In 1979, a box containing Sony’s first Walkman, the TPS-L2, also held a pair of featherweight headphones: a thin grey headband, metal sliders and two round foam pads. They were the MDR-3. Forty-seven years later, Sony has brought them back.
The new model is called the MDR-3R and connects over USB-C. Sony launched a standard version and a limited edition made with Netflix and tied to the series Stranger Things. Sony said the headphones were “a nod to both the ’80s Walkman era and today’s retro tech revival”.
“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 company said in its announcement.
The MDR-3R closely follows the original MDR-3L2. It has an adjustable plastic headband, slim stainless steel sliders, aluminium detailing and the same pattern of sound holes over the drivers. The packaging copies the typography, size, shape and colour of the 1980s originals. Orange and blue foam earpads are included in the box, and the headphones weigh 38g.
The main change is the connector. Sony has replaced the original 3.5mm plug with USB-C, so the headphones plug directly into phones, tablets and computers. They need no charging or Bluetooth pairing. The MDR-3R also adds an inline remote for volume and playback and a built-in microphone for calls and voice assistants.
The headphones do not have active noise cancellation. Their open design means they do not block out outside noise.
Sony said the MDR-3R uses the same 23mm driver units as the original. “Drawing on the original design specifications, the MDR-3R has been reengineered with the same 23mm driver units as the MDR-3 to reproduce sound quality close to the original. While staying true to the original sound signature, subtle refinements have been made to suit modern listening preferences,” the company said.
Sony described the sound as well-balanced, with deeper bass, more extended highs and greater vocal clarity than the original. The Stranger Things edition has red and black earpads, custom packaging and the show’s name engraved on the hardware.
The original MDR-3 became a well-known part of Sony’s early portable audio range. Original pairs still sell for high prices on collectors’ forums. Sony still uses the Walkman name, but today’s Walkmans are touchscreen media players that run Android.
The MDR-3R arrives as wired earphones and headphones become popular again with listeners who do not want to recharge batteries or who keep a wired pair as a backup. Apple’s EarPods lead this part of the market. A wired connection also tends to make voices sound clearer on calls and in videos recorded on a phone.
In September, Bose launched its first new wired earbuds in 11 years. The USB-C model has active noise cancellation and has often sold out since launch.
