Sony MDR-1AM2 Hi-Res Headphones with Heavyweight Bass and Beat Response Control - Black

Product Information

The frequency response of the headphones can be represented as the selected equalizer setting in the player, applicable to headphones with a flat sound. Subjective "flatness" is perceived differently from external conditions: the volume level of the external noise and noise isolation headphones. When connected to an amplifier, the frequency response can change . The perception of the number of low frequencies depends on the volume according to the curves of equal loudness. (ISO 226-2009 Acoustics. Normal equal-loudness-level contours). For the base level, 72 dB SPL (live performance of several instruments with vocals without amplifiers with acoustics) is selected.When you select another base level, the dependence varies slightly and is suitable for almost all levels. Sparkling detail abounds in the midrange, with clear and contrasting notes defining the MDR-1AM2. Fidelity comes across as nearly impeccable here, giving the impression of truly meaty mids. High End It can be driven to pretty loud volumes without distorsion, but it will distort at very loud volumes. But what about those on the fence? Maybe you’re not sure if you need all those highs or all that bass? Give the MDR-1AM2 a listen anyway. To be sure, the low end is intense – but it still manages to be intense in a natural way. And this Sony’s high end, while smooth, remains paradoxically detailed. Final Analysis

Sony rarely disappoints when it comes to the bass of its headphones. Both the MV1 and 1AM2 have a decent level of detail and power that aims for an engrossing but natural display of low-end frequency content. The bloom of the 1AM2 is quite larger than the MV1, but the MV1 still supplies some rich frequency content in its lows. Those frequencies arrive a bit slower though compared to the 1AM2. If you don’t like the bass as centered and hard-hitting when making decisions for your mix, then you might prefer the MV1 here. Those who want more of an edge to their bass timbre will probably want the 1AM2. Mids Second, the frequency response. Oh my oh my the FR. Do I not like it. This headphone would actually sound good if it can retain its technicalities and go with a different tuning. The tuning on these is, well, how do I put it. Sony-esque. They are targeted at mainstream consumers so you already know it's going to sound bassy. But the mids and treble sound a bit too withdrawn. For pop music they are alright, but for any serious listening I think you're going to want something different, starting with more clarity, more mid and treble focus and less muddy bass. Graph of frequency response the shows the balance of the frequency of the headphones (reproduced frequency spectrum) in dB. 0 dB is the average of the amplitude.

Customer reviews

While I don't see myself using over-ear headphones for anything else than listenting to music, other people like to be able to use such a headphone for calls as well. And, while a level of midrange detail still presents itself on the Sony MDR-1AM2, those details seem overwhelmed by the powerful low end. For some genres, this won’t be as much of a problem – but it still prevents the Sony from sounding great with anything (unlike the MSR7B). Highs While it is all too common to see some manufacturers boost the treble for the psychoacoustic illusion of more details, the MDR-1AM2 is a specialist in bringing forth such detail of recordings while maintaining a pleasing tonality. However, the MDR-1AM2 does not keep up in the resolution department. As detailed as it sounds, these perceived details in different components of the mix are not as well-articulated and well-separated as I'd like them to be. Edit: I just realized I used the word "you/your" a lot when writing this, but I mean that towards anyone attempting the mod. Didn't want to sound too mean! The result is a ever-so-slightly warm-ish neutral sound that is smooth up top. Very pleasing now though I do miss a bit of the bass impact and sense of "dynamism". I may try to experiment some more at a later time.

First, this headphone is crazy sensitive. I have had many portable headphones and none are this sensitive. It almost behaves like an IEM in this regard --- on an iPhone I actually volume match it with my DD IEM and find the volume to be sufficient. On most desktop amps it will hiss. Again something that's much more common with IEMs than full-sized headphones. Under the hood, the Audio Technica ATH-MSR7B utilizes a larger 45 mm driver. In contrast, the MDR-1AM2 sports a smaller driver measuring 40 mm. Both being relatively easy to drive, neither one requires amplification, though the MSR7B would benefit slightly more from some amplification. But as I said, at typical listening levels, I found the MDR-1AM2 to be quite pleasing. A common complaint of many headphones these days is overly strong bass but this is certainly not the case with the MDR-1AM2. Bass is strong but not overly emphatic and clean. It is certainly not muddy, so drums strike with adequate authority and precision. The mids are present and not grainy, which gives vocals and guitars a smooth and inviting sound. The treble, however, is its most problematic component as it is overly emphasized and has an uneven, unnatural sound. According to the frequency response curve, it is possible to calculate the width of the frequency range .Compared to its predecessor, the MDR-1AM2 sounds markedly brighter, cleaner, and more detailed. The older MDR-1A has a warmer and darker sound, with fuller bass and less present mids and highs. It is impossible to say if that’s an outright improvement, but I found myself reaching for the MDR-1AM2 more than the MDR-1A because of its richer mid-range and more detailed sound. The frequency response in RAA is obtained through the reproduction and analysis of a special noise signal with the subsequent generation of an impulse response. The frequency response plot is constructed from the spectrum of the impulse response.During the measurements, a special amplifier was used with zero total output impedance over the entire frequency range, which required /amp_comp.php>no compensation for the amplitude response F.A.Q.. The microphone is calibrated to 45 kHz F.A.Q. with an appropriate frequency response correction. The MDR-1AM2’s predecessors were renown for being extremely comfortable and I’m happy to report that the MDR-1AM2 is the same. To begin, the MDR-1AM2 is extremely light, weighing just 187g. The headband is lined with soft synthetic leather and distributes what little weight of the headphone nicely. A strong sense of soundstage results from equal parts placement and depth – and the 1AM2 handles both with aplomb. There’s a certain gusto to this soundstage, reaching into your ears and dragging your brain out into the music. You can feel instrumentation and vocals as they should be felt – which is rare for a headphone at this price point. Other Observations For 100-150euros, they make a lot more sense and they can be very good headphones to fit all usage scenarios, as the microphone included on the single-eneded cable

In the low end, the 1AM2 exhibits a lively, driving bass – not heavy-handed, but energetic. At times, the bass seems to overshadow low-end detail just a smidgen, but rest assured there is still ample detail at play here. At the end of the day, the lows remain clean and articulate, providing you with a sweet bottom end. Mids Compared to the previous version the bass has been tamed significantly, but it's still way above what it should be. Some non-sound related complaints: Isolation is ok at best, a fair bit of cable noise or microphonics, no hardshell carrying case (assuming for portable use), and no "home-use" cable nor a 6.3mm adapter.

Specifications

The graph shows the change in the perception of the frequency response of the headphones when listening to music with a different loudness relative to the natural level. When listening to headphones at a low volume, the perception of recoil in the low frequency range decreases, and when you listen to it at a high volume, it increases. Listening to the MDR-1AM2, I found that it appears to have a bit of a split personality. At typical or regular listening volumes, the MDR-1AM2 has a rather pleasing signature with strong, punchy bass; present and smooth mids; and a slightly pronounced but still bearable treble. However, at higher volumes, the MDR-1AM2 takes on a considerably harsher sound and becomes shouty and strained. At higher volumes, its upper mids and treble becomes piercing and has an artificial, shimmering quality about it. Take note of this and be sure to try listening to the MDR-1AM2 at various listening levels when auditioning it. For how much bass it has, I'm actually surprised how low distorsion actually is, so it's a winner in this regard.

During the measurements, a special amplifier was used with zero total output impedance over the entire frequency range, which required no compensation for the amplitude response . The microphone is calibrated to 45 kHz with an appropriate frequency response correction. RAA measurements are made in 192 kHz / 24 bit mode. The screws are under the thin piece of damping material approximately in the circled location. Lift it up a bit and take the screws out. Just standard Phillips screws. Careful not to accidentally drop the screws into the driver. Overall, the Audio Technica offers a more balanced sound profile, with ample extension in the lows and highs. The Sony, in contrast, skews a bit more fun-sounding, though its powerful bass can lead to an impression of a darker sound. Lows Meanwhile, the Sony offers a similar level of emphasis, but comes across as sounding brighter. This brightness, combined with the intense, dark lows, gives way to a fun and emotive sound that doesn’t skimp out on energy, either.Ears also tend to get hot after listening to it for prolonged periods of time. For the MSRP they ask on it, I really expected a lot more have to be honest. Sound is of very good quality and pretty neutral apart from the bass region which has a big boost (+6dB from reference). Comfort and weight are perhaps the biggest selling points of this headphone. Sure, those specs are impressive, but they only get more impressive when you actually hold this headphone in your hands and realize just how incredibly light it is. You could wear this baby all day and never feel a thing. Inside the MDR-1AM2, you will find a 40mm dynamic driver with an aluminum-coated liquid crystal polymer diaphragm. According to Sony, the driver is capable of reproducing sounds from as low as 3Hz to as high as 100,000Hz. To ensure accurate reproduction of high-frequency sounds, the MDR-1AM2 has a special grille modeled using the Fibonacci sequence over the driver. I wish at least the headband was made from velour or alcantara so it lasts longer and doesn't require regular cleaning.