Sony MDR-MV1 review

The MDR-MV1 is Sony's open-back reference monitor, built for mixing and mastering rather than tracking. Sony says its tuned open-back acoustic structure reproduces the spatial information of a source accurately, which supports both spatial audio and stereo work, and that its uncolored response was developed in collaboration with creators. It lists a 5 Hz to 80 kHz range with High-Resolution Audio capability, the widest documented range among the open-back picks here. Sony stresses comfort, with a lightweight, soft and stable fit for extended sessions. For home producers working in Dolby Atmos or other immersive formats, that spatial focus is the main reason to choose it over the HD 600 or DT 990 Pro. The weak point is value: at $419.99 it costs more than twice the DT 990 Pro, and like every open-back model it leaks sound, so you still need a closed pair for recording. Sony's product page also publishes fewer detailed specs than it does for the MDR-M1. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not test it.

Who it is for

Producers working on spatial audio or stereo mixes who want an open-back Sony reference pair.

Price

$419.99 MSRP at Sony Electronics US when checked.

How much do the Sony MDR-MV1 headphones cost? MSRP is listed as $419.99.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 8, 2026.

Key features

• Open-back design tuned for spatial information
• 5 Hz to 80 kHz frequency response
• Uncolored response developed with creators
• Lightweight, soft fit for long sessions
• High-Resolution Audio capability

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Sony builds it for immersive mixing and stereo mastering
• Strength: Widest documented range among open-back picks
• Strength: Lightweight fit for long sessions
• Weakness: $419.99 is a lot for a home studio
• Weakness: Open back leaks sound, so it is not for tracking
• Weakness: Sony's page lists fewer specs than for the MDR-M1

Key facts

• Design: Open-back
• Frequency response: 5 Hz to 80 kHz
• Use: Immersive mixing and stereo mastering
• Hi-Res Audio: Yes
• Price: $419.99 MSRP

Where it ranks

Sony MDR-MV1 is No. 9 in our Best Studio Headphones verdict.