Sony MDR-V600 Studio Monitor Series Headphones

The cord attached to only one side is great. The phones "seal up" really well, with a true closed-back design. If you squeeze the cups shut together, you can just barely hear them, even if it's cranked up to bust your eardrums. This, in spite of the fact that they are plastic. You CANNOT hear the outside world when these phones are at normal levels. When they're cranked up, somebody could be shouting in your face, and you'd think they were lip-syncing.

Besides being well-sealed, and loud, these phones give a big, smooth sound that won't give you a headache or have you wondering what you're missing. As another reviewer mentioned, they're very efficient, producing a ton of volume with very little power - and it's volume you can stand, unlike lesser models that will hurt your ears at similar decibel levels.

If you're looking for the pro version - it's the 7506, and only available at musical/recording outlets. Here, all you have to do is click that button, and soon you'll be listening to headphones that I'd buy again and again if I lost or destroyed them...


Comfortable for hours   November 24, 2003
cyclista (the Midwest)
97 out of 100 found this review helpful

I use these at work when I'm busy and need to concentrate. I work in a cubicle with people who like to laugh and joke LOUDLY. That's great, except when I have a deadline. I put these on and listen to a CD or the radio, and it shuts out the noise to the point where I can actually get some work done. I think the sound quality is great. The coiled cord is about 5 feet long or so and stretches out nicely. Sony's page says the cord is 9.8 feet long, extended. It allows me to move about a small area in my cubicle without it getting tangled. They are the only headphones I've been able to wear all day long without hurting my head. I'd buy them again, especially at this price.


Re-define your music experience   March 1, 2003
M3TATR0N (Northeast Wisconsin)
24 out of 25 found this review helpful

With an extensive collection of music CDs, why did I ever trust my favorite tunes to a cheap pair of mediocre headphones?

Well, no more. I recently upgraded to Sony MDR-V600 headphones. For what seems like the first time ever, I am able to distinguish the faintest melodies of individual instruments within my most beloved songs. Songs I have heard hundreds of times sound like new with these headphones.

For someone who depends almost exclusively on headphones for listening to music, the Sony MDR-V600 headphones are an absolute necessity. They are solid and well constructed, but not heavy. The headband and earcups are generously padded with a soft, smooth synthetic material (durable enough for frequent use, but not rugged). The fit is snug, not tight (and this from someone who has trouble finding baseball caps that fit). The earcups cover your ears and effectively filter out most background noise (leaving just you and your music). The cord extends from the left earcup only (much better than a Y cord) and is conveniently coiled, so it stretches when needed without dangling loosely about (unlike a straight cord which ends up stepped on or snagged most of the time).

As a bonus, the headphones collapse (with the headband wrapped around the earcups) and fit into a small synthetic pouch (included) for added portability.

Overall, the Sony MDR-V600 headphones are an outstanding value offering a balance of performance and price - a smart buy for any music enthusiast on a modest budget.


Awesome cans for under $100.   December 23, 2005
J. Key (Seattle, Washington USA)
20 out of 21 found this review helpful

These are some great headphones. I've had mine for a few days now, and have just about broken then in. The comfort is superb, every part of these cans that touch your head is padded in a comfy pleather wrapping. I really like this as opposed to the foam that other headphones have for padding. I find that to get hot and itchy, and if you're walking or jogging with them on, the sweat can cause very ugly stains akin to bleaching colored clothes.

The one-sided cord is wonderful. The cord is coiled like a telephone wire and doesn't lay all over your floor as others of similar legnth might. But if you need to walk a bit away, it expands to accomodate several feet easily. These headphones do wrap up, but as anyone will tell you, full-sized headphones don't exactly collapse into earbuds. If you're looking for something you can comfortably stash into your pocket, these aren't for you.

On that note, you can't expect the noise isolation or sound quailty that full-sized headphones provide from anything lesser. The sound quality is very good, but I find that the highs tend to shine a littler brighter than the lows. This is personal preference, but when I'm listening to very bass driven music I wish there was a little bit more punch down there. If you were to upgrade to these from cheaper headphones, you'll find yourself being able to pick up each instrument without trying and much more overall clarity, along with louder volumes at lower powers. Also, since these are 40 mm drivers and have a low impedance (45 ohms) they can easily be driven from a mobile device.

My only gripe is that they tend to slip off your head quite easily. If you're laying down listening to some tunes and suddenly get up, you'll find your headphones still on your pillow. These headphones also provide great noise isolation. Put them on and try eating some toast or crackers and you'll see what I mean. This can be good and bad. Good being that annoying person next to you on the plane won't be audible. Bad being if that annoying person next to you on the plane is a relative.

I've owned several headphones over the years, including several Sonys, Sennheisers, Koss and noise-cancelling Aiwa's, and these blow the cheaper ones out of the water, and stand toe to toe with others of the same cost and higher. Would strongly recommend to those who listen to all types of music, but if you're an R&B or rap enthusiast who thrives off deep bass, you may be looking for a bit more.


The Best   September 30, 2004
W. Sullivan (Portland, Oregon USA)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful

These are the best headphones I've ever owned. I recently purchased a replacement pair, as my original set died after 6 years of intensive use. They were repeatedly abused, shoved in and out of my bag and under seats on airplanes and generally not treated very well. They have stood the test of time and really performed well.

I am a designer and I wear headphones all day long at work so comfort is imperative. While these headphones are large, they are extremely comfortable and block out my obnoxious coworkers.

While the earpads will wear away in time as they did with my old set, the comfort and quality is not compromised. I have purchased these as gifts for fellow music lovers and twice now for myself. I couldn't recommend them enough.