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ALTERNATIVES
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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 27 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£35Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Sony MDR 27 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

4.9/10

Overall score

Score
4.9/ 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–¼ Worse than 98% of models
Score components

80%

4.9

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 98% of headphones
6.4

Value for money

Value for money
6.4/ 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 93% of models
Score components

70%

4.9

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 93%
4.9

Technical score

Technical score
4.9/ 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–¼ Worse than 94% of models
Score components

52%

5.2

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

5.5

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

5.4

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 94%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 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 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

  • No image
No image
Where to buy
    N/A~ £35
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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Headphones model ranking

Ranked #1 of 1,029 models in Headphones (Overall score)

Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Sony MDR 27

Technical score
Technical score
4.9/ 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–¼ Worse than 94% of models
Score components:

52%

5.2

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

5.5

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

5.4

Calls & Controls

4.9
User score
User score
8.0/ 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 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 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 99% of models
Popularity:
Sony MDR 27 has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than that of 73.4% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
6.4/ 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 93% of models
Score components:

70%

4.9

Overall score

30%

10

Price

6.4
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
70 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 70 mm, larger driver size than 97.3% of headphones and equal to 0.3% 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
?
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
?
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
Show more
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.
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
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
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Sony
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
335 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 335 g, heavier than 89% of headphones and equal to 0.3% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Sony MDR 27 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 30 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (70 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    70 mm vs 40 mm
  • 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
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 2.57x cheaper
    Sony MDR 27 is cheaper than the average pair of headphones (£35 vs £90).
    £35 vs £90
  • 2.57x cheaper
    Sony MDR 27 is cheaper than the average pair of headphones (£35 vs £90).
    £35 vs £90
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 30 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (70 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    70 mm vs 40 mm
  • 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
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 53.7% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (335 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    335 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.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 13% worse value for money
    Sony MDR 27 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.43 vs 7.3).
    6.43 vs 7.27
  • 5.87x less popular
    Sony MDR 27 is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • No travel bag
    This pair of headphones does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • 13% worse value for money
    Sony MDR 27 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.43 vs 7.3).
    6.43 vs 7.27
  • 5.87x less popular
    Sony MDR 27 is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 53.7% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (335 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    335 g vs 218 g
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • No travel bag
    This pair of headphones does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 98% lower input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a lower max input power than the average pair of headphones (2 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    2 mW vs 100 mW
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 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.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Sony MDR 27

  • Exceptional long-term comfort due to plush, ergonomically angled leather ear pads and a well-padded headband
  • Impeccable build quality featuring a high-density aluminum frame and solid metal housings
  • Wide, open soundstage that is remarkably spacious for a closed-back headphone design
  • Rich, warm, and natural sound signature that is non-fatiguing for extended listening sessions
  • Strong, impactful bass response that provides a grand sense of scale without being overly aggressive
  • Highly efficient and easy to drive from mobile devices, though they scale significantly with a dedicated amplifier

What customers don't like about Sony MDR 27

  • High retail price is frequently cited as a barrier, with several reviewers suggesting they are better values when purchased used or on sale
  • Complete lack of a carrying case or protective pouch at a premium price point
  • Bulky, non-folding design makes them poorly suited for travel or portable use
  • Treble response is often described as rolled-off or blunted, which may lack the precision required for critical studio work
  • Lower noise isolation compared to other closed-back models due to the presence of air vents on the ear cups
  • The stock 10-foot (3-meter) cable is often deemed too long and unwieldy for desktop or home office setups

Verdict

The Sony MDR-27 is a premium closed-back headphone featuring massive 70mm HD driver units and an aluminum-coated liquid crystal polymer diaphragm, capable of an ultra-wide frequency response of 4 Hz to 100,000 Hz. Its main characteristics include an aluminum-alloy hanger and slider for durability, pressure-relieving urethane earpads for long-term comfort, and a high sensitivity of 102 dB/mW for efficient audio performance. The primary pros are its expansive soundstage for a closed-back design, exceptional build quality, and detailed, non-fatiguing sound signature that includes both 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced detachable cables. However, notable cons include its bulky, non-foldable frame, a recessed midrange that can make vocals feel distant, and the lack of an included carrying case despite its high price point.

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