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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…
Before we get into the Best Sony Headphones, grab a snack, sit back and relax because…
You’ve come to the right place!!
Choosing the right Sony headphones does not have to be an exercise in futility.
There are a plethora of Sonys around, but in reality, you can narrow down your selection to just a few and beat the odds by picking the correct one.
The unfortunate truth about Sony is that while there are a lot of models floating around, only a handful are really worth investing in.
Why?
Well, because the vast majority of them are horrifically tuned and typically emphasize the mid-bass over all else.
Hence, they’re targeted at unsuspecting consumers.
This results in a horrendous overall experience that will leave you filling out a return slip faster than Chris Farley runs to the buffet table.
The best one will not have an overly boosted bass, but the bass will be plentiful, deep, articulate, textured, and engaging.
I focused on headphones that have more or less a balanced sound but can still be used from a pure listening perspective.
In other words,
would you rather take the advice of all the rest of those cookie-cutter websites that recommend the same bloated trash, or would you rather choose the correct headphones and be happier than a pig in shit?
The 7506 represents my very first foray into the audiophile world. If this is your first experience in the world of headphones, prepare to,
Be completely blown away.
Have your perception of recorded music changed forever.
The 7506 remains relevant decades later because it’s crisp, revealing, and slams hard enough in the bass to work well for casual listening as well.
This is a producer/engineer headphone first and foremost, but it isn’t perfect.
The treble area will become fatiguing after a while which is pretty much unanimous amongst users.
Depending on who you ask,
the mid-bass boost may be a little much for studio work, but I found that while it was forward slightly, it still works incredibly well and I didn’t experience it getting in the way of the other frequencies.
Things to be aware of
Like the V6, the same applies:
The ear pads will start to peel/crack after about a year or so depending on usage.
The ear pads may also fall off. Luckily you can buy replacements, so the headphones in theory should last you forever.
The non-detachable coiled cable is a huge pain in the ass and will tangle up after a while.
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Still, there’s a reason why these have over 21,000 reviews with incredibly high ratings.
Accessories Included: None. The cable terminates in a 1/4″ but is very durable.
Amp needed: No, but definitely recommended.
Summary
Ah, the long-lost brother to the V6 and 7506. Enter the MDR-CD900ST. Sounds like some kind of abstract computer program, or a weird Spongebob episode (SB-129 anyone?)
Made in Japan, it was originally built for producers in East Asia following the success of the original MDR-CD900 in 1986.
The “ST” in its successor stands for Studio, and this updated version included a redesign of the voice coil and housing structure, eventually hitting the market in 1988.
That’s right, Sony specifically made these for a certain demographic of people, and it’s evident in the way they sound.
If you can believe it, they’re even more revealing than either of their siblings but ironically remain a hidden gem (perhaps not so hidden anymore?)
It can still be pretty difficult to find them, as they’re usually halfway across the world in some secret hidden lab that you can only access if you’re part of their cult.
Jokes aside,
they come across as very cold but extremelyrevealing, with an astounding mid-range that puts a lot of more expensive headphones to shame.
These puppies will reveal errors in the recording that you never thought possible.
In a nutshell, the CD900STs are meant for mixing/monitoring purposes primarily, and unlike the MDR-7506, don’t work quite as well for casual homies.
The bass digs down when it needs to, but it’s not muddy or artificial sounding. It also rolls off considerably more below 80Hz, and the mid-bass is flat as a pancake.
The thing to remember most about these is how revealing they are. If a track or record is mastered well, you will know. If it’s not, you’ll also know.
V6 & 7506 Comparison
In comparison to the V6 and 7506, the CD900STs have way less sparkling highs (a more recessed treble in other words), and a more articulate bass (but less of it) while being infinitely more detailed and revealing in the mids.
Strange to say, but the V6/7506 sounds nasally by comparison, and I would never use that adjective to describe my favorite entry-level headphones. 🙂
The pads are also flatter on the 900ST and the headphone itself doesn’t fold in the same ways as the V6/7506.
Cable replaceable/detachable: Yes, comes with 2. A 3 meter (9.8′) cable terminated with a straight 3.5mm TRS plug with 1/4″ adapter, and a 1.2 meter (3.9′) cable. Cables are comprised of silver-coated oxygen-free copper conductors and gold plated connectors.
Cable coiled: No.
Cable length: 9.84 ft.
Comes with straight cable: Yes.
Ear-pads replaceable: Yes.
Rotating ear-cups: No.
Headband Padding: Yes.
Headband Style: Traditional.
Fold-able: No.
Weight: 385g.
Accessories Included: Hard Case.
Amp needed: No.
Summary
Boy howdy, what a treat these were to listen to.
The sound is mellow yellow all the way, but there’s a magnificent sense of instrument separation and air going on.
To be honest,
these are some of the most natural-sounding cans I’ve ever put on my head, and I do think they’re worthy of being Sony’s flagship model.
The bass is tight and well defined, while also having a nice thump.
I never got the sense that it was trying to overpower the signature or get in the way of the mid-range and treble. This is how it should always be.
I listened to a good bit of selections, but my favorites were Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”, and Dave Matthews Bands’ “Ants Marching.”
The latter provided an excellent amount of Soundstage, especially for a closed back. It almost felt as if you were listening to music in person.
Billie Jean took on a new character and really came to life as well. There was so much more presence and liveliness to the song, Jackson’s voice, the instruments, etc.
Detail & Resolution
Everything seemed more detailed, with better resolution and decay than I ever remember hearing in the past.
I’ve heard the song a thousand times and it honestly felt like I had never actually heard it before.
Stuff was going on in all directions, but each sound had a purpose and clarity that I really appreciated.
With not a hint of sibilance, these bad boys just sound wonderfully full-bodied and alive.
You really come to an understanding of how intricate lyrics are.
A lot is going on with the human voice, and you’re able to discern words better than you could with your average Joe Schmo headphone.
On Fleetwood Mac’s Landslide, Steve Nicks never sounded so present. It was almost as if she was singing to you specifically rather than just hearing her on a recording.
This speaks to what I talk a lot about in my articles and videos: the Timbre, or, the unique tone of an instrument or voice.
In other words, how it may sound in real life vs. the way it sounds through headphone drivers. Put simply, the Z1R is getting much closer to feeling like you’re in an actual space listening to music rather than hearing the sound in your head only.
Overall,
the Z1R has a fast response, excellent transients, and handles the music with ease.
There’s a real sense of distinction with these, as the sound stands out in an enjoyable way.
Build & Comfort
Build and comfort are both top-notch.
For such a huge set of cans, these sit comfortably on my dome and are extremely lightweight but don’t feel cheap in the slightest.
In other words, you can wear them indefinitely without adjusting much at all.
You can tell Sony took great care in crafting them and they quietly exude elegance without looking overly flamboyant or obnoxious.
Things to be aware of
They look heavy in pictures but are light as a feather. Don’t let this dissuade you from considering them, though. They are fantastically built and in my eyes represent a true flagship model in every sense of the word.
I truly hope I’ve helped you narrow down your options to something manageable.
The dilemma with Sony is that while they make a lot of headphones, the vast majority of them aren’t worth your trouble.
What I’ve learned over the years demoing countless headphones (over 130 now) and products in general, is that my recommendations should always become fewer as time goes by; not the other way around.
This ensures I’m being as honest and transparent as possible about what I actually believe to be the best.
I hope I’ve clarified that for you in this post.
Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this article on the best Sony headphones, 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!!
Which of these are you most likely to go with? Do you have any potential additions to the list? I would love to hear from you. Until next time…
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 check out my Reviews and Resources page for more helpful and informative articles!
Stu is determined to help you make sound decisions, and strives to deliver the best and most in depth content on the internet! In his spare time, he likes to fish, paint, play guitar, pray, rap, make beats, take photos, record videos, graphic design, and more. His sense of humour, coupled with a knack for excellence and strict attention to detail are what allow him to stand out in an crowded industry.
Thank you so much BK! I’m actually going to go back and update this one a long with some of the other “Best X Headphone” I have some different articles on HIFIMAN, AKG, Grado, etc. If you want you can check ’em out here: https://homestudiobasics.com/best-of/ Just scroll down until you see “By Brand”
Official Review: Here!
2 comments
I love this. Thank you for writing this up to help others choose their headphones and all your reviews in general. Keep it up!
Thank you so much BK! I’m actually going to go back and update this one a long with some of the other “Best X Headphone” I have some different articles on HIFIMAN, AKG, Grado, etc. If you want you can check ’em out here: https://homestudiobasics.com/best-of/ Just scroll down until you see “By Brand”
Stay in touch!
-Stu