SonyMDR-M1 Professional Reference Closed Monitor Headphones

Bought as a set to augment my wonderful but creaky sounding headband equipped Audeze LCD-1’s. I love those, but the headband has always made an annoying creaky noise with every little head moment.These don’t do that aside from appearing to use what very well could have been Sony parts for their headband system. They look very close if you compare images of the 2. Even the BT WH-1000x3’s are a similar design.Regardless, these are quiet from a mechanical noise perspective.Here’s my mini “review” from a headphone group I’m in on Facebook:“2 channel hifi on the go. Or on the couch when I don’t want to disturb anyone.These are the most recent versions of the ubiquitous and long time standard issue recording and mixing headphones but boy, they sure don’t sound like I recall the venerable 7506’s sounding.These are good. Not just for a professional application product but also a hifi enjoyment pair of headphones.They’re actually quite neutral to my ears but not in a way that makes things dull or boring, or even critically revealing to the point of merely being a studio tool like NS-10’s or Auratones. Something built for a specific purpose but not because they actually sound amazing.No, these are just plain good all around.For closed backs they actually throw a decently wide soundstage and their imaging is pinpoint precise.The have adequate bass and sub bass when called for but it’s not overdone to the point where it bleeds in to the midrange which remains crystal clear, full bodied and tonally correct.The treble range has appropriate energy and sparkle and air, but avoids being bright, harsh or sibilant. It’s just right.I’m super happy with these so far.I may investigate different ear pads to get a little more breathability as they can become a little warm on my ears for extended sessions. And I think something a little softer that perhaps uses a different material be it nylon, micro suede or something like a fenestrated sheepskin could work.As is though, pretty darn great.And I hear their open back siblings the MDR-MV1 are even better. I look forward to trying them. But Sony nailed it with this set IMO. And I’m happy to have them.These are the Sony MDR-M1. I dare say a potential future classic continuing Sony’s long standing professional product range, but one that also absolutely works for enjoyable music playback with a nice warm cup of coffee or beverage of choice and your favorite tunes.”So yeah, as you might have guessed, I’m very pleased. As mentioned the ear pads can be a little cramped and also don’t breathe super well which is common for closed backs using pleather pads. An easy fix for not much money. Not everyone may even feel the need to do this.Fed out of my iBasso DX-180 these are just plain silly good and a lot of fun to listen to. Thought about the MV-1’s and the HD-550 and Sennheiser HD-490 Pro, but probably as a companion to these, not a replacement. As for now I’m simply too busy enjoying my music.Btw, these come with 2 cables, a 1.2 meter cable for portable use with a 3.5mm single ended plug and a 2.5 meter cable with a standard 1/4 inch jack. The packaging could have been a little nicer for the price. A included case or storage bag at least. But that’s a nit pick.

I leave quite a few reviews but damn this sound so good! Way better than all the other ones I had, the mix sounds really well balanced! I also have their lesser version which is the more of budget or entry level friendly headphones the MDR-7506 which doesn’t have a replaceable or interchangeable audio cable, this one does! It lasted me a good amount of time though the cabling on that one started to go bad with me probably because of my heavy and/or un proper use, get a case or somewhere to store it well! Gave me two different audio cords, sizes are a short and mid-length cable along with the headphones. I can see this one lasting me a good while! My ears are in a cloud ☁️🙏🏽✌🏽🔉Peace Y’all, mad comfortable 👍🏽!

I've been using the Sony MDR line since the late 1980s, when I bought my first pair of MDR-V6s and would've happily kept replacing them every 5-10 years or so had they kept making them. Along the way, I picked up a pair of the supposed superior successor the 7506, but for some reason the sound never clicked for me. Then in 2020, Sony stopped making the V6 (boo). I was due for a new set and went back and forth between a new 7506 or spring for the M1—and I'm glad I did.What I've never liked about any of the Sony headphones are the earpads, whether it's fake 'pleather' that inevitably cracks and begins to flake. The headband does eventually, too. And they make my head sweat, especially in summer or when worn a long time. What you're seeing on these brand new Sony MDR-M1s are an 8yo pair of Beyerdynamic EDT250V replacement earpads from my last MDR-V6, still in great shape, which fit -perfectly-, and a generic headband cover. Way more comfortable. (They appear still to be available, by the way.)As for the MDR-M1 set, WITH the replacement pads, they've super comfortable. Sound quality is superb and I'm hearing layers in the music I hadn't heard in years (and thought it was just my aging hearing). Dynamic range is excellent and audibly not quite as bass-muddy as the old V6s could sometimes be. One thing I noticed when I removed the existing M1 pads is the drivers in the cups are angled, unlike the old flat design. I do rather having the option of two different cable lengths and no more coils to deal with—the short one is a good length to connect to the DAC on my desk, although it'd be nice if it was maybe 1/3 longer. The alternate long cable, for what I'm using this for, is definitely longer than I need.I'll admit the sticker price is high, but I feel it was worth it.

Sounds great for a pair that doesn’t drain your account. I’m using them for mixing and getting full range from them. Haven’t worn them for extended periods so can’t comment on that and haven’t had them long so durability and hours of use haven’t been measured yet. So far so good though.