When comparing Sony MDR-1R vs JVC HA-RX900, the Slant community recommends Sony MDR-1R for most people. In the question“What are the best over-ear headphones under $200?” Sony MDR-1R is ranked 6th while JVC HA-RX900 is ranked 17th. The most important reason people chose Sony MDR-1R is:
The included carrying pouch of these headphones adds extra protection against dust, scratches, and minor impact. Also, the pouch looks well made and stylish, making it a great inclusion to the headphone package.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Gets extra protection when taken on the go from the included carrying pouch
The included carrying pouch of these headphones adds extra protection against dust, scratches, and minor impact. Also, the pouch looks well made and stylish, making it a great inclusion to the headphone package.
Pro Is quite portable as the headphone can be folded flat
The ear cups of the MDR-1R can be folded flat. This gives the headphones a slimmer profile which makes them easily fit in bags for utmost portability.
Pro Detachable cable enhances headphone portability
The cable can be easily detached from the headphone. This makes the wire much easier to organize and makes the headphone much more convenient to take on the go.
Pro Sound quality
The MDR-1R is designed to be a studio headphone and its sound signature follows that design. These headphones are very balanced with little emphasis on either bass, mids, or highs. As a result this headphone will work well for a wide range of music. But if you're looking for an emphasis on bass you may need to look elsewhere.
Pro Impressive soundstage
For a headphone with a closed-back design, the MDR-1R has been noted to have impressive soundstage.
Pro Can be worn all day long because of the comfortable design
The MDR-1 is really comfortable to wear and can be worn for many hours straight. The ear pads and headband feature synthetic leather surfaces, but this material actually feels very supple and soft on the skin. This is complimented by the ample padding which makes these materials seem like pillows on the user's head.
Pro Neutral bass
The bass of the MDR-1R is not overly powerful with a neutral bass response.
Pro Produces good sound with a nice bass thump
These headphones produce great bass which, while not very powerful, still has some thump and goes deep. This bass quality of these headphones makes them great for listening to hip-hop, EDM, trance, and genres which put a lot of emphasis on the bass. The mids and highs may not be the best, but they do bring some life to the overall sound.
Pro Works well for gaming because these have great sound stage for a closed back pair of heapdhones
These headphones may have a closed back design, but the sound stage is very good. There is a sense of width to the sound, with nice instrument/sound source separation. This quality of sound makes these headphones a nice option for gaming use.
Pro Has great sound isolation thanks to large and closed ear cups
The HA-RX900 is able to keep the sound it produces within the cups, while at the same time effectively blocking ambient noise. This is primarily achieved through the headphone's large and closed ear cup design which cover the ears entirely. Also, the use of pleather material on the ear pads creates a good seal which prevents sound leakage.
Pro Comfortable to wear due to ample cushioning on the ear pads and head band
There is a lot of padding present on the ear pads and headband. This means that the contact points of these headphones to your head is well-cushioned and should minimize pain, even if these are worn for extended periods of time.
Pro Large ear cups comfortable for big ears
The ear cups easily accommodate big ears without pinching or cramping.
Cons
Con May not have the oomph that you want from a headphone
These headphones do not have the best bass output. While the bass is present, it may not have the punch or fullness that bass heads may want. This also means that the MDR-1R may not be the best option for hip-hop, EDM, or more bass-centric music.
Con Mids and highs may sound muddy
These headphones may not give you the best detail and clarity in the mids and highs. While they are definitely present, the quality is not great which can make the overall sound come off as a bit muddy for some.
Con Extended use can cause uncomfortable warmth on the ear-area
These headphones can trap heat on the area of the ears, especially when you wear these for long periods. The pleather material may be soft on the skin, but it also does not allow enough airflow to the ears. You may want to consider taking these headphones off periodically to prevent the heat buildup.
Con Difficult to use at times because of the very long and non-detachable cable
You may experience some hassle dealing with the cable used for these headphones. They are quite long which can be a good thing, but this also means that the cable can get in the way if you tend to move while using these headphones. Also, the length of the cable can make it quite difficult to organize. It also does not help that the cable is non-detachable from the headphones.
Con May become tiring to wear as these headphones are quite bulky and heavy
If you decide to wear these headphones for long periods of time, then it is possible that these can tire your neck. The HA-RX900 are quite large and heavy even when compared to other full sized headphones.