Short answer: the Sony MDR-M1ST. It ranks #164 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.1/5, at $277.91; the Focal Listen Professional ranks #177, rated 2.9/5, and costs $329, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
Why pick the Sony MDR-M1ST: A wired closed-back studio monitor with a 40mm driver, 24 ohms and 103 dB/mW sensitivity, so it plays loudly from a phone or interface without extra amplification. Watch for: The Harman score of 62 means the response drifts noticeably from what most listeners prefer.
The case for the Focal Listen Professional: A closed back headphone with a 32 ohm impedance and 122 dB/V sensitivity, so it plays loud straight from a phone. The catch: A preference score of 58 in crinacle’s measurement means its tuning lands well away from what most listeners prefer, so expect an audibly colored sound.
Buy the Sony MDR-M1ST. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Focal Listen Professional and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony MDR-M1ST | Focal Listen Professional | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $277.91 | $329.00 |
| Ranked | #164 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #177 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 62 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 58 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.97 dB standard deviation | 3.89 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.00 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.48 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 24 ohms | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB/mW | 122 dB SPL/V |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (215 g) | 0.6 lbs (280 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 80kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sony MDR-M1ST:
- Sony MDR-M1ST vs OLLO S4R
- Sony MDR-M1ST vs Austrian Audio Hi-X55
- OLLO S4R vs Focal Listen Professional
- Austrian Audio Hi-X55 vs Focal Listen Professional
- Focal Listen Professional vs KLH Ultimate One
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Sony MDR-M1ST: $277.91 Amazon eBay
Pros: A wired closed-back studio monitor with a 40mm driver, 24 ohms and 103 dB/mW sensitivity, so it plays loudly from a phone or interface without extra amplification. Its Harman preference score of 62 in crinacle’s measurement puts it near the middle of the pack. At 215 g it is light for a full-size studio headphone, and the closed back provides some isolation.
Cons: The Harman score of 62 means the response drifts noticeably from what most listeners prefer. There is no microphone and no wireless option, so it is for wired listening only. The price is high for the score, and the Fairphone Fairbuds XL and the Bose QuietComfort 35 II have higher ratings.
Full Sony MDR-M1ST review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.97 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 80kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 62 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 24 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.00 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (215 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.9 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +8.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,393 Hz | +6.4 dB | 0.33 |
| Peak | 1,534 Hz | -4.1 dB | 0.56 |
| Peak | 86 Hz | -6.3 dB | 0.46 |
| Peak | 250 Hz | +3.6 dB | 3.14 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +2.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 450 Hz | -0.6 dB | 2.33 |
| Peak | 3,737 Hz | -1.6 dB | 5.19 |
| Peak | 2,997 Hz | +1.3 dB | 4.44 |
| Peak | 35 Hz | +1.0 dB | 4.47 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Focal Listen Professional: $329.00 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A closed back headphone with a 32 ohm impedance and 122 dB/V sensitivity, so it plays loud straight from a phone. At 280 g it is moderately light, and it includes a built in microphone. It is rated above the Beats Studio3 Wireless.
Cons: A preference score of 58 in crinacle’s measurement means its tuning lands well away from what most listeners prefer, so expect an audibly colored sound. It is wired only, with no wireless or noise cancelling features.
Full Focal Listen Professional review and specifications →
| Released | 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.89 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 58 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 122 dB SPL/V |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.48 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (280 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.1 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +5.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 294 Hz | -5.6 dB | 0.47 |
| Peak | 3,379 Hz | +7.4 dB | 1.68 |
| Peak | 126 Hz | +5.5 dB | 0.87 |
| Peak | 4,799 Hz | -4.8 dB | 2.25 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,268 Hz | +1.8 dB | 2.61 |
| Peak | 1,675 Hz | -1.1 dB | 4.47 |
| Peak | 2,125 Hz | +0.7 dB | 3.56 |
| Peak | 632 Hz | +0.4 dB | 3.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons