Sony MDR-V150 Monitor Series Headphones

by Sony

Product Features

• Supra-aural design and wide molded headband for comfort during long listening sessions
• 30mm driver units and a lightweight ferrite magnite provide full-range sound with deep bass
• Reversible earcups allow single-sided monitoring, for DJing applications, mono mix checking, etc.
• Fixed stereo miniplug for use with portable equipment; 1/4-inch phone plug for studio/audio equipment
• Frequency response: 18 Hz - 22 kHz

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7 x 3.2 inches ; 7.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000092YPR
• Item model number: MDRV150
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (816 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

Amazon.com

The MDR-V150 Studio Monitor Series headphones are built for your ears, with a supra-aural design for listening comfort during long sessions. The 30mm diameter drivers provide deep bass, and reversible earcups offer convenient single-sided monitoring.

Built for your ears.

Reversible earcups for single-sided monitoring.

1/4-inch adapter included.

Studio Quality

The MDR-V150s incorporate high-end materials and advanced engineering to provide a clean, detailed sound for professional applications.

500 mW Power Handling

These headphones are ready for day-in, day-out use at high output levels.

Supra-Aural (On-Ear) Design

The MDR-V150s rest lightly on the ear, and the driver is positioned the correct distance from the ear canal, for a controlled environment and better sound.

Reversible Earcups

Reversible earcups enable single-sided monitoring flexibility, for DJing applications, checking mono mixes, etc.

Ferrite Magnets

Ferrite produces high energy without being bulky, to help produce ample sound output--98 dB/mW sensitivity.

Wide, Molded Headband

This headband design distributes the headphone's weight over a wide area. Less pressure means more comfortable listening.

30 Millimeter Drive Units

These drivers are larger than those found in many headphones, for deeper bass, lower distortion, and a wider dynamic range. Bass response extends down to a low 18 Hz.

Oxygen-Free Copper Cord

For maximum conductivity with minimal noise--conducts electricity better than conventional copper.

MDR-V150 Specs

Frequency Response:	18Hz - 22kHz
Magnet Type:	Ferrite
Sensitivity:	98dB/mW
Impedance:	24 ohms
Cable Length:	6'8"
Weight:	4.2 oz.
Warranty:	One Year

What's in the Box

MDR-V150 Headphones, 1/4-Inch Adapter, User's Manual

Product Description

Sony brings you its revolutionary studio monitor headphones, a superior set of closed supra-aural headphones that provide top-end comfort and sound quality. These headphones allow only a limited amount of ambient noise into the ear canal, giving your full attention to the music. The supra-aural design is engineered for excellent listening comfort, excellent compatibility and excellent sound; these headphones fit the bill for a genuine sound professional.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1,050 of 1,112 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Technical Explanation and Spec Review February 9, 2007

By Real Name

It seems from a lot of the reviews on here, that people don't quite understand the specs behind headphones which are crucial to its sound. A lot of people are comparing these headphones to iPod earbuds and saying that it sounds like something is missing. Here's why:

The technical specs for iPod earbuds:

Bandwidth response-20Hz to 20,000Hz

Impedance-32ohms

The technical specs for MDR-V150s:

Bandwidth response-18Hz to 22000Hz

Impedance-24ohms

For those of you who don't understand the numbers, it means that the MDR-V150s have a broader range of sound, but the iPod earbuds pack a bigger sound. This is precisely why you think something is missing.

If you listen to iPod earbuds over a long time, your ears become accustomed to really loud, albeit a small range, sound. This is also why iPod earbuds are known for causing serious harm to your ears over prolonged periods of use. For it to sound right, you have to use the full amount of power, which the earbuds provide. Your close-range hearing becomes damaged over time and you can't hear subtle sounds or details, but you can still detect low volume. The earbuds won't sound deafening because you can still hear outside noise.

The MDR-V150s have a larger range of sound and lower impedance. That means there is a much richer sound. You don't need to jack up the volume to get a good listen (but you do need your hearing intact). You also may not be used to the larger range of sound so the range of sound you're used to will sound drowned out at close range. Many of the comments complaining about this transition from earbuds are noting that staples of their music listening sound strangely undetailed on the MDR-V150s. High levels of bass have a way of "drowning" out treble sounds if you're not used to listening to music with ample bass at close range.

Another major difference is that since these are "on-ear" headphones instead of "in-ear" buds, you have much less outside noise interfering with listening. It's like the difference between listening to a car stereo with the windows up or the windows down. You have to listen to things louder if there's more outside noise and you can't notice as many details either. There is a reason cellphone handsets for the car use earbuds instead of headphones, and that's so you can still hear the road. Why would you want to use earbuds that are intentionally designed so you can still hear your surroundings but compensate for it by deafening you?

I work a lot with sound whether it's production, music, or art and I use these as portable stereo phones because of their quality and sound range. I use them with my iPod with the long cord tucked into my case's belt clip. They are incredibly affordable for their quality. Most comparable headphones cost at least $30. I have been using these headphones since freshman year of college when I was first exposed to them in my school's sound lab.

My opinion aside, the manufacturer specs speak for themselves and it's hard to imagine that iPod earbud fans really believe that these provide less sound when physically they have a much broader range of sound and do not permanently damage your ears.

As for the tightness, it's good. It'll keep the phones pressed against your ears. The padding coupled with the tightness is what keeps as much outside noise sealed out. The more noise cancellation you can get, the better the sound.

And for the hair complaint: you could always tie up your hair or give up on headphones with plastic size adjusters. The plastic size adjusters were just designed to snag hair, so it seems.

133 of 142 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Great on the ears but tight on the head July 18, 2006

By TheWaldo

I bought my set from Wal-Mart. The sound is excellent with deep full bass and clear higher frequencies. Much better sound than the foam ambient noise type. My main concern was that the headphones are TIGHT on the ears. The cups (as noted by other reviewers) do not cup the ears, but rather sit on and press directly against the ears. Great sound or not, after half and hour or so of listening I would actually have a headache from the ear pressure. I gave these away and found a set of headphones at Radio Shack that sounds just as good and has a large enough cup to totally enclose the ears. After 3 or 5 hours these are still comfortable.

126 of 138 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The best headphones I've ever owned December 12, 2006

By Peter E. Johansen

I'm not a connoisseur of headphones, and quite honestly I don't think I've even paid much more than $20 for a pair of headphones. And maybe because of this, I've never owned a set of headphones that I was totally happy with until now. These are by far the best headphones I've even bought, and I was just floored by how good some of my favorites sound on these headphones. I just hear so much more.

I hesitated to buy these since so many people on Amazon complained about the feel of these headphones saying they pinched. Well, they are bigger than what I'm used to - a little bulky maybe - but I found them really pretty comfortable. Also, because they fit a little tighter, they seem to block out a lot more noise, which make them great for the gym or walking down a busy street.