Sony MDR-1R

Sony MDR-1R Review

The Sony MDR-1R is a powerful, clean-performing pair of headphones that's comfortable to wear and lends itself well to multiple genres of music. Sony's forays into headphones of late have often been focused on boosted bass, or even co-branding with television shows (like the X Factor), so it's refreshing to see a no-nonsense, high quality pair like the MDR-1R. At $299.99 (direct), it's priced for serious music lovers, and its sound signature, with powerful-yet-refined bass response and crisp highs, does not disappoint. The design is visually pleasing, well-constructed, and comfortable, and includes thoughtful features like detachable cables. There are no ugly surprises here—the MDR-1R doesn't distort at top volumes, nor does it lean too heavily in favor of deep bass. DesignThe design of the MDR-1R is graceful, with the simple black matte, shiny metallic-colored surfaces, and luxurious-looking padded leather all combining to create a classic backdrop for the familiar Sony logo. A touch of bright red is used on the ear cups, and it elevates the look from stately to cool. If there's a complaint, it's only that some of the ma...