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Sony MDR-V6

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Sony MDR-V6 in its old retail box

Sony MDR-V6 is a large diaphragm folding pair of headphones, the initial entry in Sony's Studio Monitor headphones, one of the most popular model lines among professional audio engineers. The product line was augmented by the MDR-V600, the MDR-7506 and then the MDR-7509 and MDR-7509HD models, which continue to be popular for audio editing, live sound and broadcast applications. The four models use a closed, circumaural sealed-ear design with a coiled oxygen-free copper cord, tipped with a combination ¼″ (6.35 mm) and ⅛″ mini (3.5 mm) TRS phone connector. As a product line, the MDR-series Studio Monitor folding headphones have been noted as a "favorite of sound professionals because they're reasonably flat sounding, inexpensive, compact, and they can take a lot of punishment."[1] The MDR prefix is an initialism of the Micro Dynamic Receiver trademark.[2]

MDR-V6

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Two MDR-V6s, one folded for travel

The MDR-V6 was introduced in 1985 and became popular with sound engineers and disc jockeys (DJs). The headphones were listed as having a very wide frequency response and were convenient for travel as they could be folded and carried in an included leatherette bag. In 1987, audio industry journalist Daniel Kumin wrote, "Throw away your loudspeakers. There is now what may be the most perfect transducer yet made by man. Recently I auditioned a pair of Sony MDR-V6 Studio Monitor headphones, then purchased them. There are not enough superlatives in the dictionary to describe the performance of these headphones. Listening to them with a good CD recording is like being in the center of a live performance."[3] Consumer Reports wrote in 1989 that "there seems little reason to look beyond the check-rated Sony MDR-V6. That model combines the highest accuracy we've measured in headphones, comfortable design, moderate weight, and enviable bass reproduction."[4]

In 1993, the headphones were described as "almost-industry-standard" for the monitoring of location sound recording for film and television.[5] Newer designs were introduced by Sony, most notably the MDR-V600, yet the MDR-V6 continued to be produced. By 2003, the headphones were so well known that Electronic Musician magazine, recommending headphones with a "fold-up design", called the MDR-V6 "venerable".[6] In a comparison of many headphones models, Dave Rat introduced them as "one of the most popular live sound headphones", and tested them to be "a little low on the top end, a little low on the bottom; definitely close" to neutrally flat.[7]

After 35 years, Sony discontinued manufacturing the MDR-V6 in 2020.

MDR-V600

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First reviewed in 1993,[8] the MDR-V600 was designed to satisfy DJs who wanted a greater emphasis on bass. To help DJs in cuing songs with one ear, the MDR-V600's earcups can be swiveled around backwards. In a test of virtual surround on a portable DVD player, using the movie House of Flying Daggers, the MDR-V600 was praised: "the imaging, separation, and clarity of sound was impressive".[further explanation needed][9]

MDR-7506

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MDR-7506

In 1991, Sony introduced the MDR-7506 headphones, which were marketed to audio professionals.[10]

The MDR-7506 and the MDR-V6 share the same part number for their driver and all other parts (except gold-plated 1/4" and 3.5mm connectors, and earcup covers embossed with model numbers), but the magnet therein is known to vary according to various Sony documentation. The MDR-7506 was introduced with a samarium–cobalt magnet, as was originally used in the MDR-V6.[11] However, at some point, the MDR-7506 switched to the slightly more powerful neodymium magnet.[12] These changes were made without changing the driver part number. In addition, Sony's own store website specifications for the MDR-V6 also list a neodymium magnet, further calling into question whether the MDR-V6 and MDR-7506 actually use different magnet types in their drivers. The likelihood, therefore, is that Sony at some point updated the magnet in the driver, and it was incorporated into both the '7506 and 'V6.

In 1997, EQ magazine wrote, "Most people will use Sony MDR-V6 or similar headphones, such as the professional version Sony MDR-7506 or Koss Pro-4A. These Sony headphones have a reputation for loud sound and for blocking out at least some outside noise."[13] A 2001 book about web audio described the MDR-7506 as "the industry favorite".[14]

On March 7, 2014, CNET reviewed both headphones. The result was that the V6 had a flat, neutrally balanced sound. The 7506 accentuated its treble range, and had less bass than the V6. The overall sound of the two models was very close.[15]

MDR-7509HD

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In Sony's pro line, the now discontinued MDR-7509HD used a larger driver.[16] Truesdell included the MDR-7509HD in his list of "top-of-the-line" headphones for digital audio production, under other models by Bose and Beyerdynamic.[17] In 2008, The Sound Effects Bible listed the earlier MDR-7506 as essential for the "standard recording package", and the MDR-7509HD best suited to the "professional recording package", calling them "top-of-the-line Sony High Definition headphones".[18]

Specifications

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Sony MDR-V6 Sony MDR-V600 Sony MDR-7506 Sony MDR-7509HD[19] Sony MDR-7510 Sony MDR-7520 Sony MDR-CD900ST
Type Circum-aural, closed Circum-aural, closed Circum-aural, closed Circum-aural, closed Circum-aural, closed Circum-aural, closed Circum-aural, closed
Driver Units 40 mm diameter, dynamic 40 mm dia., dynamic 40 mm dia., dynamic 50 mm dia., dynamic 50 mm dia., dynamic 50 mm dia., dynamic 40 mm dia., dynamic
Impedance 63 ohms at 1 kHz 45 ohms at 1 kHz 63 ohms at 1 kHz 24 ohms at 1 kHz 24 ohms at 1 kHz 24 ohms at 1 kHz 63 ohms at 1 kHz
Sensitivity 106 dB/mW 106 dB/mW 106 dB/mW 107 dB/mW 106 dB/mW 108 dB/mW 106 dB/mW
Frequency Range 5 Hz ~ 30 kHz 5 Hz ~ 30 kHz 10 Hz ~ 20 kHz 5 Hz ~ 80 kHz 5 Hz ~ 40 kHz 5 Hz ~ 80 kHz 5 Hz ~ 30 kHz
Rated Power 0.5 W 0.5 W 0.5 W 1.0 W 1.0 W 1.0 W 0.3 W
Power handling capacity 1 W 1 W 1 W 3 W 2 W 4 W 1 W
Cord 3 m (extended length) coiled cord 3 m (extended length) coiled cord 3 m (extended length) coiled cord 3 m (extended length) coiled cord 3 m (extended length) coiled cord 3 m (extended length) coiled cord 2.5 m straight cord
Plug type Nickel plated stereo unimatch, 1/4" and 1/8" Gold plated stereo unimatch, 1/4" and 1/8" Gold plated stereo unimatch, 1/4" and 1/8" Gold plated stereo unimatch, 1/4" and 1/8" Gold plated stereo unimatch, 1/4" and 1/8" Gold plated stereo unimatch, 1/4" and 1/8" Stereo, 1/4"
Weight Approx. 230 g (without cord) Approx. 260 g (without cord) Approx. 230 g (without cord) Approx. 300 g (without cord) Approx. 260 g (without cord) Approx. 270 g (without cord) Approx. 200 g (without cord)

References

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  1. ^ Kadner, Noah (2009). Red: The Ultimate Guide to Using the Revolutionary Camera. Peachpit Press. p. 93. ISBN 978-0-321-61768-2.
  2. ^ WM-FX671 Walkman® Digital Tuning AM/FM Stereo Cassette Player (PDF). Sony Electronics. 2002. p. 2.
  3. ^ Kumin, Daniel. "Headphone Heaven". Digital Audio and Compact Disc Review. 4 (1–6). WGE Pub.: 120.
  4. ^ "Headphones". Consumer Reports: 598. 1989.
  5. ^ Forlenza, Jeff; Stone, Terri (1993). Sound for picture: an inside look at audio production for film and television. Mix pro audio. Hal Leonard Pub. Corp. p. 100. ISBN 9780793520022.
  6. ^ Electronic Musician. 19 (2–3). Polyphony Pub. Co.: 102 2003. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. ^ Rat, Dave (January 1, 2010). "The Mighty Headphone Quest Part 2". Youtube.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-22. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  8. ^ "Review". Stereo Review. 58 (1–6). CBS Magazine: 91. 1993.
  9. ^ "Review of portable DVD players". The Perfect Vision (66–73). The Perfect Vision Ltd: 88. 2006.
  10. ^ "Fast Forward: Sony Offerings". Home and Studio Recording. 5 (7): 10. May 1991. ISSN 0896-7172. To complement Sony's audio products, there is a new line of headphones: the MDR-7506, MDR-7504 and MDR-7502. The MDR-7506 uses folding construction and closed ear design. Gold connectors and an OFC cord are included for solid connections, while a stereo unimatch plug enables the unit to interface with ¼" and ⅛" external connectors. It also features a 40 mm driver and a frequency response of 10 Hz to 20 kHz. The MDR-7504 and MRD-7502 are similar to the MDR-7506, but with a few exceptions. Both headphones have 30 mm drivers and offer frequency responses of 50 Hz to 18 kHz and 60 Hz to 16 kHz, respectively.
  11. ^ "SONY MDR-V6 page". Store.sony.com. Retrieved 2011-07-03.
  12. ^ "SONY Pro MDR-7506 page". Pro.sony.com. 2008-11-18. Retrieved 2011-07-03.
  13. ^ "Review". EQ. 8 (7–12). Miller Freeman Publications: 120. 1997.
  14. ^ Beggs, Josh; Thede, Dylan (2001). Designing web audio. O'Reilly Web Studio. O'Reilly Media, Inc. p. 336. ISBN 1-56592-353-7.
  15. ^ "Sony MDR-V6 headphones review: A classic headphone endures for a reason - CNET page". cnet.com. 2014-03-07. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
  16. ^ "SONY Pro page on headphones". Pro.sony.com. Retrieved 2011-07-03.
  17. ^ Truesdell, Cliff (2007). Mastering Digital Audio Production: The Professional Music Workflow with Mac OS X. John Wiley and Sons. p. 500. ISBN 978-0-470-10259-6.
  18. ^ Viers, Rick (2008). The Sound Effects Bible: How to Create and Record Hollywood Style Sound Effects. Michael Wiese Productions. ISBN 978-1-932907-48-3.
  19. ^ "SonyBiz". Sonybiz.ca. Retrieved 2011-07-03.
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