Sony revives the original Walkman headphones, adds USB-C

Color us nostalgic.

Sony has brought back the MDR-3-series headphones that debuted in 1979 alongside the Walkman TPS-L2 cassette player.

Originally called the “MDR-3L2,” the first Walkman headphones were known for their sleek, adjustable gray plastic headband, which extended via metal sliders and ended in signature orange, circular ear cushions. The lightweight, on-ear headphones are a contrast to the bulky headsets that are popular these days, which use wide, cushioned headbands for long-term comfort and large earcups that can support big drivers and are often heavily padded for noise isolation.

The new MDR-3R (note the slightly different name) headphones look just like the originals and come with orange and blue ear cushions.

New headphones are often wireless these days, but the MDR-3R continues the wired tradition of the MDR-3, with an essential twist: a USB-C connector.

“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,” Sony’s announcement says.

For better or worse, the new headphones also use “the same 23 mm driver units as the MDR-3 to reproduce sound quality close to the original,” per Sony. Audiophiles will prefer something more advanced, perhaps with additional acoustic features. A review of the new headphones from Gizmodo says that the MDR-3R headphones “hold their own,” have “bright and clear” mids and highs, and good stereo separation. However, we don’t expect strong bass.

Unlike their predecessor, the MDR-3R has an in-line remote control and an integrated microphone. Without noise-canceling, though, the microphone isn’t ideal for calls in noisy environments.

But nostalgic gear isn’t about having top-of-the-line capabilities; it’s about showing off your love of old-school tech while enjoying familiar technologies that have reliably served their functions for years.

The MDR-3R may also capitalize on surging renewed interest in wired headphones and even physical media and Walkmans. Today’s Walkmans aren’t cassette players, of course, but are Android-powered, touchscreen media players.

The headphones are available for $60.

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