MDR-7506 Professional Large-Diaphragm Headphones
Last verified by the Lifetime Picks Editorial Team
Why we picked it
Reference standard in broadcast / location sound since 1991
Sony's MDR-7506 is the closed-back studio headphone that's been in TV news control rooms, audio post-production studios, and field-recording bags since 1991 — same drivers, same chassis, same coiled cable. The MDR-7506 is the broadcast / location-sound standard because it produces a slightly bass-light flat response that exposes mix problems without coloring the source; the closed-back design isolates studio bleed during interviews and ADR work. r/AudioEngineering, r/Broadcasting, and r/FieldRecording all surface the MDR-7506 as the working pro's headphone — they're cheap enough to lose, durable enough to survive 10+ years of professional use, and every part is replaceable from Sony parts (the coiled cable is the most-replaced wear item). Made in Sony's Japanese factory.
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Community & Review Summary
27,919 Amazon reviews
Reddit satisfaction score
Total mentions (0 positive)
Amazon sales rank
Price History
Current price: $113.00
We'll plot the curve here once we've captured a few weekly snapshots. For the full multi-year history, check CamelCamelCamel below.
Pros & Cons from Reviews
Pros
- +Reference standard in broadcast / location sound since 1991
- +Closed-back isolates studio bleed
- +Every part replaceable (pads, cable, drivers)
- +Cheap enough to be acceptable on location
- +Coiled cable for studio / control-room use
- +Made by Sony in Japan
Cons
- -Slightly bass-light — works for mixing, less for music listening
- -Coiled cable is awkward when not coiled at a desk
- -Earpads wear smooth after years (replaceable from Sony)
- -Closed-back can build heat on extended sessions