As the thirtieth
anniversary of the Sony MDR-CD900 and MDR-V6 headphones is upon us, I thought
I'd take an opportunity to pay a little homage to the ubiquitous headphones.
But before I begin: Sony, Walkman, etc., are all trademarks of Sony
Corporation. Sony had nothing to do with this site; all of the photos except
for one are mine from my own collection; the text is mine culled from various
sources, including other websites, catalogues, and service manuals, so the text
and history is Copyright (C) 2016, Kai Harada.
And if Koji Nageno reads
this page, please contact me; I have some questions...
HISTORY
In the early 1980s, with the
advent of the Walkman, Sony pioneered lightweight headphones, allowing users to
take quality sound reproduction with them. Most of these headphones (MDR-1,
MDR-2, MDR-3, MDR-4, and MDR-5) featured 23mm dome drivers, but higher-end
models, such as the MDR-7, used 28mm drivers. The MDR-4L1S, included with the WM-2
Walkman, became somewhat of a status symbol with their orange earpads.
MDR-4T HEADPHONES, WITH LONGER
CABLE, BLACK HOUSING,
UNIMATCH PLUG, AND NO MUTE
SWITCH. ORIGINAL EARPADS WERE BLACK.
MDR-4L1S HEADPHONES, WHICH CAME
WITH THE WM-2.
ORIGINAL EARPADS WERE ORANGE.
MDR-5a, MDR-7.
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Audio professionals,
however, opted for the circumaural (on the ear) DR-series headphones,
especially in ENG (Electronic News Gathering) applications. Originally introduced in the 1970s, the
early DR generation sported cone (paper) drivers, but as fidelity became
increasingly more important, Sony experimented with other materials, resulting
in a dome driver that carried into their lightweight models in the 1980s.
The DR-6M, DR-M7, and
DR-Z6 models became especially popular because of their ability to be folded
for easy carrying. Many Japanese reporters used these models along with early
Sony cassette tape recorders, called "Densuke" in Japan, based on a
cartoon-character report of the same name and generation.
DR-Z6 IN ORIGINAL PACKAGING
DR-M7
DR-6M
In 1983, Sony and
Phillips introduced the Compact Disc, and with it came a slew of digital recording
equipment. Sony engineers realized the need for a higher-quality headphone
suitable to reproduce the ful frequency range of the new format. Coinciding
with the Compact Disc, Sony released the MDR-CD5 and MDR-CD7 models, both
utilizing a 30mm dome driver, specifically designed for digital audio
applications. The two models were similar, but the CD7 boasted a gold diaphragm
and was a sleek black color, while the CD5 was silver colored and had a
standard PET diaphragm. They were extremely lightweight and provided some
limited isolation from outside noise with an oval on-the-ear earpad design. The
connecting cord terminated at the left ear only, and made them very popular in
professional audio applications.
MDR-CD5; EARPADS HAVE WORN AND
REVEALED ORANGE FOAM, BUT
ORIGINALLY THEY WERE BLACK WITH
A URETHANE COVER.
THE
FIRST GENERATION
Finally, in late 1985,
Sony released the MDR-CD900 in Japan, and the MDR-V6 in the rest of the world,
finally bridging the gap between high quality audio and a closed-ear design.
These were flagship "DIGITAL MONITOR" headphones with full 20Hz-20kHz
(some specifications state 5Hz-30kHz), a closed ("supra-aural") over-the-ear
oval design, and could be folded up for portability. They boasted a CCAW voice
coil, samarium cobalt magnets, a single-sided coiled cord, and a 40mm
diaphragm. The Japan-only MDR-CD900 featured an Amorphous Diamond diaphragm,
whereas the Export-Only MDR-V6 had a standard PET diaphragm. All headphones of this
series were rated at 63ohm impedance at 1kHz.
THE WHOLE FAMILY:
MDR-CD700, MDR-CD900, MDR-V6, MDR-V7, MDR-7506, MDR-CD900ST
MDR-CD900 - NOTE "DIGITAL
MONITOR" AND SHINY SURFACE
MDR-CD900, ORIGINAL
MDR-CD900, FOLDED
MDR-CD900 ORIGINAL TAG
MDR-CD900, CLOSEUP
MDR-V6, FOLDED; NOTE "STUDIO
MONITOR" AND MATTE SURFACES.
MDR-V6, UNFOLDED (PARDON THE
DUST BY THE HANGER)
In 1986, the other
members of the family appeared: the MDR-CD700 (Japan) and MDR-V7 (rest of the
world) seemed to be designed for at-home "hi-fi" listening, with a non-foldable
design and a long, straight cord. The CD700 utilized a 40mm Gold diaphragm,
while the V7 used a 40mm titanium diaphragm. (Some sources say that the MDR-V7
had a 50mm diaphragm but this is incorrect). Non-foldable designs had a shorter
headband compared to the foldable versions.
MDR-CD700 (JAPAN ONLY)
MDR-V7, NOTE CABLE PASSING THROUGH HANGERS
MDR-CD700 (LEFT), MDR-CD900
(RIGHT)
(NOTE DIFFERENCE IN HEADBAND
STYLE)
MDR-V7 IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE (EU
VERSION)
(30mm-driver
"on-the-ear" versions also appeared, namely the MDR-V5, V4, V3, V2,
V1, V606, V404, CD500, CD300, and CD100; someday I may write something about
those).
Although the MDR-V6 was
designed for consumer applications, professional sound engineers quickly
discovered their utility, and in 1991, Sony released the MDR-7506, which was
essentially an MDR-V6 with a gold-plated plug and neodymium magnets in their
drivers; they were distributed through Sony's Professional Equipment division
and thus came with a better warranty. A Service Manual, listing all repair
parts, was also included for easy in-the-field repair.
(Contrary to some
reports, the wiring for the MDR-V6 and MDR-7506 is EXACTLY THE SAME as all the
other Sony headphones in this family).
MDR-7506
MDR-7506, ALSO "STUDIO MONITOR"
Back in Japan, Sony
worked with its recording studios-- CBS/Sony Shinanomachi Studios-- later Sony Music
Studios-- to produce a headphone specifically designed for professional use.
Using MDR-CD700 and MDR-CD900 consumer headphones as a base model, sound
engineers gave notes to Sony engineers to devise a particular model voiced for
studio monitoring applications.
These early models were
confusingly named: first, modified MDR-CD900 headphones were given a new
sticker, and called MDR-CD900/CBS, but they retained the shiny finish of the
consumer versions:
MDR-CD900/CBS, WITH CBS/SONY
LABEL (PHOTO FROM A YAHOO! JAPAN AUCTION PAGE; THESE SOLD FOR ABOUT $400 IN
2015).
A second series of
professional studio-only headphones with design concepts from the CD700 and V7
appeared in late 1989; these were only available through "official"
channels. These headphones, also labelled MDR-CD900, were no longer foldable,
had a matte finish, and integrated the left-to-right cable pass into the ear
hangers. The cable was no longer coiled, and terminated in a 1/4" plug; no
Unimatch 1/8" connector with 1/4" adaptor like the original CD900,
V6, or 7506.
MDR-CD900 STUDIO VERSION WITHOUT
THE "ST" NAME (1989-1995 VINTAGE)
After 1995, the housings
were changed to officially name the headphones MDR-CD900ST (STudio, of course),
and were available to the public in Japan, packaged in a plain white box (now
cardboard colored), with no manual and no warranty. Like the MDR-7506
internationally, the MDR-CD900ST headphones are designed to be easily
reparable, and spare parts abound for the professional in Japan. Some special
limited-edition variants for promotional use have also been released, as listed
below.
RECENT MDR-CD900ST ON LEFT,
ORIGINAL MDR-CD900 ON RIGHT
MDR-CD900ST/WR
40mm
first-generation Sony Headphone Comparison Chart:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MODEL / 名前 |
MDR-CD900 (orig) |
MDR-V6 |
MDR-CD700 |
MDR-V7 |
MDR-CD900CBS |
MDR-7506 |
MDR-CD900ST |
|
PRODUCTION / 発売 |
end 1985 - 1992 |
end 1985 - present |
Oct 1986 - 1989 |
1987 - ?1992? |
1988 - 1995 |
1991 - present |
1989, 1995 - present |
|
MARKET / 市場 |
JPN ONLY |
US, EU, PAC |
JPN ONLY |
EU, US |
JPN ONLY |
US, EU, PAC |
JPN ONLY |
|
MANUFACTURE / 国系 |
JPN |
JPN/CN/THAI |
JPN |
JPN |
JPN |
JPN/CN/THAI |
JPN |
| 40mm |
40mm |
40mm |
40mm |
40mm |
40mm |
40mm |
|
|
VOICE COIL / ボイスコイル |
CCAW |
CCAW |
CCAW |
CCAW |
CCAW |
CCAW |
CCAW |
|
MATERIAL / ダヤフラーム |
Amorphous Diamond |
Mylar/PET |
Amorphous Gold |
Amorphous Titanium |
Mylar/PET |
Mylar/PET |
Mylar/PET |
|
MAGNET / マグネット |
Samarium Cobalt |
Samarium Cobalt |
?Samarium Cobalt? |
?Samarium Cobalt? |
Neodymium |
Neodymium/Sam Cobalt |
Neodymium |
|
|
|||||||
|
DRIVER ORIG # / ドライバー(旧) |
1-505-076-21 |
1-505-076-11 |
1-505-076-31 |
1-505-076-01, 41 |
1-505-093-11 |
1-505-076-11 |
1-505-093-11 |
|
DRIVER CURR # / ドライバー（新） |
N/A |
1-542-491-11, 31 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
1-542-491-11, 31 |
1-542-492-21, -31 |
|
DRIVER CODE / ドライバーコード |
040F002 (we think) |
040F001; 040F001P |
040F003 |
040F004 |
040F005 |
040F001; 040F001P |
040F005; 040F005Q |
|
in 2007; now 040F001Q |
in 2002; now 040F001Q |
||||||
|
FOLDABLE / 折りたたみ？ |
YES |
YES |
NO |
NO |
NO |
YES |
NO |
|
HEADBAND LENGTH / ヘッドバンドの長さ |
LONG |
LONG |
SHORT |
SHORT |
SHORT |
LONG |
SHORT |
|
HEADBAND TEXT / ヘッドバンドの語句 |
"DIGITAL MONITOR" |
"STUDIO MONITOR" |
"DIGITAL MONITOR" |
"STUDIO MONITOR" |
"STUDIO MONITOR" |
"STUDIO MONITOR" |
"STUDIO MONITOR" |
|
TEXT COLOR / ヘッドバンドの語句の色 |
GOLD |
SILVER |
GOLD |
GOLD |
GOLD |
SILVER |
GOLD |
|
L/R LOGO / 「左」「右」ロゴの色 |
Gold/Gold |
Blue/Red |
Black/Black |
Gold/Gold |
Blue/Red |
Blue/Red |
Blue/Red |
|
STICKER / カップスティッカ |
"for DIGITAL" |
"for DIGITAL" |
"for DIGITAL" |
"for DIGITAL" |
"for DIGITAL" |
"Professional" |
"for DIGITAL" |
|
CABLE PATH / ケーブルの通路 |
CUP |
CUP |
CUP |
HANGER |
HANGER |
CUP |
HANGER |
|
PARTS SHEEN / 光沢 |
SHINY |
MATTE |
MATTE |
MATTE |
SHINY -> MATTE |
MATTE |
MATTE |
|
SOUNDHOLE / サウンドホール |
RECTANGLE (F only) |
RECTANGLE (F only) |
RECTANGLE (F only) |
CIRCLE (Sm on R, Sm on F) |
CIRCLE (Lg on R, Sm on F) |
RECTANGLE (F only) |
OVAL (R only) |
|
POUCH / ポーチ付き？ |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
CABLE / ケーブル |
Coiled Brown |
Coiled Black |
Straight Black, 3m |
Straight Black, 3m |
Straight Black, 2m |
Coiled Black |
Straight Black, 2.5m |
|
PLUG / プラグ |
Unimatch |
Unimatch |
Unimatch |
Unimatch |
1/4" |
Unimatch |
1/4" |
|
METAL / プラグのメッキ |
Gold |
Nickel |
Gold |
Gold |
Nickel |
Black |
Nickel |
|
EARPAD / イヤーパッド |
2-115-668-03 |
2-115-668-03 |
2-115-668-03 |
2-115-668-03 |
2-115-695-01 |
2-115-668-03 |
2-115-695-01 |
|
HANGER LID, L / ハンガ蓋、左 |
2-113-130-01 |
2-113-130-11 |
2-113-130-11 |
2-115-669-01 |
2-115-669-01 |
2-113-130-11 |
2-115-669-01 |
|
HANGER LID, R / ハンガ蓋、右 |
2-113-131-01 |
2-113-131-11 |
2-113-131-11 |
2-115-670-01 |
2-115-670-01 |
2-113-131-11 |
2-115-670-01 |
|
EAR HANGER, L / イヤーハンガー、左 |
2-113-132-01 |
2-113-132-11 |
2-113-132-11 |
2-115-671-01 |
2-115-671-01 |
2-113-132-11 |
2-115-671-01 |
|
EAR HANGER, R / イヤーハンガー、右 |
2-113-133-01 |
2-113-133-11 |
2-113-133-11 |
2-115-672-01 |
2-115-672-01 |
2-113-133-11 |
2-115-672-01 |
MDR-CD700 GOLD DIAPHRAGM
MDR-CD900 (ORIGINAL) DIAPHRAGM
MDR-V7 TITANIUM DIAPHRAGM
MDR-7506 DIAPHRAGM
MDR-CD900ST DIAPHRAGM (NOTE DIFFERENT PAPER ON BAFFLE)
MDR-CD900ST WITH MICRON SILK
DAMPER IN CUP
(ONLY MODEL WITH THIS ABSORPTION).
Many, many parts from the
different series of this generation are interchangeable, leading to a lot of customization
possibilities, which I may discuss at some other point.
THE
NEXT GENERATIONS
After the original
V-series was introduced worldwide, Sony introduced several generational
improvements over the years, but only the V6/7506/CD900ST have remained in
steady production for thirty years.
SECOND
GENERATION: MDR-CD555/666,
MDR-CD777/888, MDR-CD999 (~1988)
-CD555/666 utilized 30mm drivers with a titanium
diaphragm in a newer form factor.
-CD777/888
utilized 40mm drivers with a sapphire-evaporated diaphragm in this same newer
form factor.
-CD999
utilized 50mm drivers with a amorphous diamond diaphragm.
THIRD
GENERATION: MDR-CD250,
MDR-CD350, MDR-CD450, MDR-CD550, MDR-CD750, MDR-CD850, MDR-CD950, MDR-CD1000,
MDR-CD3000 (~1991), MDR-R10 (1988)
-CD250, 350, and 450 utilized 30mm drivers, and
differed only in form factor.
-CD550
and 750 utilized 40mm drivers.
-CD850,
950, and 1000 utilized 50mm drivers; CD950 used amorphous diamond diaphragms,
and CD1000 used biocellulose diaphragms.
-CD3000
was a flagship model utilizing 50mm drivers with biocellulose diaphragms and a
non-resonant housing.
-MDR-R10
was THE king of headphones, utilizing 50mm drivers with biocellulose
diaphragms, housing from Zelkova wood, and lambskin pads. Only 3000 were made!
THIRD
GENERATION "STUDIO MONITOR" SERIES: MDR-V600/Z600
(1992), MDR-V900/Z900 (1992)
-V600 or Z600 were designed to be direct
successors to the V6, addressing some users' complaints that the V6 sound
signature was "too bright." A lower-impedance 40mm driver was used.
-V900
or Z900 were 50mm versions, and evolved into the V900HD and Z900HD versions
with extended high frequency range.
FOURTH
GENERATION: MDR-CD270,
MDR-CD370, MDR-CD470, MDR-CD570 (~1994), MDR-CD770 (1996), MDR-CD1700 (1996)
-CD270, 370, and 470 utilized 40mm drivers in a
new form factor that was designed to reduce mechanical noise when the
headphones were moved (which was an issue with the third generation).
-CD570
and CD770 utilized 50mm drivers in this same new form factor.
-CD1700
utilized 50mm drivers with Vectran biocellulose diaphragms.
FIFTH
GENERATION: MDR-CD280,
MDR-CD380, MDR-CD480, MDR-CD580, MDR-CD780, MDR-CD2000 (2000)
-CD280 utilized 30mm drivers in a newer form
factor with softer, bigger earpads.
-CD380,
480, and 580 utilized 40mm drivers in this same new form factor; 480 and 580
had a detachable cord.
-CD780
utilized 50mm drivers, also with detachable cord.
-CD2000
utilized 50mm drivers with Vectran biocellulose diaphragms, also with
detachable cord.
FIFTH
GENERATION "DJ" SERIES: MDR-V500DJ/Z500DJ
(1999), MDR-V700DJ/Z700DJ (1999)
-V500DJ or Z500DJ used 40mm drivers and had fully
swivelling earcups, making them popular with DJs.
-V700DJ
or Z700DJ used 50mm drivers and had fully swivelling earcups, making them
popular with DJs.
REFERENCES, SOURCES, AND LINKS
Sony Music
Entertainment's official page on the MDR-CD900ST; Japanese only:
http://www.smci.jp/mob/pageShw.php?site=headp&cd=cd900st
A pretty comprehensive
list of Sony headphones through the early 2000s is available here; it's in
Japanese:
http://20cheaddatebase.web.fc2.com/SONY/sonyindex.html
This person's blog in
Japan details many modifications and repair procedures for the MDR-CD900ST,
which are often applicable to other models; great photos:
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/linear_pcm0153/MYBLOG/yblog.html?fid=0&m=lc&sk=0&sv=cd900
A bit more history of the
CD900ST is here; it's in Japanese:
http://kkkk3150.blog54.fc2.com/blog-entry-25.html
Makeup Company services
and supports the MDR-CD900ST in Japan:
Cartonode Engineering makes
special modifications to the MDR-CD900ST; Japan/Japanese only:
His blog is here,
detailing modifications to the MDR-CD900ST:
http://ceproducts.exblog.jp/i2/
Umbrella Company services
and supports the MDR-CD900ST in Japan and also makes a balanced headphone
amplifier; Japanese only:
http://umbrella-company.jp/buzz/Sony-mdr-cd900st_mod.html
This guy just took some
nice photos of his MDR-CD900ST; Japanese only:
http://akihikomatsumoto.com/blog/?p=456
COMING SOON (OR EVENTUALLY)
Fake MDR-7506s from
China, and how to identify them.
Service Manual
collection.
Catalogue scans.
Modifications to any of
the series.