Sony MDR-1A - Sony's latest update on the 1R

[iancraig10]

The creaking can be got rid of with a thin oil on the moving joints.

 

[amstel78]

Can someone please confirm impedance for the MDR-1A? Sony website says 48 ohms, whereas other places claim 24 ohms. I was wondering why sometimes when plugging my 1As into my V20, it stays in low impedance mode, but other times, it jumps to high impedance mode.

I tested the 3.5mm jack and ground plus left equals 48.3 ohms, ground plus right channel is 48.5 ohms.

 

[amstel78]

The PDF manual I downloaded from Sony USA website still shows input impedance at 24 ohm although the website specs claim 48. To make things even more confusing is that Amazon, the place where I purchased my black 1A states 24 ohms.

My testing on the other hand indicates 48 ohms nominal but goes up or down with temperature. For instance, I was outside clearing snow this morning with my headphones on. It's 24F outside. When I came back in and tested the phones, impedance had dropped to 45.3 ohms per channel. My V20 then dropped back to low impedance mode. After the phones warmed back up to room temp, impedance returned to what I had measured and indicated in my post above. The V20 then switched back to high impedance mode.

Was there a switch sometime during production from 24 to 48 ohm drivers?

EDIT: finally got home and looked at both the box and printed manual that came with my 1A's and indeed, the impedance is listed at 48 ohm for both. I'm still curious however as to if Sony made a switch mid-production and if so, why? Are these the same drivers in the 1Rs?

Finally, and slightly OT, but can anyone confirm the impedance value the LG V20 uses to determine when to switch from the low-impedance amp to the high impedance one?

 

[MRK1]

I'm thinking about selling mine (still not sure though). What's a good price for a mint condition pair of these?

Main reason is that I just prefer earbuds even though I love the sound of these. Earbuds are just more comfortable and versatile for me.

By the way, mine never creaked at all.

 

[amstel78]

By the way, mine never creaked at all.

The left side on mine creaked terribly right out of the box.  I ended up using some White Lightning Easy Lube (bicycle chain dry lube that turns into a wax) to cure the problem.

 

[ryanjsoo]

I've always thought about using that stuff, did you get any residue?

 

[DavidA]

I'm thinking about selling mine (still not sure though). What's a good price for a mint condition pair of these?

Main reason is that I just prefer earbuds even though I love the sound of these. Earbuds are just more comfortable and versatile for me.

By the way, mine never creaked at all.

Depends on where you are selling, here in Hawaii you would be lucky to get $100 since new ones can be had for $169

 

[ryanjsoo]

The PDF manual I downloaded from Sony USA website still shows input impedance at 24 ohm although the website specs claim 48. To make things even more confusing is that Amazon, the place where I purchased my black 1A states 24 ohms.

My testing on the other hand indicates 48 ohms nominal but goes up or down with temperature. For instance, I was outside clearing snow this morning with my headphones on. It's 24F outside. When I came back in and tested the phones, impedance had dropped to 45.3 ohms per channel. My V20 then dropped back to low impedance mode. After the phones warmed back up to room temp, impedance returned to what I had measured and indicated in my post above. The V20 then switched back to high impedance mode.

Was there a switch sometime during production from 24 to 48 ohm drivers?

EDIT: finally got home and looked at both the box and printed manual that came with my 1A's and indeed, the impedance is listed at 48 ohm for both. I'm still curious however as to if Sony made a switch mid-production and if so, why? Are these the same drivers in the 1Rs?

Finally, and slightly OT, but can anyone confirm the impedance value the LG V20 uses to determine when to switch from the low-impedance amp to the high impedance one?

 
I got 26ohms on the left channel and 28ohms on the right channel. My unit is an ex-retail unit so it's probably one of the very earliest batches. Unfortunately, I don't have the box so I can't confirm beyond my testing with the multimeter. 

 

[amstel78]

  I've always thought about using that stuff, did you get any residue?

The residue that's left over is a waxy substance.  The liquid once applied turns to wax almost immediately.  Whatever runs over can be easily wiped off with a finger nail or wet cloth/paper towel.
 
It's really done miracles for my MDR-1A.  I was considering returning them to Amazon for an exchange but after using this stuff, no need to go through that hassle.  The fact that it turns into wax inside the little plastic crevices is what I think solidifies the whole thing.  Prior to applying this lubricant, I could push down the section of joint closes to the headband and hear it creaking.  Now, that plastic piece doesn't flex at all.
 
There's absolutely no creaks of any kind now.  I can even apply downward pressure to the headband while it's on my head and it's perfectly silent.  Same thing about moving the cups around. 

 

[amstel78]

   
I got 26ohms on the left channel and 28ohms on the right channel. My unit is an ex-retail unit so it's probably one of the very earliest batches. Unfortunately, I don't have the box so I can't confirm beyond my testing with the multimeter. 

Thanks for replying.  That's very interesting that Sony would switch over from lower impedance drivers to the 48 ohm units.  I wonder why?
 
Is there a volume mismatch with yours considering there's a 2 ohm difference between the two?

 

[ryanjsoo]

 
Thanks for replying.  That's very interesting that Sony would switch over from lower impedance drivers to the 48 ohm units.  I wonder why?
 
Is there a volume mismatch with yours considering there's a 2 ohm difference between the two?

 
I don't notice any volume mismatch, I have a pretty cheap multimeter so it might not be the most accurate reading. They're probably both similar but some corrosion on the prongs was interfering with my measurements. On another note, I'll be sure to give the wax a go, fingers crossed!

 

[daveyostrow]

The creaking can be got rid of with a thin oil on the moving joints.

I was thinking about this option... currently it creaks like a cheap plastic toy.

 

[Buddhahacker]

The creaking can be got rid of with a thin oil on the moving joints.

Did you use light sewing machine oil like 3-in-One?

 

[gerelmx1986]

 

The creaking can be got rid of with a thin oil on the moving joints.

Did you use light sewing machine oil like 3-in-One?

i used SINGER Oil for sewing machines and it worked like a charm

 

[Buddhahacker]

  i used SINGER Oil for sewing machines and it worked like a charm

Great. Thanks,