Sony MDR-V6 and MDR-7506 ear pad mod

The Sony MDR-V6 and 7506 studio monitor headphones are extremely well built professionally styled headphones.  However, if you have done any research into these headphones you will soon discover that the only main issue people have with these headphones is the quality and comfort of the included ear pads.  I can confirm that this is a true issue, as my Sony MDR-7506 ear pads wore out very quickly, about two years.  How fast your ear pads degrade varies, but one thing is for sure: If you use them often they will wear out at an alarming rate.

Sony MDR-7506 with ear pad mod

Fortunately there is a solution to this problem, and the solution lies in the Beyerdynamic EDT 250 Velour pads.  These replacement pads can be found on Amazon (I will provide a link below), and are actually replacement pads for the Beyerdynamic headphones.  Fortunately, the dimensions of these Beyerdynamic headphones are EXACTLY the same as the Sony MDR-V6 and 7506.  The velour pads fit my Sony's as if they were designed for them, I even think they fit better than the stock pads.  The velour pad mod will significantly increase the comfort and longevity of your headphones.  My ears no longer get hot and sweaty after long listening sessions, and the velour material is much more soft and comfortable than the stock "pleather" Sony pads.  Although the velour pads are relatively expensive for simply being ear pads (rough $25 dollars), they offer a substantial increase in comfort and longevity and honestly get rid of the only significant negative associated with the Sony MDR-V6 and 7506.  These headphones are already great, and these pads make them even better.

As you can see the Beyerdynamic cans
have exactly the same dimensions and
looks as the Sony MDR-V6 cans (to the right)

The velour pads on the Beyerdynamic
head set (left) fit the MDR-V6 and 7506
perfectly due to extremely similar designs

*This mod reportedly works with the Audio Technica ATH-M50's, although I have not tried this mod myself with the M50's.

CLICK HERE for the Beyerdynamic EDT 250 velour pads Amazon product page

Audio Technica ATH-M50 review and comparison to Sony MDR-7506 and MDR-V6

Standard Audio Technica ATH-M50

The Audio Technica ATH-M50 over ear headphones are an extremely popular headphone used by budget audiophiles and professionals alike.  The ATH-M50's sport large 45mm Neodymium driver units, a frequency response of 15- 28,000Hz, 99 dB sensitivity rating and an extremely reasonable 38 Ohm impedance. The ATH-M50's are also available in a regular coiled cord configuration, a straight cabled configuration (ATH-M50S) and as of this writing, white and silver limited edition models.  The result of Audio Techicas legendary audio engineering is a headphone that sounds great even when played from all different types of equipment, even from a modest and low powered source.  I personally love the way the M50's look, and I believe that Audio Technica has successfully merged studio quality sound and premium aesthetic appearance to create a headphone that is arguably one of the best in its respective category.

limited edition white and silver models

The Audio Technica ATH-M50 is no slacker where build quality is concerned.  Similar to the Sony MDR-7506 and Sony MDR-V6, the Audio Technica ATH-M50s were designed in part to be used in demanding studio and professional audio applications.  Due to the rigorous usage of headphones in these types of applications, the headset needs to be built to a high quality standard.  Audio Technica has obviously taken a page from the Sony MDR-V6 and 7506, and has built a sturdy and reliable headphone.  Some cool build features of the Audio Technica ATH-M50 is that the ear cups can fold completely flat and swivel, and that customers have a choice between a straight and coiled cabled version.  Where comfort is concerned the Audio Technicas perform better than the Sony MDR-7506.  The ear pads are made from high quality fake leather (or as I like to call it "pleather") that appears to withstand constant usage longer than the 7506's.  The only comfort issue I have is with the pads. After listening for quite some time, my ears do begin to sweat due to lack ventilation and airflow to the ears.  The ATH-M50's are comprised of a mostly plastic construction, however this is quality plastic designed to withstand constant daily usage.  As you can see from the photos, the ATH-M50s ear cups are sleekly and attractively styled with the engraved Audio Technica logo.

Sony MDR-V6 and 7506

Sound quality is another area where the ATH-M50's shine. The ATH-M50's do not have the unforgiving flat frequency response and tonality like many other studio headphones.  They do in fact, have a certain degree of noticable sound coloration.  Through a listening test in which I compared the ATH-M50's and Sony MDR-7506's side by side, I noticed that the ATH-M50's have a lot more bass punch than the Sonys and other similar studio headphones.  They also didn't have the upper frequency range spike that the Sonys have, resulting a much darker sounding headphone in comparison to the Sonys bright tonality.  Many regular every day listeners  love the sound quality of the ATH-M50's as do many studio professionals.  However, some people have commented that having much more neutral and analytical cans make for a better studio headphone.  I personally love the un-equalized sound characteristic of the ATH-M50's.  They are very good for all genres of music, although they especially shine with rock, pop and electronic music, and many bass heavy tracks.  However, I can achieve a relatively similar sound characteristic from my Sony MDR-7506's by playing with an equalizer.

Sony MDR-7506

Interesting picture of
Dr. Dre using ATH-M50's

Through and through the ATH-M50's are a wonderful choice for any entry level audiophile, audio enthusiast, studio professional or even someone who just wants some higher quality sound. However, I would not discount the Sony MDR-V6's or MDR-7506's as a viable choice.  Both Sony models costs less than the M50's, however  the ATH-M50's do have a few things going for them that the Sony's don't. Stock ear pads that of higher quality, last longer and are more comfortable than the included Sony pads may be a factor for some people.  Additionally, the M50's have a generally more pleasurable colored sound for those not looking for super analytical cans.  Furthermore, the ATH-M50's come with a straight cabled version for increased portability, and have a lower impedance allowing them to be sufficiently powered by lesser sources. Both the Sony MDR-V6's, MDR-7506's and Audio Technica ATH-M50's are all great choices, and I cannot simply name one or two as the winner.  All have positive and negative characteristics (as does any headphone), and all perform admirably for the price.

Accessories that come included with the Audio Technica ATH-M50's are the headphones themselves, a carrying bag and a 1/4 headphone jack adapter.

Sony MDR-V6 vs Sony MDR-7506 vs Audio Technica ATH-M50 technical specification comparison:

Sony MDR-V6:                                 Sony MDR-7506:                             Audio Technica ATH-M50:                               

Driver size: 40mm                              Driver size: 40mm                            Driver size: 45mm
Driver type: Dynamic, dome type      Driver type: Dynamic, dome type     Driver type: Dynamic, dome
                                                                                                                     type
Magnet type: Samarium Cobalt          Magnet type: Neodymium                Magnet type: Neodymium

Frequency response: 5- 30,000Hz      Frequency response: 10- 20,000Hz  Frequency response: 15-
                                                                                                                     28,000Hz
Nominal impedance: 63Ohm             Nominal impedance: 63Ohm            Nominal impedance: 38Ohm            
Sensitivity: 106 dB/mW                     Sensitivity: 106 dB/mW                    Sensitivity: 99 dB/mW
Max power rating: 1,000 kW             Max power rating: 1,000 kW            Max power rating: 1,600 kW
at 1 kHz                                             at 1 kHz                                             at 1 kHz

CLICK HERE for Sony MDR-V6 product page

CLICK HERE for Sony MDR-7506 product page

CLICK HERE for Audio Technica ATH-M50 product page

First Listen: Sony MDR-7506's

Currently, one of my favorite headphones is my Sony MDR-7506's. They don't look pretty, but I have never really cared about looks anyway in regard to my headphones, and besides they look good in their own old semi retro way.  Sony focuses on the durability, sound quality, and overall professional grade quality of these headphones rather than flashy visuals.  I really like these headphones due to the fact that they are an industry standard in recording studios, are some of the most durable headphones known to man, and mainly because they are DIRT CHEAP for the quality of sound you are receiving from these guys.  Most people are amazed that they only cost 130 dollars (80 to 90 on Amazon which is where I got mine) and still have such an accurate reproduction of sound.  Some don't like the fact that there seems to be a predominant upper frequency spike with these, but they are studio monitors, they are a little harsh for regular listening unless you equalize them (which is what I do with mine when I listen from my Sony amplifier and my iPhone when connected to a FiiO E7 portable DAC and headphone amplifier). They can easily double as your Studio Headphones and then your Hi-Fi home listening headphones.

One major point I would like to make is in regards to the analytical nature of these headphones.  Yes they are designed for use by professionals and cameramen in and out of the studio, thus they are extremely revealing.  Revealing doesn't always equal a particularly pleasant listening experience however.  Fortunately there is a simple resolution to this problem that allows someone looking for a good pair of durable hi-fi cans to tone down the harshness of these headphones.  Equalization! Every single audio device has one these days, and if you have a smart phone or iPod Touch, there are many third partly equalization apps out there.  I love the analytical nature of these cans because they respond exceptionally well to equalization.  This allows me to tailor the sound to exacting specifications.  Additionally on the topic or portable audio devices, I do recommend the use of an amplifier with these headphones.  Keep in mind that these were initially designed (way back in the 90's) for use with professional grade audio equipment.  However a 64Ohm impedance isn't to much electrical resistance for your basic iPhone to sufficiently power, but they do tend sound much better when amplified.  These headphones prove another major point I want to make:  Frequency response isn't everything.  They have a frequency response of 10-20,000Hz and still (gasp) sound amazing.  Strangely their slightly older brother (the Sony MDR-V6) have a frequency response of 5-30,000Hz (some say there is a sound difference between the V6 and 7506's and some say there isn't, its quite the hot button topic, next blog post perhaps)  Both models have been out for several years (since the 80's and 90's) and 20 year old working pairs can still be found today.  The Sony MDR-7506's and the MDR-V6's are tried and true, durable, widely used, professional work horses of the professional audio community.  Through proper equalization and amplification, they can serve a dual role, professional studio work, and every day high fidelity cans.  Highly recommended!

Here I will detail the specs of each:
Sony MDR-7506 technical specifications:
- 40mm Driver Unit
-Neodymium magnets
-Frequency response 10-20,000Hz
-Sensitivity 106 Db
-Closed back design
-Gold Plated connector
Sony MDR-V6 technical specifications:
-40mm Driver Unit
-Neodymium magnets
-Frequency response 5-30,000Hz
-Sensitivity 106 Db
-Closed back design
-Nickel connector
Pretty similar stats huh?
Apparently the V6 is also wired differently.
For more information on these headphones, here is the Wikipedia site on them which I have found surprisingly accurate:
 CLICK HERE for Wikipedia site on Sony MDR-7506, and Sony MDR-V6 Headphones