OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
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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.
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Sony MDR 1ADAC Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£320Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Sony MDR 1ADAC 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 1ADAC
6.3/10

Overall score

Score
6.3/ 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 54% of models
Score components

80%

6.1

Technical score

20%

7.2

User score

â–²Better than 54% of headphones
7.0

Value for money

Value for money
7.0/ 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 73% of models
Score components

70%

6.3

Overall score

30%

8.8

Price

â–¼Worse than 73%
6.1

Technical score

Technical score
6.1/ 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 58% of models
Score components

52%

7.1

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.6

Design

8%

5.4

Connectivity

6%

3.8

Battery

4%

5.9

Calls & Controls

â–²Better than 58%
7.2

User score

User score
7.2/ 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 82% of models
Score components

70%

7.9

User ratings

30%

5.6

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 82%
  • sony-mdr-1adac
sony-mdr-1adac
Where to buy
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Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Sony MDR 1ADAC

Technical score
Technical score
6.1/ 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 58% of models
Score components:

52%

7.1

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.6

Design

8%

5.4

Connectivity

6%

3.8

Battery

4%

5.9

Calls & Controls

6.1
User score
User score
7.2/ 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 82% of models
Score components

70%

7.9

User ratings

30%

5.6

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
7.2
Popularity
Popularity
5.6/ 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–¼ Worse than 53% of models
Popularity:
Sony MDR 1ADAC has a popularity score of 5.6 points, which is lower than that of 52.4% of products in this category.
5.6
Value for money
Value for money
7.0/ 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 73% of models
Score components:

70%

6.3

Overall score

30%

8.8

Price

7.0
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
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
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Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
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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
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
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
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support 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
3.6
Market range: <2.5 – >6.1
This pair of headphones has a clamp force of 3.6, lower clamp force than 60.4% of headphones and equal to 7.6% of headphones.
Show more

Sony MDR 1ADAC 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
  • 0.29 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.01 % vs 0.3 %
  • LDAC support
    This pair of headphones supports LDAC, the average pair of headphones does not. 8.1% of headphones support LDAC.
  • AptX Adaptive support
    This pair of headphones supports aptX Adaptive, the average pair of headphones does not. 6.7% of headphones support aptX Adaptive.
  • On-device controls
    This pair of headphones includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • 24 mm more spacious earcup height
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup height than the average pair of headphones (84 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    84 mm vs 60 mm
  • 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
  • 24 mm more spacious earcup height
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup height than the average pair of headphones (84 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    84 mm vs 60 mm
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 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
  • 0.29 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.01 % vs 0.3 %
  • 15x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (1,500 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    1,500 mW vs 100 mW
  • 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.
  • LDAC support
    This pair of headphones supports LDAC, the average pair of headphones does not. 8.1% of headphones support LDAC.
  • AptX Adaptive support
    This pair of headphones supports aptX Adaptive, the average pair of headphones does not. 6.7% of headphones support aptX Adaptive.
  • AAC codec support
    This pair of headphones supports AAC, the average pair of headphones does not. 32.2% of headphones support AAC.
  • Dongle included
    This pair of headphones includes a dongle, the average pair of headphones does not. 4.6% of headphones include a dongle.
  • NFC pairing
    This pair of headphones supports NFC pairing, the average pair of headphones does not. 11.7% of headphones support NFC pairing.
  • On-device controls
    This pair of headphones includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • 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
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • 3.56x more expensive
    Sony MDR 1ADAC is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£320 vs £90).
    £320 vs £90
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • 11.3% lower user score
    User score
    7.2/ 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 1ADAC
    the average pair of headphones
    Sony MDR 1ADAC has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.19 vs 8).
    7.19 vs 8
  • 3.1% worse value for money
    Sony MDR 1ADAC has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (7.05 vs 7.3).
    7.05 vs 7.27
  • 3.56x more expensive
    Sony MDR 1ADAC is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£320 vs £90).
    £320 vs £90
  • 11.3% lower user score
    User score
    7.2/ 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 1ADAC
    the average pair of headphones
    Sony MDR 1ADAC has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.19 vs 8).
    7.19 vs 8
  • 3.1% worse value for money
    Sony MDR 1ADAC has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (7.05 vs 7.3).
    7.05 vs 7.27
  • 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
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.

Video reviews

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

9.0
Mahesh Walatara
≈ estimated
26/06/2021
Unboxing and review · lossless audio and sound tests
Verdict
Sony MDR-1ADAC is the best-sounding headphone so far, with a clear lossless gain from its built-in DAC.

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 1ADAC

  • Excellent sound quality, clarity, and detail when using the built-in DAC
  • Exceptionally soft earpads and lightweight frame make them stupidly comfortable
  • Integrated DAC eliminates the need for bulky external portable amplifiers
  • Comes with an extensive assortment of digital cables for Lightning, Walkman, and PC connections
  • Very deep, powerful sub-bass extension and warm, full-bodied signature
  • Premium aesthetics and highly durable mechanical build quality

What customers don't like about Sony MDR 1ADAC

  • Passive isolation is subpar due to the ported closed-back design
  • Requires frequent USB charging to use the internal DAC functionality
  • Mid-bass can suffer from bloat and bleed heavily into the lower midrange
  • Separate dedicated ports for digital audio playback and charging are inconvenient
  • Vocals can sound slightly distant and lose detail when the DAC is actively running
  • The 7 to 8-hour battery life on internal amplification is relatively short

Verdict

The Sony MDR-1ADAC is a closed-back, high-resolution headphone featuring a built-in S-Master HX digital amplifier and DAC capable of decoding PCM up to 192kHz/24-bit and DSD128. It is equipped with 40mm aluminum-coated Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) drivers that provide an expansive frequency response of 4Hz to 40kHz digitally and up to 100kHz via analog connection. Main characteristics include multiple digital inputs for direct connection to iOS, Android, and PC devices, alongside a rotary volume dial and approximately 7.5 to 8 hours of battery life. Pros include a warm, bass-rich sound signature, exceptional long-term wearing comfort with pressure-relieving earpads, and the convenience of high-fidelity audio without an external stack. However, cons include a relatively short battery life for a wired device, mediocre noise isolation in loud environments, and reported warmth issues during extended summer use.

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