Sony MDR V6 vs MDR 7506 | Honest Comparison In 2022
Sony MDR v6 and MDR 7506 are entry-level studio headphones that are still in demand to this day even after so many years. What’s the difference between them and who is the best fit for this? let’s find out
Both models of the headphone have amazing build and sound quality that it is sometimes difficult to differentiate between them. So to make the decision process easy we have prepared this detailed comparison between the sony MDR v6 vs MDR 7506.

They have been considered excellent studio headphones even to this day thanks to their less price and more value. This is because the quality at this price point is good and you don’t have to spend much making it one of the best budget headphones.
The main difference between Sony MDR V6 and MDR 7506 is that they both are similar in design but the only difference they have is in the sound profile, magnet, and frequency range. Because the MDR V6 has a wide frequency range while the other hand, MDR 7506 has better magnets in the drives.
As for the sound, the V6 has a better base while the MDR 7506 has a more crisp and treble range. For connectivity, both are wired and use the 3.5 mm audio jack. Although initially, Sony designed both of their models MDR V6 and 7506 for professionals due to their affordable price range they became more popular among consumers.
Quick Comparison:
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Product | MDR v6 | MDR 7506 |
Fit Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
Drivers | 40 mm | 40 mm |
Cord Length | 10 ft | 9.8 ft |
Frequency Response | 5Hz – 30kHz | 10-20kHz |
Weight | 0.66 lbs | 0.50 lbs |
Who Got the Best Design | Sony MDR V6 vs MDR 7506:
Design is the first thing that someone will notice. They both have the same design and it comes as no surprise since both are made by sony. It is said that old is gold; these headphones prove that statement. MDR V6 first came in 1985 while the MDR 7506 first came in 1991 but from the design, it still looks like a modern headphone.
Durability Game: Who Won?
You might have some Sony products in the home and they are known for lasting long and these headphones are also very durable. The headband is made of metal that is durable, slim, and flexible and comfortably distributes the weight in the head and does not cause any discomfort.
Comfort Level:
Sony’s MDR-V6 and MDR 7506 are very comfortable and can be worn for long music or recording sessions. Comfortability is an important factor that even affects the quality of the headphone because if you can wear them comfortably for a long time, how can you enjoy the sound quality? Both of the headphones have a headband that has leather and padding under it which does not put pressure on the head of the user.
EarPads:
The earpads on these headphones are very comfortable and made from a very soft well padded plush material which is very comfortable. Another convenient feature regarding the headphone is that the earpads on both MDR-V6 and MDR 7506 are replaceable.
No matter how high quality and premium material the earpads are made of after a few years of betting and wear and tear cause the earpads to wear out and off any headphones.
You can get the replacement easily on the market and since V6 and 7506 both share the same design both have an easy replacement. You don’t need any technical knowledge to do so you can find many tutorials on youtube.
Adjustable EarCups:
The earcups on these headphones are adjustable and can be adjusted for any head size. The earcups can also be moved freely 180 degrees so you can have a comfortable adjustment on the ear.
Sound Quality:
While they have excellent sound quality. The V6 has more bass and a neutral balanced sound while the 7506 has a leaner and better treble range and is crisper and has better vocals. With their good sound profiles, you can easily differentiate between the vocals and the instruments. This is the only factor where they are slightly and the reason for that is the mid and high-frequency range. MDR V6 has a wider frequency range than the V6 which ranges between the 5Hz minimum and 30kHz maximum while 7506 only has 10Hz to 20Khz.
The minimum sound frequency a healthy person can hear is 15 Hz so these headphones can handle a frequency range that is less than a human can hear which is impressive. Even at this age, it still meets the range expected from quality headphones.
40 MM Dynamic Driver:
Drivers are responsible for creating the sound and accurate sound and beats as for these headphone modes both have the same size of drivers which is premium quality 40mm dynamic Driver. As for the magnet, V6 has the samarium–cobalt magnet which was the standard of quality a few years ago.
For MDF 7506 initially, it also had a samarium–cobalt magnet but after some time it was replaced with a more superior neodymium magnet which is the new standard for driver magnets.
Impedance:
The impedance on these is 63 Ohms which is quite decent. The lower the impedance of the headphone lower it can be on less power since the impedance is the resistance of the device toward the current being delivered. With this level of impedance, you do not need an additional amplifier any device will do.
These headphones are known for their loud sounds. Although thanks to their low impedance you can easily connect them to the smartphone they are not ideal for calling since they don’t feature a microphone.
Noise Isolation:
These are professional-grade headphones ideal for mixing and editing thanks to their decent noise isolation. The problem with some headphones can be the lack of noise isolation which can be very annoying if you need to edit or just during listing to your favorite track. Both MDR V6 and MDR 7506 are known for excellent noise isolation and form being loud.
Better Seal:
Another reason for its excellent noise isolation is its quality earpads. The racetrack-shaped earpads make a good seal around the ear, even for people that have big ears without adding pressure.
And due to the excellent clamping, they don’t fall will the slightest movement is an issue in many headphones.
Sound Leakage:
MDR V6 and MDR 7506 along with other similarities also share the close back feature which also contributes to the sound from leakage. For the closed-back headphone, the noise leakage is less than for the open-back. Even at the high volume people around you will barely be able to listen to audio. Although these are not designed to listen outside during the walk, still even in the room this does not bother the people around you.
Portability:
These are the headphones that are not built to use due to their long detachable wire and do not have Bluetooth. But both have a foldable design so it is easy to store, you can put them in your luggage and they also come in a quality soft case bag which might not save them from any physical damage but it can protect it from the scratch.
Connectivity:
The connectivity of the headphone contradicts many factors in the headphones for example the portability, range, and ease to connect to other devices. MDR V6 and MDR 7506 are wired headphones. The power code on these headphones is integrated and not detachable with the 3.5mm audio jack. This site is the universal connectivity option for many devices like laptops, smartphones,s and desktop computers which is very handy.
How Long wire length:
The length of the wire on these headphones is approximately 3m extended which is long and you don’t have to stick uncomfortably near to the device. Wire also has a coil design that means it will not cause clutter on the table and since the coil is flexible you can have good mobility and headphone get pulled easily.
Gold Plated Vs Nickel-Plated Connectors:
The connector of the headphone is where you will see an upgrade in the model MDR 7506 because it has the gold-plated 3.5 audio pins. The previous V6 model was nickel-plated. Gold plating does not have oxides and is better corrosion resistant than nickel and is also a better conductor of electricity.
A 1/8″ audio jack screw-on adapter is also included with the headphone for connecting it to the studio equipment and amplifier.
Pros/Cons Sony MDR V6:

Pros/Cons Sony MDR 7506:

FAQ’S:
Q) Why are MDR-7506 and V6 popular?
Q) Does MDR-7506 need an amp?
Conclusion:
Our objective with this detailed comparison between the Sony MDR 7506 and Sony MDR V6 was to explain the differences as well as similarities between these two popular professional models. So you can decide which one is for you.
Other headphones are very similar to each other in design and build quality the only small difference between them is that the V6 has a slightly wider frequency and base while MDR 7506 has better driver magnets, tremble range and a gold plated connector instead of the nickel on as in V6. Aside from that, the two are quite similar, and both of them are well-regarded by professionals.