Our Verdict
The Sony MDR-7520 are average mixed usage headphones but perform better for critical listening. They have a good, premium design, a decent sound, and low leakage. They're also decently comfortable and but they're not the most versatile headphones. They won't be ideal for sports or loud environments and they do not have any active features so they won't be as convenient for all users. Their sound quality is also a bit too sharp on some tracks.
- Great build quality.
- Above average audio reproduction.
- A bit too bright on some tracks.
- Slightly bulky design.
- Bass delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.
Decent for neutral listening. The Sony MDR-7520 have an above-average sound with a good bass and a great mid-range. They also have good imaging and THD. However, their treble will sound sharp which may get fatiguing during longer listening sessions. They also do not have the best soundstage, since they are closed-back headphones but on the upside, their sound quality should cater well enough to most songs and genres. They just won't be the ideal headphone for neutral listeners and the much cheaper MDR-7506 sound a little better which may be a better value for your money if you only care about sound.
Not ideal for commuting. They do not block a lot of noise block noise in loud environments and have no additional features, like noise canceling or in-line controls, to make commuting easier.
Subpar for sports. These headphones are not stable enough to exercise or jog with. Also like most closed-back over-ears, they will make you sweat a bit more with demanding activities since they do not have the most breathable design.
Mediocre for office use. They don't leak much, so you won't disturb your colleagues. However, they do not block a lot of noise which may not be ideal for very noisy and lively workplaces.
Average for gaming. They have a decent sound and a low latency wired connection but are not as convenient or as customizable as most wireless gaming headsets. Also, they don't have a microphone, but on the upside, if you do not need voice chat, then they could be a decent option for consoles and PCs since they will provide audio for both the PS4 and Xbox One.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Sep 26, 2018: Review published.
- Updated Sep 24, 2018: Our testers have started testing this product.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Sony MDR-7520 are well-made, closed-back, critical listening headphones. They have a premium and durable design, they're decently comfortable and deliver an above-average sound quality with a good amount of bass. Unfortunately, they also have a sharp spike in the treble range that could sound a bit piercing with already bright tracks. They're also not the most practical headphones to use outdoors since they have no control scheme, they do not block a lot of noise and they don't fold into a more compact format, to make them easier to carry around like some of the models compared below.
The Sony MDR-1A are a better closed-back critical listening headphones than the Sony MDR-7520. The 1As are a lot more comfortable and sleeker looking than the 7520s. The 1A also have a better-balanced sound than the 7520s. They pack a bit more bass and do not sound as sharp on already bright tracks. On the upside, the 7520s feel a bit more durable than the 1As.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are a better value than the Sony MDR-7520. The Sony have a more premium and durable build quality when compared to the Audio-Technica. They also have a lower profile on your head and an understated look and feel that some may prefer over the slightly plasticky design of the Audio-Technica. On the other hand, the Audio-Technica are more comfortable.
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