[jjmai]

Most, if not all, Sony headphones have product names that start with MDR.
But what exactly does this acronym stand for?

 

[Rainbow Randy]

Many have speculated on the matter. One of the more popular contentions is "Mobile Diaphragm Receptacle". 

 

[Signal2Noise]

Tbh, I don't think it really stands for anything other than some cataloging scheme. What does XBR (TV) stand for? Or NWZ (Mini-disc)?

 

[Graphicism]

It must stand for something, they don't just throw letters in there. XBR stands for eXtended Bit Rate

 

[Slaughter]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XBR_%28Sony%29
 
Not sure about MDR or NWZ.

 

[jjmai]

Quote:

Tbh, I don't think it really stands for anything other than some cataloging scheme. What does XBR (TV) stand for? Or NWZ (Mini-disc)?

NWZ (or NW) started as Network Walkman according to this
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walkman

 

[vcoheda]

D might be dynamic.

 

[jjmai]

I am thinking it's Moving Dynamic R-something, or Mobile/Mini Dynamic Receivers....

 

[krmathis]

Money Drain Range

 

[Mad Max]

LAWL

 

[joomongj]

Quote:

Money Drain Range

hahaha. I like that.

 

[Nagasaki_Kid]

The m in mdr is probably mobile. since the mdr 3 were the frst walkman headphones. sony headphones before the mdr line was just "dr" without the "m" and looked like huge full size heavy duty headphones.
 
The mdr3 was the lightest headphone of it's time. and I believe it was the first entry to sony mdr line.(someone fact check me,  please)
 
the d probably stands for dynamic since thier electret headphones are ecr (electret condensor rrrrr..... no ideal)

 

[jjmai]

 
Quote:

The m in mdr is probably mobile. since the mdr 3 were the frst walkman headphones. sony headphones before the mdr line was just "dr" without the "m" and looked like huge full size heavy duty headphones.
 
The mdr3 was the lightest headphone of it's time. and I believe it was the first entry to sony mdr line.(someone fact check me,  please)
 
the d probably stands for dynamic since thier electret headphones are ecr (electret condensor rrrrr..... no ideal)

I didn't realize DR preceded MDR.  Sony has revived the DR acronym for bluetooth (DR-BT series) and ipod (DR-E series) in recent years.
Btw, here are some info on MDR-3:
http://www.sony.net/Fun/design/history/product/1970/mdr-3.html
http://www.gramophone.net/Issue/Page/May%201980/110/846599/
 
Along with some vintage Sony headphones:
DR-3A http://reel2reeltexas.com/vinListS.html
DR-5A http://audioidiots.com/merk.apparaat.php?apparaatID=3840
DR-5A http://vintageheadphones.blogspot.com/2009/05/sony-stereo-headphone-dr-5a.html
DR-6A http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/457496/fs-sony-dr-6a-vintage-headphones
DR-7 http://audioidiots.com/merk.apparaat.php?apparaatID=3841

 

[Edwood]

Medium Density Rectum?
 

 

[dspang]

Most. Definitely. Rad....?