Sony MDR M1 Review | 93 Data compared

double-arrow
  • Avg. price in UK: ~£180
  • Avg. price in US: ~$230
  • Form factor: over-ear
  • Connectivity: wired
  • Battery life: N/A hours
  • Active noise cancellation (ANC): no

Sony MDR M1 review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.

5.9

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%

5.3

Technical Score

20.0%

8.5

User score

Good
5.3

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%

6.5

Sound

20.0%

2.7

Features

10.0%

7.1

Design

8.0%

6.2

Connectivity

6.0%

1.0

Battery

4.0%

2.8

Calls & Controls

Good
8.5

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%

8.9

User reviews

30.0%

7.8

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.6
(207)
amazon
4.2
(161)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.6
(207)
Amazon_logo.png
4.2
(161)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Excellent
  • 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

  • 1.2
    Travel

    Score components:

    28.0%

    1.0

    Active noise cancellation (ANC)

    24.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

    18.0%

    5.2

    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

  • 3.7
    Workout

    Score components:

    28.0%

    5.2

    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-m1
  • sony-mdr-m1
  • sony-mdr-m1
  • sony-mdr-m1
  • sony-mdr-m1
  • sony-mdr-m1
  • sony-mdr-m1
  • sony-mdr-m1
  • sony-mdr-m1
  • sony-mdr-m1
  • sony-mdr-m1
  • sony-mdr-m1
  • sony-mdr-m1
  • sony-mdr-m1
  • sony-mdr-m1
  • sony-mdr-m1
sony-mdr-m1
sony-mdr-m1
sony-mdr-m1
sony-mdr-m1
sony-mdr-m1
sony-mdr-m1
sony-mdr-m1
sony-mdr-m1
sony-mdr-m1
sony-mdr-m1
sony-mdr-m1
sony-mdr-m1
sony-mdr-m1
sony-mdr-m1
sony-mdr-m1
sony-mdr-m1

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

?

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

Verdict

The Sony MDR-M1 is a professional closed-back studio headphone featuring 40mm dynamic neodymium drivers that deliver an ultra-wide frequency response of 5Hz to 80kHz. Weighing just 216g, it offers high-resolution audio with a 50-ohm impedance and 102 dB/mW sensitivity, making it efficient for use without external amplification. Key characteristics include a lightweight design with thick, low-resilience padding for extended comfort, superior passive sound isolation via a closed acoustic structure, and two detachable cables (1.2m and 2.5m) with secure screw-in connectors. Main pros highlight its accurate, neutral-leaning sound signature with punchy bass, smooth high-frequency detail, and excellent channel separation for mixing and mastering. Some cons noted include the absence of a protective carrying case, a primarily plastic build that some find less premium, and potential seal issues when worn with glasses.

Technical Specifications of Sony MDR M1

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%

6.5

Sound

20.0%

2.7

Features

10.0%

7.1

Design

8.0%

6.2

Connectivity

6.0%

1.0

Battery

4.0%

2.8

Calls & Controls

5.3
Sony MDR M1 has a technical score of 5.26 points, which is higher than that of 61.3% 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%

8.9

User reviews

30.0%

7.8

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.6
(207)
amazon
4.2
(161)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.6
(207)
Amazon_logo.png
4.2
(161)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

8.5
Sony MDR M1 has a user score of 8.54 points, which is higher than that of 72.4% 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.
7.8
Sony MDR M1 has a popularity of 7.8 points, which is higher than 65% 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%

5.9

Overall score

40.0%

9.6

Price

7.0
Sony MDR M1 has a quality-to-price ratio of 7 points, which is higher than 61.2% 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 M1 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 M1 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 M1 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

5 Hz
Sony MDR M1 reaches a lowest frequency of 5 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 86.3% of headphones and equal to 10.8% of headphones.
Show more
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 M1 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 M1 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

0
Sony MDR M1 has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 74.1% of headphones and equal to 25.9% 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 M1 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

N/A
Show more
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 M1 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 M1 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

N/A
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

no
Sony MDR M1 does not support voice assistants. 60.9% 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
Show more
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

216 g
Sony MDR M1 weighs 216 g, lighter than 50.4% of headphones and equal to 0.3% 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

6.7
Sony MDR M1 has a clamp force of 6.7, higher clamp force than 93.4% of headphones and equal to 2.6% of headphones.
Show more

Sony MDR M1 vs the average headphone

  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    Sony MDR M1 has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average headphone does not. 22.9% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
    What it is: Certified for high-resolution audio playback
    When it matters: When official support for high-resolution playback matters to you.

    Importance: LOW

    Sony MDR M1 has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average headphone does not. 22.9% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • Spatial audio support
    Sony MDR M1 supports spatial audio, the average headphone does not. 30.7% of headphones support spatial audio.
    What it is: Supports immersive surround sound playback
    When it matters: When movies, games, and immersive mixes are part of your listening.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sony MDR M1 supports spatial audio, the average headphone does not. 30.7% of headphones support spatial audio.
  • 13 Hz lower bass extension
    Sony MDR M1 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (5 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 M1 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.5 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 60,000 Hz higher treble extension
    Sony MDR M1 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 M1 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
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    Sony MDR M1 includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
    What it is: Shows whether the headphones end in a built-in 3.5 mm male plug instead of relying on a separate detachable cable.
    When it matters: When direct wired compatibility with older devices or adapters matters.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sony MDR M1 includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • Foldable design
    Sony MDR M1 has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
    What it is: Earcups or headband can fold for compact storage
    When it matters: When you travel often and want easier storage in a bag.

    Importance: LOW

    Sony MDR M1 has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
  • 5 mm more spacious earcup height
    Sony MDR M1 offers more spacious earcup height than the average headphone (65 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 M1 offers more spacious earcup height than the average headphone (65 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.65 mm vs 60 mm
  • 15x higher input power handling
    Sony MDR M1 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 M1 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
  • Foldable design
    Sony MDR M1 has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
  • 5 mm more spacious earcup height
    Sony MDR M1 offers more spacious earcup height than the average headphone (65 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    Sony MDR M1 has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average headphone does not. 22.9% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • Spatial audio support
    Sony MDR M1 supports spatial audio, the average headphone does not. 30.7% of headphones support spatial audio.
  • 13 Hz lower bass extension
    Sony MDR M1 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
  • 60,000 Hz higher treble extension
    Sony MDR M1 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.
  • 15x higher input power handling
    Sony MDR M1 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.
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    Sony MDR M1 includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • 7 years newer release date
    Sony MDR M1 was released more recently than the average headphone (2,024 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
  • 2.4 higher clamp force
    Sony MDR M1 has a higher clamp force than the average headphone (6.7 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
  • No travel bag
    Sony MDR M1 does not include a travel bag, the average headphone does. 65.2% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • 8 dB lower max SPL
    Sony MDR M1 has a lower max SPL than the average headphone (102 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    Sony MDR M1 has fewer microphones than the average headphone (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
  • No voice assistant support
    Sony MDR M1 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • No voice assistant support
    Sony MDR M1 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
    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

    Sony MDR M1 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 2.4 higher clamp force
    Sony MDR M1 has a higher clamp force than the average headphone (6.7 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 M1 has a higher clamp force than the average headphone (6.7 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.6.7 vs 4.3
  • 1 fewer microphones
    Sony MDR M1 has fewer microphones than the average headphone (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 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

    Sony MDR M1 has fewer microphones than the average headphone (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.0 vs 1
  • No travel bag
    Sony MDR M1 does not include a travel bag, the average headphone does. 65.2% of headphones include a travel bag.
    What it is: Comes with a protective carrying case or pouch
    When it matters: When protection in transit matters right out of the box.

    Importance: LOW

    Sony MDR M1 does not include a travel bag, the average headphone does. 65.2% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • 2x more expensive
    Sony MDR M1 is more expensive than the average headphone (£180 vs £90).
    Sony MDR M1 is more expensive than the average headphone (£180 vs £90).£180 vs £90
  • 8 dB lower max SPL
    Sony MDR M1 has a lower max SPL than the average headphone (102 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    What it is: Maximum safe sound pressure level
    When it matters: When high-volume headroom is part of your use case.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=116 dB

    Sony MDR M1 has a lower max SPL than the average headphone (102 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.102 dB vs 110 dB

Graphic comparison of Sony MDR M1 and

Attribute category
Attribute
No results found

Third-party reviews

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about Sony MDR M1?

  • Exceptional long-term comfort due to lightweight design (216g) and thick padding
  • Balanced, neutral sound signature suitable for professional mixing and mastering
  • Excellent isolation with minimal sound leakage for studio recording sessions
  • Includes two detachable, high-quality screw-in cables (1.2m and 2.5m)
  • Easy to drive even with mobile devices due to low 50-ohm impedance
  • Improved sub-bass response and smoother highs compared to the older MDR-7506
  • High-resolution audio support with a wide frequency range (5Hz to 80kHz)

What customers dislike about Sony MDR M1?

  • Does not include a carrying case or protective bag
  • Primarily plastic construction can feel flimsy to some users for the $249 price point
  • Inability of earcups to fully rotate or fold inward for more compact storage
  • Some users report a 'muddy' or 'congested' sound compared to open-back alternatives
  • Earpads can cause heat build-up during multi-hour sessions
  • Restrained high-frequency reproduction may be too defensive for some critical monitoring tasks

Expert reviews

P
proaudio.tech
24/06/2025

The proaudio.tech review evaluates the Sony MDR-M1, a pair of closed studio headphones equipped with a 40mm dynamic driver, an impedance of 50 ohms, and an expansive frequency range stretching up to 80kHz. The reviewer highlights several major pros, emphasizing its remarkably linear and well-balanced sound reproduction across the bass, midrange, and treble regions, which provides...Read more

H
headphonecheck.com
16/01/2025

The Sony MDR-M1 is a lightweight, closed-back studio headphone designed for long creative sessions, weighing just 215 grams. It features an impressive, extended frequency range of 5 Hz to 80 kHz driven by 40mm HD dynamic drivers. This hardware delivers a clean, spacious, and airy presentation with a punchy, fun bass response that outperforms the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro in the low...Read more

G
gearspace.com
16/10/2024

The Gearspace review of the Sony MDR-M1Go to product viewer dialog for this item. highlights these closed-back studio monitors as a highly capable, unhyped tool for critical tracking and mixing, praising their exceptional comfort, lightweight design, and impressive soundstage for a closed design. Sonically, they offer a neutral response with accurate low end, clean mids, and...Read more

W
wired.com
19/11/2024

The WIRED review of the Sony MDR-M1 studio headphones awards the product a 9/10 rating, highlighting them as a pro-grade, worthy premium evolution of the iconic MDR-7506 model. On the positive side (pros), the headphones deliver a highly clear and detailed neutral sound signature featuring an ultra-wide, extended frequency response of 5 Hz to 80 kHz, which translates to a tighter,...Read more

P
pcmag.com
04/12/2024

The Sony MDR-M1 ($249.99) are Editors' Choice studio headphones providing a highly accurate, neutral sound signature with exceptional instrument separation and comfort, suitable for professional tracking. Pros include high-resolution audio support, durable build, and secure, detachable cables. Conversely, the, lack of an included protective case is noted as a drawback, and the flat,...Read more

S
soundguys.com
06/12/2024

The SoundGuys review of the Sony MDR-M1 highlights these 216-gram, closed-back wired headphones as a comfortable, modern successor to the MDR-7506 featuring deep ear pads, two detachable cables with threaded plugs, and easy drivability without an amplifier. While praised for its low-mass design preventing fatigue, the unit faces cons regarding a notable 5 kHz distortion at high...Read more

M
musicradar.com
21/08/2025

The Sony MDR-M1 studio headphones are positioned as the spiritual successor to the iconic MDR-7506, but they establish a completely different sonic identity. Priced significantly higher at $269.99, these closed-back, over-ear headphones feature a wider frequency response (5 Hz to 80,000 Hz), lower impedance (50 Ohm), and a lighter, redesigned chassis built for lasting comfort....Read more

S
soundgale.com
24/08/2025

The Sony MDR-M1 is a lightweight, closed-back studio headphone that weighs just 216 grams and features a highly functional, swivel-earcup design with dual detachable cables. In terms of audio performance, the headphones deliver a surprisingly wide and balanced frequency response for a closed-back model, characterized by an impressive depth in the low frequencies with a specific...Read more

M
musictech.com
07/11/2024

Sony MDR-M1 Review Summary The Sony MDR-M1 closed-back reference headphones deliver an exceptionally neutral, clean, and open soundstage tailored specifically for mixing and mastering at an affordable price of £209. Weighing only 216 grams, they feature highly comfortable, user-replaceable soft leather ear pads and swivel ear cups designed for extended studio sessions. Equipped with...Read more

H
head-fi.org
08/11/2024

The Sony MDR-M1 is recognized in Head-Fi reviews as a balanced, modernized closed-back monitor, featuring a controlled low-end foundation that provides deep sub-bass without interfering with the midrange. Key pros include a smooth, non-fatiguing treble, a lightweight 216g design with soft memory foam for long-term comfort, and a 50-ohm, easy-to-drive impedance suitable for various...Read more

S
soundonsound.com
15/11/2024

The Sony MDR-M1 is a lightweight (216g), closed-back studio headphone featuring 40mm moving-coil drivers and a nominal impedance of 50Ω. Designed by Sony’s Professional division, it emphasizes "ultra-wideband playback" with a Hi-Res Audio certification, claiming an extensive frequency response from 5Hz up to 80kHz. In terms of positives, the reviewer highlights its clean,...Read more

U
uk.pcmag.com
04/12/2024

The Sony MDR-M1 studio headphones ($249.99) earn an outstanding 4.5 out of 5 rating and an Editors' Choice award for their highly accurate, neutral audio response and exceptional comfort. Designed with a classic black plastic chassis featuring red and blue channel markers, they stand out due to extra-thick earcup padding and a lightweight 7.6-ounce build that makes them comfortable...Read more

A
audioxpress.com
01/05/2025

The Sony MDR-M1 is a $249.99 closed-back professional monitor headphone designed to succeed the classic MDR-7506 by delivering enhanced durability and high-resolution performance for mixing and mastering. Reviewer Brent Butterworth highlights several build quality pros, including a highly rugged design, a softly padded headband, and dual detachable cables featuring a secure threaded...Read more

P
proaudio.de
24/06/2025

The proaudio.de review of the Sony MDR-M1Go to product viewer dialog for this item. highlights these closed-back studio headphones as a highly capable, high-resolution tool for music production and mixing. Introduced in September 2024, the Sony MDR-M1 features a 40 mm dynamic driver with an impedance of 50 Ohms and an ultra-wide manufacturer-stated frequency response of 5 Hz to 80...Read more

K
kopfhoerer.de
16/01/2025

The Sony MDR-M1 is a lightweight, closed-back studio headphone weighing 215 grams that delivers an exceptionally wide frequency response from 5 Hz to 80 kHz. Built primarily from plastic, its compact and timeless design offers an incredibly comfortable, loose-yet-secure fit with precise headband adjustments and rotatable earcups that prevent heat buildup. Its low 50-ohm impedance...Read more

P
pcwelt.de
17/10/2024

The Sony MDR-M1 is a lightweight, closed-back over-ear headphone specifically engineered for professional audio creators and studio monitoring. Weighing only 216 grams without its cable, the headset provides exceptional comfort during prolonged mixing or listening sessions. It delivers an uncolored, high-resolution frequency response ranging from 5 Hz to 80,000 Hz, capturing...Read more

I
id.nl
20/12/2024

The ID.nl review identifies the Sony MDR-M1 as a long-awaited successor to the MDR-7506, designed specifically for professional audio editing, mixing, and video production. The 40mm drivers produce an extremely flat and neutral sound profile with an wide 5 Hz to 80 kHz frequency response, featuring exceptional comfort through a 216-gram frame and redesigned, soft headband. Key...Read more

Video reviews

Compare Sony MDR M1 with

VS
VS

Compare