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SONY MDR-F1 Headphones

post #1 of 30
4/18/10 at 7:37am
Thread Starter 
Hi all - I just got into high end headphone's = ) ! I just found my dad's old pair of Sony MDR-F1 Headphones, how good are they ? I cant really notice too much of a difference - but im mainly using them on the bus or walking down the street - is there a better headphone for that ? Like a closed headphone system or something - im not sure about terms - thanks !

Also should i get a headphone amp ? I was thinking about waiting for the Eiio E7 to come out, my budgets only 100$ - thanks for the help much appreciated

ALOHA ! from Hawaii !
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post #2 of 30
4/18/10 at 7:49am
To be honest if you are using the MDR-F1 walking around and on a bus, pretty much anything is a better choice than it.

The F1 is one of the most open headphone you can get.
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post #3 of 30
4/18/10 at 7:52am
Do the search. Quite interesting headphones apparently, but they are practically earspeakers a la K1000 - 0 isolation whatsoever. Practically any headphone is better for portable use, I would imagine.

Also, the word on the forum is that the F1's are very amp sensitive, you would want a good home amp to put to get the best of it. Probably not a portable like an E7. This is an, interference, of course, but it's backed by the research. If I were you I'd I'd get closed headphones or IEMs... Audio Technica M50 seems to get a lot of props around here lately, but there are literally tons of options that I don't want to comment on since I haven't tried them...

That said, the F1s are apparently quite nice. There are many variables, the types of music you listen to, the quality of the recording, the quality of the files, the DAC and amp... and most importantly, what you're listening for. Do you notice a difference when you try to imagine and visualize the positioning of the instruments? Do you/your Dad have a receiver or stereo at home you can try the F1's out of?

I'm constantly amazed when I lend my good stuff to normal people they repeatedly say they don't a notice a difference...
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post #4 of 30
4/18/10 at 7:53am
Welcome to Head-Fi and sorry for your wallet...

You have a collectable, collectors item whatever you want to call it, it's quite rare so take care of it. It may be worth more than you think. If you have the manual check the specifications.

Check the threads:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/son...-review-49256/

Good luck...
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post #5 of 30
4/18/10 at 8:07am
Thread Starter 
Wow thanks for the fast response - Incredible ! I think i will keep the F1's now for home use - still not sure, I just plugged it in to my dad's amp and nearly blew my brains out lol - it was like i could hear everything in the room. I never realized the sound quality difference between a portable music device and a amp was so immense.

Im going to try to do a bunch of research and stuff, this really got me going thanks all !
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post #6 of 30
4/18/10 at 8:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ypoknons View Post

Also, the word on the forum is that the F1's are very amp sensitive,
Really? I thought they have an impedance adapter built-in. Wouldn't that make them less sensitive, not more?
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post #7 of 30
4/18/10 at 8:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tvrboy View Post
Really? I thought they have an impedance adapter built-in. Wouldn't that make them less sensitive, not more?
Based on the reviews it doesn't seem to work well, and some have removed it. I won't offer an argument on this though, should wait for someone with more expertise.
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post #8 of 30
4/18/10 at 1:51pm
Don't take your dad's nice stuff out into the Hawaii humidity. Do you live in a climate-controlled residence? ;-)

I grew up in Hawaii, and even when I didn't live right on the ocean, I was always surprised at how the humidity would mess with things. Living near the ocean, it was never amusing to watch things corrode.
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post #9 of 30
4/18/10 at 2:06pm
Eh, he was thinking about selling it too I hope it was a gift. And yep, Hong Kong's like that too, humidity destroyers everything.
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post #10 of 30
4/18/10 at 2:20pm
The constant-impedance circuitry works well, but it does require an external headphone amp to realize the potential of this circuitry and also the potential of the F1. They take several hundred hours of use to really reach their maximum performance.

They probably only trail the AKG K-1000 and Sony PFR V1 for accuracy of soundstage and imaging. Overall, a superb performer, and extremely comfortable to wear. They do, however, have zero isolation.

The F1 has always been a real eye-opener at our mini-meets.

I have had many sets of headphones come and go, but the F1 has remained in my collection for longer than any other.
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post #11 of 30
4/18/10 at 2:52pm
hhmm... interesting. Sorry about the bad inferences there.

I was thinking of getting one of these for their novelty value someday. Your comments on the last thread, are extremely valuable, but I still don't know which one to get. The F1s look better and more comfortable, but the V1 is easier to acquire (probably have to use a Japanese delivery service for the F1) and in the end a little cheaper (going price for the V1 here is $250). Is there something more 'special' about the F1s?
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post #12 of 30
4/18/10 at 5:24pm
Some find the bass tubes of the V1 to be somewhat uncomfortable, and you do need to use the inline booster to avoid distortion. The F1s are a much more conventional design. I had both, but finally sold my V1s as they were a bit more cumbersome to use. They do, however, have very good sound. The V1s also have zero isolation. Many have stated that the V1s look like an orthodontic appliance! It is not, however, better than the K-1000!
Ron
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post #13 of 30
4/18/10 at 5:33pm
I would buy a F1 if it wasn't for my AKG K240 DF, JVC HA DX3 and Pioneers. A F1 would be headphone overkill. I was close to buying a MDR V7, for some reason I have a weak spot for the 'old and special' Sony headphones.

Just for the name the Sony MDR F1 is cool...
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post #14 of 30
4/18/10 at 7:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deep Funk View Post
You have a collectable, collectors item whatever you want to call it, it's quite rare so take care of it.
I wish I'd known that before I sold mine years ago. I thought they sounded horrible - bright and thin. Any of the Sennheisers are much better.
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post #15 of 30
4/18/10 at 8:18pm
Collectors item? It's available here tho!
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