After listening to so many pairs of headphones, I still prefer studio headphones for their flat frequency response and neutral tonal balance.
I already have the Audio Technica ATH-M50x and the AKG K240 Mk II studio headphones. Now I have one more pair of studio headphones — the Sony MDR-M1 Professional headphones which I just purchased from Stars Picker Audio Library.
I had been of the view for a long time that Sony headphones sounded bright but when I tested the MDR-M1 when it was launched some time ago, I was surprised that it actually sounded neutral.
A few weeks ago, I developed an itch and I requested a pair from Stars Picker for a home demo session and the headphones were not returned.
The Sony MDR-M1 Professional headphones deliver really solid and deep bass. It is the kind of excellent bass I heard on the HIFIMAN Susvara connected to the Chord Alto even when the Sony headphones were driven by the much cheaper iFi ZEN DAC 2.
The tonal balance was very neutral and there was plenty of details. The timbres were accurate and dynamic shifts were realistically delivered. The only complaint would be the smaller soundstage, but it’s not that big an issue.
Being a closed-back design, the noise isolation was pretty good and I could see the mouths of my sons and wife moving but I could not hear a single word.
The fit is comfortable, the over-ear ear pads are quite soft and the headphones are quite light and do not slip out when I move my head.
The MDR-M1 is marketed as reference closed monitor headphones for creators, with ultra-wideband playback with frequency ranging from 5 Hz–80 kHz.
There are two lengths of cable and they come with screw-in plug adapter to connect to devices with either a 6.3 mm or 3.5 mm stereo jack. Impedance is 50 Ohms and sensitivity is 102 dB/mW, so they are easy to drive.
The Sony MDR-M1 Professional headphones are priced at RM945 at Stars Picker Audio Library. Call 012-3392040 for more information.
