Preamble:
The reason for this is that as a complete fan of Sony, I know Sony too well, and I have both Sony suits and anniversary models, and I have recently rekindled my feelings for Sony Walkman and MD, and now with this so-called "most familiar stranger" like a paradoxical special feeling to review the latest release of a headset with big ears in 2023, according to the official statement: April 18, 2023, Sony (China) Co., Ltd. has launched a new masterpiece for professionals in the audio field and music lovers who pursue an immersive sense of space for a long time - Sony's first professional open monitor headphones MDR-MV1, which faithfully restores the creator's intention and reproduces the original good sound. In this regard, we can see the small print "sound monitoring headset" on the front of the outer packaging of this headset, and we can judge that this is a new headset with different positioning.
Evaluation Equipment:
(1) Sony sound monitoring headset SONY MDR-MV1 (reference price: 2298 yuan, driver unit: 40mm, sensitivity: 100dB/mW, frequency response range: 5Hz-80000Hz, impedance: 24 ohms, power handling capacity: 1500mW, weight: 223g)
(2) Sony dynamic monitor headphones SONY MDR-Z7M2 (reference price: 3249 yuan, driver unit: 70mm, sensitivity: 98dB/mW, frequency response: 4Hz-100000Hz, impedance: 56 ohms, power handling capacity: 2000mW, mass: 340g)
(3) XD05 PRO decoder headphone amplifier all-in-one
Appearance and wear:
1. Everyone knows that Sony has a long history of producing headphones, since the release of the MDR-7506 in 1991, the headphones have been the industry benchmark for closed-back headphones, and for 30 years, they can still be found in countless recording studios around the world, but for audio engineers who use closed-back headphones for mixing, they basically feel that open-back headphones are the ideal device, which is the main reason why Sony's MDR-MV1 came out, high-resolution open design, Designed to facilitate studio mixing and monitoring. Originally designed as an ultra-wide frequency response high-resolution no-frills reference level monitor headphones, and for use with Sony's immersive 360-degree VME software for Sony cinematic audio mixing equipment, the MDR-MV1 has a frequency response from 5Hz all the way up to 80kHz with balanced and precise sound, and is designed to replicate the typical open R&D technology based on speakers, which are often lacking in the bass range. Sony engineers have successfully solved this problem in the MV1, so the MV1's low frequencies are more intact and the audio transitions between frequency bands are very smooth. To make this possible, the headset features a newly developed driver with a unique curved ripple shape in the diaphragm, a triple structure that provides tight control and excellent transient response, and a damping of just 24 ohms, meaning that the headset can be easily driven by almost any sound source, including phones and tablets. To further reduce resonance, the MV1 headphone body features a well-tuned one-piece, high-strength aluminum shell with two types of cut-outs: round holes at the top and slit holes on the sides, which allow the entire area to be ventilated and also help to reduce overall weight while maintaining strength.
2. Another nice unique design is a single replaceable cable, a plug with a lockable threaded design, a cable with a straight strip texture that is not easy to entangle, very classic Sony style, Whether it is the 3.5 plug connected to the headphone part or the 6.35 big ear plug at the end of the cable, the dense process is exquisite, beautiful and easy to hold, when it comes to the cable, I have to mention that this 2.5m cable is too long for me, a portable listener (Sony's big ears are basically very long, except for the Sony Jinbao upgrade cable), of course, this length is more suitable for uses like audio studios, although this is the same as the original wiring is a 6.35 big ear plug, Sony official is still intimately equipped with a 6.25 female to 3.5 male adapter cable, in order to cater to the listening scene of different consumers, I think this is a good solution for multi-scenario use. Of course, Sony official is also equipped with a Sony original 1.2m Jinbao upgrade line MUC-S12SB1 for purchase separately, so that MV1 can be easily upgraded to 4.4 balanced mode, this upgrade line is different from Sony Jinbao's consistent upgrade line style, not the use of thick cable, but relatively slender and integrated can shield external interference, reduce internal conductor sound wave distortion and reduce the noise floor of the 8-wire braided structure material, this line can also be applied to Sony MDR-1A, MDR-100A or MDR-100AAP headphones.
3. MV1 ear cups are soft and elastic, of course, the matching ear cups are not like Sony's Z7 or Z7 M2 like the lambskin material, the appearance of high-quality synthetic imitation suede micro suede material plus a little memory foam inside feels elastic, similar to the material used in high-end sports car decoration, and what I like is that you can also replace it yourself, relatively deep ear cushions, MV1 ear cups oval internal space is not particularly large and spacious, but it will not cause the wearing of ear pressure, However, the ear cushions of the MV1 are estimated to be due to cost factors and do not adopt the ergonomic design of the pinna like the Z7 series, of course, this does not affect the comfort of long-term wear.
4. Comfort is an important evaluation factor, many parts of the overall earphone are made of plastic, which is a little cheap at first glance, which is completely different from the Sony sub-flagship Z7M2 made of metal and leather, only 223 grams of weight is a bit outrageously light, soft ear cushions and lightweight aluminum structure make MV1 indisputably one of the most comfortable headphones to wear for long-term listening without pressure, In terms of its excellent wearing comfort, it is completely comparable to the sub-flagship Z7M2 or flagship M1R from the same door.
5. When I got the outer packaging of this headphone, I obviously felt very small, this fellow competitor's headset big ears are usually a little different from the design of the oversized box, the familiar appearance of the classic Sony big ears after opening the box, if you are familiar with the look like the Sony MDR V6 used in studios around the world, then you will understand the design aesthetic of the MV1, but it has a semi-futuristic modern feel back to the 80s. In addition, we are familiar with the design of the classic Sony headband, which has the same ultra-soft leather cushioned headband as the Z7 series big ears that is quite familiar to fans, and the tail end of the headband is affixed with a red R left channel and a blue L left channel logo and a blue sticker label for Professional. The MV1 does not have a folding and storage design like Sony's monitor headphones, and the only part that can be folded is that the left and right earphones can be rotated and placed flat at a certain angle.
Comparison of equipment and sound quality:
1. Even though I don't have any of Sony's classic old monitors, I can assert that the MV1 is a device that doesn't sound like any other headphones, and you'll clearly tell that the MV1 doesn't have the incredibly bright tuning of the 7501, which isn't necessarily a bad tone for monitoring material like vocals, but for listening to music as a whole with over-monitoring, it might not be so pleasant. Thankfully, the MV1 doesn't have the kind of tuning mentioned above, for an open big ear, especially its low-frequency performance that presents V-shaped tuning, because most open-back headphones are not characterized by bass, in fact, I really can't imagine a headset with so much bass, any open-back headphones basically can't do this, the strong bass I'm talking about here is mainly concentrated in the ultra-low frequency band, but it also doesn't lack the bass mid-range part, it's a very full-range coverage bass, It is a full and warm bass of the sound that is not lacking in the middle and low frequencies, but its low frequency is not overwhelming bass, it is a kind of bass that is more balanced with other frequency bands, but the overall performance shows a distinct V-shaped sound characteristics, if you want to ask a bass control enthusiast like me, if you like this headphone, I can answer you directly: for this high-quality low-frequency big ear that can ensure clarity, the performance of MV1 surprised me! To be honest, for the low volume of this headset, its clarity is actually surprisingly strong, the hearing is accurate, there is no embarrassment in the vocals, and the localizability is clear, and normally a headphone with an emphasis on bass will squeeze out the overall clarity and clean separation between the instruments, but with this MV1 you won't feel the problem of muddy mess at all. If you notice the frequency response of the headphones, the high frequencies are prominent, but the actual listening doesn't feel unhealthy highs and there are no noticeable sharp or uncomfortable listening sensations, and in layman's terms, the MV1's high frequencies are smoother, more relaxed, and surprisingly clear, with no annoying and exaggerated tooth sounds. The MV1 isn't particularly high in detail and texture, which means that if you're looking for a big ear with the best vocal performance, the MV1 isn't the first choice, as vocals are a bit hollow and lack some of the richness that I'd normally find in other headphones. In fact, the technical performance of this headset is solid enough, but it is not impressive, because the imaging of the MV1 and its sound stage are very average, which means that it will not be particularly impressive anywhere. Of course, Sony MV1 is very, very easy to drive,In other words,MV1The threshold for you to enter the fire becomes very low,You can easily connect to a mobile phone or directly connect to a notebook、Tablet and small game handheld computers and other entry-level audio source devices can be driven,Of course, I also want to say by the way,This MV1 is not suitable for listening in a crowded office and a quiet space in a group,Open design sound leakage is still inevitable。
2. If I don't brag, I should be one of the most intuitive fans who can compare Sony's big ears, because I have always collected and used Sony's own sub-flagship Z7M2 from time to time, so I must focus on comparing the specific differences between these two headphones with different positioning, and the prices of these two devices have been almost close so far. SONY Z7M2 vs. SONY MV1,Both plug in Sony Jinbao 4.4 balance upgrade cable,With Yidu XD05 PRO decoder headphone amplifier all-in-one (TUR mode),Choose to listen to the latest release of the 2024 World War II American drama "Band of Brothers", "Bloody Pacific" The third part of the "Masters of the Air" movie soundtrack, since another key feature of Sony MV1 is to let music engineers make multi-channel surround music, Sony also pushes 360 Reality Audio on the official website, which happens to use 1 plus 8 pro Android mobile phone apple music software app to play Dolby Atmos Dolby Atmos certified lossless sound source, through comparison: under the premise of the same volume level, MV1 is obviously more sound pressure, which shows that it is obvious that Z7M2 is more thrusty; The overall sound characteristicsMV1The sound field is wider and more 3D space and clarity is brighter,Especially in the performance of the first and last trumpet and other military music that shows the war scene The high-frequency part of the sound is more rendering,The monitoring restoration of the three-frequency tuning is more fidelity,It does not deliberately let the listener adjust in a more comfortable and gentle direction,And Z7M2The whole is not as exciting as MV1、So gorgeous,MV1The three-frequency transition is more natural and smooth, Z7M2On the premise of ensuring a considerable sense of low frequency, it is really high-quality and commendable for the atmosphere,I personally think that Z7M2 does not belong to the kind of big ears that will easily bring the listener tiring or sharp and annoying listening feeling,Maybe most burners will feel that it has some special sound characteristics that cannot be called really neutral tuning and stand out,After all, it has a certain quality of good imaging sense,Good head stage sense,Sense of enveloping sound,Clear treble and plump bass have a good separation, In particular, listening to the 14th song "An Impossible Ask", the shocking low frequency that brings the physical vibration of the earcups and diaphragm makes the whole listening feeling extremely nervous, excited and exciting, but in terms of sound transparency and sound texture texture, the two big ears are not as good as other headphones such as Senhai or HIFIMAN that are biased towards sound density and analysis, after all, Sony's own tuning still has a certain amount of classic family similarity.
Summary:
Will the Sony MV1 be a legendary headphone, I think time will tell, but I do have to admit that this is an instant classic big ear, and it may not be the best in terms of workmanship and performance compared to other headphones, but unlike any other open-back headphones, it really inherits Sony's own premium bass performance and magnificent soundstage, and I think it has its own niche in the market. In other words, I predict that Sony will definitely make a move in the market for its headsets in the coming days, because its Z1R and Z7M2 have been dominating the flagship and sub-flagship positions for too long, and it is time to update the old and new, and this MV1 should probably be regarded as a good work for Sony to test the waters. "If you don't know how to relax, you don't know how to work", then Sony MV1 is such a best companion that allows you to enjoy music after work and make you experience the true meaning of life.