Sony MDR-MV1 Open Back Reference Monitor Headphones

Finally - a V shaped open back - (not boring, dull & neutral like most open backs)...that also has a great balance to it with wonderful width. It's like having the best of both worlds - a fun lively sound that closed backs give you, but with an open, airy sound, with a wide soundstage. Plus - the mids aren't too far away or recessed like others that have either a v shape or wide soundstage. I really wasn't expecting much out of this headphone. I don't need them (I have several decent sets) but I was always curious since they came out. I figured I'd try them and go from there. I did do some research on them, but I was more "iffy" about getting these than probably any other headphone I've ever bought. To be honest, I sort of wrote Sony off for headphones. It seemed like you really have to spend something like $2k to get anything worth while from Sony these days regarding a headphone. Not true! These fit the bill for quality sounding heaphones that are also lively and not a snorefest to listen to. Plus they have plenty of detail in the sound as well. As I sometimes say - music is supposed to be fun...don't listen to all those audiophiles that push extremely neutral, bass lean headphones that have no life whatsoever (unless you like that really dull boring neutered bass sound...then have at it...that's ok too.) As for me, I like something that's both detailed and has at least some sort of fun factor to it. Now wait - do I have neutral headphones - yes. However, I usually either use an EQ or try them on my stack with tubes (that warms things up and adds a little low end on those more neutral sets.) These don't need anything. Plug and play. They're also low impedance - you don't need an amp. As for the V shaping - I will say - they aren't super aggressive either...nor are they barely above neutral (I say that because a lot of audiophiles will call a neutral headphone that has mosquito bumps on a frequency response chart for bass and another mosquito bump for treble and then call it V shaped.) These actually have more than just mosquito bumps. But they aren't crazy aggressive either...They aren't basshead headphones out of the box (use EQ for that.) But if you want a definite V shape - I'd say between mild V and medium V shaped...some other folks would just simply say medium V shape - these are it. Depends on how much you like the low end and what you consider V shaped. I guess most would say it's medium V... definitely NOT FLAT...which is EXCELLENT for music) I like it's dynamics. Makes me happy. The bass is well defined with some texture, sub bass has good extension for an open back. Mid bass has enough thump to take care of most cravings. No bloat imo. The high-bass doesn't bloat and bleed into the lower mids. As for the treble, it has a nice sparkle to it - I like it...not too mello, not too bright. Some may think it's heading a tad bright (if you like more mello treble) but I say it's a nice sparkly treble that great. It's not too bright or have "s" issues - so that's good. No worries there. I personally like treble that has some character and detail. This fits the bill. Mids are clear without having that pushed back feeling like I said. Vocals are clear and instruments have enough separation. There is some warmth without it being thick. To me personally, these are balanced quite well. I just really think this is a good example of how an open back headphone should sound. It has transparency, air, width and some depth. When it comes to closed backs, I can go a bit more aggressive in sound - but I would also be very happy / satisfied with this tuning if it were closed. No problems whatsoever. But for an open back, Sony hit the mark imo. Love it! I wasn't sure how these would sound. Many manufacturers are really going for the neutral sound these days, especially in studio type headphones. That's perfect for professional studio work (depending) but not music (in my stuanch opinion.) I've always been a V shape guy and will always be a V shape guy. Again, I still like some neutral headphones...But I can't just plug them into any source and be happy without making EQ adjustments or actual modifications to the heaphones themselves. (Some neutrals are ok with my tube amp...depending...) These MV-1 open backs are great out of the box. Matter of fact, I like their overall balance better than some headphones twice the retail price of these. Sony really surprised me on this one. Comfort is great. No complaints. They look good. Construction is ok..wish the yolks were metal, but that's ok. My only small beef is - no case or bag or anything. These companies try to upsell you an expensive case with their logo. That's one benefit of buying the very competitive (and in many cases a better bang for the buck) Chi-Fi headphones because many of them come with nice cases and accessories/ cables (Fiio is one example.) But I don't feel like I got shafted here either. I don't care that much about things like cases. No biggie. It's a good quality heaphone. I use these in regular rotation and keep them on its own heaphone stand anyway. I may decide to get a generic case because I'm seriously considering making these one of my "take out" heaphone sets - especially since they are so easy to drive with anything (even a phone) and I don't have to adjust the sound. So these are a perfect candidate to take out for walks or even to the store. I know these have some sound leakage, but it's not that bad for an open back. I don't really go out that much. When I do, there's not that many people around. I have a collection of Bluetooth sets if I need to be in crowded spaces. Bottom line here - they did surprise me, they sound great out of box for music, and have everything I would want in an open back headphone. I would re-buy them if something happened to them. That's usually one of my tests to see whether I really like something (if I would re-buy it.) I would recommend for anyone who wants great sounding open back headphones (for music), that are comfortable, easy to drive and plug & play without messing with EQ (imo of course.)

These are some of the best headphones I have tried. The mids and bass are great, with a nice slightly warm tilt and a natural timbre. The upper mids and lower treble are a bit more laid back and "smooth", making for a comfortable, fatigue-free, yet still detailed, listening experience. The upper treble is a bit elevated, but in a nice way that isn't sibiliant or piercings, just well balanced with the warmth of the bass. So the sound signature is an overall gentle V-shape. The sound stage and imaging is great with these. Wonderful for gaming. You can pinpoint exactly where sounds are, even behind or above you. The soundstage has great depth. I would say it isn't very wide or "large" sounding, but still good and still provides enough openess. These are also seriously some of the most comfortable headphones too, only about 230 grams of weight, so very light, and the pads are extremely plush and soft. The clamping is also very gentle for people with larger heads, they are very comfortable. They are a bit pricey, but I think ultimately worth it for what they offer. The build quality is solid and geels pretty premium, so it feels like a headphone that should last a very long time. My biggest complaint is the cable. It's very bad to tangle and had some memory to it. It also has some unpleasant microphonics. It's a quarter inch not 3.5mm termination, so not the best for compatibility. There is an adapter included but it's a bit bulky. I'd consider upgrading to a different cable. But otherwise, great headphones! 9/10.

Recently picked up the Sony MDR-MV1 open-back headphones after looking for a serious monitoring upgrade that wouldn’t blow my budget — and I have to say, these headphones are the most honest, immersive, and comfortable pair I’ve ever used. What Makes the MDR-MV1 Special? These aren’t your average consumer headphones — they were engineered specifically for professional mixing and spatial audio creation, and it shows. But here’s the twist: you don’t need to work in a multi-million-dollar studio to appreciate what they bring to the table. Whether you're a bedroom producer, podcast editor, or YouTuber who cares about audio integrity, the MDR-MV1 will change how you hear your work. Key Reasons to Buy: Open-Back Design = True-to-Life Soundstage This is where the magic happens. The open-back structure creates an airy, wide soundstage that replicates the feel of nearfield monitors — perfect for mixing, spatial panning, and detailed editing. You’ll hear reverb tails, background noise, and panning choices more accurately than on any closed-back headphone. For a home studio without acoustic treatment, this is a massive win. Flat, Transparent Frequency Response Sony tuned these to deliver ultra-flat and neutral audio, especially in the mids and highs. There’s no artificial bass boost here — just clean, reliable sound. That means what you hear while mixing is what your audience will hear after mastering. Spatial Audio Monitoring Ready If you’re dabbling in immersive formats like Dolby Atmos or 360 Reality Audio, these are built for it. The imaging and stereo separation are unbelievably precise. Even for stereo mixes, the detail is outstanding — you can place every instrument exactly where it belongs. Featherweight Comfort for Long Sessions At just around 223g, these are so light and breathable you’ll forget you’re wearing them. The open-back design also keeps your ears from overheating — ideal for those long late-night sessions or Zoom-based collaborations. Pro Build, Home Studio Friendly You don’t need expensive gear to pair with these. I run them through an affordable interface (Focusrite Scarlett 2i2), and they sound phenomenal. They’re low impedance (24 ohms), so you don’t need a headphone amp to drive them — they’ll work great even if you’re starting out. Why You Should Get These Over Other "Studio" Headphones: Most closed-back headphones (even expensive ones) are great for tracking or casual listening — but they lie to you when mixing. You’ll often make EQ or balance decisions based on colored sound. The MDR-MV1 tells the truth, which is exactly what you want if you're publishing content or producing music people will actually hear on other devices. For the price, these compete with headphones double their cost. If you're in a home studio or content creation space, and want pro-level sound without investing in expensive room treatment or full-size monitors — this is your solution. Final Verdict: The Sony MDR-MV1 is hands-down the best investment I’ve made for my home studio. It delivers uncompromising sound quality in a package that respects both your ears and your wallet. If you want your work to sound the way it’s meant to — no guesswork, no hype — get these. Don’t mix blind. Listen smart. The MDR-MV1 is your new best friend.

So first the good news. These sound amazing. I'm mostly running them through a Schiit Midgard/Modius combo and the sound is glorious. Incredible bass for open backs which rarely sounds muddy to me. A very open sound. And nice highs without being painful. Maybe slightly recessed mids? But not very noticeable. I have Sennheiser 660s's and HiFiMan Sundaras and to me these beat them both for casual music listening. The Senns have that "Sennheiser veil" thing. The mids are pushed VERY forward but you feel like you're missing information in the high and the lows. So music sounds kind of like a black and white movie compared to the full range, technicolor of the Sony's. And while the Sundaras are very clear, they are also kind of thin and cold sounding. Maybe too analytical. I guess the Sony's are just more "fun" which I always thought was a good thing--but to many audiophiles fun is The F Word! "Neutral" makes them weak in the knees. Don't get me started on how neutral is an illusion. I will say the Senns are the best for tracking my vocals and acoustic guitar--the mid focus works perfectly for that, but again, just listening to music, they come up short. The only reason I can't give these a five star reveiw....they broke! The left earcup got detached and I can't manage to screw them back in. Did I step on them? I don't think I did. So are these kind of fragile? I don't know. But I'm a sucker. I love these so much I bought a new pair and will cross my fingers!

Gorgeous sounding headphones. They have a nice warm bottom, but still very clear throughout the rest of the frequency range. The highs are held back very carefully, as to not cross the line into sibilance. I find while listening, nothing bothers me about the sound, so I can just enjoy the music. I also like the design and build quality, light and comfortable, as to disappear on my head. Besides being marketed for music creation and production, they are excellent for pure music listening enjoyment. I am also a recording musician, so take that for what its worth.

These really offer no benefit to most consumers for what they're advertised for, 3d sound. I had one game I found had that a 3d sound preset and it sounded great, but there isn't enough content out there to take advantage of what these were designed to do. 3d sound is kind of an ignored niche area of the audio space, especially for home use. I also find they're not that good for gaming. You'd think a massive soundstage is good for gaming, but I found the positions of sounds felt off. For things like footsteps in competitive games, I found things sometimes sound further away than they really were and they have a softer edge to them than a pair of Sennheiser I have. The Senn makes the smaller details like footsteps pop out more and much more accurate positional cues. For sound, I think what you read out there is accurate in reviews from professionals that review for a living and will give you a better breakdown. If you like a bassier V shaped sound, they are good for an open back. The bass is slightly more present compared to other open backs I have, but it's still very weak if you're use to something like IEM/closed back bass. They're just not worth the asking price to me. If they were around $200, I think these would be an easier recommendation. If they made something that stood out, I think the $350 asking price would be more acceptable. A small bass boost compared to the competition on the market isn't worth double the price to me.

I have gone through a lot of headphones through the years looking for the right pair and have either been let down by sound or build quality. These somehow nail both despite being llower priced compared to many of the others I have tried. They're lightweight, comfortable, and deliver great sound in games, movies, and music. 100% recommend.

I demoed a dozen headphones in the $300–$400 bracket at a specialty audio shop before settling on the MDR-MV1. While a few contenders had slightly more sparkle or slam in specific ranges, nothing came close to these in long-session comfort. The clamping force is mild, the weight distribution is smart, and the pads are breathable. These are the first over-ears I’ve owned that disappear on the head without sacrificing build quality. Tuning is where Sony’s engineers made some smart decisions. The MV1 walks the line between reference neutrality and casual listenability. There’s a gentle warmth in the lower mids—enough to give body to strings and ambient synths—without muddying the midrange or veiling detail. Treble is extended but not fatiguing. Imaging is sharp, and the soundstage—thanks to the open-back design—is generous and layered, especially for orchestral and spatial electronic material. They’re also surprisingly easy to drive. I’m using a portable TEA amp (which also handles phone calls), and it delivers more than enough voltage swing to get solid dynamics and headroom without hitting its ceiling. That efficiency means you’re not locked into desktop gear. Build quality is pro-tier: minimal branding, no gimmicks, and a cable that feels like it’s built for field use, not just coffee-table sessions. If you’re wired-only and appreciate a monitor-grade sound with just a touch of musicality, the MDR-MV1 punches above its weight. It’s not chasing flavor-of-the-month tuning trends or overhyped V-curves. It’s doing something more mature—and I respect that.

El ajuste de estos audífonos es como ponerte pantuflas, súper cómodos, los pads de las orejas y la cabeza con buena densidad y tipo velour por lo que no acaloran como los de piel. El cable es de buena calidad y largo, pero me hubiera gustado que el adaptador de 3.5 fuera más sencillo (un plug en lugar de un cable corto). El sonido es en V con muy buen bajo, definición de medios y agudos que nunca cansan y aportan amplitud. El escenario es amplio y con gran definición, ubicas cada instrumento con claridad. La relación precio/calidad no tiene comparación.

My favourite so far, mainly for mixing, you can hear more details than anything else. Listening to recordings I’m familiar with I was able to hear new details with ease, usually takes a lot of concentration to hear, I was able to hear the individual notes of a chord instead of just the chord. I highly recommend it for listening and mixing, the only drawback is the vocals are not in your face like some others and you may need to lower 8k a tiny bit to make them sound even better, and flat. Every db of + or - eq you do, is very noticeable it’s really something.

These headphones are great has good bass definition and nice vocals treble can be improved with eq overall built is great and very very lightweight n sturdy detachable cable is 3.5mm with round circling lock u can buy that elsewhere or get to 3.5mm to 3.5 mm cable n use but the included cable is Amazing very strong and tangle free but a bit long then the build amazing feels great on head the micro Fiber like cushions very nice but if u have very long ears tell be a little small still great for comfort these are amazingly efficient u don’t need amp very loud nice no distortion but might need eq get any of hat to tune it but I think most people will like these great bass effect too then I think its 24 ohm or something everything sounds great I have tube amp though that o my god insanely good warm and loud then u can use it without amp too so that’s that I own Hifiman and Sennheiser etc open backs m these sound more warm and nice I like it long listening session also feels great no discomfort I didn’t have any issues with them I love these it’s great choice soundstage good and clarity is great not too sharp and comfy listening great headphones

No tengo ni 3 meses usando los audifonos y me comenzo a fallar el cable que conecta al lado izquierdo, tiene un falso con el tipico L y R. Tienen un mal y muy confuso servicio al cliente

If there was ever a value for money headphone geared towards audiophiles, professionals and enthusiasts alike, it would be this one! At the current price, and anywhere under ₹30,000 it is an absolute no-brainer in my sincere opinion.