Since the invention of the first headphones by Engineer Nathan Baldwin in 1910, it has become an integral part of the audio industry. In 1958, John Koss invented the first stereo headphones, which paves the way for more improvements to the headphones.
Sony is one of the highly respected brands when it comes to headphones. In 1985, they introduced their initial entry for Sony’s Studio Monitor headphones, the Sony MDR-V6, and in 1991, Sony introduced the Sony MDR-7056, a studio monitor headphone augmented from the MDR-V6.
Both products have established an excellent reputation, which is why they are still available in the market today. Consumers will always have a hard time choosing which of the two is the better headphone; that is why we will help you decide by making a side-by-side Sony MDR-V6 vs. MDR-7506 comparison.
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Sony MDRV6 Studio Monitor Headphones with CCAW Voice Coil | Check Latest Price | |
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Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone | Check Latest Price |
Sound Quality
Sony MDR-V6
When it comes to classic headphones that are still available in the market, the Sony MDR-V6 is an excellent option. Since it was introduced in 1985, it has been a favorite headphone for audio engineers because of its excellent sound quality.
The Sony MDR-V6 produces a well-balanced sound. Its bass-midrange-treble balance is nice and smooth, the sound produced is spacious, and it is easy to listen to even with longer hours.
Audio specifications of the Sony MDR-V6:
| Sony MDR-V6 | Specifications |
| Type | Circum-aural, closed |
| Driver units | 40 mm diameter, dynamic type |
| Impedance | 63 ohms at 1 kHz |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB / mW |
| Rated Power | 0.5 Watts |
| Power Handling Capacity | 1 Watt |
| Frequency Response | 5 – 30,000 Hz |
The Sony MDR-V6’s lower end won’t make your music sound muddy or overblown. Its bass is fully present but definitely not overpowering. The Sony MDR-V6’s higher frequencies maintain a level-headed presence even at a high volume for fast music.
With the Sony MDR-V6’s wide frequency response, from 5 Hz to 30 kHz, you will be able to enjoy a broad selection of musical genres without too much distortion.
Sony MDR-V6’s bass is tight, without bleeding too much into other sounds, and its mids and highs shoot out over the top of the bass. Its highs aren’t quite as grainy and sparkly as those high-end headphones, but they are still crisp and satisfying.
The Sony MDR-V6 produces a detailed, crisp, sharp sound signature with chest-thumping bass when it is required, and its soundstage is rich, dynamic, and nicely separated. Its overall clarity is impressive.
Amazon gave an average score of 4.6 stars out of 5 stars for its sound quality, while the same reviewers gave an average score of 4.5 stars out of 5 stars for its bass quality.
There is a reason why Sony MDR-V6 is still available in the market for many years, and it is because of its exceptional sound quality for its price. The Sony MDR-V6 is one of today’s longest-lived audio products because it is so good, and its sound quality is a testament to that.
Sony MDR-7056
Augmented from the MDR-V6, the Sony MDR-7506 was introduced in the market in 1991, targeting audio professionals as its potential buyers. The Sony MDR-7506 has always been a favorite headphone of recording engineers and other sound professionals since its inception.
Sony MDR-7506’s bass-midrange-treble balance is accurate; that is why every music genre sounds excellent in it. There is no wonder why so many professionals have relied on the Sony MDR-7506 to record and mix music, radio, movies, and TV shows. The AKG K701 and K702 are also great for mixing.
Audio specifications of the Sony MDR-7056:
| Sony MDR-7056 | Specifications |
| Type | Dynamic, closed |
| Driver size | 40 mm diameter |
| Impedance | 63 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB / W / m |
| Power Handling Capacity | 1 Watt |
| Frequency Response | 10 Hz – 20 kHz |
Sony MDR-7506’s bass is great, and its low-frequency extension is excellent. It produces powerful and punchy bass without being boomy or muddy. The midrange is excellent, while the treble is only decent.
The Sony MDR-7506 is designed to sound perceptually neutral, which means that they are accurate enough for musicians and audio engineers. Music fans will also enjoy listening to the recordings using these headphones as they sound closer to the artist’s intended to mix.
Amazon gave an average score of 4.7 stars out of 5 stars for its sound quality, while they also gave an average score of 4.4 stars out of 5 stars for its bass quality.
The Sony MDR-7506 has always been one of the world’s most popular professional headphones for many decades because of its sound quality. They are not only great for enjoying classical music, but they are also perfect for hearing what’s wrong while you’re recording it.
The price you are paying for its sound quality is really like a discounted price.
Build Quality
Sony MDR-V6
The Sony MDR-V6 has already been in the audio industry for more than 30 years, and of its reasons is because of its quality. The Sony MDR-V6 is a closed-back, full-size headphone that sounds great and is comfortable to wear for hours at a time.
Sony really paid extra attention to details when they created the MDR-V6. Because of its lightweight design, there is minimal pressure pulling down on your head. The padded ear cushions of the headphone are extraordinarily breathable and don’t cause moisture to build up at all.
Build specifications of the Sony MDR-V6
| Sony MDR-V6 | Specification |
| Weight | Approx. 230 g (without cord) |
| Cord | 3 m (extended length) coiled cord with a stereo unimatch plug |
The Sony MDR-V6 uses aluminum as its material in building it, making it very durable. The Sony MDR-V6 also comes with a flexible headband which is an excellent external feature because you can just fold it and carry it around with you wherever you go. Fortunately, it also does not have any hinge pivots, which is great because you don’t have to worry about them breaking sometimes.
The Sony MDR-V6 also comes with a coiled cable that is about 3 meters long. The 3-meter coiled cable is sheathed in protective nylon or silicone and made from high-quality 99.99% oxygen-free copper.
The headphone’s 3.5mm audio jack is gold plated for better signal transmission and has a metal plug cord sleeve joining to the cable to serve as protection from damage by plugging in and unplugging constantly.
Amazon gave an average score of 4.2 stars out of 5 stars for its durability, while still, the same reviewers gave an average score of 4.3 stars out of 5 stars for the quality of materials used in making the Sony MDR-V6.
The longevity of Sony MDR-V6 in the audio industry speaks for its build quality. This headphone can stand through the test of time, and for the price you are paying, you will really wonder whether Sony does make any profit from this beast.
Sony MDR-7065
For more than 30 years, the Sony MDR-7065 has established an excellent reputation for its durability. Just like the MDR-V6, the MDR-7065 is a closed-back, full-sized headphone that comes with great comfortability.
The Sony MDR-7065’s racetrack-shaped ear pads aren’t as thickly padded as the newest headphones available today, but they are still very comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.
Build specifications of the Sony MDR-7065:
| Sony MDR-7065 | Specification |
| Weight | 8.1 oz / 230 g |
| Magnet Type | Neodymium |
| Cable Length | 3 m / 9.8” |
| Earpiece Design | On-Ear (Supra-Aural), Closed-Back |
The Sony MDR-7506 is a pretty tough professional headphone. It is designed to take a lot of beating, and it has already proven itself that it can stand the test of time. Although, its hinges can be a weak point as they are made from plastic and can get damaged through regular use.
Another drawback for the Sony MDR-7605 is that its cable is integrated into the headphones. Although the cable is well-insulated, but like all cables, it’s likely to break eventually.
Amazon gave an average score of 4.4 stars out of 5 stars for its durability, while they gave an average score of 4.3 stars out of 5 stars for its sturdiness.
The Sony MDR-7065 has proven through time that it can take a beating. It has an excellent build quality, and purchasing it is an excellent investment for its value.
Noise Isolation
Sony MDR-V6
The Sony MDR-V6 uses a closed-back headphone design that utilizes passive noise isolation. Since both ear cups cover your ears because of their design, there is less outside noise that is able to travel through and interfere with your music.
The Sony MDR-V6 has pretty good isolation from outside sound and allows almost no sound leakage to the outside. It does a perfect job of keeping itself sealed to your head, with little pressure, and never getting sweaty.
The Sony MDR-V6 does a great job of blocking outside noise, but it is not perfect.
Sony MDR-7065
Like the Sony MDR-V6, the Sony MDR-V6 also uses a closed-back headphone design that utilizes passive noise isolation. The Sony MDR-7065 has a pretty good isolation from outside sound and allows almost no sound leakage to the outside, just like the MDR-V6.
Although there is a lackluster level of padding for the Sony MDR-7065’s earcups, it is still enough to provide a good level of isolation from outside noises and distractions.
Amazon gave an average score of 4.1 stars out of 5 stars for its noise cancellation feature.
This headphone isolates well for its price point.
Price
Sony MDR-V6
The Sony MDR-V6 is one of the cheapest headphones with an excellent reputation that is available in the market. It is hard to find flaws in this headphone for its asking price. Its build and sound quality are exceptional for its value.
For its price, it is a steal.
Sony MDR-7605
For its price, the Sony MDR-7506 is one of the best headphones for its price range. Its sound and build quality are exceptional; no wonder why it is still available in the market for more than 30 years. Its noise isolation cannot match the newer models today, but it is still pretty great for its price.
The Sony MDR-7506 is worth more than its value.
Pros and Cons
Sony MDR-V6
Pros:
- Incredible sound for the price point
- Excellent build quality
- Proven longevity
- Well-balanced sound
- Affordable price
Cons:
- No microphone
- No volume controls
- Needs a better case
Sony MDR-7506
Pros:
- Great sound for mixing and playback
- Above average noise isolation for the price
- Comfortable to wear
- Affordable price
- Great build quality
Cons:
- Not stable for heavy workouts
- Still no microphone and volume control
- Coiled cable is heavy
Which Is Better?
Both Sony MDR-V6 and MDR-7056 are excellent for their price. Its build and sound quality are on par with each other, and both its noise isolation features are great for its price. But if I have to choose, I’ll go with the MDR-V6 because of its broader frequency response.
Both professional and non-professional listeners love these two headphones, and their history and reputation are testaments to that.
