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Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
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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 MA300 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£55Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Sony MDR MA300 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 MA300
5.3/10

Overall score

Score
5.3/ 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–¼ Worse than 92% of models
Score components

80%

4.9

Technical score

20%

7.2

User score

â–¼Worse than 92% of headphones
6.7

Value for money

Value for money
6.7/ 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 87% of models
Score components

70%

5.3

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 87%
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 95% of models
Score components

52%

5.0

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.4

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.9

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 95%
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%

8.0

User ratings

30%

5.3

Number of reviews

â–¼Worse than 82%
  • sony-mdr-ma300
sony-mdr-ma300
Where to buy
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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 MA300

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 95% of models
Score components:

52%

5.0

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.4

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.9

Calls & Controls

4.9
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%

8.0

User ratings

30%

5.3

Number of reviews

7.2
Popularity
Popularity
5.3/ 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 57% of models
Popularity:
Sony MDR MA300 has a popularity score of 5.3 points, which is lower than that of 55.5% of products in this category.
5.3
Value for money
Value for money
6.7/ 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 87% of models
Score components:

70%

5.3

Overall score

30%

10

Price

6.7
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
10 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 10 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 67.2% of headphones and equal to 12.6% 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.
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
245 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 245 g, heavier than 59.8% of headphones and equal to 0.9% of headphones.
Acoustic design
open-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Sony MDR MA300 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 8 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    10 Hz vs 18 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.
  • 18 mm more spacious earcup width
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup width than the average pair of headphones (62 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    62 mm vs 44 mm
  • 1.8 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (3 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    3 m vs 1.2 m
  • 4,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 22 dB higher max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher max SPL than the average pair of headphones (132 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    132 dB vs 110 dB
  • 10x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (1,000 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    1,000 mW vs 100 mW
  • 18 mm more spacious earcup width
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup width than the average pair of headphones (62 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    62 mm vs 44 mm
  • 1.8 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (3 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    3 m vs 1.2 m
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 8 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    10 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 4,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 22 dB higher max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher max SPL than the average pair of headphones (132 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    132 dB vs 110 dB
  • 10x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (1,000 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    1,000 mW vs 100 mW
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 12.4% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (245 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    245 g vs 218 g
  • 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
  • 8% worse value for money
    Sony MDR MA300 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.73 vs 7.3).
    6.73 vs 7.27
  • 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.
  • 8% worse value for money
    Sony MDR MA300 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.73 vs 7.3).
    6.73 vs 7.27
  • 11% 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 MA300
    the average pair of headphones
    Sony MDR MA300 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.2 vs 8).
    7.2 vs 8
  • 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.
  • 12.4% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (245 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    245 g vs 218 g
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 4 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2012 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    April 2012
    2012 vs 2016

Video reviews

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

Not graded

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Sony MDR MA300

  • Natural and spacious soundstage due to the open-air design
  • Balanced audio response with clear highs and decent bass for its class
  • Flexible ear-fit mechanism that automatically adjusts to the user's ears
  • Long 3-metre (9.8 ft) cable providing significant freedom of movement for home use
  • Lightweight construction and soft earpads suitable for extended listening sessions
  • Good value for money as a budget-friendly home headphone option

What customers don't like about Sony MDR MA300

  • Non-existent noise isolation; outside sounds are audible and audio leaks out significantly
  • Subdued bass and rolled-off detail compared to higher-end models in the MA series
  • Build quality feels somewhat cheap and plasticky
  • Long cable can be inconvenient and cumbersome for portable or mobile use
  • Can be quieter when plugged directly into smartphones due to higher impedance (40 ohms)
  • Foam material and earpad swivel can feel less substantial or 'flimsy' to some users

Verdict

The Sony MDR-MA300 is an open-air, supra-aural (on-ear) wired headphone featuring 40mm dome-type drivers with ferrite magnets and a frequency response range of 10Hz to 24,000Hz. It has an impedance of 40 ohms at 1kHz, a sensitivity of 102dB/mW, and a high power handling capacity of 1,000mW. Main characteristics include its 3-metre Y-type gold-plated cable and a unique 'Flexible Ear Fit' mechanism that automatically adjusts the driver angle to match the listener's ear shape for improved ergonomics. Pros include a spacious, natural sound field typical of open-back designs, a lightweight build of approximately 245g for extended comfort, and an adjustable padded headband. However, its main cons are significant sound leakage and lack of isolation due to the open-back nature, a mostly plastic construction that can feel flimsy, and a non-detachable, extra-long cable that is cumbersome for portable use.

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