Sony MDR-M1 vs Sony MDR-7506: The student becomes the master?

Sony’s legendary MDR-7506 has dominated production studios for over 30 years. Now, its successor aims to take the crown—but can the new MDR-M1 fill such massive shoes? Let’s compare these professional monitoring headphones head-to-head to see if the next generation lives up to its heritage.

Editor’s note: this article was published on December 10, 2024, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Sony MDR-M1 compared to the MDR-7506?

Both headphones share similar DNA in their utilitarian design philosophy, but the MDR-M1 brings some welcome modern touches. While the MDR-7506 sports the classic 90s professional audio aesthetic with its thin padding and extensive branding, the MDR-M1 offers noticeably thicker ear cushions and a more refined look.

The MDR-M1 is slightly lighter at 216g versus the MDR-7506, and both models feature folding designs for portability. However, the MDR-M1’s ability to lay flat gives it an edge in versatility. Both headphones use primarily plastic construction to keep weight down, though they maintain metal reinforcement in crucial areas.

The MDR-M1 significantly outperforms the MDR-7506 in terms of comfort. Its deeper ear pads and improved seal make for a better long-term wearing experience compared to the MDR-7506’s thinner pads, which can become uncomfortable, especially for glasses wearers. That said, both headphones can trap some heat during extended use.

Do the Sony MDR-M1 or MDR-7506 have more features?

Neither headphone is particularly feature-rich, as both focus on their core monitoring functionality. However, the MDR-M1 adds one significant upgrade: a removable cable system. While this seems like a clear win, the MDR-M1’s threaded cable connection is somewhat puzzling, as it makes cable replacement more difficult than necessary.

The MDR-7506’s fixed coiled cable is extremely durable but quite heavy. While you can’t easily replace it, the headphones themselves are highly repairable, and Sony has historically provided service manuals for maintenance.

How do the Sony MDR-M1 and MDR-7506 connect?

Both headphones use standard 3.5mm connections with included 6.3mm adapters. The MDR-M1 comes with two cable options (1.2m and 2.5m), while the MDR-7506 features a single 3m coiled cable. Neither requires an amplifier to achieve comfortable listening volumes, with both being easily driven by most devices.

Do the Sony MDR-M1 or MDR-7506 block noise better?

The MDR-M1 takes the lead here with its improved isolation, thanks to its deeper ear pads and better seal. While neither headphone offers active noise cancelation, the MDR-M1’s physical isolation is notably better than the MDR-7506’s relatively modest 20-40dB reduction above 2.5kHz. However, both headphones struggle with low-frequency isolation, which is typical for passive noise isolation.

Do the Sony MDR-M1 sound better than the MDR-7506?

This is where things get interesting. While both headphones target professional use, they take different approaches to sound reproduction. The MDR-7506 maintains a more traditional studio monitor sound with clear treble emphasis and relatively neutral bass, while the MDR-M1 opts for a more contemporary tuning with a stronger bass presence and notably reduced upper mids.

 When comparing both headphones to our house curve, the MDR-7506’s frequency response shows an under-emphasis between 150Hz and 400Hz and an exaggeration between 2.5kHz and 5kHz. In contrast, the MDR-M1 exhibits a more pronounced bass response with some potential issues with vocal clarity due to its subdued upper mids.

Overall, the MDR-7506’s more revealing nature might be preferable for pure production work, particularly voice and podcast production. However, the MDR-M1’s tuning may be more pleasant for general listening while still maintaining enough accuracy for most production tasks.

Sony MDR-M1 vs MDR-7506: Price and availability

The price difference between these headphones is substantial. The Sony MDR-7506 is available for just $89 at Amazon, while the newer Sony MDR-M1 has a much higher asking price of $249.99 at Amazon.

Both are available through most electronic retailers in the United States, but you may need to seek out professional audio suppliers in other countries.

Should you get the Sony MDR-M1 or MDR-7506?

The MDR-M1 is a solid evolution of Sony’s professional headphone legacy, but its higher price point and different sound signature mean it’s not necessarily a direct upgrade from the MDR-7506. Both headphones have their place in modern production environments.

Alternative options

For those considering alternatives, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x ($169 at Amazon) offers a middle ground between these two options, with removable cables and a sound signature that balances modern and traditional monitoring needs. The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO ($169 at Amazon) provides exceptional build quality and comfort, while the Sennheiser HD 490 ($399.99 at Amazon) offers a high-end alternative with superior comfort and sound quality.

If you’re hoping to create 360 Reality Audio content, the Sony MDR-MV1 ($347 at Amazon) will be a better fit for you, but you may not appreciate the bassiness of the headphones.

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