By aspect — in detail
Tonality
Contested · 11 srcSources split on what to call the balance, even while broadly hearing the same thing. The larger camp calls it warm, bassy and laid-back — a smooth 'modern' tuning, not a neutral reference; a sizeable camp hears it as essentially clean and near-neutral, just with a bass lift. The measurements sit between: close-ish to the Harman target with a deep bass boost and a softened presence region, so both camps are describing real halves of the response.
Measured
Butterworth measured it 'a little flatter than I expected,' with less of the 7506's big ~3 kHz rise and 'less energy above 2kHz' — a subjectively smoother, less bright sound; DIY-Audio-Heaven reads it as warm (a downslope from ~300 Hz to 3 kHz, a −10 dB dip near 4 kHz) with deep elevated bass, close to AKG K371 territory. So it's warm-of-neutral with a bass tilt, not a bright monitor.
⚠ vs. listeners — The bass lift plus the recessed presence region is exactly what one camp calls 'warm/bassy, not neutral' and the other calls 'clean and neutral with more bass' — the same measured shape, weighed from different ends of the spectrum.
Where it splits
Warm, bassy and laid-back — a smooth modern voice, not a neutral reference.62%
“the MDR-M1 sounded mellow, with softer treble and a more prominent lower midrange.”
audioXpress (Brent Butterworth)
Essentially clean and near-neutral — just with a big, well-separated bass lift.38%
“its damn good, really neutral + clean without fatiguing at all”
Audio Science Review forum
The clearest step-change from the 7506 and a repeated highlight: deep, elevated and 'fun,' with sub-bass that extends genuinely low yet mostly stays clear of the mids. The dissent is about quantity and control — a minority find it too much (or would EQ it down for mixing), it needs a good seal to arrive, and it measurably distorts/compresses when pushed loud.
“The bass register stands out as a strength of the Sony MDR-M1. It delivers a clear and impactful pressure when called for, without being overbearing.”
senses.se
“With the MDR-M1, I heard a lot more bass, which made the whole mix sound subjectively softer. I’m sure I’d have dialed the bass down about 5dB had I mixed on this headphone.”
audioXpress (Brent Butterworth)
Measured
DIY-Audio-Heaven measures bass extending to ~8 Hz (−3 dB), 'tastefully elevated' with a good seal and a small ~200 Hz dip so it doesn't bleed into the mids — but 'seal dependent,' with ~4% THD below 80 Hz and audible compression once you push past ~75 dB. Break the seal (or wear glasses) and the low end drops off, which is why a few reviewers heard the sub-bass as lacking.
A consistent strength and part of why it reads as an all-rounder: the midrange is repeatedly called clear, present and natural, with good separation and strong vocal intelligibility — unusual for a closed-back at the price. The only real caveats are a slight mid-forward emphasis in the stage and a softened upper-mid/presence region that trims 'bite' (that part shows up under treble/detail).
“The midrange frequencies are the Sony MDR-M1's strong point, which is nonsense for the closed-back sound design segment.”
SoundGale (Edward Gault)
“The mid-range felt accurate, without any undue emphasis or exaggeration.”
senses.se
Measured
A gentle emphasis through roughly 800 Hz–2 kHz (SoundGale) gives vocals and instruments 'body,' while DIY-Audio-Heaven notes a warm downslope and a dip around 4 kHz that pulls the upper mids back — clear and natural in the vocal band, softer where 'presence' and consonants live.
The defining, most-argued axis. The large majority hear the top as smooth, relaxed and non-fatiguing — the opposite of the bright, sometimes sibilant 7506 — which for many is the whole appeal. A vocal minority hear it as too soft to judge critically, or (on some ears and some units) actually bright, gritty or shrill. Both are describing a recessed presence region plus a lift in the upper treble/air.
Measured
DIY-Audio-Heaven measures a −10 dB dip around 4 kHz that makes it 'a bit too laid back' and an elevated upper treble/air that then rolls off above ~13 kHz (20 kHz already −10 dB); Butterworth sees 'less energy above 2kHz' than the 7506 or K371. There's also a narrow ~5 kHz distortion spike (SoundGuys, DIY-Audio-Heaven) right where you'd want to EQ.
⚠ vs. listeners — The recessed presence explains 'soft / uncritical,' while the upper-treble/air lift — plus unit variation (the M1/M1ST cup-marking oddity), pad wear and seal — explains why a minority instead hear brightness or shrillness. Same tuning, opposite complaints.
Where it splits
Smooth, relaxed and non-fatiguing — sparkle without glare (many find it the point).78%
“Treble is present but consists mostly of some ‘tssjj’ but sounds ‘smooth’ and not peaky nor coarse.”
DIY-Audio-Heaven (Solderdude)
Too soft to judge with — or, to some ears and units, actually bright and shrill.22%
“there’s no denying the MDR-M1 is a bright headphone, with a lot of treble and high-frequency presence.”
Reddit r/headphones (One_Visual_4090)
A split verdict that tracks the tuning. For casual listening most find it resolving enough — good separation, easy to 'hear everything' in a mix. For critical work several find the softened presence blunts fine detail and transient bite, which is why measurement-minded reviewers say it's better for enjoying music than for judging it.
“The MDR-M1 has a high degree of separation, making it easy to locate or follow individual signals.”
headphonecheck (Maike Paeßens)
“Due to the lack of clarity it does not sound very dynamic/lively.”
DIY-Audio-Heaven (Solderdude)
Measured
Perceived detail leans on separation and a clean midrange rather than on top-end 'air' (which rolls off up high) or a crisp presence region (recessed near 4 kHz) — so it reads as resolving in the vocal band but soft on leading-edge transients and fine treble texture.
Soundstage
Moderate · 6 srcTypical for a closed-back: competent but not a selling point. Several call it decent-to-good for a sealed can — helped by the drivers' slight angle — with a somewhat mid-forward, intimate stage; a few note the softer treble makes it less airy and spacious than brighter rivals.
“For a closed back the sound stage is also very good.”
Reddit r/headphones (xxplosive1)
“The MDR-M1 has less energy above 2kHz than either of the other models, which would give it a subjectively smoother, less bright sound, and probably make the sound less spacious.”
audioXpress (Brent Butterworth)
Measured
A closed enclosure with 15°-angled drivers gives a tidy, intimate image; the warm tilt and rolled-off air cap the sense of width and openness relative to brighter or open-back designs.
A headline strength and one of the biggest wins over the 7506: very light (~215 g) with a gentle clamp and deeper, softer pads, so most wear it for hours and say it 'disappears.' The recurring caveats are real but secondary — heat build-up after an hour or two, and pressure/seal issues for glasses-wearers or larger ears.
“The M1 is super light and comfy, and just disappears on the head. I think it is fair to say they are the most comfortable set I currently possess.”
Reddit r/headphones (srmd22)
“After extended use (one to two hours), the ears may require a brief respite.”
senses.se
Measured
About 215–216 g with a low ~1.5 N clamp (DIY-Audio-Heaven), and pads deepened to ~18 mm over a 60 mm internal height — so ears clear the baffle for most, though protruding ears can still touch it and the non-breathable pads trap heat.
Isolation
Moderate · 6 srcDecent but not a strong suit, and a step up from the 7506 thanks to the deeper pads and better seal. The catch is a pressure-equalizing port that lets it isolate a little less than a fully sealed closed-back — fine for a quiet studio, less so against loud environments — and it's seal-dependent.
“The Sony MDR-M1 isolates you from your surroundings decently well, though they’re no substitute for active noise canceling (ANC) headphones.”
SoundGuys (Christian Thomas)
“Isolation is a bit low for a closed headphone because of the porting.”
DIY-Audio-Heaven (Solderdude)
Measured
Butterworth measured isolation 'similar to' the AKG K371 and MDR-7506 overall, though the M1 'does let in several decibels more sound between about 4kHz and 15kHz'; the deeper pads improve the seal over the 7506's shallow ones.
Much improved over the 7506 and generally praised: a detachable screw-lock cable (balanced-capable), deeper replaceable pads that shed the 7506's flaking reputation, cups that fold flat, and an easy-to-repair design. The steady knocks are a plasticky feel that some question for long-term durability, no case in the box, and cables that are distinctly microphonic.
“in terms of design and build quality, the MDR-M1 is the hands-down winner among these headphones”
audioXpress (Brent Butterworth)
“Alas, these cable are quite microphonic. This means touching the cable and it rubbing against clothes is quite audible in the left cup.”
DIY-Audio-Heaven (Solderdude)
Measured
Detachable 3.5 mm TRRS cable with a threaded screw-lock collar (so a balanced cable is possible), two straight cables (1.2 m + ~2.5 m) plus a screw-on 6.3 mm adapter, replaceable pads, and swivel cups that fold flat — but a largely plastic chassis, no carrying case, and cables reviewers repeatedly flag as microphonic.
The most divisive non-sonic point. Detractors call it overpriced — around $250 at launch, two and a half times the 7506, and up against cheaper closed-backs (FiiO FT1, AKG K371, ATH-M50x, DT 770 Pro) that some prefer. Defenders counter that it's a genuine all-in-one upgrade, that the 7506 was only ever so cheap because it never repriced with inflation, and that street prices have since eased toward ~$200.
Measured
Launched at $249.99 (2.5× the MDR-7506's $99.99) and commonly ~$199–230 on the street by mid-2026 (Thomann $199, Amazon ~$200). The comparison set that recurs: FiiO FT1 (often ~2/3 the price), AKG K371 (~$150), ATH-M50x and Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro.
Where it splits
Overpriced — rivals do as much or more for less, and it's far dearer than the 7506.55%
“$248 is a bit pricy to take the reins from the Sony MDR-7506 (currently priced around $80).”
SoundGuys (Christian Thomas)
Fairly priced for a lasting, do-everything studio-and-listening headphone.45%
“The MDR-M1 is not hype or gimmickry; it's Sony's attempt to create a single pair of headphones that can be used for production without having to use one pair for one stage of work, another pair for a second stage, and a third pair for a third stage.”
SoundGale (Edward Gault)
