Sony has reissued the headphones that launched with the original Walkman, putting a modern plug on a 1979 design. The Sony MDR-3R is a silver on-ear set that drops the 3.5mm jack in favor of a direct USB-C connection, and it sells for $60, according to reviews published this week by CNET and Hypebeast.
The reissue lands in the middle of what CNET describes as a “cultural renaissance of wired earbuds and headphones,” a resurgence the outlet notes also produced Bose’s recently released USB-C Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds.
A 1979 Design Rewired for Phones and Laptops
The headphones being revived are the ones that shipped with Sony’s first portable cassette player. Hypebeast reports that the original MDR-3 arrived alongside the Walkman TPS-L2, which launched in Japan in July 1979 and famously included two headphone jacks so two people could listen to the same tape. At a time when most headphones were heavy, studio-style cans, Hypebeast says, the MDR-3’s featherweight build helped make the concept of portable listening wearable in the first place.
Hypebeast reports that the new silver set reproduces the original’s headband bend, perforated sound holes and “Dynamic Stereo Headphones” marking, down to vintage-style packaging. The outlet says the plug-in USB-C connection, in-line remote and built-in mic “replace batteries and Bluetooth pairing entirely.”
CNET’s account is largely the same, with one difference in naming: the outlet says that apart from the swapped connector and the new inline remote with a microphone for calls, these are the same MDR-3L2 headphones that debuted with the Walkman TPS-L2 in 1979. Hypebeast refers to the 1979 model simply as the MDR-3. Both outlets agree the reissue is a reworked version of the headphones bundled with that first Walkman.
CNET reports that one set of orange and one set of blue foam earpads are included in the box.
What Sony Changed Inside the Sony MDR-3R
Sony says the Sony MDR-3R uses the same 23mm driver units as the MDR-3. In a statement quoted by CNET, the company said the headphones were “reengineered with the same 23mm driver units as the MDR-3 to reproduce sound quality close to the original,” adding that “while staying true to the original sound signature, subtle refinements have been made to suit modern listening preferences.”
CNET notes that because the connection is now USB-C, these are digital rather than analog headphones, and says it is not surprising there are subtle differences in sound quality as a result.
How the Reissue Performed in Testing
CNET’s reviewer, who tested the headphones in New York, called the sound “clean and well-balanced, with a pleasant natural quality.” He wrote that the treble and midrange performance is solid, vocals sound natural, and there is “good clarity and separation between instruments,” with the headphones sounding particularly good on well-recorded tracks.
Bass was the main limitation. The reviewer wrote that, like the originals, the new set does not “serve up plump, full-bodied bass that has visceral impact,” making them a poor fit for EDM and hip-hop, though he said they still produce a reasonable amount of bass and sound “richer and significantly better” than Apple’s $19 USB-C EarPods. Listening to A-Ha’s “Take On Me,” he found the bass line lacked a little punch compared with modestly priced noise-isolating wireless earbuds.
He also addressed the longstanding complaint that the originals sounded “tinny,” saying that is not the case with the reissue, while noting he did not have the 1979 model on hand for comparison.
On build and fit, CNET found the headphones ultralight and comfortable for on-ear models, but flagged that they lack any padding at the top of the adjustable headband. The cord and USB-C connector seemed sturdy, and the plug fit an iPhone’s port even with an Otterbox case leaving it recessed; the reviewer also used them with a computer and several Android phones. He called the inline remote “pretty basic” and said it lacks the premium look and feel of the remote on Bose’s wired earbuds, though the buttons operate smoothly.
Open-Back Leakage and Call Quality
Because the earcups only partially cover the ears, CNET reports the headphones let in a fair amount of sound and leak some as well, making them better suited to quiet environments. They played loud enough for use on New York streets, the reviewer said, but “weren’t so great on the subway.”
For calls, he said recipients could hear him clearly but picked up more background noise than with wireless earbuds that use algorithms to filter ambient sound, and graded voice calling a B.
Price, Rivals and a Stranger Things Edition
CNET lists the price at $60, with a Stranger Things version available for $20 more. Among alternatives, the outlet points to the $25 Panasonic ErgoFit RP-TCM325 USB-C earbuds and to Koss, which does not make a native USB-C wired headphones version of its on-ear Porta Pro but sells a $20 USB-C cable accessory for the $50 Porta Pro Utility. CNET’s reviewer said many listeners have long rated Koss’s sound above Sony’s and that he agrees, while preferring the MDR-3’s design.
Bose’s wired noise-cancelling earbuds deliver better sound and add active noise cancellation, CNET said, but cost more and lack the nostalgia factor. The reviewer concluded he suspects the Sony MDR-3R “will sell well, even if they feel a tad overpriced at $60.”
Full details are in CNET’s review and in Hypebeast’s release report. For more consumer electronics coverage, see our reporting on Vizio SmartCast sending data after opt-out and on search ads being tested as traffic slips.
