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Sony Mdr-7506Image © Amazon

Sony Mdr-7506

73/ 100
Great
HearWiki score

Good value

$99
typical price, USD
Still sold newupdated
Buy now onAmazon

At a glance

Brand
Sony
Type
Over-Ear
Fit
closed
Connection
Wired
Noise cancelling
No
Released
1991

Score breakdowngreat overall

Sound7.7
Value8.7

The HearWiki takeAI-condensed

The Sony MDR-7506 is a wired, closed-back studio staple known for its clear and accurate sound, though its treble can come across as bright or harsh. It offers minimal passive isolation and no active noise cancellation, making it best suited for quiet environments like studios rather than commuting. Its fixed cable and lack of controls keep things simple, but the lightweight, foldable build and affordable price maintain its appeal for monitoring.

What works

  • Accurate, detailed sound with strong clarity
  • Lightweight and foldable for easy storage
  • Affordable price for a professional-grade tool
  • Long-standing reputation as an industry standard
  • Comfortable for extended studio sessions

What doesn't

  • Treble can be shouty or harsh at times
  • Weak passive isolation, no ANC
  • Fixed, non-detachable cable
  • No inline controls or USB-C connectivity

Paraphrased from published reviews & specs - not an original hands-on test. Our AI disclosure.

Specifications

Audio - Sony Mdr-7506
Driver40 mm dynamic
Driver typedynamic
Driver size40 mm
Drivers per side1
Frequency response10 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance24 Ω
Sensitivity106 dB/mW

Where to buy

Retailers we matched to this exact model. Prices are periodic snapshots - the link always opens the retailer's current listing.

What the reviews said

4 source(s) feeding this product's score.

sonarworks.com

70

Sonarworks rates the MDR-7506 as a comfortable closed-back studio headphone with good value for the price, while also calling out the fixed cable as a drawback. Their conclusion is that it remains a practical monitoring option, especially considering its low cost and long-standing studio use.

Read the full review

musicradar.com

MusicRadar presents the MDR-7506 as a long-running circumaural studio classic with a straightforward, professional feature set. The published specification block highlights its 40 mm driver, 63 ohm impedance, and 230 g weight, underscoring its lightweight, practical design.

Read the full review

techgearlab.com

TechGearLab says the MDR-7506 is clear and accurate overall, but the treble can be shouty and harsh at times. They also note that its passive noise cancellation is weak and that it lacks ANC.

Read the full review

What YouTube reviewers say

Video reviews we found, each condensed to its verdict. They do feed the HearWiki score, at a measured weight below what a published written review carries.

The consensus

Mixedacross 6 videos

Reviewers largely agree that the Sony MDR-7506 is a durable, affordable, and industry-standard headphone with a clear, detailed sound that excels for professional monitoring and voiceover work, though most note its non-detachable cable and average comfort as drawbacks.

Reviewers liked

  • Accurate and detailed sound for monitoring
  • Durable with user-replaceable parts
  • Affordable and portable

Reviewers flagged

  • Non-detachable, heavy or coiled cable
  • Uncomfortable clamping and headband pressure
  • Harsh treble and insufficient bass for critical mixing
6:32

Sony MDR-7506 Review: Cheap headphones for Audio Production

SoundGuys187.5K viewsMar 2018

The reviewer finds the Sony MDR-7506 headphones to be a solid, affordable choice for audio production due to their accurate mid and high frequency emphasis, which reveals flaws in mixes. However, they note the build is plastic and not very durable, the design is dated, comfort is only adequate, and the non-removable heavy cable is inconvenient for portable use. Overall, they recommend them for production work but not for casual listening.

6:10

🎧 Sony MDR-7506 Studio Headphone Review – What You Need to Know for Mixing

SoundID from Sonarworks173.3K viewsJun 2015

The reviewer finds the Sony MDR-7506 to be a rugged, reliable headphone well-suited for live sound and on-site work, but its uncalibrated frequency response is too harsh and bass-deficient for critical studio mixing. However, with Sonarworks calibration, the headphones become much more precise and enjoyable, making them a viable mixing tool despite persistent bass limitations.

9:05

Sony MDR-7506 Review: This is why these are still used after 30 years...

Audio Advisor138.4K viewsSep 2021

The reviewer praises the Sony MDR-7506 as a durable, industry-standard monitoring headphone that delivers exceptional clarity and a neutral sound profile, making it ideal for professional audio work. Despite minor comfort and design quirks, the reviewer concludes it remains a must-have tool for its price, offering accurate sound reproduction that saves time in editing workflows.

12:05

My Sony MDR 7506 Headphones (and why I don't use them)

Booth Junkie82.3K viewsSep 2019

The reviewer finds the Sony MDR-7506 headphones excellent for use in the recording booth, as they flatter the voice with a boosted bass and treble, but considers them poor for mixing and mastering because they do not provide a truthful representation of the audio. The headphones are described as having a 'disco smile' EQ curve, being bright, and having an uncomfortable clamping force, making them unsuitable for long sessions.

11:29

Z-Review - Sony MDR-7506

Z Reviews73.3K viewsJul 2014

The reviewer praises the Sony MDR-7506 as an excellent budget closed-back headphone, highlighting its clean, tight bass and comfortable fit, while noting a recessed midrange and a non-detachable, overly long cable as drawbacks. He recommends it as a fun, portable option, though he would not use it for professional mixing.

6:25

😮The Sony MDR-7506 Will Change YOUR Life!! [Rabbit Hole Series]

Home Studio Basics59.2K viewsDec 2020

The reviewer highly recommends the Sony MDR-7506 as a life-changing entry-level audiophile headphone, praising its clear and articulate sound that reveals details in music. He notes it has some drawbacks like an inconvenient coiled cable, flaking pads, and average comfort, but believes it's a solid, affordable choice that everyone should own, though it may lead to wanting better gear later.

Summaries are AI condensations of each video's own conclusion, not transcripts. Titles, thumbnails and view counts belong to their channels.

What owners say

A sample of buyer reviews, quoted as written. They aren't verified and they don't feed the HearWiki score - that comes from published reviews only.

Comfortable With Excellent Sound Quality

I love these headphones. The sound is wonderful with deep clean bass and crisp highs. Individual instruments and vocals are clearly distinguishable, at times seeming to float around me. The ear padsRead more

HEADPHONE SHOOT-OUT !!!

Background: I got tired of all the mixed reviews of best “closed, around-ear” headphones fewer than $200, so I got 7 of the top recommended brands/models and decided for myself (luckily, they had a 15Read more

Best in class for price range

The best headphones I own for gaming. The reasons: 1. The cord is thick and swirled for extension without breaking. 2. The amplify quite nicely when running through desktop speakers. 3. MOSTRead more

Best headphones for the money you will ever find!

I have had a few of these over the years (Sony has made this model for over a quarter of a century!) and they have never failed to impress me. They have been a standard among professionals for decadesRead more

via Amazon customer reviews

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