It was 1979, and suddenly it was possible to take your favorite music with you wherever you went. Sony’s first Walkman, the TPS-L2, marked the start of a revolution. For those of us who were there, those slim headphones with their colorful ear pads remain a real trip down memory lane.
Now, almost half a century later, the MDR-3 headphones are making a comeback as the MDR-3R. Thankfully, Sony hasn’t tried to modernize away their original charm.
The lightweight, open-back design remains, complete with the distinctive blue and orange ear pads. Even the packaging and user manual look like they’re from the 1970s.
Sony
Of course, a lot has happened since the heyday of cassette tapes. The classic headphone jack has been swapped for USB-C, and the cable now features both a microphone and remote control. No battery is required, so there’s no need for charging or Bluetooth pairing. Sony also retained the original 23-millimetre driver and fine-tuned the sound so it replicates how they sounded back in 1979.
As if that dose of nostalgia weren’t enough, there’s also a special Stranger Things edition, featuring details inspired by the Netflix series, including an engraved logo and unique packaging.
The Sony MDR-3R is available now for $59.99, while the Stranger Things edition costs $79.99.
