Sony MDR 1R Review | 93 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£260
  • Avg. price in US: ~$300
  • Form factor: over-ear
  • Connectivity: Wired
  • Battery life: N/A hours
  • Active noise cancellation (ANC): no

Sony MDR 1R review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.

5.6

Overall score

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 components:

80.0%

5.2

Technical Score

20.0%

7.4

User score

Good
5.2

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the headphones' technical performance, covering key areas such as sound quality, noise cancelling, microphone performance, battery life, comfort, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

52.0%

5.5

Sound

20.0%

4.5

Features

10.0%

6.8

Design

8.0%

3.2

Connectivity

6.0%

4.4

Battery

4.0%

5.0

Calls & Controls

Good
7.4

User score

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 components:

70.0%

8.0

User reviews

30.0%

5.9

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.0
(201)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
(201)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Very good
  • 2.1
    Gaming

    Score components:

    35.0%

    0.0

    Audio latency

    25.0%

    0.0

    Low-latency game mode

    20.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

    12.0%

    1.0

    Noise-canceling microphone

    8.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

  • 1.1
    Travel

    Score components:

    28.0%

    1.0

    Active noise cancellation (ANC)

    24.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

    18.0%

    4.7

    Weight

    16.0%

    0.0

    Multipoint support

    14.0%

    0.0

    Ambient sound mode

  • 2.7
    Calls

    Score components:

    28.0%

    1.0

    Noise-canceling microphone

    24.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

    18.0%

    0.0

    Multipoint support

    16.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

    14.0%

    0.0

    Companion app

  • 3.5
    Workout

    Score components:

    28.0%

    4.7

    Weight

    24.0%

    1.0

    Water resistance

    20.0%

    4.0

    IP rating

    16.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

    12.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

  • sony-mdr-1r
  • sony-mdr-1r
  • sony-mdr-1r
sony-mdr-1r
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sony-mdr-1r

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

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Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Sony MDR-1R is a premium closed-back circumaural headphone featuring 40mm Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) film drivers designed for balanced and high-accuracy audio reproduction. It boasts an expansive frequency response of 4 Hz to 80 kHz, an impedance of 24 ohms for easy drivability, and a sensitivity of 105 dB/mW. Key characteristics include an 'Inward Axis' structure for a stable fit and 'Silent Joints' to minimize mechanical rattle. Its main pros are exceptional long-term comfort due to soft pressure-relieving protein leather cushions, a lush and mid-centric sound signature with energetic bass, and a lightweight 240g build. However, cons include a lack of deep sub-bass extension, occasional mid-bass bloat that can muffle busy tracks, and a non-folding design that limits overall portability.

Technical Specifications of Sony MDR 1R

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the headphones' technical performance, covering key areas such as sound quality, noise cancelling, microphone performance, battery life, comfort, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

52.0%

5.5

Sound

20.0%

4.5

Features

10.0%

6.8

Design

8.0%

3.2

Connectivity

6.0%

4.4

Battery

4.0%

5.0

Calls & Controls

5.2
Sony MDR 1R has a technical score of 5.16 points, which is higher than that of 58.6% of products in this category.
User score

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 components:

70.0%

8.0

User reviews

30.0%

5.9

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.0
(201)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
(201)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

7.4
Sony MDR 1R has a user score of 7.38 points, which is lower than that of 71.7% of products in this category.
Popularity
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.
5.9
Sony MDR 1R has a popularity of 5.9 points, which is higher than 57% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

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 components:

60.0%

5.6

Overall score

40.0%

9.2

Price

6.7
Sony MDR 1R has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.7 points, which is higher than 45.2% of products in this category.
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology
When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.

Importance: HIGH

no
Sony MDR 1R does not support active noise cancellation. 27.4% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
What it is: Type of speaker driver technology used
When it matters: When the underlying sound character and driver technology matter to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

dynamic
Driver size
What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit
When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.

Importance: MEDIUM

40 mm
Sony MDR 1R uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.2% of headphones and equal to 53.6% of headphones.
Number of drivers
What it is: Total number of speaker drivers per earcup
When it matters: When multi-driver designs are part of your buying criteria.

Importance: LOW

1
Sony MDR 1R uses 1 drivers, equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=10 Hz

4 Hz
Sony MDR 1R reaches a lowest frequency of 4 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 97.2% of headphones and equal to 2.1% of headphones.
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Noise-canceling microphone
What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls
When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Sony MDR 1R does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
What it is: Shows whether the headphones can handle voice chat and calls in addition to normal audio playback.
When it matters: When one pair needs to cover music, calls, meetings, and gaming chat.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Sony MDR 1R is headset-ready, 84.7% is not. 15.3% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
What it is: Total number of built-in microphones
When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2

1
Sony MDR 1R has 1 microphones, more microphones than 25.9% of headphones and equal to 52.2% of headphones.
Boom microphone
What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity
When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

Importance: LOW

no
Sony MDR 1R does not include a boom microphone. 15.6% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
What it is: Signal-to-noise ratio of the microphone
When it matters: When call clarity matters and you want your voice picked up more cleanly instead of buried in background hiss.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >80 dB

?
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Connectivity
What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)
When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.

Importance: HIGH

Wired
Sony MDR 1R supports Wired connectivity, equal to 52.6% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
What it is: Version of Bluetooth technology supported
When it matters: When wireless stability, efficiency, and feature support matter more than treating Bluetooth as a box-check spec.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5.0

N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
What it is: Maximum wireless operating distance from source device
When it matters: When you move around rooms and want fewer dropouts from your source device.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=10 m

N/A
Audio latency
What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode
When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <60 ms

N/A
Multipoint support
What it is: Supports simultaneous connections to multiple devices
When it matters: When you switch often between a phone and a laptop during the day.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
Show more
Ambient sound mode
What it is: Allows external sounds to pass through for awareness
When it matters: When you need to stay aware of traffic, voices, or announcements.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
EQ support
What it is: Allows customization of sound profile via equalizer
When it matters: When the stock tuning is not enough and you want to shape bass, mids, or treble to match your taste.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Sony MDR 1R does not support EQ customization. 23.3% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
What it is: Dedicated mobile app for customization and updates
When it matters: When software customization, updates, and extra controls matter.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
Adjustable ANC levels
What it is: Allows adjustment of noise cancellation intensity levels
When it matters: When you move between quiet rooms, offices, streets, and public transport and do not want one ANC setting for every situation.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=4

2
Sony MDR 1R offers 2 adjustable ANC levels, more adjustable ANC levels than 92.6% of headphones and equal to 1.7% of headphones.
Voice assistant support
What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant
When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

Importance: LOW

yes
Sony MDR 1R supports voice assistants. 39.2% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
What it is: Playback time on a single charge
When it matters: When you commute, travel, or work long shifts and do not want charging breaks to interrupt listening.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >45 hours

N/A
Battery life with ANC
What it is: Playback time with active noise cancellation enabled
When it matters: When you plan to keep noise cancellation on for most of the day.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >40 hours

N/A
Charging time
What it is: Time required for a full battery charge
When it matters: When you often need the headphones ready again after short breaks.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=2 hours

N/A
Quick charge
What it is: Provides quick playback time with short charging period
When it matters: When a short top-up needs to deliver useful playback before you leave.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
Battery capacity
What it is: Total energy storage of the internal battery
When it matters: When you are estimating how much battery headroom the design may have before relying only on the official runtime claim.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=720 mAh

N/A
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Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Sony
Form factor
What it is: Overall design type of the headphones (over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, etc.)
When it matters: When comfort, portability, and isolation depend on the overall headphone style.

Importance: HIGH

over-ear
Weight
What it is: Total weight of the headphones
When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <150 g

240 g
Sony MDR 1R weighs 240 g, heavier than 57.6% of headphones and equal to 1.5% of headphones.
Acoustic design
What it is: Type of acoustic design (open-back, closed-back, semi-open)
When it matters: When you need the right balance of isolation, leakage, and soundstage.

Importance: HIGH

closed-back
Clamp force
What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head
When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

Importance: MEDIUM

5.8
Sony MDR 1R has a clamp force of 5.8, higher clamp force than 82.1% of headphones and equal to 5.7% of headphones.
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Sony MDR 1R vs the average headphone

  • 14 Hz lower bass extension
    Sony MDR 1R has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (4 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
    When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <=10 Hz

    Sony MDR 1R has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (4 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.4 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 60,000 Hz higher treble extension
    Sony MDR 1R has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (80,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    What it is: Highest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
    When it matters: When treble extension and overall frequency reach matter to you.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=24000 Hz

    Sony MDR 1R has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (80,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.80000 Hz vs 20000 Hz
  • In-line controls
    Sony MDR 1R includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
    What it is: Controls available on in-line remote of wired cable
    When it matters: When your wired setup depends on cable-mounted buttons or call controls.

    Importance: LOW

    Sony MDR 1R includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • 17 mm more spacious earcup width
    Sony MDR 1R offers more spacious earcup width than the average headphone (60 mm vs 43 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 43 mm.
    What it is: Internal width of the earcup cavity
    When it matters: When earcup fit affects comfort and pressure around your ears.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sony MDR 1R offers more spacious earcup width than the average headphone (60 mm vs 43 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 43 mm.60 mm vs 43 mm
  • 7 mm more spacious earcup height
    Sony MDR 1R offers more spacious earcup height than the average headphone (67 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    What it is: Internal height of the earcup cavity
    When it matters: When larger ears need enough space inside the earcups.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sony MDR 1R offers more spacious earcup height than the average headphone (67 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.67 mm vs 60 mm
  • 3 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    Sony MDR 1R has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (105 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    What it is: Sound pressure output level per unit of input power
    When it matters: When you plan to use weaker sources like phones, handhelds, or entry-level dongles and still want enough volume.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=106 dB/mW

    Sony MDR 1R has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (105 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.105 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 15x higher input power handling
    Sony MDR 1R has a higher max input power than the average headphone (1,500 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    What it is: Maximum input power the drivers can safely handle
    When it matters: When you pair the headphones with stronger sources or dedicated gear.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=300 mW

    Sony MDR 1R has a higher max input power than the average headphone (1,500 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.1500 mW vs 100 mW
  • 17 mm more spacious earcup width
    Sony MDR 1R offers more spacious earcup width than the average headphone (60 mm vs 43 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 43 mm.
  • 7 mm more spacious earcup height
    Sony MDR 1R offers more spacious earcup height than the average headphone (67 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
  • 14 Hz lower bass extension
    Sony MDR 1R has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (4 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
  • 60,000 Hz higher treble extension
    Sony MDR 1R has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (80,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
  • 3 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    Sony MDR 1R has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (105 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
  • 15x higher input power handling
    Sony MDR 1R has a higher max input power than the average headphone (1,500 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
  • In-line controls
    Sony MDR 1R includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • 1.5 higher clamp force
    Sony MDR 1R has a higher clamp force than the average headphone (5.8 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
  • 10.1% higher weight
    Sony MDR 1R is heavier than the average headphone (240 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
  • 0.7 % higher distortion
    Sony MDR 1R has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
  • 5 years older release date
    Sony MDR 1R was released earlier than the average headphone (2,012 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
    September 2012
  • 0.7 % higher distortion
    Sony MDR 1R has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    What it is: Percentage of harmonic distortion in audio output
    When it matters: When cleaner sound reproduction matters at louder volumes.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: <=1%

    Sony MDR 1R has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.1 % vs 0.3 %
  • 1.5 higher clamp force
    Sony MDR 1R has a higher clamp force than the average headphone (5.8 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head
    When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sony MDR 1R has a higher clamp force than the average headphone (5.8 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.5.8 vs 4.3
  • 2.89x more expensive
    Sony MDR 1R is more expensive than the average headphone (£260 vs £90).
    Sony MDR 1R is more expensive than the average headphone (£260 vs £90).£260 vs £90
  • 10.1% higher weight
    Sony MDR 1R is heavier than the average headphone (240 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    What it is: Total weight of the headphones
    When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <150 g

    Sony MDR 1R is heavier than the average headphone (240 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.240 g vs 218 g
  • 5 years older release date
    Sony MDR 1R was released earlier than the average headphone (2,012 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
    September 2012
    What it is: Official release or launch date of the model
    When it matters: When you want a newer model for fresher features, longer support life, or simply to avoid buying into an older generation.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=2020

    Sony MDR 1R was released earlier than the average headphone (2,012 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.2012 vs 2017
  • 8.4% lower user score
    Sony MDR 1R has a lower user score than the average headphone (7.38 vs 8.000).
    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.
    Sony MDR 1R has a lower user score than the average headphone (7.38 vs 8.000).7.38 vs 8

Graphic comparison of Sony MDR 1R and

Attribute category
Attribute
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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
United States

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about Sony MDR 1R?

  • Exceptional comfort, often described as 'pillows' for the ears
  • Sophisticated and stylish design with a premium presentation
  • Rich and liquid midrange that is particularly sweet for female vocals
  • Wide and airy soundstage for a closed-back headphone
  • Lightweight and sturdy build quality despite being primarily plastic
  • Dual detachable cables (one standard, one with inline remote/mic)
  • Non-fatiguing, smooth treble with good sparkle and no harshness

What customers dislike about Sony MDR 1R?

  • Bass lacks sub-bass extension and can feel bloated in the mid-bass
  • Subpar noise isolation due to venting on the ear cups
  • Large, non-folding U-shape makes them less portable than competitors
  • Average instrument depth; soundstage can feel disproportionately tall
  • Cable connection can occasionally swivel or rattle, creating noise
  • Midrange response is uneven, with a recessed lower-mid and forward upper-mid
  • Supplied carrying case is a soft pouch rather than a protective hard case

Expert reviews

H
headfonics.com
14/03/2015

The Headfonics review describes the Sony MDR-1R as a comfortable, "genre master" closed-back headphone offering impressive, fatigue-free sound with forward, airy mids and excellent instrument separation. While pros include high comfort, great stereo imaging, and engaging vocal intimacy, the cons feature a thin sound signature lacking the physical substance and realistic weight found...Read more

S
soundvisionreview.com
18/07/2014

The Sony MDR-1R is a stylish, closed-back, over-ear headphone priced under $300 that balances premium construction with a lightweight, comfortable design weighing just 7.94 ounces. Built with high-quality workmanship, it features unique liquid crystal polymer drivers and swivel ear cups that fold flat for easy portability. It is highly optimized for mobile use, offering a detachable...Read more

R
reviewed.com
30/09/2013

Sony MDR-1R Review Summary The Sony MDR-1R over-ear headphones ($299.99 MSRP) provide exceptional comfort and outstanding physical durability, featuring large, plush leather ear pads and a highly flexible, cushioned headband designed for hours of fatigue-free listening. Additional notable pros include an exceptionally responsive mic/remote, a tangle-resistant and completely...Read more

M
medium.com
31/05/2013

The Sony MDR-1R, as reviewed on Medium, is highly praised for its exceptional comfort, deep bass, and overall sound quality within its price range, note the inclusion of two detachable cables, one featuring a microphone. The headphones offer a non-distracting, premium experience that is hard to beat without spending significantly more, making them a top recommendation for...Read more

P
pocket-lint.com
16/04/2013

The Sony MDR-1R over-ear "prestige headphones" offer a highly stylish, lightweight, and sturdy design featuring three-dimensional flex earcups that provide excellent comfort for long listening sessions. Priced at a steep £300 on the official Sony Store, they can be found for a more reasonable £200 at other online retailers. The audio profile is far from neutral, delivering great...Read more

S
stereophile.com
17/04/2013

Tyll Hertsens' review of the Sony MDR-1R, MDR-1RBT, and MDR-1RNC for Stereophile highlights exceptional comfort, ergonomic design, and excellent build quality as primary pros across the lineup, with the wired MDR-1R specifically praised as a high-value, versatile portable headphone. The wired model delivers articulate midrange and clean imaging, making it a strong contender for...Read more

P
pcmag.com
05/04/2013

The Sony MDR-1R, priced at $299.99, offers a clean, well-balanced, and distortion-free audio experience designed for critical listening rather than artificial bass boosting. Its design is noted for being exceptionally comfortable and stylish, featuring luxurious materials and two detachable cables, one of which includes a remote and microphone. PCMagHowever, the review points out...Read more

U
uk.pcmag.com
01/04/2013

Review Summary The Sony MDR-1R is an over-ear, circumaural pair of headphones designed for serious music lovers, earning an "Excellent" 4.0 rating for its balanced audio performance across multiple genres. The reviewer praises its sophisticated aesthetic, which features a graceful matte black finish, padded leather, and subtle red accents. Ergonomically, the headphones stand out for...Read more

C
cnet.com
13/12/2012

The Sony MDR-1R Premium Headphones are designed for the luxury market with an elegant, full-size over-the-ear design. A major pro highlighted in the review is their extraordinary comfort, featuring unusually soft, pliant, racetrack-shaped leather earpads that completely enclose the ears and provide a great seal to block out external noise. Visually and structurally, they impress...Read more

H
headmania.org
07/10/2014

The Sony MDR-1R is a highly comfortable, closed-back headphone praised for its tasteful design, sturdy build quality, and engaging, euphonic sound signature, particularly at its European price point of around €130. Its standout feature is an addictive and rich midrange that delivers natural-sounding vocals and a tube-amplifier-like musical warmth. The headphones offer an energetic...Read more

W
whathifi.com
07/02/2013

Sony MDR-1R Review Summary The Sony MDR-1R over-ear headphones deliver a wonderfully natural, warm, and spacious sound profile across the midrange and treble, offering precise detail and excellent instrument separation from top to bottom. Despite Sony collaborating with dubstep artist Magnetic Man during development, the audio leans toward the low-frequency side of neutral with a...Read more

T
trustedreviews.com
21/01/2013

The Sony MDR-1R over-ear headphones are highly praised for their excellent hardware design, exceptional comfort, and street-friendly styling designed for commuters. Design pros include remarkably soft synthetic leather padding, a lightweight, durable frame, a tangle-free cable, and effective noise isolation for public transit. Sonically, the headphones deliver a smooth, warm sound...Read more

H
head-fi.org
11/09/2012

The Sony MDR-1R is highlighted as a visually appealing and exceptionally comfortable closed-back headphone, featuring lightweight, sturdy construction with premium comfort, plush ear padding, and a detachable cable. Acoustically, they offer a fast response and a textured, forward upper-midrange. Conversely, the review notes an odd, uneven, and potentially fatiguing sound signature...Read more

N
netzwelt.de
10/04/2016

The Netzwelt review awards the Sony MDR-1R closed-back over-ear headphones a purchase recommendation for their exceptional craftsmanship and highly balanced, neutral sound signature. Weighing 232 grams, these headphones offer a lightweight, high-end design primarily made of high-quality plastic with luxurious leather padding on the headband and ear cushions. A major highlight is the...Read more

H
hifitest.de
25/02/2013

The Sony MDR-1R over-ear headphones earn a 4.0 out of 5-star "Spitzenklasse" (top-tier class) rating from HifiTest.de for their strong performance as a mobile audio solution. Retailing at around 250 Euros, these closed-back headphones are built with high-quality, finely machined aluminum ear cups connected to a flexible headband covered in soft leather. The reviewer praises the...Read more

0
01net.com
22/11/2012

The Sony MDR-1R is a premium, over-ear (circum-aural) headphone retailing for €249 that balances strong audio performance with high physical comfort. Weighing 250 grams, it features a well-padded, leather-lined headband and deeply cushioned, height-adjustable rotating earcups that apply very little pressure, ensuring long-lasting comfort during extended listening sessions. It...Read more

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lesnumeriques.com
12/04/2016

The Sony MDR-1R is a circum-aural, over-ear headphone weighing 250 grams that originally debuted in 2012. Tested by Les Numériques, it achieved an overall editorial rating of 4 out of 5 stars. While it functions as a standard wired headphone, it features a built-in hands-free kit for calls. However, users looking to block out surrounding noise completely should note that this...Read more

O
on-mag.fr
28/10/2014

The Sony MDR-1RBT is highly praised in this review as a luxurious, technologically advanced, closed-back circum-aural headphone. It distinguishes itself from its sister models by incorporating Bluetooth 3.0, AAC/SBC codec support for near-CD quality wireless streaming, and NFC "one-touch" automatic pairing. It features high-end 40mm liquid crystal polymer film diaphragms powered by...Read more

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audiocasque.fr
10/01/2014

This review of the Sony MDR-1R highlights it as a highly comfortable and high-performing circum-aural (over-ear) wired headphone. It features an elegant, luxurious, and durable design with large, plush, replaceable ear cushions. Weighing 240 grams, it exerts ideal pressure to stay securely on the head while remaining lightweight enough to be forgotten during long listening sessions....Read more

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lesnumeriques.com
11/07/2013

The Sony MDR-1R is a wired, over-ear (circum-aural) headphone that earned a 4 out of 5 rating from Les Numériques. As the most neutral and purely analog model in the MDR-1 lineup, it side-steps the battery dependency and signal interference common in wireless alternatives. On the positive side (pros), the review highly praises its overall sound rendering, which delivers a distinct,...Read more

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quechoisir.org
21/05/2013

The Sony MDR-1R is a high-end, over-ear (circum-aural) headphone praised by Que Choisir for its excellent audio quality and superior build construction. It features a smart design with earpieces that can rotate 90 degrees, allowing it to be easily packed into the included rigid storage pouch. One of its standout functional design choices is the detachable cable system. The package...Read more

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01net.com
07/11/2012

The Sony MDR-1R is a high-end, circum-aural, over-ear headset with a total cable length of 1.2 meters and a weight of 250 grams. Priced at 249 euros, this closed-back wired headset includes a detachable cable interface and comes bundled with both a standard cable and a dedicated iPhone/iPod/iPad cable, alongside a convenient carrying pouch. Its core acoustic signature delivers...Read more

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air.iuav.it
15/07/2016

This paper introduces a novel sensory substitution algorithm designed for real-time blind wayfinding by converting continuous 3D depth maps into synthetic fluid flow sounds. The system divides an acquired depth map into ten equal vertical sectors, each operating an independent instance of a physically based bubble sound simulator to ensure effective source separation. Key spatial...Read more

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hardware.info
15/01/2013

The Hardware Info review highlights the Sony MDR-1RNC as a stylish, solidly constructed over-ear noise-cancelling headphone. Weighing 330 grams, it features an elegant black color palette with distinct red metal rings around the ear cups. For audio performance, the unit relies on 40 mm drivers made of "liquid crystal polymer," designed to deliver an accurate frequency range of 4 to...Read more

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