When comparing Sony MDR 7506 vs Jabra Elite Sport (2017), the Slant community recommends Sony MDR 7506 for most people. In the question“What are the best headphones?” Sony MDR 7506 is ranked 15th while Jabra Elite Sport (2017) is ranked 26th. The most important reason people chose Sony MDR 7506 is:
The bass is just right. It may not have the deep sub-bass extension that bass heads crave for, but what is there is fast, tight and punchy. The mids are clear with a hint of warmth, which make vocals and guitars sound very clear and you can easily hear their sonic nuances . The reproduction of highs is the part that these headphones really shine. They are crystal clear and highly detailed without adding hiss or harshness to the overall sound. Cymbal crashes and pings, for example, are very close to what you would hear if they were played right in front of you.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Clean and balanced sound with smooth bass and detailed highs
The bass is just right. It may not have the deep sub-bass extension that bass heads crave for, but what is there is fast, tight and punchy. The mids are clear with a hint of warmth, which make vocals and guitars sound very clear and you can easily hear their sonic nuances .
The reproduction of highs is the part that these headphones really shine. They are crystal clear and highly detailed without adding hiss or harshness to the overall sound. Cymbal crashes and pings, for example, are very close to what you would hear if they were played right in front of you.
Pro Very affordable price for the sound and quality build that you get
Despite being sub $100, the MDR 7506 can compete against headphones up to twice the price. These make for great headphones if you are just starting to get serious about your audio and you want a relatively inexpensive yet quality purchase.
Pro Reliable headphones due to solid build quality
The MDR 7506 is built outstandingly well, with high quality materials and with little to no creaks and unnecessary flex. These headphones have been around since 1991, which has given Sony a lot of time to refine the manufacturing process of these cans.
Pro Easy to bring on the go due to the collapsible design
The yokes are collapsible and fold into the headband, reducing the headphones to a much more compact size. Included with each purchase is a synthetic leather pouch for added protection for the headphones when taking them on the go.
Pro Minimal sound leakage due to the closed back design
These leak very little sound compared to other over-ear headphones. The rear side of the ear cups is fully closed, which effectively minimizes sound leakage. With these, you can fully enjoy your music without disturbing people beside you.
Pro Has two separate ports for listening
Pro HearThrough mode allows you to better hear your surroundings
In this mode, the mic picks up audio from your surroundings. You can hear sound from around you mixed in with your music.
Pro Can monitor fitness stats
There is an integrated heart rate monitor which can connect to Jabra's fitness companion app. This combination should make it very easy for you to see fitness related data.
Pro Balanced sound signature with clear highs, rich mids and controlled bass
The Elite Sport sounds quite balanced with no harshness or muddiness. The highs are clear and deliver good detail. Mids sound natural and rich, while the bass is tight and controlled instead of bloated. With these headphones, you will get decent punch from the usually bass-centric workout tracks, yet you will still be able to enjoy a refined sound when listening to more mellow or instrument focused music.
Pro Can be used during workouts or while raining
These resist sweat and other liquids as they are IP67 rated. They can be submerged in water without getting damaged as long as the water is not too deep and they are not submerged for a long time.
Pro Optional wing tips improve fit
You can attach wing tips to the earpieces, which allow for better in-ear fit for reduced chances of the earpieces falling off. The tips are quite soft so they will not have too much of a negative impact on comfort.
Pro Earpiece buttons allow playback/call control
Each earpiece has two buttons which you can use to control playback or to answer/end calls.
Pro Can easily be charged on the go
The charging case has an internal battery that can add up to 6 hours to the Elite Sport's battery life.
Pro Allows you to take calls
There are microphones integrated in the ear pieces so hands free calls are possible. Voice quality from the mic is actually pretty good.
Pro An extensive accessory pack is included
You get a charging case, 3 pairs of silicone ear tips in different sizes, 3 pairs of premium Comply ear tips in different sizes, 3 wing tips in different sizes as well as a charging cable.
Cons
Con ear pad material will flake off after a short while.
You can use Brainwavz replacement earpads as an alternative.
Con Cable is quite long and non-removable
The headphone cable is coiled and is about 10 feet long. This is great for studios, however walking around in public with these headphones on can be awkward. The cable cannot be removed and has no remote or mic.
Con Can be very picky with audio sources
Due to how accurate sounding these are, you will be able to hear minute details from the sound, including hiss, distortion, and the like. To get the most out of these headphones for music enjoyment, you will want to have a great audio source.
Con Battery life is not very good
On average, you'll only be able to get around 3 hours of playback time from a full charge.