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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 MA900 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£260Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Sony MDR MA900 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 MA900
6.0/10

Overall score

Score
6.0/ 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 63% of models
Score components

80%

5.3

Technical score

20%

8.7

User score

â–¼Worse than 63% of headphones
6.9

Value for money

Value for money
6.9/ 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 79% of models
Score components

70%

6.0

Overall score

30%

9.2

Price

â–¼Worse than 79%
5.3

Technical score

Technical score
5.3/ 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 83% of models
Score components

52%

5.9

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.6

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.3

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 83%
8.7

User score

User score
8.7/ 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–² Better than 86% of models
Score components

70%

8.8

User ratings

30%

8.5

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–²Better than 86%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Sony MDR MA900

Technical score
Technical score
5.3/ 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 83% of models
Score components:

52%

5.9

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.6

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.3

Calls & Controls

5.3
User score
User score
8.7/ 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–² Better than 86% of models
Score components

70%

8.8

User ratings

30%

8.5

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
8.7
Popularity
Popularity
8.5/ 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–² Better than 81% of models
Popularity:
Sony MDR MA900 has a popularity score of 8.5 points, which is higher than that of 80.6% of products in this category.
8.5
Value for money
Value for money
6.9/ 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 79% of models
Score components:

70%

6.0

Overall score

30%

9.2

Price

6.9
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
5 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones 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
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
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% 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
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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
195 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 195 g, lighter than 57.4% of headphones and equal to 0.9% of headphones.
Acoustic design
open-back
Clamp force
6.7
Market range: <2.5 – >6.1
This pair of headphones has a clamp force of 6.7, higher clamp force than 93.6% of headphones and equal to 2.5% of headphones.
Show more

Sony MDR MA900 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    This pair of headphones has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • 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
  • 13 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    5 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 20,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (40,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    40,000 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.
  • 10 mm more spacious earcup height
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup height than the average pair of headphones (70 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    70 mm vs 60 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.
  • 8.7% higher user score
    User score
    8.7/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Sony MDR MA900
    the average pair of headphones
    Sony MDR MA900 has a higher user score than the average pair of headphones (8.7 vs 8).
    8.7 vs 8
  • 44.5% more popular
    Sony MDR MA900 is more popular than the average pair of headphones (8.48 vs 5.9).
    8.48 vs 5.87
  • 10 mm more spacious earcup height
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup height than the average pair of headphones (70 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    70 mm vs 60 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.
  • 10.6% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (195 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    195 g vs 218 g
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    This pair of headphones has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • 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
  • 13 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    5 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 20,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (40,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    40,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 2 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (104 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    104 dB/mW vs 102 dB/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.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 2.4 higher clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a higher clamp force than the average pair of headphones (6.7 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    6.7 vs 4.3
  • 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.
  • 2.89x more expensive
    Sony MDR MA900 is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£260 vs £90).
    £260 vs £90
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • 2.89x more expensive
    Sony MDR MA900 is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£260 vs £90).
    £260 vs £90
  • 4.8% worse value for money
    Sony MDR MA900 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.94 vs 7.3).
    6.94 vs 7.27
  • 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.
  • 2.4 higher clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a higher clamp force than the average pair of headphones (6.7 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    6.7 vs 4.3
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • 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.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 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.
    May 2012
    2012 vs 2016

Video reviews

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

9.5
Bad Guy Good Audio Reviews
≈ estimated
07/09/2016
Re-review · long-term use and comparison
Verdict
Sony MDR-MA900 is among the finest headphones at any price, strongly recommended despite needing a powerful amp.
9.0
gl0ry
≈ estimated
09/10/2013
Early impressions · comfort, sound and build
Verdict
Sony MDR-MA900 is highly recommended for comfort and sound, despite a flimsy build and thin cable.
8.0
lachlanlikesathing
≈ estimated
06/03/2013
Hands-on review · comfort, build and sound comparison
Verdict
Sony MDR-MA900 is a very comfortable everyday headphone, though it feels flimsy and a bit conservative in sound.
Not graded
Not graded
Not graded
Shop video
Hands-on video, no verdict

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Sony MDR MA900

  • Exceptional comfort, often described as 'almost imperceptible' due to its light weight (195g)
  • Extremely wide and airy soundstage with excellent imaging and positioning
  • Easy to drive from any source (12-ohm impedance) without needing a dedicated amplifier
  • Lively and transparent midrange that excels with vocals and classical music
  • Impressive bass performance for a fully open-back design, aided by a 70mm driver

What customers don't like about Sony MDR MA900

  • Flimsy and 'cheap-feeling' build quality despite the use of magnesium parts
  • Sub-bass roll-off that lacks the deep impact required for EDM or hip-hop
  • Fixed, thin, and excessively long cable (3m) that is difficult to replace
  • Zero noise isolation and significant sound leakage to those nearby
  • Discontinued status makes them difficult to find and potentially expensive on the used market

Verdict

The Sony MDR-MA900 is an iconic open-back dynamic headphone featuring massive 70mm drivers, a wide frequency response of 5Hz – 40,000Hz, and a notably low 12-ohm impedance with 104dB/mW sensitivity. Key characteristics include its extremely lightweight 195g build and a unique 'acoustic bass lens' designed to focus low-end performance despite the fully open-air design. Its main pros are class-leading comfort for long sessions, a spacious and natural soundstage, and clear midrange reproduction. However, common cons include a lack of deep sub-bass extension, a somewhat flimsy and fragile physical feel, and poor sound isolation that makes it unsuitable for noisy environments.

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