Sony MDRV6 Studio Monitor Headphones with CCAW Voice Coil
Brand | Sony |
Model Name | MDRV6 |
Color | Black |
Form Factor | Over Ear |
Connectivity Technology | Wired |
About this item
- Connectivity Technology: Wired
- Neodymium magnets and 40mm drivers for powerful, detailed sound
- Over-ear design provides comfort and outstanding reduction of external noises
- 10-foot oxygen free copper cord ends in 3.5mm plug; 1/4-inch adapter included
- Copper-clad aluminum voice coil wire for improved power handling
- Wide frequency response of 5 Hz - 30 kHz
Save on Quality Tripod by AmazonBasics |
AmazonBasics 60-Inch Lightweight Tripod with Bag, 2-Pack | AmazonBasics Lightweight Mini Tripod, 4-Pack | AmazonBasics 50-Inch Lightweight Tripod with Bag, 4-Pack |
Similar items that may ship from close to you
- Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm HeadphoneFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Monday, Apr 1
- Sennheiser Professional HD 280 PRO Over-Ear Monitoring Headphones,BlackFREE Shipping by AmazonGet it as soon as Monday, Apr 1
- Sony Mdr-cd900st Studio Monitor Stereo HeadphonesFREE Shipping by AmazonGet it as soon as Monday, Apr 1Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
- Sony DJ Headphones 4334205465, Black, StandardAmazon's Choicein Over-Ear HeadphonesFREE Shipping by AmazonGet it as soon as Monday, Apr 1
- Sony MDR-7506 Professional Headphones Level 2 190839079527FREE Shipping by AmazonGet it as soon as Monday, Apr 1
- WC Wicked Cushions Replacement Ear Pads for Sony MDR 7506 | Softer Leather, Luxurious Memory Foam, Unmatched Durability | Compatible with MDR 7506 / MDR V6 / MDR CD900ST (Black)Amazon's Choicein Headphone EarpadsFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Monday, Apr 1
Compare with similar items
This Item Sony MDRV6 Studio Monitor Headphones with CCAW Voice Coil | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | |
Price | $447.97$447.97 | $98.94$98.94 | $99.00$99.00 | $94.00$94.00 | $96.24$96.24 | -17% $249.99$249.99 List: $299.99 |
Delivery | Get it Apr 4 - 8 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Sound quality | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.8 | 4.5 |
Noise cancellation | 3.9 | 4.2 | 3.7 | 4.2 | 4.0 | 3.8 |
Quality of material | 4.3 | — | 3.9 | 4.2 | — | 5.0 |
Comfort | — | — | 3.8 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.5 |
Bass quality | 4.5 | 4.5 | — | 4.2 | — | — |
Sold By | Video & Audio Center - Same Day Shipping | TheImagingWorld | Amazon.com | Instrumentpro | DirectSupplyClub | GRAMOPHONE |
connectivity tech | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired |
headphones form factor | Over Ear | Over Ear | Over Ear | Over Ear | Over Ear | Over Ear |
connector type | Stereo UniMatch® Plug | 3 5mm Jack | 3.5mm Jack | 3.5mm Jack | 3 5mm Jack | 3.5mm Jack |
headphones jack | 3.5 mm Jack | — | 6.35 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack |
cable feature | Retractable | Retractable | Retractable, Detachable | Fixed | Detachable | Detachable |
control type | Noise Control | — | — | Noise Control | — | control |
From the manufacturer
Sony MDRV6 Studio Monitor Headphones
Additional Features
Product Specs
- Headband: Wide, adjustable, single, folding ear-cups
- Cord Length (Approx):10 ft (3.0m)
- Frequency Response: 5Hz - 30,000Hz
- Sensitivity (db): 106dB/mW
- Magnet: Neodymium
- Power Handling Capacity: 1.0W
- Impedance:63 ohms
Sony UniMatch Plug
with fixed mini plug for portable use and detachable phone plug for home hi-fi use
Professional-Style Headphones
For monitoring your recordings and high-fidelity listening
Circum-Aural design reduces noise from the outside world.
Oval ear-pads for extra isolation.
40 MM diameter drivers to provide wide surface area for superb dynamics and deep bass down to 5 Hz.
Oxygen-free copper litz cord for maximum conductivity and minimum noise.
Comfort and Portability
Wide, padded headband distributes the headphone''s weight over a wide area; reduced pressure means comfortable listening for hours on end.
Folding design for compact storage and easy portability.
Rugged design for heavy-duty use.
What's in the box
Product guides and documents
Looking for specific info?
Product information
Item Weight | 10.6 ounces |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Sony |
ASIN | B00001WRSJ |
Item model number | MDRV6 |
Customer Reviews |
4.6 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #198,417 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #4,214 in Over-Ear Headphones |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | October 2, 2001 |
Item Weight | 0.66 Pounds |
Units | 1.0 Count |
Number Of Items | 1 |
Cable Length | 10 Feet |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
Product Description
A headset system designed for audio professionals. 40 mm drivers deliver accurate sound throughout the frequency range. Circum-aural design keeps ears comfortable. Reduces noise from the outside world. Copper-Clad Aluminum Wire (CCAW) Voice Coil enhances movement of PET diaphragm.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the sound quality, quality and comfort of the headphones. For example, they mention the bass frequencies are enhanced, it's one of the best headphone on the market and the overall quality is superb. Some appreciate the clarity. That said, opinions are mixed on durability, fit, and portability.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the sound quality of the headphones. They mention that the sound is phenomenal, it isolates a lot of sound, and the bass frequencies are enhanced. They also appreciate the level of detail in the sound, lack of distortion, and ability to deliver very high volume levels without distortion. Customers say the headphones are very good for home listening enjoyment, and make the music come alive. They say the ability to hear tight, pitch-perfect, clearly, and at very high volumes is a joy.
"...are comfortable enough to forget that they are on, and the are noise isolating enough that they literally cut the noise levels in the room in half...." Read more
"..."quality" headphones that I have owned, and the level of detail in the sound, lack of distortion, and overall quality is simply superb...." Read more
"...Every genre of music sounds beautiful. After a few weeks of breaking them in, I tried testing these beautiful headphones and they did not fail...." Read more
"...As for noise cancellation, it does reduce outside noise by about 33% IMO but there is no noise cancellation, passive or active...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the quality of the headphones. They mention that it's a very good product for headphones under $100, and that the overall quality is superb. They also say that the sound is clear and unimpeded, and the headphones have a storied reputation.
"...These headphones have been fantastic. I have put literally thousands (6,000 plus) of hours on them...." Read more
"...the level of detail in the sound, lack of distortion, and overall quality is simply superb. I am completely satisfied...." Read more
"...that are prone to breakage (I'm an engineer, take my word) and nothing feels cheap. Again, people have owned these for decades...." Read more
"...I am not saying that the bass isn't good, it is very good, very deep. It's just not eardrum breaking...." Read more
Customers like the comfort of the headphones. They say that they are comfortable for short-term listening, with nice and light earpads. The padding is quite comfortable, and it doesn't squish your ears. The fit of the new V6 is snug without being tight or uncomfortable, and the pressure on the ears is as comforting as falling asleep against the breasts of a new lover.
"...They are comfortable enough to forget that they are on, and the are noise isolating enough that they literally cut the noise levels in the room in..." Read more
"...the sound quality from these headphones (both models), and with the comfort...." Read more
"...Comfortable and they are not loose but nice and light you can wear them along time...." Read more
"...The cans themselves are comfy, and I don't experience any of the head-pinching that some get from the headband...." Read more
Customers find the headphones to be the best bang for the buck, a great investment, and well worth the price. They also say the cups feel sturdy and premium, with a lot of adjustability. Customers also say that the headphones are a decent place to start, with quality audio.
"...in durability, comfort, sound quality, surround reproduction, and price...." Read more
"...second pair (and getting both models) was because these V6's were very inexpensive at the time I ordered, and because I was curious to see if I..." Read more
"...Definitely worth the money . I love em!!!! Good bye Sennheiser sorry but I found a new love and she didn't cost me an arm and a leg to get there...." Read more
"This is the Odyssey that lead me to a great set of headphones at a reasonable price. I am no sound expert or audiophile...." Read more
Customers like the clarity of the headphones. They mention that the mids are clearer than what they were used to, and the treble is much more crisp and refined.
"...You can hear the highs, the lows, and the mids very clearly on this set, and one is not overpowered by the others...." Read more
"...The biggest difference between this and my other earbuds is the clarity of the music, especially the vocal...." Read more
"...I do transfer and encode to the highest Apple will allow too. Crystal clear ...." Read more
"...widely used in the TV, music, and radio industries thanks to their clear, even sound (and, probably, their low selling price)...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the durability of the headphones. Some mention that the ear cups are very sturdy and feel pleasant, with an excellent build quality. The 10 ft. coiled cord is rugged and well shielded. However, some customers report that the headphones have had some wear and tear issues and the foam is somewhat fragile. Additionally, some say that the ears pads wear out over time and start to flake off.
"...Quality- Very high quality. Nothing feels flimsy at all, there are no joints that are prone to breakage (I'm an engineer, take my word) and nothing..." Read more
"...Okay, now the review.The product:It is very well made, no cheap plastic parts...." Read more
"...The only reason I'm on Amazon right now is that the ear pads just started to flake off a few days ago, so I am shopping for new pads...." Read more
"...These are made with a much stronger, durable plastic, and they feel like they're made to last...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the fit of the headphones. Some mention that they fit nicely, while others say that they don't quite fit over their ears. The velour isn't very soft, and the inside is actually the same size as the outside. The cable end doesn't really fit well, and replacement earpads are hard to fit on.
"...these headphones have a very soft feel on the head, yet are firm enough to not fall off...." Read more
"...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..." Read more
"...1:The included ear pads are *personally* pretty bad. They aren't deep enough to actually keep them off my ears and it feels like I'm using on-ear..." Read more
"...I'm a 6'0 guy with average ear size and the pads fit completely around my ears, they don't squish them down into my head...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the portability of the headphones. Some mention that they are fairly comfortable and not too heavy or bulky. They also say that the headband is light and decently soft. However, others say that they're moderately weighty, not very portable, and the weight of the coiled cord is a negative.
"...Comfortable and they are not loose but nice and light you can wear them along time...." Read more
"...Go slow about it. They will feel more comfortable, they'll feel lighter, still have the same sound effects, and won't irritate your ear, or the weak..." Read more
"...These definitely don't. They're a bit heavy thanks to the metal construction, but they never feel like they're weighing my head down or anything...." Read more
"...The Good-1:They are MUCH smaller in person then how I've seen them in most pictures and very light...." Read more
Reviews with images
-
Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
I want to start out by pointing out that these headphones have a very soft feel on the head, yet are firm enough to not fall off. Sound quality is extremely important to me, not just blasting bass or highs or anything. These have excellent fidelity. You can hear the highs, the lows, and the mids very clearly on this set, and one is not overpowered by the others. One thing I have noticed about lower-end headphones is the fact that when you have too many things going on in music (or games, or movies) some parts start to literally get lost as the headphones simply cannot handle that many streams simultaneously. These headphones do not have that problem. After reading the reviews from people who have enjoyed theirs for ten to twenty years, I look forward to a long relationship with these.
I listen to a wide variety of music, and everything from Linkin Park to Mozart sounds great on these headphones, as well as a wide variety of PC games ranging from thrillers where hearing clearly is essential to survival, to FPS games with explosions and gunshots. I have noticed with these phones, I feel like I have my 5.1 system on, and have to take them off to ensure I am not being obnoxious to my neighbors, only to learn that it is simply the quality of the headphones that I am hearing. The same thing happened with our digital piano, I thought I was hearing the piano outside of my headphones as well as inside them, but that was not the case. Anyone who is disappointed by these either has ridiculous expectations, or they do not know what sound quality is.
Update 2/15/2013
So, I wanted to get on here and make another comment on the comfort and noise reduction. I have put them on when I sat down at my computer, only to realize an hour later I was still wearing them, and not listening to any music. They are comfortable enough to forget that they are on, and the are noise isolating enough that they literally cut the noise levels in the room in half. I continue to love them.
Update 1/19/2015
I have found a "con" with these headphones... they spoil you. The frequency response is excellent, far better than anything else in the price range. Mine are still going strong with several hours of daily use. The pads are starting to wear out a little, but are still extremely comfortable. I am currently trying to find some speakers for my computer so I can listen while walking around the room, and it is difficult to find something with comparable quality in speaker form. I still love them, and will still sometimes realize I am wearing them and forget that I don't have anything on, just enjoying the quiet isolation that they provide. They still provide excellent sound quality, whether it be games, movies, music, or whatever. I was just playing with a sound generating tool, and I can (barely) hear as low as .9 Hz with these phones... that is incredible for headphones. JUST BUY THEM ALREADY!! :)
Update 12/14/2015
Just wanted to update that I am still using these headphones, and still loving them. They are by far the BEST headphones I have ever owned. They beat everything I have ever tried in durability, comfort, sound quality, surround reproduction, and price. Honestly, the fact that I am eclipsing my third year with these bad boys says a lot. Rather than having to replace sub-standard phones multiple times in the last three years; I have owned the same pair. And while I don't abuse them, I'm not exactly gentle on them either. I collapse them, wrap the cord around them, then toss them into my suitcase for travel. They are still in excellent condition (sans the pads). The only reason I'm on Amazon right now is that the ear pads just started to flake off a few days ago, so I am shopping for new pads. Again, worth every penny. Especially where they are like $65 right now; I am legitimately considering buying a second pair, especially considering the fact that the pads are $25. again... BUY THESE! YOU WILL LOVE THEM!!!!
April 2017... Still love them, still use them daily for hour or more. I even use them while working out. You won't regret buying these.
September 27, 2017 -
Still absolutely love them. Still sound amazing. Still holding up great. Still incredibly comfortable. Still would buy them again in a heartbeat.
February 18, 2018 -
Use them daily. Love them. Love love love LOVE them. I had someone suggest to me that I should buy a gamer's headset with a microphone. I pointed out to them that the headphones I use are what professionals use when PRODUCING music... so I wasn't about to give them up... so I bought as mic boom instead :) Unmatched sound, incredible durability. I have gotten more than my money's worth out of these, and they are still going strong.
August 8th, 2018 -
I am buying a second pair today. Not because the first ones have broken, but because I have a second location for my headphones to travel to, and I would rather have a second pair than take them from one computer to the other. Yeah. They are that good. 6 years old, working great, no flaws... and I'm now going to add my second pair. Fantastic. I truly don't geek out about much... but these are phenomenal headphones. I have never had a set of headphones last 6 years... and they still are GREAT.
January 10th, 2019 -
Still great. I'm wearing my original pair right now, and they sound just as phenomenal as they did the day I bought them. I will say that the aftermarket pads (unfortunately, I don't remember what the brand was...) are better than the originals, as they have had much harder use over the last three years of use than the first three years of use, and the non OEM pads are still in fantastic condition. I shared some of the concerns mentioned by a few other reviewers about the little cords that poke out the top of the monitors, but 6 years in... no damage. I am considering buying a THIRD pair, so I have a travel set, a permanently plugged into the back of my PC set, and a workout set. Yeah, yeah... first world problems... but I can't bring myself to consider purchasing anything else. These headphones have been fantastic. I have put literally thousands (6,000 plus) of hours on them. Not a single issue, other than replacing pads 3 years ago. I can't say enough good things about these. Sony has had their ups and downs... but these headphones are one of their resounding successes.
7/28/2020
Still use my original pair almost daily. I am always amazed when I put these on at the quality of the sound (I have a pair of SkullCandy Bluetooth headphones I wear around the house - no cord is nice sometimes.) The sound quality on these still can't be beat; and this is after almost 8 years of ownership. I'll keep updating as I keep enjoying using them.
4/16/2021
I'm coming back to buy new ear pads for my original pair again. Still fantastic headphones. I ended up buying the third pair. It lives on my treadmill. Although it seems like these may not be buyable right now... if they do come back in stock; buy them. Don't hesitate, stop thinking about it... these are the audiophile headphones you are looking for. I love mine.
10/1/2022
So I just "retired" my first pair of these. They have been used, abused, flown on multiple flights, used for workouts, not always treated as nicely as one should, but most importantly, used for literally TENS of THOUSANDS of hours. Why did I retire them? They starting having a buzzing in the left ear at some frequencies in the last year. It became just too much for me, especially as I had a brand new pair (my travel pair) sitting next to me at my desk. So now, my original set is my travel set. Because there is no way I'm going to get rid of them. They still sound GREAT, just the mild buzz is a bit too much for daily use. These headphones are LEGENDARY.
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2013
I want to start out by pointing out that these headphones have a very soft feel on the head, yet are firm enough to not fall off. Sound quality is extremely important to me, not just blasting bass or highs or anything. These have excellent fidelity. You can hear the highs, the lows, and the mids very clearly on this set, and one is not overpowered by the others. One thing I have noticed about lower-end headphones is the fact that when you have too many things going on in music (or games, or movies) some parts start to literally get lost as the headphones simply cannot handle that many streams simultaneously. These headphones do not have that problem. After reading the reviews from people who have enjoyed theirs for ten to twenty years, I look forward to a long relationship with these.
I listen to a wide variety of music, and everything from Linkin Park to Mozart sounds great on these headphones, as well as a wide variety of PC games ranging from thrillers where hearing clearly is essential to survival, to FPS games with explosions and gunshots. I have noticed with these phones, I feel like I have my 5.1 system on, and have to take them off to ensure I am not being obnoxious to my neighbors, only to learn that it is simply the quality of the headphones that I am hearing. The same thing happened with our digital piano, I thought I was hearing the piano outside of my headphones as well as inside them, but that was not the case. Anyone who is disappointed by these either has ridiculous expectations, or they do not know what sound quality is.
Update 2/15/2013
So, I wanted to get on here and make another comment on the comfort and noise reduction. I have put them on when I sat down at my computer, only to realize an hour later I was still wearing them, and not listening to any music. They are comfortable enough to forget that they are on, and the are noise isolating enough that they literally cut the noise levels in the room in half. I continue to love them.
Update 1/19/2015
I have found a "con" with these headphones... they spoil you. The frequency response is excellent, far better than anything else in the price range. Mine are still going strong with several hours of daily use. The pads are starting to wear out a little, but are still extremely comfortable. I am currently trying to find some speakers for my computer so I can listen while walking around the room, and it is difficult to find something with comparable quality in speaker form. I still love them, and will still sometimes realize I am wearing them and forget that I don't have anything on, just enjoying the quiet isolation that they provide. They still provide excellent sound quality, whether it be games, movies, music, or whatever. I was just playing with a sound generating tool, and I can (barely) hear as low as .9 Hz with these phones... that is incredible for headphones. JUST BUY THEM ALREADY!! :)
Update 12/14/2015
Just wanted to update that I am still using these headphones, and still loving them. They are by far the BEST headphones I have ever owned. They beat everything I have ever tried in durability, comfort, sound quality, surround reproduction, and price. Honestly, the fact that I am eclipsing my third year with these bad boys says a lot. Rather than having to replace sub-standard phones multiple times in the last three years; I have owned the same pair. And while I don't abuse them, I'm not exactly gentle on them either. I collapse them, wrap the cord around them, then toss them into my suitcase for travel. They are still in excellent condition (sans the pads). The only reason I'm on Amazon right now is that the ear pads just started to flake off a few days ago, so I am shopping for new pads. Again, worth every penny. Especially where they are like $65 right now; I am legitimately considering buying a second pair, especially considering the fact that the pads are $25. again... BUY THESE! YOU WILL LOVE THEM!!!!
April 2017... Still love them, still use them daily for hour or more. I even use them while working out. You won't regret buying these.
September 27, 2017 -
Still absolutely love them. Still sound amazing. Still holding up great. Still incredibly comfortable. Still would buy them again in a heartbeat.
February 18, 2018 -
Use them daily. Love them. Love love love LOVE them. I had someone suggest to me that I should buy a gamer's headset with a microphone. I pointed out to them that the headphones I use are what professionals use when PRODUCING music... so I wasn't about to give them up... so I bought as mic boom instead :) Unmatched sound, incredible durability. I have gotten more than my money's worth out of these, and they are still going strong.
August 8th, 2018 -
I am buying a second pair today. Not because the first ones have broken, but because I have a second location for my headphones to travel to, and I would rather have a second pair than take them from one computer to the other. Yeah. They are that good. 6 years old, working great, no flaws... and I'm now going to add my second pair. Fantastic. I truly don't geek out about much... but these are phenomenal headphones. I have never had a set of headphones last 6 years... and they still are GREAT.
January 10th, 2019 -
Still great. I'm wearing my original pair right now, and they sound just as phenomenal as they did the day I bought them. I will say that the aftermarket pads (unfortunately, I don't remember what the brand was...) are better than the originals, as they have had much harder use over the last three years of use than the first three years of use, and the non OEM pads are still in fantastic condition. I shared some of the concerns mentioned by a few other reviewers about the little cords that poke out the top of the monitors, but 6 years in... no damage. I am considering buying a THIRD pair, so I have a travel set, a permanently plugged into the back of my PC set, and a workout set. Yeah, yeah... first world problems... but I can't bring myself to consider purchasing anything else. These headphones have been fantastic. I have put literally thousands (6,000 plus) of hours on them. Not a single issue, other than replacing pads 3 years ago. I can't say enough good things about these. Sony has had their ups and downs... but these headphones are one of their resounding successes.
7/28/2020
Still use my original pair almost daily. I am always amazed when I put these on at the quality of the sound (I have a pair of SkullCandy Bluetooth headphones I wear around the house - no cord is nice sometimes.) The sound quality on these still can't be beat; and this is after almost 8 years of ownership. I'll keep updating as I keep enjoying using them.
4/16/2021
I'm coming back to buy new ear pads for my original pair again. Still fantastic headphones. I ended up buying the third pair. It lives on my treadmill. Although it seems like these may not be buyable right now... if they do come back in stock; buy them. Don't hesitate, stop thinking about it... these are the audiophile headphones you are looking for. I love mine.
10/1/2022
So I just "retired" my first pair of these. They have been used, abused, flown on multiple flights, used for workouts, not always treated as nicely as one should, but most importantly, used for literally TENS of THOUSANDS of hours. Why did I retire them? They starting having a buzzing in the left ear at some frequencies in the last year. It became just too much for me, especially as I had a brand new pair (my travel pair) sitting next to me at my desk. So now, my original set is my travel set. Because there is no way I'm going to get rid of them. They still sound GREAT, just the mild buzz is a bit too much for daily use. These headphones are LEGENDARY.
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 observed:
- 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 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 the two headphones do 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.
Top reviews from other countries
2. The soft coiled coil which can be extented
3. Got the clear sound with no noise.
As it is my first one so Iam using it cautiously and everyday I am trying to find out what is the best in it for which I have purchased .
At present I am very much satisfied.Thank sony for your product making it a industry standard.
PHYSICAL: They are built well, the size adjustment mechanism is quite tight, and all the connectors are solid. They turned out to be a bit smaller than I expected, but this doesn't take away from the sound whatsoever. The cord is thick and well insulated, however it can get a bit heavy since it's coiled. They come with a bag and fold up nicely for great portability. Also, the 1/4" adapter screws on, rather than just snapping on, which creates a more solid connection and seamless look.
SOUND: Truly amazing. The range in frequencies is remarkable and they are well balanced - punchy bass, pronounced mids, and crystal-clear highs. They are great for literally any genre of music; I've listened to everything on them from live acoustic albums, (ie: Eric Clapton Unplugged or The Eagles' Hell Freezes Over) to metal, (ie: Soilwork, Korn, In Flames) to dubstep/house, (ie: deadmau5, Skrillex ) and everything in between. Aside from listening to music on my iMac/iPod (with or without an amp), I also use them for watching movies as well as mixing/recording - they are extremely versatile headphones. NOTE: I also tried the popular Beats by Dre 'Studio' cans before buying the V6's; to me these sound just as good as the BbD's, (if not better) and are less than half the price.
After using them for about 2 weeks, I ordered a set of deluxe velour pads to replace the OEM pleather ones - the difference in comfort is remarkable! The ones I got were by Pearstone and made specifically for the V6/7506, but I've read in many places that the Beyerdynamic DT250 replacement pads are a nice fit as well. I also gutted the pleather pads and put the stuffing in underneath the new ones to create 'double-stuff' earpads. The thicker padding moves the drivers away from your ears just a little bit, thus creating a slightly wider soundstage and more natural (as well as a biiiiit louder) low-end tones, and also brings out the mids a bit more. If you don't want to take apart your OEM pads, swapping them out for the velour pads is still an excellent choice, even if your OEM's are in good shape.
My ONLY complaint about these cans is the cord. Like I mentioned, it's a bit heavy and can get annoying at times. It would be nice if they had built in a removable cord so that you can replace it with, say, a straight cord or one that's not as heavy.
I promise you won't be disappointed if you buy these headphones - especially for the price!
***UPDATE - June 9/14***
Been using these regularly for the past 2.5 years and they still sound fantastic, maybe even better as they age. All the clips and mechanisms are still perfect, though I have since replaced the coiled cable with a female 3.5mm jack to allow for interchangeable cables, (there are tons of tutorials to do this, Google is your friend) which makes a world of difference!
I have a confession though, I have since purchased a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50S Professional Studio Monitor Headphones and the V6's quickly became my backup headphones. Don't get me wrong, these are killer cans for the price, (still 5-stars, if you ask me) but IMO the M50's are "better enough", (in both sound & build quality) to justify spending that extra $30. Also, the pads are 100% interchangeable between the M50's and V6's, (though I prefer the seal of the pleathers on the M50's) so if you have both like me, that's a bit of a bonus.