OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
Headphones Methodology v1.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Headphones Methodology v1.0

Sony MDR 1ABT Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£340Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wirelessBattery life:30 hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Sony MDR 1ABT Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Sony MDR 1ABT
6.6/10

Overall score

Score
6.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 66% of models
Score components

80%

6.4

Technical score

20%

7.5

User score

â–²Better than 66% of headphones
7.2

Value for money

Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Score components

70%

6.6

Overall score

30%

8.7

Price

â–¼Worse than 59%
6.4

Technical score

Technical score
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 67% of models
Score components

52%

7.0

Sound

20%

4.9

Features

10%

6.2

Design

8%

7.8

Connectivity

6%

4.7

Battery

4%

6.0

Calls & Controls

â–²Better than 67%
7.5

User score

User score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
Score components

70%

8.0

User ratings

30%

6.2

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 75%
  • sony-mdr-1abt
  • sony-mdr-1abt
  • sony-mdr-1abt
  • sony-mdr-1abt
  • sony-mdr-1abt
  • sony-mdr-1abt
  • sony-mdr-1abt
  • sony-mdr-1abt
  • sony-mdr-1abt
sony-mdr-1abt
sony-mdr-1abt
sony-mdr-1abt
sony-mdr-1abt
sony-mdr-1abt
sony-mdr-1abt
sony-mdr-1abt
sony-mdr-1abt
sony-mdr-1abt
Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Sony MDR 1ABT

Technical score
Technical score
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 67% of models
Score components:

52%

7.0

Sound

20%

4.9

Features

10%

6.2

Design

8%

7.8

Connectivity

6%

4.7

Battery

4%

6.0

Calls & Controls

6.4
User score
User score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
Score components

70%

8.0

User ratings

30%

6.2

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
7.5
Popularity
Popularity
6.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 54% of models
Popularity:
Sony MDR 1ABT has a popularity score of 6.2 points, which is higher than that of 53.5% of products in this category.
6.2
Value for money
Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Score components:

70%

6.6

Overall score

30%

8.7

Price

7.2
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.6% of headphones and equal to 53.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
4 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 4 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 97.2% of headphones and equal to 2.1% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
1
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 1 microphones, more microphones than 26.9% of headphones and equal to 50.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
yes
This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone. 86.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
?
Show more
Connectivity
wireless
This pair of headphones supports wireless connectivity, more flexible connectivity than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 49.2% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
4
This pair of headphones uses Bluetooth version 4, newer Bluetooth version than 57.3% of headphones and equal to 4.9% of headphones.
Maximum Bluetooth range
?
Audio latency
?
Multipoint support
yes
This pair of headphones supports multipoint. 69.4% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
?
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
?
Show more
Battery life
30 hours
Market range: <10 hours – >70 hours
This pair of headphones offers battery life of 30 hours, higher battery life than 46.3% of headphones and equal to 10.4% of headphones.
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
4 hours
Market range: <1.5 hours – >3.5 hours
This pair of headphones needs 4 hours to charge, higher charging time than 90.6% of headphones and equal to 4.6% of headphones.
Quick charge
?
Battery capacity
1,050 mAh
Market range: <290 mAh – >1k mAh
This pair of headphones has a battery capacity of 1,050 mAh, higher battery capacity than 91.3% of headphones and equal to 1.2% of headphones.
Show more
Brand name
Sony
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
300 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 300 g, heavier than 80.9% of headphones and equal to 1.3% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Sony MDR 1ABT vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    This pair of headphones has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • 14 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (4 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    4 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • Multipoint support
    This pair of headphones supports multipoint, the average pair of headphones does not. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
  • 80,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (100,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    100,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • More flexible connectivity
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • LDAC support
    This pair of headphones supports LDAC, the average pair of headphones does not. 8.1% of headphones support LDAC.
  • LE Audio support
    This pair of headphones supports LE Audio, the average pair of headphones does not. 11.6% of headphones support Bluetooth LE Audio.
  • 81% higher battery capacity
    This pair of headphones has a higher battery capacity than the average pair of headphones (1,050 mAh vs 580 mAh). The average headphones have a battery capacity of 580 mAh.
    1,050 mAh vs 580 mAh
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    This pair of headphones has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • 14 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (4 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    4 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 80,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (100,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    100,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 81% higher battery capacity
    This pair of headphones has a higher battery capacity than the average pair of headphones (1,050 mAh vs 580 mAh). The average headphones have a battery capacity of 580 mAh.
    1,050 mAh vs 580 mAh
  • Rechargeable battery
    This pair of headphones has a rechargeable battery, the average pair of headphones does not. 47.9% of headphones have a rechargeable battery.
  • Multipoint support
    This pair of headphones supports multipoint, the average pair of headphones does not. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
  • More flexible connectivity
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • LDAC support
    This pair of headphones supports LDAC, the average pair of headphones does not. 8.1% of headphones support LDAC.
  • LE Audio support
    This pair of headphones supports LE Audio, the average pair of headphones does not. 11.6% of headphones support Bluetooth LE Audio.
  • AAC codec support
    This pair of headphones supports AAC, the average pair of headphones does not. 32.2% of headphones support AAC.
  • NFC pairing
    This pair of headphones supports NFC pairing, the average pair of headphones does not. 11.7% of headphones support NFC pairing.
  • AptX support
    This pair of headphones supports aptX, the average pair of headphones does not. 18.4% of headphones support aptX.
  • Fast pairing support
    This pair of headphones supports fast pairing, the average pair of headphones does not. 14% of headphones support fast pairing.
  • Sidetone support
    This pair of headphones supports sidetone, the average pair of headphones does not. 25.3% of headphones support sidetone.
  • Quick mic mute
    This pair of headphones includes a quick mic mute, the average pair of headphones does not. 29.3% of headphones support a mute function.
  • Boom microphone included
    This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone, the average pair of headphones does not. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
  • 2 hours longer charging time
    This pair of headphones has a higher charging time than the average pair of headphones (4 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.
    4 hours vs 2 hours
  • 37.6% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (300 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    300 g vs 218 g
  • 4 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (98 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    98 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 3.78x more expensive
    Sony MDR 1ABT is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£340 vs £90).
    £340 vs £90
  • 7% lower user score
    User score
    7.5/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Sony MDR 1ABT
    the average pair of headphones
    Sony MDR 1ABT has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.47 vs 8).
    7.47 vs 8
  • 4 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (40 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    40 mm vs 44 mm
  • 5 dB SPL lower sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a lower sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (98 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    98 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • 3.78x more expensive
    Sony MDR 1ABT is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£340 vs £90).
    £340 vs £90
  • 7% lower user score
    User score
    7.5/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Sony MDR 1ABT
    the average pair of headphones
    Sony MDR 1ABT has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.47 vs 8).
    7.47 vs 8
  • 37.6% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (300 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    300 g vs 218 g
  • 4 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (40 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    40 mm vs 44 mm
  • 4 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (98 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    98 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 5 dB SPL lower sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a lower sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (98 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    98 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • 2 hours longer charging time
    This pair of headphones has a higher charging time than the average pair of headphones (4 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.
    4 hours vs 2 hours

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
coolaid710
≈ estimated
11/01/2016
Hands-on review · a month of use and LDAC tests
Verdict
Sony MDR-1ABT is comfortable and well balanced, especially with LDAC, though isolation is only average.
Overview video

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Sony MDR 1ABT

  • Excellent battery life of approximately 30 hours
  • Highly comfortable fit with plush, soft leather padding for long listening sessions
  • Support for high-quality Bluetooth codecs like LDAC and aptX
  • Detailed and crisp mid-range and treble performance
  • Intuitive touch control panel on the right earcup for volume and playback
  • Sleek and elegant premium design with minimal branding
  • Versatile connectivity options including NFC pairing and a 3.5mm wired mode

What customers don't like about Sony MDR 1ABT

  • High retail price point considered expensive by many reviewers
  • Lack of active noise cancellation (ANC)
  • Poor passive noise isolation, making them less ideal for loud commutes
  • Touch controls can occasionally be hit-or-miss or sensitive to finger placement
  • Recessed upper-midrange can make some vocals sound slightly hollow
  • Bass can sometimes be perceived as loose or lacking aggressive punch
  • Minimal included accessories, typically only a soft carrying pouch

Verdict

The Sony MDR-1ABT is a high-resolution wireless over-ear headphone featuring 40mm HD driver units with aluminum-coated Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) diaphragms, delivering an expansive frequency response of 4 Hz to 100,000 Hz. It supports advanced streaming via the LDAC codec for near-Hi-Res quality over Bluetooth and includes DSEE technology to upscale compressed audio. Key characteristics include NFC one-touch pairing, integrated earcup touch sensor controls for playback and volume, and a substantial battery life of up to 30 hours. Main pros highlighted by users include its exceptional comfort from soft leather ear pads, spacious soundstage, and agile bass performance. However, notable cons include a lack of active noise cancellation (ANC), significantly lower volume levels when used in Bluetooth mode compared to wired, and touch controls that some find inconsistent or prone to accidental activation.

Compare Sony MDR 1ABT with other products in the Headphones category

1Product to compare no. 1
VS
2Product to compare no. 2
VS
3Product to compare no. 3 (optional)

Graphic comparison of Sony MDR 1ABT and other products in the Headphones category

No results found