Sony is bringing back the headphones that came with the original Walkman, only now with USB-C. The company announced the new edition of the iconic Sony MDR-3R as a modern take on the 1979 MDR-3, keeping the old look while adding a built-in mic and an in-line remote.
Strictly speaking, the pair that launched with the Walkman TPS-L2 was the MDR-3L2. Sony uses MDR-3 for the whole family.
Sony went back to the original design specs for the sound, building new 23mm drivers the same size as the MDR-3’s. It says the result stays close to the original, with subtle refinements for modern tastes.
The open-ear, on-ear design carries over too, at about 38g without the cable. Blue and orange earpads are both in the box, and the packaging and manual copy the original’s design.
Nothing here needs to be charged, paired or updated, but some phones may need a settings change first.
Confusingly, Sony says not to use them with a Walkman. The release’s fine print says “Use with a Walkman is not recommended,” and a Sony support page explains why: a Walkman’s USB-C port is only meant for transferring music and connecting gear such as amps.
Depending on the headphones, volume may stay at maximum, the remote may stop working, and sound settings such as the equalizer turn off. That page also covers the three new Walkmans Sony announced in October.
Back to the new MDR-3R, it will also come in a branded Stranger Things Edition, made with Netflix, which draws on the character Max’s headphone style and the Upside Down. It also adds an engraved logo, red and black earpads, and custom packaging.
Sony MDR-3R key specs
- Drivers: 23mm, neodymium magnets
- Connectivity: USB-C plug, for USB Audio Class 1.0 devices; Y-type cord, about 1.2m
- Weight: about 38g without the cable
- Colors: silver with blue and orange earpads; Stranger Things Edition with red and black earpads
- Other: open-air, on-ear design; built-in mic and in-line remote; recycled plastic in the headphone body; plastic-free packaging
The new Sony MDR-3R costs $59.99 (about Php 3,800) in the US and is on sale now at Sony, Amazon, and Best Buy, with Sony’s store estimating delivery from November 20th. The Stranger Things Edition costs slightly more at $79.99 (about Php 5,000). Sony’s release lists pre-orders at Sony, Netflix and Amazon US, but Sony’s own US store already shows it as out of stock.
Sony Japan’s announcement sets no list price, but estimates street prices, tax included, of about ¥8,000 (about $51 or Php 3,200) for the MDR-3R and ¥10,000 (about $63 or Php 4,000) for the Stranger Things Edition, a limited run sold only through Sony’s store there. Both go on sale in Japan on November 20th.
Sony Philippines already made a teaser announcement for it, so while it may not be available locally yet, expect it to arrive in local stores soon enough.
