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Add to SafariWhen comparing Sony MDR-1R vs Shure SRH440, 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 Shure SRH440 is ranked 15th. 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
Question Ranking
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 Reference quality sound which can be fun to listen to
Sound signature is fairly neutral, with slight elevations to the bass, mids and highs.
Bass has a nice fullness to it, with some extra depth which gives the sound a lot of body.
The mids are neutral but slightly forward, making the vocals sound really clear. Aggressive guitars can sound a bit harsh because of this though.
Treble has good extension, and the added peak on the highest frequencies add more sparkle to the sound.
Overall, these headphones can be used both for critical listening and for casual music enjoyment as well.
Pro Superb sound isolation
The closed back, over the ear design blocks out a significant amount of noise, allowing users to easily focus on the audio. Sound leak is also kept to a minimum.
These are great for tracking and monitoring, and are also great choices for use in quiet environments like a library.
Pro Headphone cable is detachable
You can easily remove the cable when these are not in use, making them easy to store. This also makes the cable easy to replace when needed.
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 Build quality is rather poor
The overall build is quite plasticky, with a lot of rattles. While it is not fragile by any means, the build quality certainly does not inspire confidence.
Con Ear pads are not the most comfortable
Pleather is used on the surface of the ear pads which traps heat and can make the area around the ears warm up fast. Also, while the ear pads are large and soft, they are also quite thin. People with larger ears may experience their ears rubbing against the driver housing, which can get quite uncomfortable.
Con Thin headband padding
There is minimal cushioning on the headband, so the plastic may dig into your head when using the headphones for long periods.
