Sony’s two new generation monitor headphones, MDR-MV1 and MDR-M1, aimed at professional audio content production, were not launched with much Golden Melody Award fanfare. As Yang Minqi now focuses on 360 space music engineering, the MDR-MV1 launched by Sony in 2023 has become an important reference system for its current combination with the launch of MDR-M1, which is said to focus on the new generation MDR-7506 Later, Yang Minqi said that MDR-M1 has become a new generation of reference headphones for recording, and at the same time contributes to MDR-MV1.
▲ The MDR-MV1 with an open design on the left side is Yang Minqi’s weapon for 360 space music projects, and the MDR-M1 can be considered a highly modified MDR-7506.
Yang Minqi said that he has been using MDR-CD900ST and MDR-7506 for a long time since his student days. So, Sony launched When it was introduced to the Japanese limited edition MDR-M1ST rear monitoring headphones co-developed with Sony Studio Japan, he was very happy and tried the buy as soon as possible. However, the characteristics of the MDR-M1ST made him very disappointed, because as a monitor, the MDR-M1ST’s sound range is much narrower than the MDR-7506’s, but at the same time, it has a more complete sound. the MDR-CD900ST’s band information detail, which targets mid-range vocals When used by performers or recording projects, too much monitor information can cause confusion when used in mixing and post-production projects representation, the spatial setting was not correct. and the MDR-M1ST was soon relegated to the sidelines.
▲ The tuning method of MDR-M1 is completely different from the Japan-limited MDR-M1ST.
On the other hand, the recently launched MDR-MV1 is an excellent and practical device for its main 360 space music production on the one hand, the MDR has precise details and accurate sound field placement -MV1. It is often used as an important tool for initial assessment in mixed projects; however, after all, the MDR-MV1 adopts a semi-open design and is susceptible to environmental disturbances especially when used by performers, it cannot replace the MDR- closed. CD900ST or MDR-7506 workflow management.
▲ Yang Minqi said that the narrow sound field of the MDR-M1ST and a lot of information do not support his work needs, but the MDR-M1 completely meets his needs for music engineering.
Although Yang Minqi appreciated the performance of MDR-MV1, MDR-M1ST may have given Yang Minqi a bad first impression When he was invited by Sony again to experience the closed design MDR-M1 in advance, he still there was a little hesitation, and even the mind was just to get a taste, but after putting on headphones for a simple test, he was attracted by the tuning of MDR-M1 Sony says, it is enough to be called the new generation products MDR-7506.
▲ Yang Minqi said that the sharp nature of MDR-7506 does not support long-term use, but it can increase the confidence of players.
Yang Minqi said with a smile that one of the characteristics of the MDR-7506 is that it has a relatively sharp sound. the recording studio, it is the result of the sound coming from headphones. The MDR-M1 has a tonality similar to the MDR-7506, but it is greatly improved in terms of listening and wearing MDR-7506 It is more helpful for performers and workers to use it for a long time.
▲ Compared to MDR-7506, MDR-M1 has better detail performance and can hear even the sub-frequency, but it is easier to listen.
More importantly, MDR-M1 is more stable than MDR-7506 on the basis of richer details. minor flaws such as the player. drooling or singing, were already heard better when using the open-back MDR-MV1 than the MDR-7506, but switching to the MDR-M1 was more easily and effortlessly. However, even if the details and information are rich, you can even hear sub-frequency (infrasound waves) that MDR-CD900ST and MDR-7506 cannot display, but MDR-M1 will not give a noticeable sound pressure or awareness high frequency puncture. , so he can be sure Use the MDR-M1 for longer mixing and post-production sessions than ever before.
▲ Sony invites a professional violinist to play live, and you can experience the difference in the details of the instrument between listening live and studying with headphones.
Yang Minqi also said that MDR-M1’s biggest advantage is its familiarity and reliability. Although he has been monitoring many brands of headphones since he started working there the music, although Yang Minqi is not paranoid about special headphones, it is even there. more than 40 different brands of headphones for appreciation and real listening simulation after tuning (but Yang Minqi said that the AirPods series of headphones is the most suitable criterion for evaluation now, however, his are still MDR-CD900ST and MDR-7506). Although the MDR-M1 is still different from the MDR-7506, it can still feel the legacy of tuning and changing features again.
▲ Sony also invited professional saxophone players to experience the brass instruments presented by the MDR-M1
In addition, for recording projects, the structure and durability of MDR-M1 also makes it more reliable, because in the past, MDR-7506 and MDR-CD900ST inevitably suffered various damages such as damaged earmuffs and headbands that have fallen off after long-term use. If the synthetic leather falls off, or the fixed wire has a bad connection due to various reasons, you will eventually have to buy a new headphone, however, the MDR-M1 uses a detachable design for the headphone wire , and Sony will also provide earmuff consumables in the future It can use the parts with more confidence.
▲MDR-M1 can easily recognize the singer’s hesitation and detect small flaws such as drooling and idioms that are not obvious.
In the second half of the lecture sharing event, Sony also used live performances to allow professionals and media related to the music field to experience the performance of the MDR-M1 in various settings. A simple comparison; Sony invited professional violinists, saxophonists, singers, and voice actors to perform live, and eventually paired it with two original soundtracks composed by Yang Minqi for experience.
▲ Listen to the live performance of the voice actors through MDR-M1 and you will better understand the reason why professional voice actors are called vocal chameleons.
Although the details and tuning methods of MDR-M1 and MDR-M1ST are somewhat similar, MDR-M1 seems to be in a small listening space. Although the space is not large, it has a three-dimensional sense and special layers , while MDR – The M1SST feels like listening to the content almost against the speakers especially when listening to Yang Minqi’s two soundtracks, sense of flatness, however, the excellent separation ability makes the details of the information complete but makes the listening experience very rough.
▲MDR-M1 can eliminate the transition pain period for users who are used to MDR-7506, while providing more reliable, stable and easy sound details.
In solo and pure vocal parts, both the MDR-M1 and MDR-M1ST can clearly hear details including throughput, changes in microphone distance, and performance accents, but MDR-M1 is more three-dimensional and unique, while MDR-M1ST is there. pushing every detail to the fore, MDR-M1 can listen to the end with ease.
