Headphones
Sony MDR-7509HD
The Sony MDR-7509HD is perched high on the top-shelf of Sony's 7500-series sealed headphones, and is expertly engineered for intensive audiophile and reference listening applications. Knowledgeable studio pros employ the MDR-7509HD for recording, vocal tracking and general monitoring use, a testament to the accuracy and dependability of these fine cans. The advanced Sony 'HD' drivers offer improved low-level detail resolution and maximum clarity at all frequencies, even during busy musical passages. Full-size 'around-the-ear' fit.
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Product Features:
- Sony 'HD' drivers for super high-definition performance
- Circumaural construction with oversize around-the-ear cushions
- Sealed earcup design for nice listening privacy and mild isolation
- Extremely high power handling capacity
- Perfect choice for digital pianos and electric keyboard use
What's In The Box:
- 1/4" stereo plug adapter
- Sony storage pouch
- Owner's manual
Applications:
The Sony MDR-7509HD sports amongst the largest, newest driver / magnet design offered by the Sony R&D Department. Responsive, extremely lightweight neodymium 50mm dome driver arrays present vivid high-definition 'HD' detail and quick, punchy dynamics with an engagingly clear tone that brings low-bitrate and portable player music to life with an ultra-wideband response from a claimed 5Hz ~80,000kHz (!). Nicely rich, controlled bass without exaggerated boom and excellent upper mids/highs extension render life-size detail for an awesome headphone experience with any musical genre. For powering directly from iPods or iPads, the MDR-7509HD somewhat stiff impedance / sensitivity ratings make it a candidate for use with portable headphone amps for best audio performance during mobile listening. Expect solid but not total isolation from the circumaural ('around-the-ear') earcup construction; the 7509's larger earpad dimensions and full-size ergonomics should deliver a more comfortable, long-wearing fit when compared to the slimmer-cushioned MDR-7506/7505 models. The advanced Sony 'HD' driver engineering delivers improved low-level detail resolution and supreme musical clarity at all frequencies -- even during complex, busy passages -- making these cans a top choice for classical and symphonic music genres. Fortunately, the bass response and low-midranges remain seamless and fully integrated with excellent solidity, so deep jazzbos, classic prog fans, rocknrollers and even hip-hop listeners will likely be well-satisfied by the MDR-7509HD's deep, clean signature sound.
The Sony MDR-7509HD has a comfortably wide, well-padded, fully collapsible/ folding headband design ideal for transit or storage. The almost oversize circumural earcups help both attenuate ambient sounds effectively and prevent audio 'leakage' to the outside while listening, a very nice thing for the sleeping spouse or cubicle mate. The MDR-7509HD earpads are handsomely soft and quite comfortable to wear for hours. The Sony headphone cord is a Lizt wire cable with a coiled construction and will extend out to about 9ft; cord terminates to a 3.5mm (1/8") mini-plug gold jack and a handy full-size stereo 1/4" plug adapter is provided in the packaging. A Sony storage pouch is also thoughtfully included.
Specifications:
- Isolation: -10dB ~ -14dB
- Driver Type: Dynamic
- Acoustic Seal: Closed
- Headphone Type: Full Size
- Connector Type: 1/8
- Weight: 11 oz w/o cord
- Impedance @ 1kHz: 24 Ohms
- Detachable Cable: No
- Cord Length: 9.5ft
- Cord Type: Coiled Left-Side
- Coupler Size: Large
- Ear Coupler Type: Full-Size
- Manufacturer Warranty: 6 Months
- Sensitivity: 107dB
Average Rating
Posted by nickman from Canada on 2011-11-29
Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: Well-built, great comfort, truly "HD" sound
Cons: Vocal presentation may not please everyone
I don't know about that. What I do know is that these headphones are THE most resolving headphones (earphones and IEMs included) I have ever owned. Yes, even better than an amped DT880.
The sound spectrum is not "perfectly" balanced. I have it for about 10 hours now and the bass is somewhat weaker compared to the rest of the frequencies. No, I am not saying that "the bass is weak", but I do feel that it can be a bit "fuller" to make the sound even more balanced.
That is probably going to change, though. These phones use "amorphous diamond-evaporated diaphragms" and from the sounds of it, the diaphragms should be quite rigid. It did sound quite "ugly" during the first hour but it soon got much better.
Absolute bass depth and extension is very good, but not the very best I have heard. It does have a decent amount of punch when the music calls for it and the textures, especially the reverbs, are rendered supremely. Again, this could change with burn-in.
The mids is where the 7509HD gets interesting. There is an impeccable sense of "layers" and "distance". This is accentuated while listening to binaural tracks. However one thing of note is the vocals: these are the absolute focal point of this headphone, with so much clarity and transparency it can make you "not hear" the rest of the music. Yet this is not the "warm and up-close" type of vocal rendering. There is a sense of distance. The vocals are not "far", either; it's like a high-end camera, able to focus onto something extremely accurately regardless of the distance.
For people who like vocal warmth and intimacy, be prepared.
The highs extend quite well. No, I cannot test the 80kHz claim but the highs are smooth, open but not exactly "airy". I have another pair of Sony headphones with an augmented lower-treble segment: this does make the sound feel more airy, but it also gets fatiguing in the long run. The 7509HD is absolutely not "dark", just very, very clear without being bright.
And as I have already said, detail and resolution on the 7509HD is absolutely spectacular.
The sound-stage isn't particularly wide or large, however positioning is extremely accurate. Again, this manifests very well on binaural tracks.
In terms of looks, being Professional headphones, there is little bling. Not ugly, just plain functional. The little "Professional" stickers might be a bit showy, though.
It also creaks a bit in your hands. Yes, it's plastic. The folding mechanism works fine but unless you travel with it, I wouldn't suggest folding it too often. Not absolutely rock-solid feeling, but it won't fall apart tomorrow, is what I'm saying.
And just like almost any other circum-aural phone, your ears get warm after a while. Good thing that you don't feel any headband pressure. It doesn't clamp much either so the isolation isn't that good (of course, compared to IEMs).
Thus the 7509HD is an outstanding tool for anyone seeking serious audio applications such as mixing and monitoring. If you like having a lot of non-fatiguing details in your music then you should also seriously consider these phones. Be warned, however, those vocals might just be a deal-breaker.
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