Sony MDR-MV1

An open-back studio headphone with exceptional comfort and a subtle V-shaped tuning​

The Sony MDR-MV1 is an open-back studio reference headphone designed to meet the needs of professionals and audiophiles alike. Having recently reviewed and loved the MDR-M1, I thought it might be interesting to check out its open back sibling as both share many of the same aspects that make them great for audiophiles who use headphones all day while working.





So, I’ve been listening to the Sony MDR-MV1 for several weeks, loving its comfort and enjoying its sound signature which might be thought of as “bright neutral” with a nice extended bass, so a slight V-shaped though balanced sound.

This headphone doesn’t necessarily need EQ as it aims for a very specific studio tuning, but with minimal EQ specifically in the treble, this can be one of the best sounding studio reference headphones.

This is an all day ‘workhorse’ headphone that should last a lifetime, but read on to find out if it is the right headphone for you, but let’s start with the unboxing:

Unboxing experience​

The Sony MDR-MV1 arrives in simple yet professional packaging, reflecting its studio-oriented design:


The back of the box lists some specifications and highlights the headphone’s design philosophy:


Sliding open the outer sleeve reveals an internal box:



Inside this packaging, you’ll find the headphones, a 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter, and a high-quality detachable cable:


Each earpad is covered with a little paper protection cover - you might think you have received a closed back and not an open back:



The cable is good quality very similar to the one on the MDR-M1 with nice material, though unlike the MDR-M1 it terminates in a 6.5mm connector but the MDR-MV1 also comes with an adapter:



The connectors are excellent quality:

Design, Build Quality, and Comfort​

The Sony MDR-MV1 is a lightweight and robust headphone designed with a focus on functionality and comfort.

Build Quality​

The MDR-MV1 uses a mix of metal and high-grade plastic, keeping the weight down without compromising durability, I do like the style compared to most studio reference headphones:



The overall build quality is consistent with Sony’s reputation for reliability. The open-back grille is designed to enhance the soundstage, giving the headphones a clean, purposeful look.

Comparison with the MDR-M1​

Since I initially thought of these headphones as an alternative to the fantastic MDR-M1, I thought it might be good to show some comparison photos between the 2 headphones.

So first you can see these headphones share that great design heritage of Sony studio headphones:

I went into the hertitage of Sony studio reference headphones starting way back in 1991, in my review of the Sony MDR-M1 if you are interested to check out that review, but the summary is Sony have cleverly built upon a fantastic design with both of these headphones.

One immediate difference is with the earpads - obviously a closed back design needs earpads that isolate a little more than the freedom you get with an open back like the MDR-MV1:

The open / closed design differences are obvious in these photos:

Though when we get to the headband you can see the similarities:

Comfort​

Comfort is where the Sony MDR-MV1 shines. As I mentioned above the earpads are plush and deep, accommodating most ear sizes comfortably:


These are very hard to beat for comfort, though I did I found that the Velvety earpads on the Meze 105-AER were slightly more comfortable for shorter sessions, for longer periods the MDR-MV1 earpads stayed cooler and much better for longer sessions or in my case when working for 4-5 hours at a time.



The lightweight design and well-padded headband:


And the headband-extension mechanism was the same as the MDR-M1, I do like the clear numbers and the satisfying click when restoring your perfect fit, say after folding them down for easy transport:



The clamping force is just right—not too tight, not too loose—ensuring a secure yet comfortable fit and there is great adjustability to the fit on your ears.

Driver​

Removing the earpads reveals the custom 40mm driver:



It is a different driver than the MDR-M1 and according to Sony have a “corrugated design” which you can definitely see in this photo:


I will provide the full specifications later on.

Sound Quality​

The Sony MDR-MV1 delivers a well-balanced sound signature, suitable for both professional and casual listening. It leans toward a neutral profile with a slight emphasis in the treble region. So I think maybe “bright” neutral with a great bass extension is a way of describing the sound profile.

Bass​

The bass is tight, clean, and well-extended, though does slightly roll off in the sub-bass regions. It’s not overly boosted, making it ideal for studio use. Tracks like “Billie Eilish - Bury a Friend” showcase its ability to deliver controlled, impactful low frequencies without bleeding into the mids.

Midrange​

The midrange is very natural and detailed, making vocals and instruments sound lifelike. Listening to “Norah Jones - Don’t Know Why”, the clarity of the vocals and the separation of instruments are impressive, providing a clear and immersive experience.

Treble​

The treble is crisp and detailed, with a slight boost around 6kHz. While this adds clarity and sparkle, some listeners might find it a bit too pronounced. For tracks like “The Eagles - Hotel California”, cymbals and high-frequency details are brought to the forefront. However, if you’re sensitive to treble, a small EQ adjustment around 6kHz can tame the peak.

Soundstage and Imaging​

The open-back design provides an expansive soundstage, making the MDR-MV1 excellent for mixing and critical listening especially for those who like to pick out the details in their recordings. Imaging is precise, allowing you to pinpoint the location of instruments and vocals within the soundstage. This is particularly evident in orchestral pieces like “Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9”.

Specifications and Measurements​

With an impedance of 24 Ω and a sensitivity of 100 dB/mW, the Sony MDR-MV1 is easy to drive and works well with portable sources. However, pairing it with a quality DAC/amp brings out its full potential.

Measurements​

Note: The following measurements were taken with my KB501X soft ear Pinna and a 711 clone coupler. They are available on my measurement database here.

Frequency Response​

The MDR-MV1 shows excellent channel balance and a mostly great frequency response other than that treble boosted area:


But I highlight a few areas which I thought deserved some comments:

1. The sub-bass does roll-off which is very typical of dynamic driver headphones
2. There is a smooth mid-bass rather than the ‘Harman’ dip in this region
3. There is a slightly 1-2Khz “Soundstage” dip while less than most Hifiman headphones, it will give this headphone a good soundstage at the expense of some midrange clarity
4. There is a dip in the treble which is good for long term listening as this can be an area which people complain about sibilance.
5. The bright treble area will probably need some EQ for some people, though typically studio headphones are tuned with this type of treble to bring out some extra instrument separation and I do like the “details” it provides but I strictly speaking it might be too “bright” for some people.

Distortion​

Distortion is minimal, with excellent performance across the frequency range even when playing near 100dB:


And as a percentage they look good:

Comparisons​

Comparing these with MDR-M1 is probably unfair given how difficult it can be to tune closed backs and what a great job Sony did with the MDR-M1 but given I feel these 2 headphones are siblings here goes:



So, the main differences other than the bass that I mentioned earlier are that we do get that 1-2Khz “soundstage” dip and then that elevate treble that together give that sense of soundstage and precise imaging.

But comparing to some other open back reference headphones in similar price ranges here we have the HD490 pro (specifically with the producing pads), the Meze 105 AER that I recently reviewed and the HD600, you can see what a excellent though subtly V-shaped sound signature the MDR-MV1 provides:



So I highlighted 3 areas:

1. The bass on the MDR-MV1 is slightly more elevated compared to the Meze and HD490 Pro but doesn’t need any EQ unlike the HD600 where that bass does roll-off considering earlier.
2. Midrange “soundstage” dip - so the MDR-MV1, Meze, 490 Pro go for that dip in the 1-2Khz region while the HD600 stays with the more tonally accurate response in this area.
3. Each of these headphones take a different take on the treble, these areas will also be very different on your head compared to the measurements, but in general you can see the MDR-MV1 has more elevate treble (mostly to balance the elevated bass).

EQ Recommendation​

For those sensitive to treble, I recommend the following EQ settings:

• 20 Hz: Gain +2dB dB Q 2 (for a slight bass boost)
• 5800 Hz: Gain -3.1 dB Q 2 (tame the treble boost)
• 6900 Hz: Gain -4.7 dB Q 1.9 (tame the treble boost)

Rating​

I’ve given the Sony MDR-MV1 a pragmatic 5-star rating. While it is in the middle of the very competitive price range of $300-$500 and up against many excellent headphones but for those looking for an all-day headphone, that will last a lifetime and one that offers a excellent studio-grade detailed sound signature, it is a great headphone to add to your collection .

Conclusion​

The Sony MDR-MV1 is sort of a forgotten gem in the world of open-back headphones. It offers a detailed sound signature, exceptional comfort, and build quality make it a strong contender for professionals and enthusiasts alike. For me the long term comfort and build quality are the standout aspects of the MDR-MV1, but with a little EQ any issues you might have with the treble can be easily tamed making giving it outstanding performance for the price.

If you’re in the market for a versatile and reliable headphone, the Sony MDR-MV1 should be near the top of your list. Highly recommended!