A successor to the old MDR-1Rs, the MDR-1A is a premium over-ear headset from Sony. With competitors such as the excellent Audio Technica ATHM50X and V-Moda M100s, does the MDR-1A truly deserve a spot on your short list?

Tremendous Comfort
Not unlike its predecessor, the MDR-1A exudes a sense of class thanks to its premium construction. From its super soft headband to the redesigned swiveling earcups, these cans are definitely the real deal. Sony hit a home-run with the 1Rs with regards to comfort and the new 1As continue to impress;

I was able to go a full work day wearing these with nary a hint of discomfort. The swiveling earcups also meant that I was able to simply rest the 1As on my neck with no issues whatsoever. It also helps that these headphones come with a pretty nice pouch for portability.

The 1As come with two types of detachable cables: a standard 1.2m L-cable and one with an in-line control. Unfortunately, you can’t do much with the in-line remote aside from answering and rejecting calls which feel a bit like a missed opportunity. If you want to adjust the volume for instance, you will need to pull out your phone or adjust it directly from the computer. Sony does provide an app to customise the controls, but is only available for Android.

Mind-blowing Audio
I had high hopes for these cans and it is with glee that I can safely say that the 1A most certainly delivered. The balance between the thumping bass, crystal clear mids and smooth treble is simply fantastic; the soundstage and dynamic range on offer by these cans is among the best I’ve ever heard at this price point. Whether it’s a head-thumper like Periphery’s Froggin’ Bullfish or Pentatonix’s addictive Cappella tracks, the 1As delivered. It’s rare to find a headphone that can deliver such a bass response in a Madeon track while still delivering such clarity in a TED talk video.

As a pair of full-sized headphones over the 1K mark, the Sony MDR-1A is certainly highly competent, if a little bit on the pricey side. While you certainly can’t go wrong with a cheaper, established pair of headphones like the incredible ATH-M50X, if you have the extra dough and have a healthy mix of bass heavy tracks along with orchestral pieces, it’s hard to go wrong with the 1A.

Price: RM1099

Type: Closed-back, dynamic headphones, 40mm

Efficiency: 105 dB/mW

Frequency range: 3 Hz – 100 kHz

Max. input power: 1500 mW

Rated impedance: 24 ohms at 1kHz

Value: 7/10

Features: 8/10

Performance: 8/10

Design: 9/10

Usability: 9/10

Verdict: Extremely lightweight and comfortable pair of audiophile-grade headsets.

Total Score: 8.2/10