I have had a lot of music gear over the years. Roland MC-909, (click link to see me using it on Youtube if you are interested at all) a MK1 Electribe EA-1, an Akai APC40, an Emu X-board, an Evolution U-Control UC33e, a MicroKorg, 2 different Kaoss Pads etc etc. Plus I’ve used my friends TB-303, his Lemur Controller and lots of other stuff he has.
So how could it be possible that a sub $100 pair of headphones would become my most valuable asset?
Well to put it simply, you only sound as good as your mix.
If you produce from home and you have neighbours to consider, as I do, it can be hard to produce your tracks to a semi decent level. (Apparently old ladies in their 60′s don’t appreciate their TV’s being drowned out by some fat minimal basslines!) Multiply this difficulty if you do not own a decent set of monitor speakers and just use your home stereo speakers.
This was precisely the problem that I faced. And I found a solution.
Please, watch this short video I made and I will follow on underneath it. I am a hayfever sufferer so apologies for the blocked nose 
So, if you watched the video you will have a better idea of why I like them.
I mentioned that I would give you examples of tracks I produced before and after owning the MDR-V6′s.
AFTER (This tune is heavy going but it serves as an example)
Sicko by clarkness
None of these tracks have been final mastered. These are the raw files straight out of Ableton.
When I listen to both tracks through the headphones track 1 is far too bassy and the mix is very muddy. However when I produced that track on my stereo speakers it sounded perfect. Until I listened on other speakers.
I highly recommend you grab a good set of monitor headphones and I can swear by these bad boys.
Here are some technical details for those who are that way inclined:
Sony MDR-V6 is a large diaphragm foldable headphone designed for professional audio and live/broadcast applications. The MDR-V6 is a closed, circumaural sealed-ear design with a coiled, telephone-like oxygen-free copper cord. The model dates back to the 1980s.
The MDR-V6 is usually regarded as a relatively durable headphone. For example, all of the MDR-V6′s enclosures are made out of metal instead of plastic. However, the pleather pads have been reported by some to wear out after time. The pads are replaceable parts (part number 2-115-668-03), and also other vendor’s pads can be used with some modding, such as the Beyer Dynamic DT 250′s velour pads, that some have claimed to be more comfortable and noise-isolating than the original pads.
Driver Units – 40mm Dynamic
Impendance – 63 ohms @ 1 Khz
Sensitivity – 106 dB/Mw
Watts – 0.5
Power Handling Capacity – 1W
Frequency Response – 5-30,000 Hz
Cord – 3 metres (extended coil length) coiled cord
Plug Type – Stereo unimatch, 1/4″ and 1/8″
Weight – 230g (without cord)
So what does this mean in practise? Well, if you like having deep bass in your tracks or you have problems finding the right balance when you are using sub bass, these will help. A LOT! These headphones allow me to fine tune all the sounds in my mixdown.
I had someone on soundcloud actually leave a comment on a track of mine saying that he works in a studio and he stuck my track on in the studio. He said it sounded amazing. Now, I did not do anything different from normal. I just got the track sounding good through the studio monitor headphones rather than through my old stereo speakers.
Thats it. Nothing fancy. It’s almost like magic. So, if you can produce tracks that sound good on your home speakers but sound shit on any other pair of speakers I highly recommend investing a little bit of cash in a pair of Sony MDR-V6′s.
I swear, you will thank me later!
In conclusion, I love these headphones. If you are struggling to make your productions sound well produced and monitor speakers are out of the question/budget then you can do a lot worse than grab yourself a pair of these!
Don’t take my word for it however. To read more user reviews and see prices, click on the flag below depending on your country. (Just now I can only support USA and UK but I will look to add more options)
It is really pointless posting two different works as a comparison. It says ‘before’ and ‘after’, but before and after what? They should have been exactly the same piece with ‘Before’ as what you mixed with speakers, and After’ as the same piece but mixed with headphones.
Also, it would have been a lot more helpful to have had a track containing afull range of sound rather than your very dynamic-range limited techno offering. How clear are the trebles, is the midrange in any way accentuated or attenuated, is the bass level natural, accentuated or attenuated? That’s what people want to know.
I’m totally agree with the Ian, you should post the same track as before and after example, and its pointless that two different tracks to compare, and you also say Before and After…..! what is this…????
Cheers for the critique Ian.
I’ll bear these points in mind for any future reviews.
I report a comparison of the Sony MDR-NC40 headset Sony MDR-NC40 Noise Canceling Headphone (Black) to the very popular Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 pair Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 QuietPoint Active Noise-Cancelling Headphones. My background is scientific and technical, but I am not a serious audiophile. I have no particular allegiance to either brand.
1. First impressions
The Audio-Technica (A-T) headset struck me as much more solid, larger, and more padded on the headband. The Sony looks less substantial, is definitely lighter, and has a battery pod halfway down the cord that stands out right away.
2. Fit, comfort, and size
The Sony is on-the-ear, while the A-T is over-the-ear. I was expecting to prefer the A-T for that reason, but find that the ear cups have overly small openings. In addition, the ear cup padding, for some mysterious reason, has a seam located very close to the lip of the hole for you ear. The inner material is not smooth, and I find that the seam touches my ears, despite all attempts to adjust the position. I have a large head (always XL hat sizes), and I have to max out the headband on the A-T. The Sony has spare adjustment when I have it set to my liking. The A-T is certainly heavier and larger, the Sony less so. The over-the-ear A-T protrudes further back, potentially bumping seatbacks or pillows more easily. Finally, the Sony folds at three hinge points (one on top and one above each ear cup), so the folded result is very compact. The A-T can be adjusted to smallest headband length and the ear cups rotated to fit flatter within the headband for storage. The Sony on-the-ear pads feel quite comfortable with a good amount of pressure, but push just a tad on the rear part of the ear. Whether they may bother over long periods is a matter of individual preference.
3. Noise cancellation
This is a tough one. I played music through speakers and used both of them with no music playing through the headphones, but noise canceling on. The A-T have more passive noise cancellation being over-the-ear, and eliminate a lot of sound, particularly mid- and low-tones, not as well in the high tones. A very, very slight hiss is heard with no music playing. I didn’t think I could hear any hiss on the Sony pair until I squashed them against my ears and was just able to hear a bit. I was unable to hear any hiss with music playing on either of them. The Sony also eliminates some mid- and low-tones, definitely noticeable, but I give the edge here to the A-T.
4. Sound quality
This is very difficult to quantify. Let’s just say that both, with power on, seem great to me. I have good hearing but am no audiophile. With the same input, the A-T is slightly louder. Turning the power off, both sound muted, duller, less 3-dimensional, with serious loss of all frequencies, but especially treble (highs). While the Sony starts out quieter with power on, the A-T volume drops much more with the power off. I judge the Sony usable with power off (in a pinch), and the A-T less so.
5. Cords and plugs
Both cords are identical in diameter, very skinny an unsubstantial looking in my opinion. The cords appear to be the same length, but the Sony connects to both ears, while the A-T attaches only to the left earcup. The Sony has a right-angle plug that almost doesn’t fit into my computer speaker receptacle. The A-T has a cord with one straight and one right-angle plug, usable either way. It can also be detached when using the headphones for noise canceling only. The Sony has its battery, switch, and mute button on a pod halfway down the cord. The A-T has a switch on the left earcup. I find the Sony pod a bit annoying while using it at my desk. It is in just the wrong spot so it wants to fall off the desk. The A-T includes a two-prong airline adapter and one of the really large stereo plugs. The Sony also has an airline two-plug adapter that has a swiveling prong so it can be either one or two pronged. Not sure why one needs it to swing out of the way when the plug is the same as on the cord, and has a right angle to it already.
6. Mute button
The Sony has one, the A-T doesn’t. Seems very handy for when the flight attendant asks what your food and beverage choices are.
7. Carrying case
Both have zippered cases. The Sony is foldable, with an oval shape about 4.5″ wide x 5.5″ high x 2.5″ thick. The A-T case is about 7.75″ wide x 8.25″ wide x 2″ thick. While slightly thicker, the Sony case is about 1/3 the frontal area of the A-T case. Both cases have a spare battery holder, and both have one battery included.
8. Packaging
My Sony pair came in one of those indestructible plastic shell packs. If you cut it carefully all the way around the perimeter near the back, it opens up very cleanly. The A-T comes in an absurdly large box, because the case is separate from the headphones so they can be seen. The box is unusual, with top flaps that open to the side first. I felt stupid almost tearing it apart to open it, but there are no instructions other than small thumb holes as a hint.
9. Conclusion
I’m not saying which one I kept. I think it is too much a matter of individual preference. I give both models 4 stars because I did not experience that “sigh of contentment” with either of them, but they are both solid contenders.
Thanks TKVM
Excellent blog comment, thanks for writing it