Sony Professional MDR 7506 Closed Headphones

ElkBit

May 30, 2023 9:29 PM

155 Comments

Joined Dec 2018

ElkBitMay 30, 2023 9:29 PM

155 Comments

Quote from LavenderPickle7682

:

These headphones are a prime example of a feedback loop (no pun intended).

Folks claim they're "industry standard" and are in "every recording studio". But everyone who uses them are pretty much in agreement -- they're not comfortable, not that great acoustically, kinda flimsy, etc. But they're relatively cheap, so people keep buying them -- hence why you see them "in every recording studio".

When I took a DAW class in college we were recommended these headphones. I bought a pair and while I thought they were pretty good for recording, I can agree that they are not that comfortable and the cable internally frayed on me after about three years. I haven't done any audio recording in over ten years so I don't know what the gold standard is nowadays although I have been looking at a pair of HD600 headphones [sennheiser-hearing.com] by Sennheiser (ol' mate Senny).

1

justjoel73

May 30, 2023 10:37 PM

534 Comments

Joined Nov 2008

justjoel73May 30, 2023 10:37 PM

534 Comments

Quote from msk2uonly

:

I found that the ear pieces fall apart after about a year of light. The cost of replacing those is almost the same as buying a new pair! If anyone knows of any generic alternatives please let me know...

If you search on Amazon "7506 replacement pads" you get a whole bunch of listings. Originals, microfiber, sheepskin leather.....

11

ben_r_

May 30, 2023 11:03 PM

14.8K Comments

Joined Jul 2006

ben_r_May 30, 2023 11:03 PM

14.8K Comments

Good ol' tried and true right here. Been an industry standard for decades. I personally like to change the earpads out for velour style ones, but many find those to be hot. I like them a lot more than the feel of pleather on my skin.

9

NeatTank3537

May 31, 2023 2:09 AM

78 Comments

Joined Nov 2022

NeatTank3537May 31, 2023 2:09 AM

78 Comments

Quote from LavenderPickle7682

:

These headphones are a prime example of a feedback loop (no pun intended).

Folks claim they're "industry standard" and are in "every recording studio". But everyone who uses them are pretty much in agreement -- they're not comfortable, not that great acoustically, kinda flimsy, etc. But they're relatively cheap, so people keep buying them -- hence why you see them "in every recording studio".

Everything you said couldn't be further from the truth. Anyone who is interested in these, don't listen to this guy, these are unbelievable and are easily worth 5x the price and they will NEVER break. I've owned mine over 20 years and bought replacements when they are on sale and they are still in their packages collecting dust.

21

3

LwdshB

May 31, 2023 2:37 AM

940 Comments

Joined Aug 2013

LwdshBMay 31, 2023 2:37 AM

940 Comments

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Quote from SplendidHome1945

:

these sound terrible , not sure why the hype, even had a pair and sold it

Cause they came out like 40 years ago and back then they were good, since they stayed so long in studios a lot of folks got accustomed to the sound and tuning for mixing and production reasons, there are better versions of it but Sony has long surpassed these in later iterations of their studio monitor headphones, but because studios had them for so long they just end up ordering them as replacments when they break for folks that need something starter reference.

2

1

VinylVishRecords

May 31, 2023 2:49 AM

49 Comments

Joined Jan 2008

VinylVishRecordsMay 31, 2023 2:49 AM

49 Comments

Quote from persian_mafia

:

For those interested, this offer matches the previous frontpage deal.

Link [bhphotovideo.com]

Includes:

Sony MDR 7506 Wired Professional Stereo Headphones
Soft Case
Gold-plated UnimatchTM 3.5mm/6.3mm adaptor

Features:

Neodymium magnets and 40 millimeter drivers for powerful, detailed sound
Closed ear design provides comfort and outstanding reduction of external noises
9.8 foot cord ends in gold plated plug and it is not detachable; 1/4 inch adapter included
Folds up for storage or travel in provided soft case
Frequency Response: 10 Hertz to 20 kilohertz
These large diaphragm, foldable headphones feature a rugged construction, a secure, highly effective closed ear design
Connectivity technology : Wired

It also includes a limited 90-day manufacturer warranty. Shipping is free.

Was this description written in the 1990s Haaaa! "The MDR-7506 is an over-ear design and is ideal for use with MIDI workstations, camcorders"

killerrabbit1961

May 31, 2023 3:26 AM

1.8K Comments

Joined Apr 2017

killerrabbit1961May 31, 2023 3:26 AM

1.8K Comments

Quote from LwdshB

:

Cause they came out like 40 years ago and back then they were good, since they stayed so long in studios a lot of folks got accustomed to the sound and tuning for mixing and production reasons, there are better versions of it but Sony has long surpassed these in later iterations of their studio monitor headphones, but because studios had them for so long they just end up ordering them as replacments when they break for folks that need something starter reference.

What are the better versions and why are they better?

5

Greyout

May 31, 2023 5:14 AM

298 Comments

Joined Feb 2010

GreyoutMay 31, 2023 5:14 AM

298 Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

Quote from msk2uonly

:

I found that the ear pieces fall apart after about a year of light. The cost of replacing those is almost the same as buying a new pair! If anyone knows of any generic alternatives please let me know...

I was on the market once, and took someone's suggestion on SD to go with non faux leather options, like Auray's velour, to avoid the nasty peeling issues of the OEM's material. Problem I had with those wasn't the build quality, but the poor breathability (my ears got too warm for comfort). I bumbled through other low-cost options, but finally gave Wicked Cushions a try and I haven't looked back:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product...RW62?psc=1

Takeaways on the WC:

Padding is nice and soft for sessions longer than 4hrs, and retains form well after long-term use (at least from near daily use going into my third year now)
Breathability is good for faux leather - similar to OEM's performance
Sound "seal" is comparable to the OEMs, but WC have a more plush foam, so there may be a subjective feel of a better fit (though I'd argue same performance as OEM)
Installation was easier than OEM at least. Not sure about other folks, but I used to curse up a storm every time I had the OEM slip out at the last leg :')

4

1

LivelyMeat944

May 31, 2023 10:58 AM

77 Comments

Joined Nov 2018

LivelyMeat944May 31, 2023 10:58 AM

77 Comments

Swapped the pads with Beyerdynamic Valor that I bought from Amazon and it's been ridiculously comfy and can stay as long as you want without baking your ears. Highly recommend. Great quality headphones!

3

Gingineer

May 31, 2023 2:35 PM

14 Comments

Joined Jun 2017

GingineerMay 31, 2023 2:35 PM

14 Comments

Purchased a set of these for $95 May 25 2020, replaced the earpads with $20 red perforated Brainwavz earpads September 28 2022.

I work in a tech field, 95% remote and wear them roughly 80% of my work time or around 32hrs a week.

Are they the most amazing godsend of headphones, sure to make your brain explode from the high sound quality? No. But they are reliable, fixable, and cost effective. Couple years out of set of ear pads is pretty average, especially if you wear glasses. The frame has given me no issues, they fold up ok, the cord is in good condition still. I wouldn't give it much thought to replace them with the same if they were destroyed in an accident or lost.

The Brainwavz pads were a bit stiff to begin with but have broken in, they're a touch tougher than the stock pads but not so much as to hurt after wearing them too long. I months of wearing them so far and there's no noticeable wear.

4

LwdshB

May 31, 2023 9:09 PM

940 Comments

Joined Aug 2013

LwdshBMay 31, 2023 9:09 PM

940 Comments

Quote from killerrabbit1961

:

What are the better versions and why are they better?

The response of the MDR-V6 is considered more tonally correct, but both of them measure pretty poorly when compared to the MDR-CD900ST which along w/ the V6 have been discontinued technically. The CD900ST is a Japan exclusive version where the tonality is much more balanced and much lower distortion they're used in studios as as the default headphone that most Japanese artists use. You'll see them a lot of the time in Sony studio sponsored videos and youtube channels, like The First Take, Unfortunately Sony might be discontinuing them for the M1ST which imo is a terrible headphone in comparison, but luckily Sony has a new Open back that people are raving about MDR-MV1 which is being used for Spatial Audio Mixes. Allegedly you can get free HRTF tuning for them direct from Sony if you visit some of their the pro dealer shops.

1

ChadC13

May 31, 2023 10:40 PM

3 Comments

Joined Jul 2019

ChadC13May 31, 2023 10:40 PM

3 Comments

Quote from msk2uonly

:

I found that the ear pieces fall apart after about a year of light. The cost of replacing those is almost the same as buying a new pair! If anyone knows of any generic alternatives please let me know...

https://wickedcushions.com/collec...nt-earpads

I have bought from these guys for my Vmodas. Great quality. Been using for years.

2

Sony Professional MDR 7506 Closed Headphones

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