The Sony MDR-3R is on sale now at €59 on the company's website, in a silver finish with both blue and orange earpads in the box. A 1.2-metre cable ends in a USB-C plug for phones, tablets and computers, so there is no battery to charge and no Bluetooth pairing. Without the cable the headphones weigh about 38 grams, and the brand says they are the lightest headband model it has made.
What was the original Sony MDR-3
The MDR-3 arrived in 1979 with the TPS-L2, the first Walkman cassette player. The Walkman went on sale in Japan in July of that year with two headphone jacks, so that two people could listen to the same tape. Most headphones of the period were heavy studio models, and the low weight of the MDR-3 made it practical to wear them outdoors. Sony now describes the model as the foundation of the DNA of all its headphones.
What changes on the Sony MDR-3R
The reissue keeps the curve of the headband, the perforated sound holes, the SONY logo and the "Dynamic Stereo Headphones" lettering of the 1979 model. The rolled side arms also return, and here they adjust how the earpads sit against the ear. The box and the instruction manual follow the graphics of the original, and the individual packaging is plastic-free. The two sets of earpads, based on the colours of the MDR-3, can be swapped by hand.
Inside are 23mm drivers and an open-air structure. According to the brand, the tuning keeps the balanced sound of the original and adds natural vocals, deeper bass and more extended highs, without relying on heavy processing.
The Y-type cable has a serrated surface to limit tangles. An in-line remote controls play, pause, track skipping and volume, and a built-in microphone handles hands-free calls, online meetings and voice assistants. Sony does not recommend plugging the MDR-3R into its Walkman devices.
The MDR-3R Stranger Things edition
Alongside the silver pair, the company has made a special edition with the Netflix series Stranger Things, inspired by the headphones worn by the character Max. It has a black headband, red and black earpads, an engraved Stranger Things logo and its own packaging. In the US this version costs $79.99 (about €71), $20 more than the standard model.
Where to buy the Sony MDR-3R
The silver MDR-3R is available now from the Sony website, where you can order it at €59.
Release date: Available now
Price: €59
Where to buy: Sony.it
Thomas Gabe
is a seasoned technology editor based in Berlin, Italy. With over 5 years of experience, Thomas excels at making complex tech topics. He holds a Computer Science degree and in his free time, he enjoys experimenting with gadgets and mentoring budding tech journalists.
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