I purchased these Sony MDR-7506 headphones a couple of months ago. More recently, I've also purchased Sony's very similar (but not identical - see below)
Sony MDR-V6 Monitor Series Headphones
. My reason for purchasing a second pair (and getting both models) was because the V6's were very inexpensive at the time I ordered ($30 cheaper than the 7506's), and because I was curious to see if I could tell a difference between the two. In reading many of the reviews here on Amazon and elsewhere, I knew that the two are constructed very similarly but there were different opinions regarding both the differences (if any) and which has the superior sound.
These are both headphones in the $100 and below price category, which seems like a reasonable price to pay for high quality sound. I do not like to listen to music using earbuds, I prefer this style of "over-the-ear" headphone. although it does take some getting used to. I also have very inexpensive
Koss KSC75 Portable Stereophone Headphones
for occasions when I don't want to use my more expensive Sony's.
I am very satisfied with the sound quality from these headphones (both models), and with the comfort. They are the first "quality" headphones that I have owned, and the level of detail in the sound, lack of distortion, and overall quality is simply superb. I am completely satisfied.
Now, regarding both similarities and differences between the Sony MDR-7506 and Sony MDR-V6, here is what I have found:
- externally, they are almost identical in construction and appearance. The V6 has red stickers on each headphone "for Digital", and the 7506 has blue stickers "Professional". The phono jack for the V6 is silver metal (all metal), for the 7506 is gold (rubber and gold). Those are the only visible differences I am able to detect.
- when I listen to the two headphones back to back, at the same volume level and with the same music, I can detect a slightly clearer treble and midrange from the 7506, and very slightly clearer sound. This is consistent with several of the other reviewers on Amazon for the 7506, who say they can detect a slightly better sound separation and more open sound for the 7506, with the V6's sounding a bit warmer. One reviewer also says that the internal grounding for the two headphones is different - the 7506 uses a separate internal ground for the left and right channels, where the V6 uses a single ground for both channels. (It seems to me that both grounds are going to the same place anyway, but if this is true - and I am not able to confirm whether or not it is - then maybe this contributes to a slightly different sound).
- some reviewers state that the internal speaker drivers are different for the two headphones. However when I went to Sony's website to check the specifications for the two models, that is not what I found. And here is what the Wikipedia page states for these headphones: "both models share the same part number for their driver, but the magnet therein is known to vary. The MDR-7506 was introduced with a samarium-cobalt magnet, as is currently used in the MDR-V6. However, at some point, the MDR-7506 switched to the slightly more powerful neodymium magnet. These changes were made without changing the driver part number."
- The box for the 7506 states "neodimium magnet". The operating instructions included with the V6 state "samarium cobalt magnet". Possibly either or both of these are out of date (as Wiki states, they may make spec changes over time) - the 7506 box is copyright 1994, and the V6 copyright is 1996.
- The 7506 box includes an exploded view and parts list, which is very nice to have. The V6 box does not.
- Both headphones include a soft case for storing/carrying the headphones, and both include an adaptor plug so that the headphone can be used with either a stereo mini-plug or a normal size plug.
UPDATE 7/22/13 and 7/30/13: The Sony MDR-V6 and MDR-7506 headphones have just recently been reviewed by CNET, with similar comments to my own regarding the small differences in sound quality. Both headphones receive a very high recommendation from CNET. See the MDR-7506 review at [...] and the MDR-V6 review at [...]
According to the specifications on Sony's website (which should be up-to-date), the only difference between the two headphones is frequency response:
- MDR-7506:
- Neodymium magnet, 40.0 mm driver, 10-20kHz frequency response, 63 Ohm impedance, 106 dB/W/m sensitivity
- MDR-V6:
- Neodymium magnet, 40.0 mm driver, 5-30kHz frequency response, 63 Ohm impedance, 106 dB/W/m sensitivity
I am not able to explain how Sony is claiming different frequency response for the two headphones if all of the other specs are identical, but this is what they are saying. And I do believe that the two headphones have slightly different sound.
Although there is a slight difference between the 7506 and V6, the sound from both headphones is very neutral. The "professional" choice between the two seems to be the 7506, and it is the more expensive model. If you read other reviews you will find that the 7506's are commonly used by studio engineers, because they are designed to reproduce the sound just as it is, without adding emphasis to the bass as some other headphones are designed to do. At this point, for me they are both excellent, and for thirty bucks less I'd go with the V6 if I could have only one of the two.
I've been using these headphones with the
Audioengine D1 24-bit digital-to-audio converter
, and I am extremely pleased with the quality of the sound.
As a final comment, some owners of these headphones comment that the ear pads wear out over time, and some owners also prefer different ear pads for better comfort. I also purchased a pair of
Beyerdynamic EDT 250 Velour Padded Earcushions
for this reason, and although I have not yet given them a try to compare them with the ear pads that come with the Sony headphones, I do like the fact that it is possible to fit different ear pads if desired in order to provide more comfort, as well as replace them when they have become worn (some owners use these headphones for many years).
I notice that there are a very large number of reviewers for these headphones, many of them long-time owners who feel very strongly that these Sony headphones are the best. I'm just beginning to use them, but I have high hopes that they will be durable over time and that I will continue to be as satisfied with them as I am today.
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From the manufacturer
Sony Professional Headphones for recording, mixing, and mastering
 MDR-MV1 |  MDR-M1 |  MDR-7506 |
|---|---|---|
| Design Reference Open Back | Design Reference Closed Back | Design Closed Back |
| Frequency response, Impedance 5Hz～80kHz, 24Ω | Frequency response, Impedance 5Hz～80kHz, 50Ω | Frequency response, Impedance 10-20kHz, 63 Ω |
| Cable 2.5m Straight Detachable | Cable 1.2m/2.5m Straight Detachable | Cable Coiled 9.8' |
| Supplied Accessories 6.3mm/3.5mm 1/8" adapter | Supplied Accessories 3.5mm/6.3mm adapter | Supplied Accessories 3.5mm/6.3mm adapter, soft case |
| Weight 223g | Weight 216g (without cable) | Weight 229g |
From the brand
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Sony is a creative entertainment company with a portfolio that encompasses electronics, music, motion pictures, mobile, gaming, and more.
For over 70 years, imagination has been the fuel of everything we do. From how people listen to music, to how they play games, to how they watch TV, our big imaginations have led us to create products that innovate and inspire generations.
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Compare with similar items
This Item  Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone |  |  |  | |
| Price | $98.00 | $398.00 | $99.00 | $398.00 |
| Delivery | — | — | — | — |
| Customer Ratings | ||||
| Sold By | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
| connectivity tech | Wired | Wired | Wired | Bluetooth |
| headphones form factor | Over Ear | Over Ear | Over Ear | Over Ear |
| connector type | — | — | 3.5mm Jack | Stereo Mini Jack |
| noise control | sound isolation | — | — | active noise cancellation |
| headphones jack | 3.5 mm and 1/4 inch Jack | 3.5 mm Headphones Jack | 6.35 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack |
| cable feature | 9.8 foot cord | Detachable | Retractable, Detachable | Without Cable |
| control type | Noise Control | — | — | Voice Control |
| material | Copper, Gold, Neodymium | Aluminum | Wired | Leather, Metal, Plastic |
| model name | Sony MDR | MDRMV1 | SRH440A | WH1000XM5 |
| frequency range | — | 5Hz - 80,000 Hz | — | 2.4 GHz |
Reviews with images
Pads suck but otherwise an impressive headphone.
I own the mdr-v6 and can’t speak highly enough regarding the sound quality/build for what is really a paltry sum. They punch weigh above their weight. Can be driven solidly and accurately from small usb powered amplifiers, offer surprising fidelity from headphone output of a decent CD player but scale well with better sources and amplification. This headphone is no different in that respect. The build is the same. A red “professional” sticker on the cups versus the mdr-v6’s “Digital”. That’s literally where the difference in build begins and ends. A sticker. Popping the cups open may and probably does reveal more that causes the subtle yet firmly present change in sound signature. As with the v6, the pads being the same; kind of suck but if you’re invested in these, dekoni makes a utterly delightful pad that while expensive is ridiculously comfortable without screwing up the sound signature. I can’t hear any changes meaningful enough to be able to convince myself it’s there for the better or worse that the dekoni pads effect anything at all.Efficient and accurate, I do feel the 7506 is a little more analytical, not cold or lifeless by any stretch but certainly geared more for the professional requiring accuracy and neutrality but that doesn’t exclude the casual listener or music/headphone enthusiast even the budget oriented audiophile can get a lot of enjoyment from this particular set of headphones. I hear these to be a little more mid range; maybe not forward or emphasized but certainly more mid centric than the mdr-v6 which in and of itself has a very pleasant mid range. The bass; the bass is different. The first evening I had them. I played Aretha Franklins Ain’t no way. I kept hearing these super low tones and thought they were coming from behind me. Kept looking over my shoulder. It was bass I hadn’t heard in the same track before. I played it over and over and it’s the same sub bass, in the same places. Very low. Solidly around 20Hz. Impressive. Not overpowering, flabby or booming but present in justbthe kost convincing way. I feel there’s a difference in sound stage, maybe it’s just in separation but it does feel a tad narrower but still wider than I expect a closed cup to be. Still; to me anyway a very entertaining headphone.Enclosed is a “service manual” of sorts and a parts list of the entire exploded headphone and some online research shows this headphone is certainly rebuild-able maybe even scratch built with parts sourced online. That’s handy if your both a headphone enthusiast and tinkerer. More online research nets very little information on Sony’s website regarding either the mdr-v6 or this set of phones. Only posts under “community” so the fate of these headphones, possibly the provenance may be questionable. I am confident both pairs of mine are genuine and both this and the v6 sound wonderful in their own way. Really a solid purchase. I really wish I’d known about these Sony’s and the koss portapro when all I had for music was a portable CD player/headphones and a binder full of discs. I’d have probably never gone over to the dark side with MP3’s.
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