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Author Topic: Sony MRD-1A  (Read 1172 times)

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ultrabike

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Sony MRD-1A
« on: May 14, 2015, 05:11:53 AM »

Thanks to Gelocks for sending these out! :money:

These are one of Sony's current premium cans. According to the literature these can go up to 100 kHz. I have no way to verify this, but if true I guess these are "fast". Drivers appear to be angled. On thing about these cans is that they are fairly comfortable and light. Marv's ears might fit inside. Not bad looking either.



As far as sound, these are warm and overall fairly well behaved. I like the balance of these. Bass goes deep, but not very detailed. Mids are fairly even and clean. Treble is good, but it does have some edge to it. However, I doesn't really bother me. While bass carries good impact and presence, it does not muddy up the sound too much.

Over all these are among the best Sony cans I've heard, and among the most comfy closed cans I've put on my head across the board.

Senn HD630VB might have a tough time doing better than these based on what I've seen and read so far. Cable is detachable for one. IMO these look a lot better too.

Lachlan approves:



Measurements:

Frequency Response



Distortion Right



Distortion Left



CSD Right



CSD Left



Comparos (HD600 and ADP)

« Last Edit: May 14, 2015, 05:35:24 AM by ultrabike »
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Griffon

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Re: Sony MRD-1A
« Reply #1 on: May 14, 2015, 05:28:45 AM »

As far as what I've heard in the sub-300 price range, these can definitely come out in top 3. But anything from higher-midrange sounds way too recessed for me.
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ultrabike

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Re: Sony MRD-1A
« Reply #2 on: May 14, 2015, 05:33:03 AM »

IMO closed designs tend to have issues in the high mids and I agree these have some of that. But I feel I have heard worse at higher prices in it's class.
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Griffon

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Re: Sony MRD-1A
« Reply #3 on: May 14, 2015, 05:49:26 AM »

Relatively most non-recessed was V-Moda M80 for me but they not by the most narrow definition of closed cans. I'm not sure if my 1350 was a good pair. They sounded awful to me. The old Momentums suck big ass (and no wonder they are going for 200 CAD now, which makes more sense). In terms of closed cans, only a pair of good K550s sounded good to me. I've almost lost all confidence in closed type.
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x838nwy

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Re: Sony MRD-1A
« Reply #4 on: May 14, 2015, 12:27:11 PM »

I cannot be the only person who finds the model in that photograph insanely beautiful.
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gelocks

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Re: Sony MRD-1A
« Reply #5 on: May 14, 2015, 01:42:37 PM »

I cannot be the only person who finds the model in that photograph insanely beautiful.
No you are not...! ;)

I like the style of these headphones. They not only look good, but they feel great due to the minimal clamp and light weight. Also, the band doesn't protrude as weirdly as Shure Headphones or the NAD Viso, etc. And of course, they sound good to boot.

Between the Ultrasone Performance Pro 880/840, Master Dynamics MH40, and ADL H128, I prefer the Sony's overall (comfort + sound + style + build quality + price -- you can get them cheap "used"). The ADL might win in the sound department though... but it is not as comfortable.

Hopefully my ADL replacement will be home soon and I'll send them to ultra so he can listen and measure (and compare).

Thanks for the measurements G!
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ultrabike

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Re: Sony MRD-1A
« Reply #6 on: May 14, 2015, 03:14:16 PM »

Welcome mate! and yes, that youngish model is pretty.
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