Sony MDR-3R 有線耳機復刻 Walkman 時代設計，音質並不過時
Sony's new wired headphones look straight out of the Walkman era, but there's nothing dated about their sound
Sony 推出 MDR-3R 有線耳機，重現 Walkman 時代 MDR-3 的設計，並加入 USB-C 接線、線控咪高峯及可更換的橙色耳墊。耳機售價為 $60，試聽表現有清晰的立體聲分隔和豐富的中音，但高音有時偏尖，低音亦較弱。
Sony's new wired headphones look straight out of the Walkman era, but there's nothing dated about their sound
Written by Steven Cohen
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As an elder millennial, I grew up on wired headphones. And not fancy, audiophile ones with big earcups. Just the kind of everyday on-ear cans that I'd throw in my backpack and hook up to a portable CD player. They're the kind of headphones you don't see much of nowadays. But that could be about to change. Case in point: the Sony MDR-3R ($60).
A perfect storm of nostalgia among older crowds and an increased interest in retro vibes, sustainability, and simplicity among younger crowds has led to a surprising surge in popularity for wired headphones. Reading the room, Sony has jumped in on this trend by reviving its iconic Walkman-era headphones. The original MDR-3 debuted in 1979, and the new MDR-3R is an impressively authentic recreation with just a few changes here and there, like USB-C connectivity.
But is there more to these new headphones than throwback appeal? Does this design actually still work well in 2026? And at $60, are they really worth the money? I spent a few days with the MDR-3R and some of my favorite 80s, 90s, and modern tracks to see if these headphones are more than a vintage gimmick.
Sony MDR-3R Wired On-Ear Headphones
The MDR-3R are a faithful new take on Sony's iconic Walkman-era headphones. Their wired, on-ear design is lightweight, and they deliver solid sound quality.
A faithful recreation with a few key tweaks
For this new take on the classic MDR-3, Sony went back to the old handwritten designs used to create the original headphones. I don't have a vintage pair on hand for direct comparisons, but based on what I've seen, they really nail the look of their namesake. Even the packaging is a faithful redo of the original.
But that's not to say that the MDR-3R are exactly the same as what came before. Sony made some small but key changes to modernize them for today's listeners. Most notably, the wired connection is now USB-C rather than 3.5mm. Since 3.5mm has been phased out on most mobile devices in favor of USB-C, this change makes perfect sense.
The other biggest change is that there's now an integrated microphone and playback control module on the cable, so you can take calls, adjust volume, and play/pause with a few clicks. I do wish it were positioned just a bit lower on the cord, but it gets the job done.
In addition, the attached cable is now a bit shorter, at just under 4 feet, compared to 6.5 feet on the original model. Again, this change works as I never found this new cord to be too short. The headphones are also just a bit lighter, at 1.3 ounces versus 1.4. And now orange earpads are also included in the box, so you can swap between them and the blue ones.
Just plug and play. That's all there is to it.
These are wired headphones, so getting them to work is as simple as plugging them into a USB-C-capable device, and, well, that's basically it. Some phones may display a screen asking if you'd like to switch to wired audio, but that's all there is to set up.
You don't have to worry about Bluetooth pairing, dropped connections, battery life, a mobile app, or other advanced settings. There are, of course, drawbacks to not having any of that, but in an age overrun by unnecessary AI features, bloated software, and gimmicky spatial audio modes, the MDR-3R are refreshingly low-tech.
Though retro vibes are the draw, these cans sound surprisingly good
If you're into a retro aesthetic, the MDR-3R's throwback design is undeniably cool. They immediately stand out from most modern headphones and should evoke a wave of nostalgia for anyone who grew up in the 80s or 90s.
Once I put them on, plugged them in, and started listening to some songs, I was instantly transported back to middle school, listening to my portable CD player or playing my Game Boy with headphones between classes and on the bus. I never owned a pair of the original MDR-3, but I owned plenty of on-ear headphones just like them.
But while vibes are all good and well, do these headphones actually still sound good in 2026? Well, I'm not going to lie, I wasn't expecting much, but they really do offer very solid audio quality for what they are.
I loaded up playlists featuring retro tracks from Kate Bush and the Talking Heads, as well as modern albums from artists like The Strokes, Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, Kendrick Lamar, and Hayley Williams. I was immediately struck by the level of depth on offer, with spacious stereo separation and a rich, expressive midrange. Just note, though, that some devices limit volume over wired connections, and on my Android phone I had to raise the volume higher than I would with wireless headphones to reach a comparable level.
On the downside, I did notice some sharpness in the highest frequencies, but this shrillness only appeared on certain tracks at higher volumes. Likewise, there seemed to be a bit of a gap between the upper mids and highs, creating a less cohesive, slightly more disconnected sound in certain songs, such as Olivia Rodrigo's "The Cure." And the headphones' bass is muted compared to bigger over-ear cans, with some tracks struggling to hit their lowest registers.
But while far from audiophile-caliber, for light, on-ear headphones they still deliver a pleasing, easy-to-listen-to sound that works well across a variety of classic and modern genres.
But they're definitely not for everyone
Wired on-ear headphones like this will only appeal to a certain crowd, and there are some drawbacks that even their target audience should keep in mind.
Though I love how light they are, the headphones feel pretty fragile and kind of cheap, so I worry a bit about their longevity if I were to throw them in and out of a bag regularly. Likewise, if the MDR-3R's earpads are anything like the ones I grew up with on various on-ear headphones, they'll wear down easily. Especially if you tend to sweat.
They should be easy to replace, though, assuming Sony ends up selling replacement pads (I don't see any currently listed). And though quite comfortable (I forgot I was wearing them after a while), the earpads are small, so they might not be a good fit for people with larger ears.
The MDR-3R's on-ear design also means sound leakage is a factor for people around you since there's no over-ear seal. Passive noise isolation is also basically nonexistent with this design, and there's no active noise cancellation. So, these won't be great for listening in very loud areas.
And of course there are the inherent drawbacks that come with any wired headphone design. Namely, you're tethered to a cord that could get in the way while listening in certain situations. The cable is also permanently attached, so if you prefer a different size or if it ever breaks, you're out of luck.
With all that in mind, I do wish the MDR-3R were just a bit cheaper. They're $60, which isn't terrible, but I think $40 would be more reasonable and would make it less of a burden to replace them if ever needed.
Who should buy the Sony MDR-3R headphones?
The Sony MDR-3R headphones nail their retro aesthetic, and their solid audio quality makes them more than just a gimmick. To be honest, I wasn't sure whether I'd connect with these on any level beyond surface nostalgia, but I've been pleasantly surprised. I could definitely see myself grabbing these while I'm at my desk for plug-and-play listening without worrying whether I remembered to charge anything. In fact, that's what I've been doing all week.
But their appeal is limited to a certain crowd. Namely, 80s and 90s kids drawn to their throwback look and feel, and younger people interested in retro tech and the simplicity and sustainability of battery-free wired headphones. The $60 asking price is just a tad higher than I'd like, but if you're in their target audience, there's a lot to enjoy here.
In addition to the standard edition I tested, Sony also has a Stranger Things Edition with red earpads, a black headband, and "Stranger Things" branding. It's not the most timely collab considering the show ended last year, but it makes sense since Max uses a Walkman in the show. However, they cost even more at $80, so only die-hard fans should consider those.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
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I'm a Senior Tech Editor for Business Insider’s Reviews team. I'm responsible for overseeing buying guides and reviews for all of the latest TV, video, audio, and wearable products. I work with a team of experienced freelancers to establish testing methodologies, test products, and select the best of the best for our buying guides. My areas of expertiseMy primary expertise is in home entertainment tech products, with a focus on all things home theater, including TVs, soundbars, speakers, headphones, and streaming devices. I also have a background in film criticism, having reviewed over 400 movies and TV shows. I studied filmmaking and use my knowledge of video and audio production to inform my tech product testing parameters when reviewing home entertainment devices. ExperienceI joined Business Insider as a tech editor for the Reviews team in 2019. I became a senior tech editor in 2022.Before joining Business Insider, I was High-Def Digest's Gear Editor. My work has appeared on Ben's Bargains, Steve's Digicams, Big Picture Big Sound, and Consequence. Why you can trust meI'm not only passionate about TVs and tech, but also an expert in display quality. In 2019, I was one of a select number of journalists invited to get a hands-on first look at LG's debut 8K OLED TV. I was also among the earliest journalists to demo Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technologies for home theaters in 2014 and 2015, respectively.In 2018, I served as a judge for the annual TV Shootout, the premier display competition that crowns the best TVs of the year. I also attend annual industry launches and reviewer workshops for new TVs and audio products from top brands such as LG, Samsung, Sony, and Sonos.I know it’s easy to get overwhelmed by tech jargon and premium prices for high-end gear, which is why I'm passionate about recommending quality options across all price ranges and explaining which features are really worth the money. EducationI hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Central Florida, where I majored in film production.Outside of workI live in Orlando, Florida, with my girlfriend, dog, and cats. When I'm not covering tech products, I love to explore the theme parks of Orlando and watch movies on my dream home theater setup, complete with the biggest TV and Dolby Atmos speaker system I could fit in my living room.
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