The Sony MDR-M1ST ranks #107 out of 134 total Over-Ear Headphones for sound quality. See all Headphones rankings for every top pick.
Brand: Sony
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#107 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.
| 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 |
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