Another Quality Sony Product

Author's Rating:

Pros: Exceptional value, comfortable, looks great

Cons: Ear cups don't swivel left and right, only up and down.

Author's Review
I was in the market for headphones because I wanted to listen to some music while at work (I do e-mail tech support, so I don't have to talk to too many people during the day).

I stopped an online store that just started offering Sony products and picked up the MDR-V300s. One thing I really wanted was a clean, pure sound. Open ear headphones wouldn't cut it, as I like alternative and techno/electronica, the latter testing both very high and very low frequencies. Ear buds, standard over-the-ear headphones, and in-the-ear headphones were out of the question. I would have to step up to studio, or monitor headphones.

The MDR-V300s are great. At about 50 dollars, they won't make you wince when you fork over your credit card.

They are powered by 30mm neodymium magnets. 30mm is pretty much the minimum for studio headphones like, but most other models won't advertise neodymium magnets, because they don't have any! The stronger neodymium magnet will mean less distortion at higher volume levels. I myself very rarely listen to music at high volume, but if I need too, I have the power.

These Sony headphones also look fantastically great. They are a shiny gun-metal silver, and while they look better than the standard black 'phones, they are just classy and understated enough to use everyday. This is saying quite a bit, considering I'm sort of embarrassed to show off my Palm IIIx out in public. :)

Like other Sony products, the headphones are totally functional. Just like the intuitive controls on a Sony Walkman, the details are here. The cord is a plentiful 6 feet long, and has a solid plastic stopper right where the left and right cables join, preventing them from splitting further down than you'd like. I've had cheap headphones that didn't have this, and they always ended up in a tangled mess. The headband is a solid plastic, and it really grips your head. I have to admit my head is kinda big, and the pressure from the ear cups made it a bit uncomfortable near the end of an 8 hour work day. Any less time than that and it was fine.

The ear cups themselves are nicely padded, but do not rotate left or right. My DJ friends say this is a feature they need, but I don't need it. The clicking motion is very solid, which means they never adjust by themselves. I really do have to take them off and use two hands to adjust them, usually after my friends try them on!

Very versatile. I use these headphones with my Sony Discman, with a few different computers at work, with all my computers at home. Works great when watching a DVD on the computer, and it's late at night.