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Sony MDR-M1 | studio headphones

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vulkarie

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Nov 6, 2024
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Sony's newest release of closed-backed studio monitor, the successor of the MDR-7506, Sony MDR-M1...

1730909247001.png

Would be good if someone hands to Amir this for review and testing, sounds promising.

1730909472601.png


Early frequency response of the M1 compared to the 7506 (yaxi) and Fiio FT1 by gadgetrytech....


Pricing and availability:
The MDR-M1 headphones are available for $249.99 MSRP USD/ $349.99 MSRP CAD and available for pre-order today at Sony.com and other authorized dealers including Amazon, B&H, Sweetwater and Guitar Center.


General Specs:
Type:
Closed dynamic

Driver Unit:
40 mm (1.58 in) neodymium magnet

Power Handling Capacity:
1,500 mW (IEC *1)

Impedance:
50 Ω at 1 kHz

Sensitivity:
102 dB/mW

Frequency Response:
5 Hz - 80,000 Hz (JEITA)

Mass:
Approx. 216 g (7.62 oz) (without cable)
 
Would be nice if someone heard the M1ST compared to this :)
 
vulkarie said:
Would be nice if someone heard the M1ST compared to this :)
Click to expand...
I own the M1ST but not the M1. It has its charm but I do not recommend it.

It has less subbass and less upper treble than the M1. The mids look similar.
graph.hangout.audio

Crinacle's Headphone Graph Tool | Hangout.Audio

Compare industry-standard GRAS 43AG-7 headphone graphs, measured by Crinacle.
graph.hangout.audio graph.hangout.audio

So basically, the M1ST is mid-centric while the M1 is V-Shaped. That makes sense: The ST probably stands for "studio", so the M1 is likely the non-studio version of the M1.
The pads of the M1ST are very shallow which is why the M1ST is not very comfortable. The M1 pads look thicker and comfier.

It would be interesting to find out if the pads also make the difference in terms of sound.

Edit: Oops, I just realized you are the same person who asked on head-fi. :D
 
Last edited:
Dazerdoreal said:
I own the M1ST but not the M1. It has its charm but I do not recommend it.

It has less subbass and less upper treble than the M1. The mids look similar.
graph.hangout.audio

Crinacle's Headphone Graph Tool | Hangout.Audio

Compare industry-standard GRAS 43AG-7 headphone graphs, measured by Crinacle.
graph.hangout.audio graph.hangout.audio

So basically, the M1ST is mid-centric while the M1 is V-Shaped. That makes sense: The ST probably stands for "studio", so the M1 is likely the non-studio version of the M1.
The pads of the M1ST are very shallow which is why the M1ST is not very comfortable. The M1 pads look thicker and comfier.

It would be interesting to find out if the pads also make the difference in terms of sound.

Edit: Oops, I just realized you are the same person who asked on head-fi. :D
Click to expand...
Yes Im that guy hehe :)

Since you have the M1ST, can lend to amir to review?? would be nice for us to know too since this is only from japan

Sadly crinacle dont have the M1 measurement, if got can just compare directly

Your analogy might be ok but there is more to it for sure, need someone from here to do full review for both
 
I also measured M1 today with my rig that has the softer and more accurate pinna compared to Gadgetrytech. We also use different style coupler, as he has the stick model and I have the one with horizontal steel base. However, this time FR with both devices looks quite similar.

The level of 1,5-4 kHz depends on the headphone placement, so ear gain might vary a bit between users (and measurements). I found out that moving the headphones forward decreases upper mids and clarity, as the center of the driver also moves away from the ear drum.

1730997864546.png


For me M1 sounds more natural than HD 620S, as with Sennheiser model I perceive quite nasty peaks at 5,3 kHz and 7 kHz.
 
Kuulokenurkka said:
I also measured M1 today with my rig that has the softer and more accurate pinna compared to Gadgetrytech. We also use different style coupler, as he has the stick model and I have the one with horizontal steel base. However, this time FR with both devices looks quite similar.

The level of 1,5-4 kHz depends on the headphone placement, so ear gain might vary a bit between users (and measurements). I found out that moving the headphones forward decreases upper mids and clarity, as the center of the driver also moves away from the ear drum.

View attachment 404489

For me M1 sounds more natural than HD 620S, as with Sennheiser model I perceive quite nasty peaks at 5,3 kHz and 7 kHz.
Click to expand...
Interesting...

Now I'm more leaning toward the M1.

But, do you have the 7506? how does it compare? his chart makes it seems to look similar (albeit change the pads on 7506)

1731058068336.png


How about compared to the M1ST? (if you happend to have it)
 
vulkarie said:
Interesting...

Now I'm more leaning toward the M1.

But, do you have the 7506? how does it compare? his chart makes it seems to look similar (albeit change the pads on 7506)

View attachment 404591

How about compared to the M1ST? (if you happend to have it)
Click to expand...

Unfortunately I don't have 7506 or M1ST, as I didn't even expect to get M1 either (Sony totally surprised me by sending it for a review). You should check Youtuber called Aregina, who has reviewed and measured (with GRAS) all of those Sony models with stock pads. 7506 with thin stock pads seems to be worse than M1, but Yaxi pads make it somewhat similar, albeit still with less bass and treble extension (as shown on the graph you posted).

M1 for me isn't super bassy, as I can still hear mids clearly. The mids are actually very normal in a good way. The relaxed 4-6 kHz region mainly affects the sharpness of sounds, as drum hits are a bit soft, for example. The presentation is also somewhat dry and lacks some liveliness compared to Harman target. Upper treble for me sounds airy, but not too boosted or "shimmery/sparkly".

Edit. Many would probably like to see M1 costing less, but new headphone releases seem to be more expensive than before, so it is what it is. I find M1 very comfortable and it also feels quite sturdy for a lightweight plastic build.
 
Last edited:
vulkarie said:
Does the M1 fit the Sony WH-1000XM5 case? because a lot of aftermarket hardcase for it is available @Kuulokenurkka
Click to expand...
Good question, but I don't happen to have XM5 or its case either. :D M1 has a lot wider headband, so it might not fit in Sony's own XM5 case very well, but aftermarket options are harder to predict. The case of Focal Bathys/Hadenys/Azurys, for example, is too thin for M1's headband.
 
Kuulokenurkka said:
Good question, but I don't happen to have XM5 or its case either. :D M1 has a lot wider headband, so it might not fit in Sony's own XM5 case very well, but aftermarket options are harder to predict. The case of Focal Bathys/Hadenys/Azurys, for example, is too thin for M1's headband.
Click to expand...
Also would like to know if the aftermarket pads for 7506 or CD900ST works on the M1? There is an abundance of that, if its compactible, would be great!
 
1731080469794.png


Above is the reverse-engineered Harman Target for the B&K 5128. (the dot line)

The M1 frequency response based on the picture attached by @staticV3 and @Kuulokenurkka looks like its follow the principle of it. The amount of shelf of the bass and the upper mid have samewhat similar db/slope following the harman target...

Its interesting for sure.

graph (7).png

1730997864546.png
 
Last edited:
Kuulokenurkka said:
Unfortunately I don't have 7506 or M1ST, as I didn't even expect to get M1 either (Sony totally surprised me by sending it for a review). You should check Youtuber called Aregina, who has reviewed and measured (with GRAS) all of those Sony models with stock pads. 7506 with thin stock pads seems to be worse than M1, but Yaxi pads make it somewhat similar, albeit still with less bass and treble extension (as shown on the graph you posted).

M1 for me isn't super bassy, as I can still hear mids clearly. The mids are actually very normal in a good way. The relaxed 4-6 kHz region mainly affects the sharpness of sounds, as drum hits are a bit soft, for example. The presentation is also somewhat dry and lacks some liveliness compared to Harman target. Upper treble for me sounds airy, but not too boosted or "shimmery/sparkly".

Edit. Many would probably like to see M1 costing less, but new headphone releases seem to be more expensive than before, so it is what it is. I find M1 very comfortable and it also feels quite sturdy for a lightweight plastic build.
Click to expand...
I have a bit of a i guess "different" or odd model... I mean a lot of people on head-fi and here have shown pics of their Sony MDR-M1 and I've noticed that on mine, which I received directly from Sony themselves, not Amazon or some other retailer, and I had them i believe like 2 or 3 days before the official street date release, cuz they got here quick shipping. Well the other day I actually was staring at them for a second and realized that it had MDR-M1 on my right cup (without the cable), and MDR-M1ST on the left (side the cable screws in). I had no clue as I don't stare at cheaper items like this when I get them, I just try them out. My graph lines up close with you and GadgetryTech by ear...but tbh I have not seen another set yet that fully looks like the new M1 with all the new markings pads etc, came in a MDR-M1 box and is straight from Sony, but mine says M1 on one side and M1ST on the other. Anyone else have this same thing with theirs or is this an anomaly with mine. Also if it is it def lends credence to some of the rumors. I don't know but id like to find out. Anyone with info please tap in and lmk what u think, otherwise I'm gonna ask Sony why mine is marked different than everyone else's as far as I've seen.
 

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