A high-performing pair of studio headphones is a prized possession to any producer. Fortunately, Sony has a pretty broad range of models suitable for assessing stereo images and picking out fine details within a mix. You might also want a pair of studio headphones just for everyday listening duties. The Sony studio monitor headphones listed here have excellent features for that too.
We have reviewed every model and highlighted its peculiar features, strengths, and weaknesses. They are robust and reliable, and you wouldn’t have to break the bank to purchase one. Check them out!
Sony MDR-CD900ST
With Sony being an industry leader in advanced headphone technology, the Sony MDR-CD900ST isn’t an exception in what their expertise has to offer. This pair of headphones is a high-quality studio monitor headphones with a profound sound signature, excellent detail, and a wide soundstage.
Unlike many other Sony products now manufactured outside Japan, the Sony MDR-CD900ST still retains its production factory with Japanese professionals. It features a closed dynamic design type and a frequency response of 5-30,000Hz.
Its input power is a fantastic 1,000mW, and it also has a single cord length of 2.5m. It weighs just 381g with its cord and 200g without its cable, which is unusual for many studio audio head devices. A user is promised comfort even when recording or mixing for long hours.
Specifications
- Upgraded frequency response of 5Hz-30kHz
- Connector type is 2.5mm Jack
- Lightweight
- Solely made and sold in Japan
PROS
- Excellent clean background
- Great audio quality
- Impressive bass
- Sound layering is awesome
CONS
- Sold exclusively in Japan
- Earcups are less padded compared to other MDRs
Purchase Sony MDR-CD900ST
Sony MDR-M1ST
This is another superb studio monitor headphone with excellent build features. The Sony MDR-M1ST features a sturdy build and a sealed dynamic design. The headband is much more improved, adding comfort for studio engineers, mixers, or recording artists. The headband is an excellent balance of air and foam, so soft that you can wear it for hours. The headphones cable is also detachable and can be replaced when spoilt.
With a swivel mechanism that permits high storage, the MDR-M1ST is many mixers’ favorite studio monitor headphones. The headphone is perfect for use in a quiet environment and a top choice for live recording. The bass production doesn’t seem out of place like many studio headphones, making it precise, decent, and realistic. Every note with this headphone is heard distinctly like it’s separated from the rest of the music playing.
The bass, a profound high point of the headphone, is notable for not bleeding into other regions. The mids are also excellent, and any user would find it a total bliss when working on or playing classical music. The headphone also utilizes silicone rings in its joint parts to reduce noise that may come up when a user’s body is moved.
Specifications
- 40mm driver unit
- Frequency response of 5-80,00Hz
- Build type is sealed dynamic
- CCAW voice coil
PROS
- Decent bass quality
- Distortion-free
- Great for live-recording
- Realistic balance
CON
- Underperformed when used for specific games
Purchase Sony MDR-M1ST
Sony MDR-7506
The Sony MDR-7506 is a commonly preferred option for people in newsrooms, recording studios, and video production crews. The fantastic thing about this studio headphone is th sound quality you stand to get for its price. For people who would need to use it on a desk constantly, the long-cooked cable paired with its closed-back design makes the MDR-7506 an excellent fit for office or studio work.
The headphone is built almost entirely with plastic. This means that the lightweight wouldn’t weigh your down. It also comes with a soft carrying case, and the headphone can fold down to become more compact, allowing them to be moved around easily.
Even without foam padding, it is still comfortable for mixing when worn for a few hours. The headphone comes with a gold-plated 3.5mm connector alongside threading that permits the attachment of a 1/4- inch adapter. When it comes to audio production, the frequency range of the headphone is just perfect for giving you the desired music mixing and production output.
Specifications
- Frequency response is 10-20kHz
- Dynamic and closed headphone type
- Features a closed-door design
- Designed to be folded
PROS
- Compactness permits easy storage
- Neodymium magnets for detailed sound
- Closed-door design offers comfort
- Clear mids and highs
CON
- Passive isolation is not great
- It seems a little bit fragile
Purchase Sony MDR-7506
Sony MDR-EX800ST
The Sony MDR-EX800ST leaves an impression when it comes to comfort and convenience. Regardless of how long you’re mixing or recording, these studio monitor headphones with their sports-style headband won’t burden you. Besides, the headband style, which isn’t so common, is lightweight, and the material used for its design is washable.
It is also compatible with Bluetooth 3.0 A2DP and can keep you mixing for about 7 hours with its excellent long-lasting battery performance. The frequency range of the headphone is 20Hz – 20kHz, and the fleece material is 88% Polyester and 12% spandex. It weighs 127g and features a USB1.1 interface.
Specifications
- In-ear studio monitor headphones
- Detachable cable
- Wired connectivity
- Lightweight
PROS
- Enhanced use comfort
- Great sound quality
- Punchy bass
- Excellent mids
CON
- A bit expensive
Purchase Sony MDR-EX800ST
Sony IER-M9
Ordering the Sony Sony IER-M9, it arrives on your doorstep in a unique carrying case, a clean cloth, and a clip. They also have silver-coated OFC strands, an ear hanger, and a standard balanced plug. The cables that come with the IEM are of excellent quality, and the Sony IER-EM9 stands out among other IEMs in that it comes with separate wires for 3.5mm and 4.4mm applications.
The design look is sleek, with a low-profile aesthetic. The headphone is made of magnesium housing, and its lightweight gives a user exceptional comfort. The frequency response of the IER-M9 moves through a neutral-warm range, and one of the most noticeable things about the EM9 is its timbre.
This feature is specifically what many IEMs lack and Sony was very deliberate about including this, as its absence makes most IEMs suffer a lack of density. The bass response of this IEM is simply one of a kind. Another feature of interest is the imaging, making its holographic quality an attraction point for many producers and audiophiles.
Specifications
- Wired connectivity
- Detachable cable
- Lightweight(1 pound)
- Features ear hanger
PROS
- Light and durable
- Ear tips block out outside noise
- Comfortable for extended wearing time
- High-end technical capabilities
CONS
- The storage solution seems over-designed
- Fit issues with the ZIRs
Purchase Sony IER-M9