Long time since I've posted here but I feel compelled to write.
I finally reached my endgame headphones a few years back; the MDR-1A, so naturally I was excited to hear about the MDR-1AM2, and as soon as they went on sale for £150 (the same price I paid for my 1A) I got them, expecting improvements all round, with the intention to sell the MDR-1A soon after, easiest purchase decision ever!
But I have now returned the MDR-1AM2 and will be keeping my MDR-1A. Why?
The MDR-1AM2 are simultaneously better and worse than the MDR-1A. By far, my biggest disappointment is actually with Sony.
Only owners of the MDR-1A are going to know this, but all things considered, I feel they have predominately focused on making the new version cheaper, not better.
Just from visuals, anybody could tell that the 1AM2 is made with less parts - which I don't have a problem with actually, but then they go and make the carrying bag fabric instead of pleather, it's a laughable downgrade and it sets a really bad first impression. But the fact they had the nerve to raise the price as well, is unforgivable.
Then I got an amazing balanced cable with the 1AM2, that I can't even use... so effectively I lost a cable as part of the purchase.
So the optics or the extras aren't great, but that isn't what will made me return anything. It's that Sony
fixed the one thing that made me pick the MDR-1A in the first place - the sound.
Here's what I think the key changes are:
The resonating chamber is smaller on the 1AM2 - bass has lost its depth and slam, supposedly the bass is tighter but this difference wasn't perceptible. The sound is less exciting and the fun of the 1A has been traded for balance. Reminds me why I dislike the Sennheiser Momentum 2.0.
The midrange has been brought forward slightly, okay, but it further reduces ability to run the 1AM2 louder without fatigue. I would still choose this signature over Sennheisers mind.
No perceptible difference in highs, no perceptible difference in transparency. I thought this was an improved driver, 2 years of further development?
What do I think the 1AM2 do better than the 1A?
They are even lighter! and just as comfortable (although the ear-pads still need modifying for extra depth). Seriously though, 1AM2 wins the contest for the highest SQ in the lightest circumferential headphones available.
There's no more squeaking, and the pleather on the ear cups now extends over the edges, which prevents scratches when placing the headphone down on a desk. Altogether the 1AM2 feels more robust for travelling - not that I consider any over-ear headphones fit for travelling.
Even with it's flaws, the previous 1A is still the champion for me. It's now exceptional value thanks to the price reduction and I would urge everybody getting the 1AM2 just to buy those instead, while you can.
Even without the value argument, I would still pick the 1A because I will not accept the newer 1AM2 being less enjoyable, just to solve a few negligible issues with the old model.
If Sony continues this direction to further mature the MDR-1 range over the next few years, they are entering a competition which they will lose. They will be on the muddy side of the critical balanced centrists. Whereby they should be positioning themselves as the highest quality consumer sound signature.
To those with a taste for balanced headphones... are you really going to shortlist Sony? or go straight to Audio-Technica or AKG? Sony might be pushing their sound signature into a balanced segment, but it will never be as transparent as others with their (correct) fixation on bass feel. Balanced sound is not what I bought these for.
Was the same when I decided to upgrade our speakers in the living room 
