Sony MDR-M1: a formidable studio headset that has everything it takes to become a must-have

Every update to Sony's monitoring headphone range is an event worth celebrating. Like Beyerdynamic and Sennheiser, Sony is one of the brands with real classics in its catalogue.

Among them, we think of the MDR-7506which has established itself as an essential work tool for many sound professionals since 1991. Its reference sound signature has also allowed it to remain the only monitoring headphones from the Japanese manufacturer for all these years. But today, Sony no longer seems to want to rest on its laurels by unveiling a new product called the MDR-M1.

A premium complement to the MDR-7506

Launched at €249, the MDR-M1 is a step up from the MDR-7506, which still sells for €99. It improves on every feature, from sound to isolation to comfort. The MDR-M1, however, retains its iconic look and closed design, making it suitable for use in any environment.

On paper, its 40mm neodymium transducers are identical to those of the MDR-7506. However, according to the Japanese brand, they are composed of a more flexible suspension and a more rigid membrane. This new design would allow them to deliver a more precise sound on a wider bandwidth (5 Hz – 80 kHz).

Furthermore, the bass response would have been optimized thanks to the Beat Response Control technology, which uses a port integrated into the acoustic structure of the headset to control the airflow. By regulating the behavior of the transducer, this process would reduce distortion in the low end of the spectrum.

Sony MDR-M1: Tonal balance and easy power supply

This new architecture could distance the MDR-M1 from the singular MDR-7506. Despite a certain balance in the bass frequencies, the latter is known to generously accentuate the upper midrange. If this signature can be felt as an excess of “presence” making listening tiring, some sound engineers find it very useful for controlling a voice or an electric guitar with precision. We can therefore hope that the MDR-M1 will demonstrate more versatility, with a better controlled sound balance.

In terms of specifications, the headset boasts a high sensitivity of 105 dB and a relatively low impedance of 48 Ohms. It should therefore be very easy to power, like its predecessor.

In order to develop the MDR-M1, Sony collaborated with Mike Piacentini, the mastering engineer at Battery Studios in New York. According to him, the headphones would have a tonal balance “very close to the impression one gets in the booth of Studio A at Power Station”.