Sony Professional Studio MDR7506

★★★★★ 4.7 (28,034)

The 40mm dynamic drivers provide a flat 10Hz–20kHz frequency response with 106dB sensitivity and 63Ω impedance for accurate studio monitoring. Its folding design, gold-plated connectors, and OFC cord offer reliable signal integrity and compact portability with the included soft case. This headphone is best for aspiring podcasters and live broadcast engineers needing durable, affordable closed-back monitoring, though its low work score makes it ill-suited for office use.

form factor on-ear
driver type dynamic
driver size mm 40
impedance ohms 63
open closed back closed
Sony Professional Studio MDR7506 headphones
45 Overall Score
Also available in:

Snapshot

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Strong social proof (98th percentile) 98th
  • Strong sound (75th percentile) 75th

Cons

  • Below average comfort (13th percentile)
  • Below average connectivity (14th percentile)
  • Below average anc (30th percentile)
  • Below average build (34th percentile)

What owners think

How owner sentiment changed over time

Exclusive

Based on when customers actually wrote their reviews — so you can see whether early praise held up.

Owner sentiment has held steady over time
1★2★3★4★5★Q1 '09: 4.0★ · 1 reviewQ1 '11: 4.5★ · 2 reviewsQ3 '11: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ4 '11: 5.0★ · 2 reviewsQ1 '12: 5.0★ · 7 reviewsQ2 '12: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ4 '12: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ1 '13: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ2 '13: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ3 '13: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ4 '13: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ1 '14: 5.0★ · 2 reviewsQ3 '14: 5.0★ · 2 reviewsQ3 '15: 3.0★ · 1 reviewQ4 '15: 4.5★ · 2 reviewsQ2 '16: 5.0★ · 2 reviewsQ1 '17: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ4 '17: 4.5★ · 2 reviewsQ1 '18: 5.0★ · 2 reviewsQ3 '18: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ4 '18: 3.5★ · 2 reviewsQ2 '19: 4.7★ · 3 reviewsQ4 '19: 4.8★ · 5 reviewsQ3 '20: 5.0★ · 2 reviewsQ4 '20: 4.8★ · 4 reviewsQ1 '21: 5.0★ · 4 reviewsQ2 '21: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ3 '21: 5.0★ · 3 reviewsQ4 '21: 4.5★ · 2 reviewsQ2 '22: 5.0★ · 3 reviewsQ3 '22: 5.0★ · 2 reviewsQ4 '22: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ2 '23: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ3 '23: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ1 '24: 5.0★ · 4 reviewsQ2 '24: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ4 '24: 4.2★ · 5 reviewsQ1 '25: 4.6★ · 5 reviewsQ2 '25: 4.5★ · 6 reviewsQ3 '25: 4.5★ · 13 reviewsQ4 '25: 4.9★ · 19 reviewsQ1 '26: 4.7★ · 17 reviewsQ2 '26: 4.8★ · 11 reviews12127111111221221221235244132321114155613191711Q1 '09Q1 '12Q2 '13Q3 '14Q1 '17Q4 '18Q4 '20Q4 '21Q2 '23Q4 '24Q4 '25Q2 '26
Avg ratingHappy (4-5★)Unhappy (1-2★)Bar height = number of reviews
  1. Q2 202697/1004.9★8 reviews

    Buyers praise these headphones for their flat, accurate sound, comfort, and value. Seen as a studio staple at a low price.

    • Flat, accurate sound ideal for monitoring and critical listening.
    • Comfortable over long periods; lightweight and good clamping force.
    • Exceptional value, often compared favorably to pricier competitors.
    • Durable build, suits professional and casual use.
  2. Q1 202689/1004.7★9 reviews

    Buyers praised clear, neutral sound and reliability, but several noted discomfort from the hard headband and small ear pads, especially during long sessions.

    • Sound is clear, balanced, and detailed, ideal for mixing, monitoring, and studio use.
    • Headband is hard plastic; ear pads are small and uncomfortable for extended wear, especially for larger ears.
    • Comfort varies: some find it lightweight and fine, others can only wear for short periods due to pressure.
    • Build is durable, foldable design is convenient, and price is considered excellent value.
  3. Q4 2025100/1005.0★4 reviews

    Buyers praised excellent quality, comfort, and sound isolation. Long cord and easy setup were noted. One reviewer highlighted durable design lasting over 10 years.

    • Sound quality and flat response praised, ideal for music production.
    • Comfortable to wear, contributing to overall satisfaction.
    • Long cord and easy plug-and-play setup.
    • High durability, with one pair lasting 10+ years without issues.
  4. Q1 202495/1005.0★4 reviews

    The reviews in Q1 2024 praise these headphones for their flat sound, comfort, durability, and reliability for studio monitoring and discerning audio details.

    • Flat sound ideal for monitoring and equalization.
    • Comfortable and durable, suitable for long sessions and travel.
    • Excellent for discerning instruments and details in recordings.
    • Reliable and consistent quality, with repeat purchases over years.
  5. Q2 202298/1005.0★3 reviews

    Buyers in Q2 2022 praised these headphones for comfort, neutral sound, and value, despite minor cable and padding concerns.

    • Comfortable fit with light weight and low clamping force, suitable for long sessions.
    • Neutral sound with crisp mids, tight bass, and good detail for the price.
    • Build is sturdy but cables are non-detachable and excessively long, padding could be thicker.
    • Excellent value for money, upholding a 36-year reputation for engineering.
  6. Q3 2021100/1005.0★3 reviews

    Buyers praised the headphones for being reliable and comfortable with great sound quality, though one wished the cable were detachable.

    • Reliable and solid build quality for studio and casual use.
    • Great sound quality and comfort.
    • Non-detachable audio cable noted as a minor drawback.
  7. Q1 2021100/1005.0★4 reviews

    Buyers praised the headphones for excellent sound quality, durability, portability, and professional standard. One noted replaceable ear pads as a minor flaw.

    • Clear, high-quality sound and industry-standard performance.
    • Durable build suitable for field recording and professional use.
    • Collapsible design enhances portability.
    • Ear pads wear out over time and may need replacement.
  8. Q4 202085/1004.8★4 reviews

    Buyers praised accurate sound and durability, though one noted bleed and deteriorating ear pads.

    • Accurate, un-hyped sound ideal for studio monitoring and critical listening.
    • Exceptional durability; pairs last decades even with heavy use.
    • Ear pads deteriorate and shed pleather, sticking to clothes and skin.
    • Some find bass lacking or mids harsh, but intended for accuracy not consumer listening.
  9. Q4 201992/1004.8★5 reviews

    Buyers in this period praise the Sony MDR-7506 for its excellent sound, comfort, and durability, with a known issue of ear cushion flaking after long use.

    • Headphones provide clear sound, revealing new details in music.
    • Comfortable for extended wear, including sleeping or fieldwork.
    • Durable construction and long cord suit professional or home use.
    • Ear cushions disintegrate over years, causing black flakes (the 'rot').
  10. Q2 201985/1004.7★3 reviews

    Buyers praised these headphones as a durable, reliable industry standard for tracking and DJing, with great sound and build quality, though one reviewer noted a headband pressure point.

    • Described as 'classic' and 'industry standard,' with solid build, good sound, and reasonable price.
    • Praised for reliability and ruggedness, suitable for various professional uses like tracking and location sound.
    • One reviewer mentioned an uncomfortable pressure point in the middle of the headband.
  11. Q1 201292/1005.0★7 reviews

    Buyers praise sound quality, durability, and value. One reported an initial defect (replaced). Overall sentiment is strongly positive.

    • Better sound quality than Bose Quietcomfort 15, especially percussion and bass.
    • Lasts many years; multiple users report 6–15 year lifespans.
    • One defective unit (lost sound in one ear) but quickly replaced.
    • Excellent value for money; versatile for studio, casual, and critical listening.

Based on 149 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.

The proof

Performance

Performance Percentiles

Anc 30.3
Mic 43.4
Build 34.2
Sound 75.1
Battery 43.3
Comfort 13.2
Connectivity 13.5
Social Proof 97.5

Specifications

Full Specifications

Design

Form Factor on-ear
Open/Closed closed
Foldable Yes
Weight 0.6 kg / 1.4 lbs
Ear Cushion synthetic leather

Audio

Driver Type dynamic
Driver Size 40
Freq Min 10
Freq Max 20000
Impedance 63
Sensitivity 106
Hi-Res Audio No

Noise Control

ANC No
Transparency No

Connectivity

Wireless No
Multipoint No
Wired Connector 3.5mm
Detachable Cable No
Cable Length 3

Microphone

Microphone Yes
NC Mic No
Boom Mic No

Features

Touch Controls No

vs Competition

Spec Sony Professional Studio MDR7506 Sennheiser Momentum MOMENTUM 4 JBL Live 770NC TOZO HT3 HT3 Bose QuietComfort Ultra QuietComfort Ultra Soundcore Life Q20 A3025
Form Factor on-ear over-ear over-ear over-ear over-ear over-ear
Driver Type dynamic dynamic Dynamic dynamic Dynamic dynamic
Driver Size (mm) 40 42 40 40 - 40
Impedance Ohms 63 470 32 16 32 16
Wireless false true true true true true
Active Noise Cancellation false true true true true true
Open Closed Back closed closed closed closed closed closed
Bluetooth Version - 5.2 5.3 6.0 5.3 5.0
Battery Life Hours - 60 65 90 24 60
Compare Compare Compare Compare Compare
Product AncMicBuildSoundBatteryComfortConnectivitySocial Proof
Sony Professional Studio MDR7506 30.343.434.275.143.313.213.597.5
Sennheiser Momentum MOMENTUM 4 Compare 97.584.876.794.988.979.299.255.6
JBL Live 770NC Compare 97.578.197.284.691.450.399.991.5
TOZO HT3 HT3 Compare 87.284.895.898.99750.396.591.5
Bose QuietComfort Ultra QuietComfort Ultra Compare 87.278.195.8476879.299.266.2
Soundcore Life Q20 A3025 Compare 92.184.892.288.888.986.69183.2

Price

Value & Pricing

From £86 1 offers across 1 retailers
Amazon.co.uk 1 offers From £86
£86

Usage Scores

Work (27.5)Calls (28.1)Music (39.1)Overall (45.3)Budget (58.7)Gaming (34.2)Studio (49.4)Commute (29.2)

A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.

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