Sony Releases Retro Headphones from the Walkman Era

I’m often asked about the headphones I wear during podcasts, as they’re an old-school over-the-ear Sony (MDR-G45LP) model you just don’t see much of these days. I have two pairs of these headphones, one in Mexico and one in Pennsylvania, but because Sony doesn’t make them anymore, I’ve also stockpiled replacement foam cushions for them in both locations. After all, we may never see this type of headphones again.

Or maybe not.

Sony is now selling a modern version of the MDR-3 model that debuted alongside the original Walkman player in 1979. It retains the original design, right down to the orange and blue foam ear cushions, both of which are included. But it’s been updated with wired USB-C connectivity, a built-in microphone for calls, and an inline remote control. Best of all, they never need to be charged.

“The MDR-3R has been redesigned for modern use while preserving the experience value of freely taking music out into the world, which the original MDR-3 helped popularize,” the Sony announcement explains. “The packaging and instruction manual also inherit the design of the original model. The new headphones also maintain the MDR-3’s lightweight, open-ear design, providing lasting comfort even during extended listening.”

Sony says that the new MDR-3R headphones have been re-engineered using the same 23 mm driver units so that the sound quality is as close as possible to the original. But it also made subtle refinements for modern listeners that result in “natural, well-balanced sound, a signature carried forward through generations of Sony headphones [that] brings out the full appeal of every track.”

The Sony MDR-3R USB-C Wired Retro On-Ear Headphones are now available for $60 at Amazon.com and other retailers. I purchased a pair and will check them out when we get back to Pennyslvania.