Hi friend and Welcome aboard!!
Before we get into the Sony MDR V150 Monitor Series Headphones, grab a snack, sit back and relax because..
You’ve come to the right place!!
What I will bring you in this review
- Ratings/Price
- Specifications
- Summary
- Pros
- Cons
- Video Review
- Amp/DAC requirements
- Who these headphones benefit?
- Thoughts from Stu’s notepad
- Consensus/Conclusion
- Final Word
Now without further ado, let’s get rolling!!
Sony MDR V150
Ratings/Price
- Check eBay!
Specifications
- Type: Closed Back. Closed back vs. Open back headphones.
- Fit: Supra-Aural (On-ear)
- Frequency Response: 18-22Hz
- Impedance: 24 Ohm. What is Headphone Impedance?
- Sensitivity: 98 dB
- Weight: 120g
- Inputs Supported: 1/4″, 3.5mm
- Cable Length: 2m
Summary
Ah, the good old Sony MDR V150’s. For the longest time I couldn’t remember what model these were exactly. I must’ve had at least 4 or 5 pairs over the years. Before I knew about the Sony MDR 7506’s, these were my main squeeze back in the late 90’s.
Though I did love the sound, there were always a couple of glaring flaws that I kind of ignored: Discomfort and build quality. Now the build isn’t awful, but they do have a tendency to snap around the adjustment mechanism area. Keep in mind that I did sleep with them a lot, so that definitely contributed to the stress. Also be aware that the ear-cup padding will flake and peel over time as well.
Other than that they were always a pretty solid set of headphones for me and held up admirably over time. I’m pretty sure if I bought a pair nowadays, they would last a lot longer (I’m older and wiser, hehe).
I had always thought the sound was good, but then again I didn’t know anything better. Comparing them to your standard set of reference monitors, these pale in comparison unfortunately. The bass is pretty muddied up, and the sound overall is just kind of mediocre. But they hold a special place in my heart and the sound is decent for what you’re paying.
Pros
- Decent sound.
Cons
- Build quality around the hinge/adjustment mechanism is poor. There’s a good chance they will snap on you like your high school history teacher. Lol.
- Comfort is bad. These will make your ears hurt.
- One side tends to go out over time.
Video Review
Amp/DAC requirements
None. How to choose a headphone amp!
Who these headphones benefit?
Casual listeners. Back when I didn’t know too much about headphones, I thought that these were cream of the crop. Lol. It just goes to show how ignorant I was.
Thoughts from Stu’s notepad
- Just know that although they say “monitor headphones” they are anything but. The bass response is much too bloated for them to be anything close to studio monitors.
- They do not isolate sound very well.
- If you’re planning on staying put with these headphones, they will probably perform pretty well. But if you’re going to be carrying them around with you everywhere, they’re going to inevitably break.
Consensus/Conclusion
A decent set of headphones sound wise, but the comfort and build issues make these a no go.
Final Word
I honestly don’t think these are bad headphones. If it’s your first foray, you could certainly do worse, but:
If you’re really after a good entry level headphone, I would most certainly go for something like a Sony MDR V6.
The V6 has been a quintessential studio headphone for many years.
This is a product that has somehow remained relevant since the mid 80’s. In the current headphone climate, that’s quite an impressive feat considering the over abundance of, well, nearly everything nowadays.
The V6 is one of the those “can’t go wrong” headphones because of it’s fantastic sound signature. The bass is rolled off but articulates well and even has some impact. The mid-range is pretty much flawless, and reveals details with stunning precision. The treble, while hot at times, has fantastic sparkle and resolves well. If I could use one word to describe this headphone, it would be Resolution.
This is a headphone you can mix down with or enjoy casually too.
Consider a friend of mine Brennan Parker’s experience after I recommended to him the V6:
Universe Man Music felt the same:
It’s just a solid headphone all around, representing that entry level audiophile sound to a T.
Well that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this Sony MDR V150 Monitor Series Headphones.
Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please Contact me!!
Would you still buy the V150’s for sentimental value? What do you think about the HD202’s? The 7506’s/V6’s? I would love to hear from you. Until next time..
All the best and God bless,
-Stu
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Sony MDR V150
Pros
- Decent sound for the price
Cons
- Comfort isn't that great
- Will break down over time
- Sound in left or right ear goes out