Sony MDR-V6 vs. MDR-7506. There is a difference in sound. *** Pictures too *** - Page 4

why did so many studio's engineers and producers use those headphones and those speakers?

Anyone else compare the V6 to the 7506 and have a detailed opinion on any differences?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ouspensky 

I bought the mdr-7506 just for the gold jacks. I really thought they were the same, maybe not....but I enjoy these cans very much, especially with the beyer pads.

Same reason why I bought them instead of the V6.. 

Very interesting that the claimed differences between the MDR-V6 and MDR-7506 boil down to 2 things:

a) different wiring, grounded on the 7506, not grounded on the V6, and

b) different magnets, Neodymium on the 7506, Samarium Cobalt on the V6.

Just wondering, where exactly is the magnet located in the headphone assembly? I would presume in the driver itself.

However, if the magnet is indeed part of the driver, comparing the service manuals for the 7506 and V6 seems to confirm that the driver part numbers in both models are IDENTICAL part number 1-542-491-11 - Driver 040F001P, on the "Exploded View and Parts List" reference number 30 for the 7506 and reference number 901 for the V6.

So, unless the magnet is somehow not listed in the parts for these models (obviously very unlikely), the difference in magnet specifications must be some mistake or marketing speak or a combination of the two! The only other thing I can think of is the parts lists were updated in 1997 and 2002 for the 7506 (from its debut in 1990) and in 2007 for the V6 (since its debut in 1985 or 1986). Maybe the drivers/magnets were different at one time but this is no longer the case?

I don't know how to check the validity of the different wiring claim using the service manuals, but my limited knowledge on the subject and common sense tell me that absent some obvious interference running through the headphone cord causing audible humming or the like, the claimed grounding itself shouldn't affect the sound quality/frequency response of the two headphone models.

So, to sum up, without more information, I am not convinced of any substantial difference between the 7506 and V6 that would result in differing sound quality between the two models.

I have both the MDR-V6 and MDR-7506.  To me, it's a complete waste of time trying to discern differences in the sound signature between them.  They overwhelmingly have the exact same signature and if there are *any* differences, they're dwarfed by the similarities.  I used to do some sound work for film and video production and the 7506 was great for recording mobile sound (dialogue) because of the durability and sound signature.  If the sound seemed half-decent during monitoring, the chances were good that the track would be clean for mixing.  The 7506 emphasizes background noise and sound issues during field recording, so you can take steps to address the problems. While this is great for a boom operator, I tip my cap to anyone that can listen to more than three songs on these without getting fatigued.

Thanks very much for your input.

Since you own both models, maybe you can help answer whether the claimed difference in magnet types between the 2 models causes the V6's sound to change over time, while the 7506's sound stays completely stable over time...
 

You're welcome!  I haven't noticed any significant change in sound with either model over several years. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by blindsorrow 

Thanks very much for your input.

 

Since you own both models, maybe you can help answer whether the claimed difference in magnet types between the 2 models causes the V6's sound to change over time, while the 7506's sound stays completely stable over time...
 

Thanks, again.

Well, this settles it for me, absent unearthing any astonishing new information or big error on my part...
 

Just to throw a wrench into this...It seems everyone thinks that the 7506s have always had neodymium magnets, but that's not true. I purchased a pair of 7506s in the mid-'90s and saved the packaging, and I just got a new pair from Amazon. The originals were made in Japan and had samarium cobalt magnets. The new ones were made in Thailand and have neodymium. Packaging is basically the same. Specs, exploded view, parts list are identical.

Since I used the old ones for a good 15+ years, I can't say whether they got weaker over the years, but there's a difference in sound between them and the new pair. A/B-ing them as best I can, I estimate the new ones are ~3 dB louder across the board, and on top of that have a serious bass boost; instead of reaching to turn the bass up now and then, I'm turning it down most of the time. Other that, they seem sonically identical, but my hearing is too wonky above ~12 KHz to say anything for sure about the high end.

The pads on the old headphones wore out in 2006, so I replaced them with velvety aftermarket pads. Some say this affects the sound, but I didn't notice a difference. The pads still fit snugly around my ears, and pressing the headphones closer doesn't change the sound. So I am pretty confident that when I say the new headphones are louder and bassier than the old ones, it's because they are, not because of a different fit. Whether the difference is strictly due to magnets or is affected by the age of the headphones, I don't know.

These headphones have been made in multiple countries for multiple decades and besides that suffer from the same quality control of a budget headphones produced by a global conglomerate.

I'm sure you would notice differences between two V6s just as much as between a V6 and a 7506.

Not to mention a huge number of counterfeits in circulation.

You just sold me on the 7506s!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry S 

While this is great for a boom operator, I tip my cap to anyone that can listen to more than three songs on these without getting fatigued.

Maybe its the new ones, or the fact that I listen to them at level 2 out of 16 on my MacBook while I develop, but I love my 7506s for 8hrs a day while I program... so get on with the tipping!