Sony MDR-M1 | studio headphones

[vulkarie]

Finally bought one, its damn good, really neutral + clean without fatiguing at all

Looks like they did a great job here by boosting only the lower/sub bass to keep everything pristine thus making it really clean ( bass/mids)

Tried the Susvara Unveiled too and the timbre is really similar for the vocal or mids (def not the soundstage/staging) but its damn good if its anything like that

IMO, this headphone is kinda sleep on, not many big reviewer even review this.

 

[solderdude]

Just ordered one.

It looks like the 7506 issues might have been fixed namely too shallow pads and brightness.

 

[IXOYE]

How is the comfort on the M1, does it have enough space for the ears to not touching the drivers?

 

[vulkarie]

How is the comfort on the M1, does it have enough space for the ears to not touching the drivers?

This one depends on the ear size, I can't really tell if it touch the driver, I didn't feel anything when wearing it so maybe it isnt for my ear but your mileage might vary

 

[Kuulokenurkka]

How is the comfort on the M1, does it have enough space for the ears to not touching the drivers?

I have quite large ears, but I cannot feel any discomfort while using M1. The pads seem to be deep enough and clamp isn't very strong either.

 

[Dazerdoreal]

I wonder if the M1 and the M1ST might only differ in the pads (I mean, both are "M1").
Sony headphones in this style are sometimes crazy in this aspect. This is the CD900ST. One headphone, two kinds of pads:

Crinacle's Headphone Graph Tool | Hangout.Audio

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

graph.hangout.audio

 

[staticV3]

I wonder if the M1 and the M1ST might only differ in the pads (I mean, both are "M1").

No.

 

[Dazerdoreal]

Okay. (I would never have found this video by myself. ^^)

That said, I might fool around with the pads of my M1ST someday, just out of curiosity. Maybe they can also be turned into another kind of interesting V-Shape signature with thicker pads.

 

[Antique_Musician]

Hey everyone. I'm in the market for my first closed back headphones, I currently own the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro open backs. I've been looking for something that is great for long working sessions and provides better isolation/bass compared to my 490's. These would ideally be my daily driver for both work and home settings.

I'm curious how people feel the MDR-M1 compares to other closed backs in similar price range like the FiiO FT1, beyer DT 700 Pro X, etc.? Also wondering if I were to up the budget a bit to something like the DCA Aeon Closed X if I would notice a substantial difference compared to the MDR-M1?

Some things I like about the MDR-M1 are how lightweight they are, they are not too bulky looking for work calls, and they seem comfortable for long term use based off other reviews.

 

[solderdude]

My review (opinion) on the MDR-M1 and comparisons can be found here:

MDR-M1

back to Sony back to measurements home Published: Nov-14-2024 NO SMOOTHING is applied to the shown plots. Most measurement sites have some smoothing applied which ‘irons flat’ sharp peaks and ‘wigg…

diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com

quite seal dependent:

Distortion sets in above 75dB SPL.. this is at 90dB

Very comfortable, lush warm sound (with good seal) not 'accurate' though.
Somewhat close to Harman in the lows.

Not a keeper for me.

 

[Antique_Musician]

Hey guys, wanted to follow up. I ended up ordering a pair of these and am overall very happy with the purchase. My one minor complaint is the ear pads seem a bit small, especially coming from the Sennheiser HD490 Pro. Are there larger ear pads compatible with the MDR-M1 that wouldn’t affect the sound profile too much?

 

[Mr Swing King]

Hey guys, wanted to follow up. I ended up ordering a pair of these and am overall very happy with the purchase. My one minor complaint is the ear pads seem a bit small, especially coming from the Sennheiser HD490 Pro. Are there larger ear pads compatible with the MDR-M1 that wouldn’t affect the sound profile too much?

If you swap the stock pads for anything other than something with the same material and dimensions, you will alter the sound. Put another way; if you really like the stock sound you shouldn’t change the pads.
If the comfort is too lacking, I’d return them and get a new headphone with the same sort of sound profile.
To name a few with similar, though not identical, tunings: Sennheiser HD620S, Fiio FT1, Austrian Audio HI-X60 and Shure SRH840a.
Best of luck

 

[Saidera]

While solderdude's quality review suggests that there might be similar or better options, the majority of alternatives in my locality were either comparable or higher priced. My longstanding interest in the MDR Professional Audio series—despite being tempered by the outdated nature of some models and the unavailability of Japan-exclusive versions—ultimately led me to choose the MDR-M1. Are there any reviews or measurements of a similar caliber to solderdude's?

 

[vulkarie]

Hey guys, wanted to follow up. I ended up ordering a pair of these and am overall very happy with the purchase. My one minor complaint is the ear pads seem a bit small, especially coming from the Sennheiser HD490 Pro. Are there larger ear pads compatible with the MDR-M1 that wouldn’t affect the sound profile too much?

How's the HD490 Pro compared to the M1? (in term of sound and comfort)

I have been eyeing on it for a while....

 

[vulkarie]

If you swap the stock pads for anything other than something with the same material and dimensions, you will alter the sound. Put another way; if you really like the stock sound you shouldn’t change the pads.
If the comfort is too lacking, I’d return them and get a new headphone with the same sort of sound profile.
To name a few with similar, though not identical, tunings: Sennheiser HD620S, Fiio FT1, Austrian Audio HI-X60 and Shure SRH840a.
Best of luck

None of the headphone in your recomendation able to lay flat, overall really light + not bulky, have locking mechanism, easy to find the pads replacement, known to be durable and last forever (same genetics as 7506) etc2, comes in a package

 

[vulkarie]

While solderdude's quality review suggests that there might be similar or better options, the majority of alternatives in my locality were either comparable or higher priced. My longstanding interest in the MDR Professional Audio series—despite being tempered by the outdated nature of some models and the unavailability of Japan-exclusive versions—ultimately led me to choose the MDR-M1. Are there any reviews or measurements of a similar caliber to solderdude's?

A lot share it on headfi and maybe can search on reddit etc2

Im still waiting tho for big reviewer on yt like headphones.com to pick this up

 

[Mr Swing King]

None of the headphone in your recomendation able to lay flat, overall really light + not bulky, have locking mechanism, easy to find the pads replacement, known to be durable and last forever (same genetics as 7506) etc2, comes in a package

None of the things you mention have anything to do with his query

 

[Saidera]

For the past eight years, I’ve been intrigued by the idea of trying a Sony MDR Professional series headphone. Initially, it was the CD900ST that caught my attention due to its reputation as a standard—until that myth was gradually debunked and its caveats became widely known. Later, the M1ST piqued my interest, but limited availability outside Japan and its lack of widespread adoption made it less compelling. Instead of opting for the 7506 or CD900ST, I chose the ATH-M30x and was genuinely pleased with its performance.

When the MV1 was released, it introduced me to the concept of open-back headphones, which eventually led me to purchase the HD 599 SE. Interestingly, despite my interest, no Sony MDR-series headphones have ever received a recommendation on ASR.

Sony’s product line over the past decade seems to have shifted away from catering to the "basic user"—someone looking for affordable, high-quality performance. Instead, many offerings feel overpriced for what they deliver. This sentiment is arguably present in solderdude’s review, which suggested that the M1 wasn’t particularly competitive and wouldn’t be kept. While solderdude didn’t find anything remarkable about the HD 599 either, I was impressed with its quality for a reasonable sale price. Similarly, the ATH-M30x has a solid and durable build.

When I handled the M1, the contrast was striking: it felt too light, with floppy joints and no visible metal reinforcements. As someone without extensive headphone experience or a deep understanding of subtle differences in sound characteristics, my initial impression was that the M1 didn’t offer a significantly different experience compared to the HD 599.

I would love to see a detailed review of the M1ST, MV1, and M1 on ASR to better understand their strengths and weaknesses in comparison to other headphones.

In the meantime, the key question is whether the M1 justifies its price—three times that of the ATH-M30x or HD 599 SE—in terms of sound quality. A careful comparison using two Apple dongles with both the ATH-M30x and the M1, combined with an analysis of their respective measurements, could provide valuable insights. This approach would not only support solderdude’s impressions but also help clarify what specific qualities justify the M1’s position as the successor to the 7506, rather than being seen as just an overpriced, underwhelming alternative to the ATH-M30x and others in the 7506’s niche.

 

[Saidera]

There are at least two videos, and potentially more, that provide a glimpse into Sony’s perspective on the headphones. Here are the links:

• Sony MDR-M1 Introduction (Video 1)
• Sony MDR-M1 Overview (Video 2)

As at the time of writing, the only authoritative and insightful review of MDR-M1, from my perspective, remains solderdude's review which is linked above. A review which aligned with the general direction of solderdude's conclusions can be found at https://www.soundguys.com/sony-mdr-m1-review-ol-reliable-gets-a-new-version-128453/. An interesting approach can be seen in Aregina's reviews. The rest of the reviews go too easy on this new headphone for a variety of reasons.

I’ve been particularly interested in how the Sony MDR-M1ST compares to the MDR-M1. The pad size differences and impedance comparisons might shed some light on this. The ear pads on the MDR-M1 are noticeably thicker than those on the MDR-M1ST, which contributes to significantly improved comfort during extended wear. Additionally, the hidden openings on the headphone frame of the MDR-M1 are slightly smaller than those of the MDR-M1ST. These structural differences can be seen in the images below:
https://image.cache.u-car.com.tw/articleimage_1262057.jpg and https://image.cache.u-car.com.tw/articleimage_1262054.jpg
Source: u-headphone.com

I recently had the opportunity to compare the Sony MDR-M1 with the Audio-Technica ATH-M30x. Admittedly, this isn’t the most balanced comparison since the two headphones serve different markets, while a direct comparison with something like the Sennheiser HD 599SE wouldn’t be fair. I based some of my interpretations on solderdude’s measurements, but I may have misunderstood or misinterpreted a few points. If anyone notices inaccuracies in my understanding, I’m more than happy to revise my conclusions.

I replaced Sony’s original 3.5 mm TRRS cable with a $3 AUX 3.5 mm TRS cable from Kmart (sold under the Anko brand). While this cheap cable lacks the gold-plated connectors and oxygen-free copper (OFC) wire of higher-end options, it performed adequately. Initially, I encountered crackling as the connector spun in the socket, likely due to the absence of the original screw-in feature.

I was initially concerned that the M1 required a TRRS cable to function properly, but observing the M40x’s cable design—using a 2.5 mm TRS similar to the TRRS used in the HD 599SE—led me to believe that TRRS isn’t necessary for the M1. For those who’ve struggled to find Sony’s original cable, using a generic alternative might be practical, especially since cables are often the first component to suffer damage. While the Kmart cable does introduce some microphonics, it’s an acceptable trade-off given the price and availability.

I’m intrigued by how some users have converted the M1ST into a balanced 4.4 mm headphone. However, I suspect that this modification doesn’t significantly alter the sound. If anyone has insights or experience with this mod, I’d love to hear about it!

 

[sulfuriq]

There are at least two videos, and potentially more, that provide a glimpse into Sony’s perspective on the headphones. Here are the links:

• Sony MDR-M1 Introduction (Video 1)
• Sony MDR-M1 Overview (Video 2)

As at the time of writing, the only authoritative and insightful review of MDR-M1, from my perspective, remains solderdude's review which is linked above. A review which aligned with the general direction of solderdude's conclusions can be found at https://www.soundguys.com/sony-mdr-m1-review-ol-reliable-gets-a-new-version-128453/. An interesting approach can be seen in Aregina's reviews. The rest of the reviews go too easy on this new headphone for a variety of reasons.

I’ve been particularly interested in how the Sony MDR-M1ST compares to the MDR-M1. The pad size differences and impedance comparisons might shed some light on this. The ear pads on the MDR-M1 are noticeably thicker than those on the MDR-M1ST, which contributes to significantly improved comfort during extended wear. Additionally, the hidden openings on the headphone frame of the MDR-M1 are slightly smaller than those of the MDR-M1ST. These structural differences can be seen in the images below:
https://image.cache.u-car.com.tw/articleimage_1262057.jpg and https://image.cache.u-car.com.tw/articleimage_1262054.jpg
Source: u-headphone.com

I recently had the opportunity to compare the Sony MDR-M1 with the Audio-Technica ATH-M30x. Admittedly, this isn’t the most balanced comparison since the two headphones serve different markets, while a direct comparison with something like the Sennheiser HD 599SE wouldn’t be fair. I based some of my interpretations on solderdude’s measurements, but I may have misunderstood or misinterpreted a few points. If anyone notices inaccuracies in my understanding, I’m more than happy to revise my conclusions.

I replaced Sony’s original 3.5 mm TRRS cable with a $3 AUX 3.5 mm TRS cable from Kmart (sold under the Anko brand). While this cheap cable lacks the gold-plated connectors and oxygen-free copper (OFC) wire of higher-end options, it performed adequately. Initially, I encountered crackling as the connector spun in the socket, likely due to the absence of the original screw-in feature.

I was initially concerned that the M1 required a TRRS cable to function properly, but observing the M40x’s cable design—using a 2.5 mm TRS similar to the TRRS used in the HD 599SE—led me to believe that TRRS isn’t necessary for the M1. For those who’ve struggled to find Sony’s original cable, using a generic alternative might be practical, especially since cables are often the first component to suffer damage. While the Kmart cable does introduce some microphonics, it’s an acceptable trade-off given the price and availability.

I’m intrigued by how some users have converted the M1ST into a balanced 4.4 mm headphone. However, I suspect that this modification doesn’t significantly alter the sound. If anyone has insights or experience with this mod, I’d love to hear about it!

You can use 4.4mm cable ( MUC-S12SB1 ) for M1ST and M1. It just make it louder. And I don't like the M1's sound on balanced.