510, and then compare/contrast it with the 7506 towards the end. ?
- Ratings/Price
- Specifications
- Summary
- Pros
- Cons
- Video Review
- Amp/DAC requirements
- Who these headphones benefit?
- Thoughts from Stu’s notepad
- Consensus/Conclusion
- Similarities & Differences
- Final Word
Now without further ado, let’s get rolling!
Sony MDR 7510
Ratings/Price
Specifications
- Type: Closed-back. Closed back vs. Open back headphones.
- Fit: Circumaural (over-ear).
- Impedance: 24 Ohms. What is Headphone Impedance?
- Frequency response: 5Hz – 40kHz
- Material: Plastic, faux leather
- Color: Black & Blue with a hint of Gold
- Weight: 9.2 oz.
- Plug: 3.5mm with 1/4″ adapter.
- Cable length: 3m
Summary
The 7510’s sport a 50mm driver size which contributes to deeper bass response and an impressive overall sound, clarity, and definition.
They do not fold up like the V6’s or 7506’s but do seem to be more comfortable than their similar counterparts.
Pros
- Durable.
- Great clarity, with a nice mid-range and treble.
- Very Comfortable for extended periods.
- Neutral, crisp sound. Very accurate and balanced overall.
- The 50mm drivers provide a very expansive soundstage. What is Soundstage?
- Good sound isolation.
Cons
- A few people said the phones were uncomfortable.
- Sound dead in one ear. This could happen anywhere from 0-2 years.
Video Review
Amp/DAC requirements
These aren’t going to need separate amplification and will sound fine out of your mobile devices. However, the sound will be improved with an amp, but it’s not necessary. How to choose a headphone amp!
Good options:
- FiiO E10k.
- Line 6 Spider IV 75w amp.
Who these headphones benefit?
Endorsed for:
- Classical
- Hip-Hop
- Rap
- Pop
- Orchestra
- Ensemble
- Movies
- Mixing/Monitoring purposes. Just know the bass is a little much for this.
- Field recording
- Voiceover
Artists mentioned:
- Bach
- Frank Zappa
Thoughts from Stu’s notepad
- If the sound isn’t what you expected at first, give them time. A few days of burn-in should really open things up and enable these babies to marinate a little.
Consensus/Conclusion
The 50mm drivers are a welcome edition. Bass is full, deep, and has a nice impact, while the treble and mid-range really come out nicely as far as clarity and definition. The headphones are lightweight, durable, and comfortable.
Similarities & Differences
Similarities
- Neither have a detachable cable.
- Both are great for studio monitoring, as they’re both fairly balanced for the most part.
- Both come with a 3m coiled cord.
- Both are closed back. Closed back vs. Open back headphones.
- The sound isolation of each is similar.
- The ear-cups don’t rotate on either.
Differences
- Collapse. The MDR 7510’s do not fold or collapse, while the 7506’s do. Keep in mind, the 7506’s are not the 2006 New York Mets, they don’t fold under pressure, they fold in a more advantageous way. 😛
- Comfort/Build. The 7510’s are more comfortable than the 7506’s and have a longer ear-cup that envelopes the ears better. They might not be as durable though. I owned the 7506’s for a couple of years. They are extremely solid and hold up well to continued abuse. The 7510’s aren’t quite as good in that area, though some people say otherwise. It’s kind of a toss-up. Also of note is clamp force; the 7510’s may clamp down a bit harder than the 7506.
- Drivers & Sound. The 7506’s have 40mm drivers compared to the 50mm driver of the 7510. This does enable the 7510’s to provide a larger, more expansive soundstage, as well as a deeper bass response with improved clarity. What is a Headphone Driver? The drivers are more efficient at louder volumes, and the treble seems more balanced on the 7510, which was an issue with the 7506. I found the 7506 to be sibilant/harsh at times. What does Sibilant mean?
- Ear-cups. The 7506’s have that awful ear-cup material that peels worse than aged sun-burn. I swear, it ends up being the biggest pain because once they start peeling its game over. However, the headphones are still worth it despite that flaw. I would buy another pair of 7506’s because the sound is that good. Also, you can easily replace the cups once they start deteriorating. However, The 7510’s boast a softer, more plush protein leather, and don’t seem to break down as easily.
- Frequency Response. The 7510’s are 5Hz -40kHz, while the 7506’s are 10Hz – 20kHz.
- Fatigue. The 7510’s are less likely to fatigue you over time than the 7506’s. I can attest to this, as a long session with the 7506 was like running a marathon or something. It’s mentally and even physically exhausting.
Final Word
I do think the 7510’s are pretty awesome, especially with those upgraded drivers. Do I think they’re worth the asking price? Yeah. For sure. Are they better than the 7506’s? I do think overall they are an upgrade in certain areas. The ear-cup material is better, the bass digs a bit deeper, the treble isn’t as harsh, and they’re more comfortable. They don’t fold like the 7506’s.
It’s hard for me to recommend the 7510’s over either the 7506’s or V6’s (because I love those 2 dearly), but they do slightly edge out both in terms of comfort and bass if you want more of it.
SEE THEM FOR YOURSELF ON AMAZON!!
Still interested in the others? The V6 has been discontinued, so check out my:
SONY MDR 7506 REVIEW!
Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this Sony MDR 7510 vs. 7506 comparisons.
Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Looking for something else? 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
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4 comments
Great review and comparison.
I have the 7506’s and have enjoyed using them for about 3 years now but do agree they are sibilant/harsh in the high range and somewhat lacking in the low. They also fatigue me quite quickly when mixing and producing.
Hey man!
Thanks for the kind words. I remember them being fatiguing as well. The sound is still very good, and by and large they’re worth it. I would buy them again without hesitation.
The 7510 were the Best cans I used….
Until I checked out the oder MDR-CD900ST (only sold in Japan). They ARE the Holy Grail of headphones. End of.
Hey Philip! Yeah, I have really been wanting to get my hands on one of those for a while now!! Perhaps you could send it over at some point for a demo. Let me know. -Stu