CNET Editors' Rating

4.5 out of 5 stars.

The good

The Sony MDR-1A is a relatively lightweight, very comfortable full-size headphone that offers sound that's improved over the MDR-1R's, with better definition from the bass through the midrange to the treble. The headphones now sit on your neck correctly (the earcups rotate the proper direction) and you get two cables, one of which has an in-line remote for smartphones, along with a nice carrying pouch.

The bad

Somewhat pricey; in-line remote lacks some functionality for iPhone users.

The bottom line

The supercomfortable Sony MDR-1A does a good job balancing clarity with just enough of laid-backness to make it a very versatile headphone that's well worth considering if you're looking for a full-size headphone in the $250-$300 range.

8.7 OVERALL The overall rating is 8.7 out of 10.

• Design 9.0out of 10 Design rating is 9.0 out of 10.
• Features 8.0out of 10 Features rating is 8.0 out of 10.
• Sound 9.0out of 10 Sound rating is 9.0 out of 10.
• Value 8.0out of 10 Value rating is 8.0 out of 10.

1AM2 Headphones

The precision sound and full-spectrum clarity of the MDR-1AM2 headphones captures the hearts of music lovers everywhere. And with an ultra-lightweight frame and pressure-relieving earpads, you can listen for hours in total comfort.

Enjoy music as the artist intended with High-Resolution Audio

Take your digital music collection to another level with High-Resolution Audio. By digitally capturing music at a higher rate than CD, High-Resolution Audio allows you to get closer to the original studio recording and enjoy your music just as the artist intended.

Aluminum-coated LCP diaphragm for more precision

An aluminum-coated, liquid crystal polymer diaphragm gives a more consistent and precise sound across the entire frequency range than even a conventional LCP driver. High frequencies uniquely contained in High-Resolution Audio especially benefit from the added rigidity, and energy lost during transmission to the headphone housing is more uniform, ensuring a true and authentic performance.

Wide frequency response for a full range of sound

The wide-band frequency range, spanning 3 Hz to 100 kHz¹, is designed for a broad variety of music styles. Such a wide frequency response ensures even advanced audio formats, which require a much larger spectrum, can be accurately reproduced without hard limits or frequency roll-off, giving your music more life and realism.

Patterned grill for smooth ultra-highs

Grills help to protect the precision headphone diaphragm and are designed specifically for passing ultra-high frequencies without introducing "color" to the sound. The grill pattern is based on a Fibonacci sequence to ensure no frequency is boosted or cut. The result is a smooth, refined sound right across the frequency range.

Supplied balanced-connection headphone cable

A 4.4Φ balanced connection cable separates left and right sound signals completely, unlike conventional headphone cables which share a ground wire. This minimizes signal transmission loss and resulting sound deterioration, so you hear less distortion and cross-talk.

Silver-coated oxygen-free copper

The MDR-1AM2 uses silver-coated oxygen-free copper cables, designed to minimize resistance and signal-transmission loss. The result is less sound degradation, finer detail, and smoother treble sounds.

Heavy bass with Beat Response Control

Built-in Beat Response Control improves the transient characteristics in bass sound and delivers accurate rhythm.

Enfolding closed-back design seals in sound

The closed-back, enfolding design wraps around the ear, helping to seal in music and keep distractions out. Meticulously crafted acoustics ensure sound is exclusively directed towards your ears, so you hear even the subtlest of sounds. You'll also feel every beat, as the closed-back design helps to maximize the bass signatures in your music.

Pressure-relieving earpads for total comfort

Soft, synthetic leather earpads with pressure-relieving cushions have been designed to rise and shape around your ears, ensuring a comfortable fit. Smooth materials and seamless stitching provide comfort and durability for long hours of listening.

Super-lightweight design for hours of comfort

The MDR-1AM2's super lightweight design relieves pressure on your ears so you can listen for hours in comfort.

Swivel design makes travel easy

Take these headphones with you anywhere. A swivel design makes them easy to store on the go. The earcups swivel flat for easy packing in a bag or slipping into the supplied pouch.

Specifications

Size & Weight
WEIGHT	6.60 oz
General Features
HEADPHONE TYPE	Closed Dynamic
DRIVER UNIT	1.57 in (Dome Type)
MAGNET	Neodymium
IMPEDANCE (OHM)	16 Ω
DIAPHRAGM	Aluminum-Coated LCP
FREQUENCY RESPONSE	3–100,000 Hz1
SENSITIVITIES (DB/MW)	98 dB / mW
CORD TYPE	Detachable/Silver-coated OFC
CORD LENGTH	47-1/4"
PLUG	Gold-plated L-shaped Stereo Mini
WEARING STYLE	Circumaural

What's in the Box

• Carrying Pouch
• Headphone cable (inline remote and microphone) (approx. 3.94 ft)
• Balanced-connection headphone cable (approx. 3.94 ft)

Footnotes

^footnote1 According to research by Sony Corporation, in compliance with JEITA guidelines.

Colors may vary between regions and countries.

The Way The Artists Truly Intended
Enjoy the subtlest nuances of studio-quality sound in higher than CD quality with High-Resolution Audio. Passion for music unites every component from signal to speaker so it feels like the artist is performing right in front of you.

Pure clarity. Total comfort. Classic style.
The precision sound and full-spectrum clarity of the MDR-1AM2 headphones capture the hearts of music lovers everywhere. And with a lightweight design and soft cushioned earpads, you can listen for hours in total comfort.

40-mm HD drivers
Enjoy clear, lively sound across all frequencies from 1.57" HD drivers.

Wide frequency range
Hear deep lows and euphoric highs with a full-range response from 3 Hz to 100 kHz.

Tuned for clearer sound
Our newly developed 1.57" lightweight HD driver with an aluminum-coated liquid crystal polymer (LCP) diaphragm delivers clear, lively sound, especially on mid to high tones—perfect for vocal-focused styles—and a smooth, precise response across the entire frequency range.

Pitch-perfect ultra-highs
Specially-designed Fibonacci-patterned grills protect the drivers while minimizing sound damping of high-resolution frequencies, so you can revel in every detail of the ultra-high notes.

Truly authentic sound
A supplied 4.4mm balanced connection cable retains all the clarity of studio sound so you can savor every detail of High-Resolution Audio.

Balanced audio
A balanced cable fully separates left and right channels by including an additional ground connection to reduce cross-talk and increase audio efficiency, for superior sound quality.

Silver-coated oxygen-free copper
Four silver-coated oxygen-free copper (OFC) cables minimize resistance and signal-transmission loss. The result is less sound degradation, finer detail and smoother treble.

Listen in style and comfort
With an ultra-lightweight frame and pressure-relieving earpads, you can listen comfortably in style for long periods of time.

Pressure-relieving earpads
Listen comfortably for hours thanks to soft cushioned synthetic leather earpads. The closed-back design minimizes any sound loss.

Ultra-lightweight
A new lightweight frame relieves pressure for longer listening in comfort, while premium build materials ensure long-lasting durability.

Take music anywhere
Swivel earcups make it easy to safely pack your headphones in a bag.

Specifications:

The precision sound and full-spectrum clarity of the MDR-1AM2 headphones captures the hearts of music lovers everywhere. And with an ultra-lightweight frame and pressure-relieving earpads, you can listen for hours in total comfort.

• Size & Weight
  Weight
   - 6.60 oz
• Headphone Type
   - Closed Dynamic
• Driver Unit
   - 1.57 in (Dome Type)
• Magnet
   - Neodymium
• Diaphragm
   - Aluminum-Coated LCP
• Frequency Response
   - 3-100,000 Hz
• Sensitivities (dB/mW)
   - 98 dB / mW
• Cord Type
   - Detachable/Silver-coated OFC
• Cord Length
   - 47-1/4"
• Plug
   - Gold-plated L-shaped Stereo Mini
• Wearing Style
   - Circumaural

Color Options
 - Black

What's In The Box
 - Carrying Pouch
 - Headphone cable (inline remote and microphone) (approx. 3.94 ft)
 - Balanced-connection headphone cable (approx. 3.94 ft)