All user reviews of 4/5 for the Sony MDR-7509

4-5 years ago, I (do) had available (that) a Beyer DT911 (excellent in many respects, for any other use. I care!) I considered buying a headphone more closed (if possible too), less velvety, lovely, or more "uncompromising" bearable during long periods of work for the ear. I had the chance to compare to my home store a dozen headphones in a price range of between 100 and 300 € in listening conditions fairly neutral or even optimal. (Different brands: Sennheiser Audiotechnica, AKG, Beyer, whose younger brother of the Sony range, the MDR7506). Initially, I was focused on a budget of € 200 max. Unfortunately, that does not allow me to buy a Stax example.
I was not quite convinced by any headphone up to € 200 at the time, there was always one reason or another that kept me (lack of definition, its overinflated and frequencies "embellished" or filtered hardness Stamp, inconfortabilité, etc.). Ultimately, I decided to crack a little piggy, my choice fell on the Sony MDR 7509HD, a step well above the 7506 model.
I use it for 4-5 years, including the mix.
There are probably better, but I like this headphone for its transparency "flat" (neutral) across all frequencies, without making a sound bite hard or too tiring to the ear for long. While remaining neutral and embellished in serious or light. Its high quality in my opinion is that he can reproduce sound with subtlety, clarity and definition, it can collect a huge range of components sound with finesse.
Worn for a long time, weight (although reasonable) arises. As with any closed headphones, it is better to give quiet time regularly. The Sennheiser HD25 for example, is unbearable after 5 min.

Wearing this headphone and finish have their advantages and drawbacks:
+: The "shell" fit nicely around the ears, the cable (accordion) is quite long and firmly inserted (at one point, side L), gold-plated jack (which reduces oxidation).
-: Not so adjustable that for "small size noggin" foam interiors are very light (must wear quickly, even if this is not the case with me), "cushion" or "applied "are quite brittle plastic (ideally I would have preferred a fabric like my Beyer).

If I remember, I bought about 250 €. Difficult to say whether today can still be a good value, considering the number of headphones that have been around even Sony. At the outset, I would correct. This is a headphone that I use almost daily. Accustomed to the type of sound reproduction, I would look in the future a headphone even better in this regard, if possible, a little more comfortable to wear. It is and remains an honorable quality for a budget not too tight nor too high.

>>> How long you use it?
Since 2000 ... Unfortunately he is preparing a mandatory retirement due to wear. See below ...

>>> What is special that you love the most, least?
The +:
-The space when folded
-Ease of use (it seems to put on his slippers in the ears ... )
-Sound. I know, there is no consensus, but it is a reference for me, especially given the fact that I'm used to. I listen to everything with him. TV, music, mixes, mastering.Je know exactly how it sounds, and I think that's the key with any monitor system. The more you practice, the more you know, the more we know what to expect and how to interpret it.
-The electrical sensitivity

THE -:
-The weight that can tire a little after a few hours of use m ^ m if you get used to (like everything) and that, paradoxically, gives an impression of quality / robustness
-The quality over time. Foams are especially prone to breaking up a little too early for my taste considering the selling price at the time. For about 300 € paid at the time, I would have thought having a healthy use for over 10 years. Or, wear foam was felt after 3 or 4 years of use ...
-The price of replacement parts. € 80 for a foam right to multiply by 2 for both ears, it's worse than racketeering. And it does THAT circular foam that surrounds the ear. If one must also replace the thin foam that covers the HP must still shell out. Ditto for the cable guide to rubber at the base of the wire on the left ear. It is not given and in the end, we quickly for the price of a new headphone very good. That's why I'm going to have to solve his retirement ...
-To nitpick, the storage bag / transport which is a little cheap and could have been a little more protective given the price of the product.
-The sound reproduction in the bass sometimes a little soft. On the rock, it poses too many problems, but electro ...

Did you >>> tried many other models before buying it?
Some, yes. I have been practicing since 1988.

How do you >>> the price / quality ratio?
Rather just saw the new price and the rapid physical deterioration. But ultimately, it remains despite valiant more than 10 years of use altogether rather intensive. After that I kind of maniac with my gear, so I dare not imagine the careless hands. It remains a delicate headphones. I've always handled his kneecaps and joints with extreme caution despite a solid feel yet very present.

>>> With experience, you do again this choice? ...
In theory, yes. But as always, you can never be sure because time can see appear a new model that we would lie. So ...

Hello everyone

I decided to write my experience with the Sony MDR-7509 because I have just one change for BeyerDynamic DT990 PRO.
I bought several years ago on the advice of a seller and also because it was, some say the best moment of the headphone in this price range. Note that the use I make is the mix / mastering only.
During these years I found this headphone very well, which no comparison with others.
For a week I work on new music, asking me a lot of effort, time and a broad spectrum (trailer music for choir, orchestra instruments and electronica & world).
After 2 hours of mix my ears began to saturate and I felt that my head would explode. I do not remember these inconveniences in the past but I would certainly be ignored. So I learned about different forum and sites and I fell on the DT990 PRO I bought last night to finish my mix / mastering in the best conditions possible.
What to say: this is the day and night. DT990 PRO is already an open headphone unlike Sony. It's a big difference and I found that it is essential when making the mix. Then I found the sound much better (stereo, medium, balanced spectrum). I gave the Sony to compare and I found her a mega medium, too closed.

In conclusion I would say that, for the mix / mastering, prefer open headphones and I can only recommend a DT990 PRO (less than 150 euros today) rather than 7506 or 7509 SONY.

I've had this pair of headphones for years, which is a great testimony to their longevity. Most pairs of headphones last me a year or two, but I've had these at least 5 and they're in great shape. I originally got this on recommendation by a friend of mine, saying that I should go for these over the more popular 7506 headphones that Sony offers. I compared them both at the store, and definitely agreed. You get a better depth of sound and realism in these phones than you do with the 7506's. The frequency response is similar if not exactly the same, but I think the difference is in the response to dynamics and transients. The quick hits seem more crisp in these.

The noise rejection is fair in these headphones. They do cover your ear completely, but they are not very tight on your head. That means they're more comfortable to wear which is also important, but that more of the outside noise is going to get in, and vice versa. So you might want to keep another pair around for when you're recording close up to a vocal mic, because you will probably get a little spill into the mic from these headphones.

Barring that complaint, they are otherwise a great pair and the price for them is fair. You definitely pay for Sony quality, but if you care about sound fidelity, it's worth the price you pay for their brand name. I'd get them again, listening to music sounds great in them and I like to use them while monitoring when I'm recording someone else. They also give you a snazzy velvet bag for safe keeping if you take them traveling, as well as a converter to go from 1/8" to 1/4". Nice bonuses!