These headphones from the 1980s are STILL good!

In this video I talk about one of my favorite headphones from 1989. The Sony CD900ST (with a pad swap that bring it up to modern specs!). How have headphones changed over the years and why is this one still good?
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00:00 - Intro
00:35 - Build, Design & Comfort
02:51 - Sound: Subjective
06:20 - Sound: Objective
07:35 - Conclusion

[@archangel98632]

Production quality hit my nostalgia HARD, and now I'm digging out some VHS tapes of Saturday Morning cartoons that I had to set the VCR to auto-record while my mom took me to intramural soccer games. Thank you for the memories! 🤣 EDIT: I was also the Asian kid who sourced my classmates with bootleg Ranma episodes I got from that one Chinese drug store from paper-route money ✌

[@chungang7037]

That era is maybe why I prefer rolled off treble and dark headphones.

[@JESUSISCALLINGYOU7]

Awww. Saturday morning cartoons in VHS. My feels! 🥺

[@admiralnorman]

I have had an OG set of the MDR-V6 for 25 years and they were the only headphone I had for 20 of them. It's fun because there is a very good chance that your favorite artist was wearing them while recording your favorite song. IMMERSION. There are some variations in models, like the V6 tends to like a thinner pad and the 7506 likes a thicker. But what does not vary is they are all great. It's like the hd 600. I think everyone should have a set.

[@JESUSISCALLINGYOU7]

I agree! They have been used everywhere in audio, big or small operations. I love mine. By the way, I notice how much better my new MDR-7506 that came in the updated cardboard box sounds compared to the last two I had that came in the traditional clear plastic box. The bass is tighter, the upper mids are no longer shouty, and overall, they're smoother with less grain. They sound less studio monitor-ish and more audiophile headphone-ish. Music is more enjoyable through them. I didn't like them for that before.

[@Dr.Dan_K]

I still have my MDR-V6 too sitting here, I don't use them but they are here.

[@sjqideez6626]

Great sonics & visuals for this video Douglas, thanks for this dude

[@marksafe5463]

Glad you mentioned these! I was curious of your thoughts on them!

[@arigato7788]

I've had my CD900ST and used it daily for almost ten years, and the old Toyota analogy it absolutely accurate. They only need their pads changed once in a while, just how you have to change the oil on your Toyota. These headphones are my safe space. They don't sound fancy, but they sound right. And I feel like it's important to appreciate something that sounds right to actually appreciate something that sounds fancy.

[@LencoTB]

Brilliant video editing and 80s theme. Actually I would vote this for the video of the year and I watch KZbin every day. Really great work DMS. Respect

[@kyousakee]

Love the 4:3 aspect ratio and muffled audio.

[@ZenTunE-]

It's fine for this, but when DMS uses is for all of his videos now it's just stupid in 2023 lol

[@christopherviers8302]

Great review/presentation...!!!

[@millsjonah]

The original MDR lineup will always be my favorite constructed headphones. They're just so comfortable and lightweight. I doesn't have more expensive (and heavy) materials because there's no need for them. There's no headband padding or suspension strap, because there's no reason. There's no excessive clamp force, which is something I'm really sensitive to. It is a headphone first and foremost in both its sound and construction. The number of headphones on the market that kind of fail at being a comfortable piece of equipment to use because of overly complicated construction is just insane to me.

[@torbato]

These have been my dailies for the last 2 and a half years, both general use and gaming, obviously with the yaxi pads and I can't really express how much I love them. Comfortable, good sound and timeless!

[@hasanm3707]

Got them on Zeos' recommendation with the yaxi pads and I love them, I love the detail in the treble and I use mostly for music.

[@lordluisluzi2771]

Nice review!! I still have mine.

[@lord5619]

Absolute bomb of a video. 80´s feel all around it, very much love it.

[@TMRaven]

Man Even watching Nausicaa. Your dedication to going 80s is next level!

[@klaymoon1]

I love this type of video! Does it sound about same as 7506?

[@estrangedbaron8499]

Despite now owning Susvara, these headphones are still a solid option in my collection. Replacement pads are definitely a requirement, can't wear these for more than 20 minutes without different pads. There are multiple pad options from Yaxi and Brainwavz (For MDR-7506, but they are compatible with the CD900st's) so buy a few different kinds and find out what you prefer (I use the "YAXI stPad Earpads LR"). I mostly use them as work headphones now (Susvaras make me look like a dork in virtual meetings lol), but I still have a listening session here and there with them and enjoy what they can do. Are there better headphones out there? Of course, Susvara is in a different galaxy when compared to these. But for the price the CD900st's are excellent and 100% worth using to listen to the genres that DMS mentioned in the video. Happy listening!

[@twoften]

I really have to get a pair of these. Trick seems to be finding a seller without a bunch of bad feedback. As for old headphones I love, I have a pair of OG SR325 that are actually not SR325s, but rather a clone called an Amber Pro made by a local distributor from original parts after they lost distribution rights back in the mid 2000s. Specs are identical, cable is 6.35mm marked Grado, drivers are even pink tinged as with old Grados. I was A/B-ing with my V1 Ananda's, and yeah, the Amber Pro treble is splashier and the soundstage isn't as big, and there isn't really sub bass, but it's actually pretty great for the pocket change I paid for it. Really enjoyable.

[@briangarrick9693]

Been my daily driver for a while now. I love these with all my heart

[@peterlundskow4061]

Nice vintage video. I remember theat Sony digital logo from so many sony digital products of that period. I think I will buy a pair, thanks! CDs are on the comeback!

[@jeremymanton5320]

Those specific pads are incredible on the Meze 99 headphones

[@iisakei2369]

I still use the 7506. It is compatible with the 900ST and all parts can be ordered and repaired. We can even buy one internal screw. The other day, I did a MOD to remove the cable and make it replaceable. I plan to continue using it.

[@drunksaru]

@@fisherman9435 hahhaha. I wouldn't say the worst... I used to compare the 7506 to the cheaper grado's. I thought it was great for people who were losing their hearing. for me it was just ear piercingly annoying. I kinda felt the same way about the V6 as well. My 7506 now just sits in my drawer as a piece of memory for me to look back at a time when I had to use it for work.

[@IrOnCuRtAiN61]

@@fisherman9435 The 7506 is not intended for everyday listening, and the audio engineers and those who worked on radio and television appreciate those "cans" not just because for it's intended purpose but also for repairability in mind! I haven't seen any headphones, even the most expensive ones including a service manual with individual part numbers on it other than the 7506. 😎

[@daellis130]

Remember, the reviewers statements are marked as "subjective". Surely you can appreciate that your ears may be the exception, and not the rule? Their success over time would suggest this. If everyone's ears were the same, some of these companies would have gone out of business a long time ago, (and/or they would all be making the same thing) and I doubt channels such as this one would be as entertaining.

[@daellis130]

@@fisherman9435 Fair enough although not everyone has your experience (including me!). I think it's important when you have experience to point that out to those just getting into the game. Having only been a hifi nut for a few years, It took me quite a while to realise just how different people's perceptions and experiences could be. You almost have to find a baseline for what you like, then find reviewers who have roughly similar feelings on the devices you know, then use those reviewers when considering future purchases. Even then, I suppose that approach isn't foolproof.

[@daellis130]

Being forced to listen to the same thing for many years has proven tiring effect. Take my mother in law for example...

[@onapersonalnote7045]

If you want more bass, the IFI zen dac/hip dac/Zen can helps a lot. The Xbass feature is pretty fun and fills the bass shelf really well.

[@nonchalantd]

It's nice to know that "Washington became a state" in 1989.

[@SuperReview]

I think he jebaited us into getting active in the community.

[@CosmicPotato]

Washington became a state of mind in 1989 (Seattle grunge scene)

[@hartyewh1]

This is actually a really pleasant style of video in look and audio, the old school transition effects etc. Really nice.

[@hokagoteatimereviews]

Love the 4:3 aspect ratio. Maybe I should try it too 😅 I have always liked the 4:3 aspect ratio

[@Damien_N]

What do you think of their updated development of this style of design - the MDR-M1ST

[@suncani]

Please DMS share with us what is the model of the cd player on your video? God bless. Sani

[@matreviewlab]

Do they take EQ well? To bring the bass back

[@Lishtenbird]

00:24 I know of this headphone because of Suisei's Stellar Stellar on First Take. Does that count?

[@chungang7037]

Your voice is wonderful in this one

[@HiFiInsider]

I still have Sony MDR-v6 in original gold box packaging. The new MDR-MV1 is excellent and open-back.

[@chutgowdingo-loon3212]

The Audio Technica ATH-8 electret with energiser (a poor mans electro-static) is another one. Got them in 1983 - still have them, still use them. Lack a bit of bass with the stock pads, using different but slightly thicker pads fixed that.

[@antwanarmstrong5987]

Mine's has a channel imbalance from the right driver. :(

[@chutgowdingo-loon3212]

@@antwanarmstrong5987 That's a shame. The problem could be the energiser and not the headphone.

[@GabrielCSousa]

Out of curiosity: how does it compares against the SHP9500? 'Cause they're comfortable and the graph doesn't seem that far off

[@MichaelSidneyTimpson]

have a pair, love it

[@Tssukiii]

I see the Discdream there 😍😍 Would you please review it, would love that a lot :)

[@edumacat3d]

bought my first mdr v6 2013, been using them daily since. lmao placed the order 12/10/13, incredible

[@Hyperfocus024]

could you guys make also a review on MDR-Z1R

[@imabeliever85]

I just read at headfonia that this headphone and the Shure SRH840 original sound almost exactly alike. The writer of the review wonders if maybe the same guy who used to work at Sony went over to Shure years later and made a similar sounding headphone

[@NightmareFactory830]

Bro this video looks so authentic from the 80s, with the exception of the aperture lol I’ve been trying to replicate this look, how’d you do it?

[@NightmareFactory830]

@@fisherman9435 oof

[@Ricelord4]

I thought those were the MDR-7506 at first glance. I'd love a pair of old-school Sony headphones. I still have my first decent headphones - Sennheiser HD 280 Pro from 2009, and it would be cool to expand the collection.

[@Farpun]

I still struggle to read the 4128 measurements but have no problem with raw. Anyone have advice on how to read it better?

[@dragons_advocate]

1989, Washington became a state! Wait, what? I believe you are a century off on that one.

[@IrOnCuRtAiN61]

To be honest, I do not like the sound signature changes when using YAXI stPad2 on MDR-CD900ST as it become airy or spacious which kinda sound weird to me. Instead, I paired that with an aftermarket earpads without dampening foam intended for audio-technica ATH-M40x, then using Crinacle's Ears-711 EQ preset for the CD900ST and call it a day! However, when I received the JVC/Victor HA-MX100V, my CD900ST is now relegated as a back-up headphone alongside M40x as the former is currently my daily driver.

[@smoloms]

Despite my newer and arguably better gear, my mdr7506 headphones are still my go to when music listening isn’t the focus

[@pmdthewizard]

How does this compare with the mdr-1a?

[@davidbruce8786]

What is the name of those replacement pads and can they still be acquired?

[@TotemTom]

yaxi st2 pads. a quick check shows they're still being made and you can get them from a few different online retailers

[@beautifulportland9592]

I bought a pair of these back in 1990 and have never Looked back or at another pair of headphones . . . They have outlasted, Cassette Decks, CD Players and ipods . . . That saids a lot!. I use mind with a Sony Sports Mega-Bass FS-495 Walkman and the sound is amazing!

[@drunksaru]

Haha, I've had mine for the last 20+years although currently on my 3rd pair. It's also my reference when taking it to canjam but it wasn't until 2018 that people started noticing what it was. (well minus the Japanese vendors who are more than familiar with it and didn't think it was unique for someone in the states to own one. )

[@daghanis]

could you review mdr 1A?

[@piloyreno]

Link for the pads?

[@swarnavamaitra1]

I absolutely love how the whole video quality and audio quality of this video has been manipulated to match the 1989 vibe. Absolutely absolutely love it!!

[@TheWorldTeacher]

That is normal for Douglas. He’s just a fuddy duddy. 🤓

[@jopar3292]

Designed by and for Japanese sound engineers not for export. Took over 2 years to tune! Hard to fault for work and for 'general' listening its perfect

[@davestevens4193]

AKG-K340 from the 80's are some great cans. Need great amplification.

[@kingforkings]

M1ST with Yaxi are great and the headphone itself takes any colour of the audio chain. 900st with Yaxi is still on my list. I dont have the pads, that is the thing. I want to try the hd600 with yaxi too.

[@db197529]

Akg k240 600Ω, vintage sextet and DF. Still great. By the way, there is a reason all studios have a pair of DT 770. Didn't see any CD900St in them, though it can be great, no reason to doubt that.

[@minminli6248]

I'm looking to buy this at the coming 12.12 sale 😊

[@tunafishmaki]

Is that the bew moondrop cd player?

[@guybuddy1]

These were my primary mixing headphones for a decade and a half. I'm from Japan btw.

[@db4ks]

sold my dt-770's due to ear fatigue, got the akg k317 and dissatisfied with them. im considering buying the cd900st but cannot make a decision. has anyone tried both?

[@battokizu]

Been using them since 2012, they are legendary for a reason. Also they're cheap depending on quality of pads and headband, but those are replacable. Used them for anything and everything, great work horse of a product.

[@dead-robot4086]

Nausicaä... great choice :)

[@cameronferris6168]

What is that CD player, I must have it.

[@user-tf9tq6mg5f]

next time pls review senheiser rs 165 or ps4 gold stereo headset

[@peddypeoples941]

I love my Beyerdynamic dt770 pros, most things are classics for a reason.

[@m4nc1n1]

I got them pads on the 7506

[@pongpaktech6699]

+1 for Nausicaa in on the 3rd screen

[@RishN1604]

ah so those were the mdr-cd900st in the second last DMS video!

[@danielherrera4929]

Nausicaä 😍❤️

[@markovlasic1978]

some of the old philips and JVC headphones are very good. those are rare today.

[@IrOnCuRtAiN61]

I'm very interested on JVC/Victor HP-D1000 which is released in 1990, but it's no longer available... 😢

[@joseluishernandezseptien]

I wish they would have been measured with the stock pads as well...

[@joseluishernandezseptien]

To me they sound better with the stock pads, even if the Yaxi are more comfortable and create a bit of perceived soundstage. I have had them for years and love them (:

[@NotOrdinaryInGames]

Koss KPH40i have the typical PortaPro highs dip. It is not okay.

[@user-mu6uy6ly6e]

just got the stpads2. The tonality changes quite a bit. what i have heard is excessive treble and kinda reminds me of m50x and aeon 2 noire treble. The vocal timbre is off a bit compared to the original pads. The comfort is amazing tho, even better than the hd800. Is it good for mixing and eq decisons? No. Better than all of beyers closed back? Not quite so, the 770pros are not bad.Even the shure 1540 with lower midrange EQed sounds far more natural than this, while DMS give the 1540s F tier I believe.

[@revelry1969]

I always like my MDR-D77.

[@aRc11-11]

Qualia was quality that would do wonders with todays amps.

[@auroragoose3414]

1540 pads on my set ❤

[@tadokorovsky9746]

The thing is headphones were already enough to produce base frequency well back then. That's already 90% of what people can actually perceive. The other 10% is like bass and treble extension or other minor details which modern headphones have improved, sadly lots of those modern headphones can't even get the base frequency tuning done while they are technically capable.

[@enjoshi-godrez8775]

None of this is true.

[@tadokorovsky9746]

@@enjoshi-godrez8775 And how you explain well known old school headphones actually sound better than lots of modern headphones?

[@enjoshi-godrez8775]

@tadokorovsky9746 they dont. Go and listen to a susvara LMAO. Like seriously. "Old headphones had bass". No, they didn't. Before the lcd2 and modern planars, no headphones could reach even 30hz. No sennheiser, no stax, no bayer, no nothing. And apart from the the hd600 and 800, they all had appaling tunings. They were the only 2 good old headphones and it's exactly why they are the ONLY ones that get talked about universally positively. Modern headphones by the likes of hifimans are orders of magnitude better than what came before them. Even Audeze has caught up with the excellent mm500.

[@tadokorovsky9746]

@@enjoshi-godrez8775 You're saying exactly what I said and yet you didn't understand a word. What I meant by base frequency is like 100hz - 10khz, and that's actually the most crucial part of what human can perceive. The deep bass which can extend to 10hz or high frequency extend to 100khz is more like cherry on top, and is only relevant if you have first done the 100hz - 10khz right. Which in case something like Susvara does. But that's a kilo bucks product which is more than 20 times more expensive than those old headphones. There are lots of other expensive modern headphones with good deep bass and fucked up mid range and treble, and I'm telling you those are shits even if they extended all they way to 1hz. Plus you don't even need that much bass extension for lots of genres and speaker-like experience.

[@enjoshi-godrez8775]

@tadokorovsky9746 no that's absolutely rubbish. It's audiophile copium. The fundamental harmonics of instruments and vocals very rarely go into those regions. However, almost all instruments in the middle and treble octave have harmonic undertones that go well below 50hz. You will hear a difference between a headphone that can probably attenuate 30hz on almost all music. REL at expos runs a booth where they just play acapella, and the subs on and off at an 80hz cut off. The human voice cannot get the 80hz, but its order harmonics can. Most instruments will have these tones at or below 50hz. What you are saying here is wrong. All audio gear suffers greatly from not being able to reach 30hz for high-fidelity attainment.

[@Cogito2Ergo2Sum1]

And now I will no longer be able to afford one....but will keep an eye out

[@peterb9280]

Yamaha HP-1 orthodynamic still going strong circa 1978

[@Rob-ev6bb]

"all the best stuff is made in Japan" - Marty McFly | Back to the Future III

[@Airvaster]

I have multiple thousand dollar headphones and I still use these sometimes.

[@ridlaridlidouzou]

What anime is that you watching there?

[@Lishtenbird]

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.

[@ridlaridlidouzou]

Tnx. Heh already have it in my collection, didn't know it tho.😅 @@Lishtenbird

[@chefsteve8381]

Still have my Stax sr Lambda from 1979 then considered the best headphone in the world and can still hold it's head up high....

[@TerraBlacc1]

How do you drive yours? I've always stuck to speaker power with a tube preamp and still find it to be one of the the most detailed headphones around. If I had the space, I would probably build a separate listening area for just these with triode monoblocks, a tube preamp and a turntable, I love them that much.

[@chefsteve8381]

@@TerraBlacc1 xduoo ta26 to topping pa5 to srd6

[@TerraBlacc1]

@@chefsteve8381 Never sell those

[@chefsteve8381]

@@TerraBlacc1 I'm not I've had them this long...lol....

[@larryknicks]

*A E S T H E T I C S* ☮️

[@DanDhaniels]

DMS don't like the T1. DankPods say it's his favorite ever. I'm confused 🤔

[@paultomaszewski1964]

Washington was a state in 1889, not 1989. Have a set of headphones from the 70's, Lafayette F500. Heavy as hell but they still work and sound OK.

[@Studio22mix]

If it’s cheap and gets the job done ☑️

[@GREQReviews]

JVC HA-MX100-Z sounds almost identical to the CD900ST - but better. Too bad it's not anywhere near as comfortable.

[@IrOnCuRtAiN61]

And there's a creaking sound when tilting your head either forward or backward while wearing those "cans"! 😬 P.S. Proud HA-MX100V owner here! 👍

[@GREQReviews]

@@IrOnCuRtAiN61 ever tried the 100Z? I've read the 100v is tuned a bit different

[@IrOnCuRtAiN61]

@@GREQReviews I haven't tried one as afaik there's no available HA-MX100-Z brand new. But i'm gonna purchase both cans' predecessor, the JVC HA-MX10-B despite the inflated price tag! 😬

[@GREQReviews]

@@IrOnCuRtAiN61 The MX10-B is great. Almost identical to the 100Z, but actually closer to the MDR-CD900ST.

[@lsim001]

I find reviewers' constant Bayer bashing a bit tiring. I understand they comment on about what they hear but mentioning it in every other review is boring. And at this level arguably unfair. Brand bashing is not cool. For transparency I own a pair of Beer 1090 pro and don't have an issue with the treble.

[@msd5808]

I thought it was just sold in Japan

[@hassabsaeed9993]

i have it ,, sony sound sooooo thin and no true mids , i enjoy my ksc75 more

[@SheepDude-qp7ux]

Unfortunately chose the mdr-m1st over this... big mistake.

[@WorldView22]

Are T1.3 that bad, or CD900ST that good?!

[@hartyewh1]

T1.3 is an absolute nightmare unless you listen to only Infected Mushroom and want the most aggressive techno experience imagineable😅

[@phobiedufromage2433]

Beyerdynamic cant make good headphones

[@hypnoz7871]

And yet they are among the most popular for pro use. I guess you're smarter than all of them ?@@phobiedufromage2433

[@hartyewh1]

@@phobiedufromage2433 For the price 770, 880, 990 and Amiron have their benefits for sure. Depends what one wants. Sennheiser can't do soundstage or bass dynamics until the discontinued HD700 for example.

[@saikousocial]

These guys love to hate Beyer, but yeah the T1.3 is an absolute disaster. I have no idea who thought that sounded good. Build and comfort for Beyer is usually fantastic, but those T1.3s sound like a subwoofer that's trying to play the entire frequency spectrum with a blown tweeter for the high treble.

[@mdfrick]

Washington became a state in 1989? You mean 1889? I want to believe this is somehow an inside joke or dig at Joshua Valour.

[@caffeine_321]

How the hell did u know i like anime song lmao

[@miurasvlamborghini]

I don't agree with these teenie bobbers. Its kitschy.

[@dashcammer4322]

Remember, for some what occurred before they were born is pretty much irrelevant.

[@FrozenFingers]

Sorry can't listen to that

[@HelloFellowMellowMarshmallow]

I'm an adult. I'm an adult I'm an adult I AM AN ADULT!

[@Studio22mix]

Wish you good luck, now your live sucks. Better to stay young and ignorant 😂

[@FordPrefect-sx5zn]

You know nothing about the 80's there jr., you didn't exist.