The Sony MDR-MV1 are reference-grade open-backs with dynamic drivers. Designed for mixing and mastering audio, these cans stand out from Sony's closed-back audiophile offerings, like the Sony MDR-Z7M2 and Sony MDR-7506. Thanks to their perforated ear cup enclosure, audio can escape from the cup and interact with your environment, creating a more spacious and natural soundstage.
Our Verdict
The Sony MDR-MV1 are great for neutral sound. They have a somewhat neutral sound and can reproduce a surprising amount of bass for open-backs. Although sibilants like cymbals are piercing and can be fatiguing, some people may prefer this sound to help spot imperfections in mixes. They can also create a decent passive soundstage, which feels natural, spacious, and wide. However, their soundstage doesn't feel quite as out-of-head as other open-backs, and they're prone to inconsistencies in bass delivery if you're wearing glasses or earrings, as these can disrupt the cups' seal on your head.
- Well-built and very comfortable.
- Decent passive soundstage.
- Prone to a drop in bass delivery if you wear glasses or earrings.
The Sony MDR-MV1 are poor for commuting. They're audiophile headphones, so they have a bulky design that's not meant to be constantly moved around, and they lack a carrying case to help protect them from accidental impacts. They also have an open-back design, so they can't block out any of the low rumbles of bus engines or chatty passengers. They leak audio, even at moderate volumes, disturbing others around you.
- Well-built and very comfortable.
- Won't block out background noise.
- High leakage.
The Sony MDR-MV1 aren't designed for sports and fitness. These audiophile headphones have a somewhat bulky design, which can fall off your head with intense head movements, and their audio cable, while detachable, can snag on something. They also lack an IP rating for water resistance, which isn't surprising.
- Well-built and very comfortable.
- No controls.
The Sony MDR-MV1 are poor for office use. They're audiophile headphones that purposefully lack a mic, so you can't take calls. They also have an open-back design, which means that they're designed to leak audio, even at moderate volumes, which means that you can bother people around you with your audio and won't block out any sound around you. However, if you're working in a private room, then it's not an issue. After all, these over-ears have a comfortable fit suitable for long listening sessions.
- Well-built and very comfortable.
- Won't block out background noise.
- High leakage.
- No mic.
The Sony MDR-MV1 are wired-only headphones; you can't use them wirelessly.
The Sony MDR-MV1 are okay for wired gaming if you don't need mic support. They have a comfortable fit, so you won't feel fatigued during long gaming sessions, and their added bass can help emphasize sound effects in gameplay. They also have a decent soundstage to help immerse you in your audio.
- Well-built and very comfortable.
- Decent passive soundstage.
- No controls.
- No mic.
The Sony MDR-MV1 are audiophile headphones that don't come with a mic. If you already have a standalone mic, these headphones can be a solid choice since they have a very comfortable fit and can reproduce dialogue clearly.
Changelog
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Updated Jul 25, 2025:
We've mentioned the Drop + Grell OAE1 in the Compared To Other Headphones section of the review due to commonalities shared by the two headphones' sound profiles.
- Updated Jul 24, 2023: Review published.
- Updated Jul 19, 2023: Early access published.
- Updated Jul 14, 2023: Our testers have started testing this product.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Sony MDR-MV1 come in one color variant: 'Black', and you can see our model's label here. If you encounter another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the forums, and we'll update our review.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Sony MDR-MV1 are reference-grade open-back headphones, which stand out from the mostly closed-back headphones that this manufacturer has produced. These cans have a somewhat neutral sound and can deliver more bass than other open-backs, like the HiFiMan Sundara 2020. However, like the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO, sibilants are also pretty bright and piercing, which can tire your ears. However, you may prefer this because extra treble can make it easier to spot imperfections when mixing audio. Their sound profile is comparable to that of the Drop + Grell OAE1, though the Sony are able to deliver bass more cleanly, without any spillover into the lower mid-range.
Check out our picks for the best audiophile headphones, the best open-back headphones, and the best studio headphones.
Depending on your usage, you may prefer either the Sony MDR-7506 or Sony MDR-MV1. The MDR-7506 are closed-back headphones that you can use to monitor live recordings, thanks to their decently low leakage performance. While they don't block out much background noise, they can still cut down more ambient chatter than the MDR-MV1. That said, the MDR-MV1 are a lot more comfortable and well-built.
The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO and the Sony MDR-MV1 are evenly matched open-backs, so you may enjoy either, depending on your preferences. The Beyerdynamic are better-built and have a less harsh treble range. Conversely, the Sony are more comfortable and have a wider soundstage.
The Sony MDR-MV1 and the Drop + Grell OAE1 share a somewhat similar sound profile: one that features a warm, controlled bass range with under-emphasized highs. Still, the Sony's top-end roll-off isn't quite as extreme as the Drop + Grell and they have a much more forgiving fit that doesn't clamp down on your ears as much. The Sony aren't as well-built as the Drop + Grell, though and they retail for quite a bit more.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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