Signature Series

Treat yourself to audio excellence

The culmination of a lifetime’s pursuit of audio excellence, Signature Series products transcend the limits of high resolution sound, achieving an unparalleled listening experience.

Signature Series

One Signature Sound

Elevating the high-resolution sound experience from one you listen to, to one you can feel.

Elevate every note with One Signature Sound

It began with a music revolution sparked by Sony's iconic Walkman® in 1979, which fascinated millions of people around the world and freed the way we enjoyed music on headphones anytime, anywhere. The Signature Series advances that revolution to an entirely new realm of fine audio fidelity — taking the experience from listening to feeling it. The culmination of experience and fortitude, the Signature Series converges the highest quality analog and digital technologies and elevates music experiences to supreme dimensions. From the majestic acoustics of a grand orchestra to the live outpouring of music at a concert, every vibrant detail — even the passion and energy — is reproduced just as the original artists intended. 

 Our engineers — as passionate as the music artists and creators — have produced the ultimate headphone sound experience in an exceptional line of four quality products. It's their signature and commitment to convey all the passion and energy of the original music. 

Fine-tuned and precision optimised by leading sound engineers

In the endeavour to reach ultimate perfection, our engineers relentlessly pursued sound purity reproduction through thousands and thousands of trials. Every subtle variation of sound, from the beginning of a grand performance, ambient resonance and even the elusive sound at the end of a performance as it approaches silence, are faithfully captured and reproduced. The result is sound expression beyond anything you've heard or felt, where you can almost feel the temperature and humidity of the performance. The result is an astonishingly faithful sound reproduction that’s definitively clear and expressive, even the subtleties and delicate nuances of micro-sounds and bigger scales at higher dynamics. From our music aficionados to the music lover in you - a heightened sound experience like never before.

Pioneering audio innovation

From pioneering the iconic Walkman® in 1979, through to championing High-Resolution Audio as the new standard in sound quality in 2013, Sony has an unrivalled legacy of audio excellence. The Signature Series is the latest innovation to break new ground within the high-end audio landscape.

1979: MDR-3

Music anytime, anywhere

The MDR-3 headphones were launched at the same time as the first-generation Walkman®, the device that created a revolution in music style. The first to use an ultrathin PET diaphragm for maximum acoustic pressure, they aimed to replicate the light feel of hair. 

1985: MDR-CD900

Bringing the best out of digital audio

Three years after the launch of CDs, the MDR-CD900 headphones were created to faithfully play back sound sources and became the prototype for our professional monitor headphones. They were equipped with a large 40mm aperture driver unit and produced excellent audio quality. 

1988: MDR-R10

Celebrating 10 years of audio excellence 

Designed to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the MDR series, the flagship MDR-R10 model combined the greatest technologies with unique, quality materials. The housing was made from 200-year-old Japanese red wood, while Greek lambskin adorned the earpads. 

1997: MDR-F1

Enduring breathable design

These headphones were a favourite among audiophiles for many years. They featured an exceptional breathable fit around the ears, allowing the user to enjoy natural sound for hours at a time. 

2004: QUALIA-010

Pushing the limits of headphone potential 

These headphones represented the best in audio technology of the time with High-Resolution Audio capability, incorporating a large 50mm aperture full range unit and nanocomposite diaphragm that could play ultra-wide 120kHz bandwidth. The porous housing even successfully eliminated resonance. 

2012: MDR-1R

Taking music back to the source 

Following 50 years of headphone creation, we directed our focus to preserving the audio quality the content creators intended. The result was the development of the MDR-1, headphones developed in conjunction with Sony Music Entertainment with the objective of realising all the detail of high-resolution sound.

2016: MDR-Z1R

Sonic perfection, design mastery 

Our flagship Signature Series headphones are the latest addition to push the limits of audio excellence. Featuring a 70mm HD driver unit, Resonance Free Housing and the finest materials, they deliver a truly transcendental listening experience.

Discover the MDR-Z1R
Revolutionising personal listening

A history of headphone innovation

Our engineers have consistently developed our world renowned headphones range with innovative design techniques and high precision sound technology, resulting in truly authentic listening experiences.

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1982: MDR-E252

The first in-ear headphones in the world

Walkman® had created the trend of small and light headband style headphones. Then Sony introduced the world’s first in-ear headphones. MDR-E252 thrilled the world. People had never seen headphones that didn’t either have a headband or ear pads.

1987: MDR-E484

The first ergonomic in-ear headphones

Thanks to ceramic composite housing and an amorphous-diamond 16mm diaphragm with twin-turbo acoustic circuits, a new standard of in-ear audio performance was pioneered. MDR-E484 combined performance with beauty through a 3D free shape design system and wearing comfort based on ergonomics.

1995: MDR-E888

Small and light – the long-selling in-ear headphones

Sony’s high-end model, MDR-E888, delivered fine natural sound through a 16mm bio-cellulose diaphragm. The electroformed metal housing was virtually imperceptible to feel in the ear while being worn. Enthusiastic demand kept MDR-E888 in production for 13 years.

1999: MDR-EX70

The standard for 21st century in-ear headphones

These world-first closed type in-ear headphones had a 9mm dynamic driver, weighed an ultra light 4g, yet delivered a dynamic deep bass that blew music lovers away. MDR-EX70SL set a new standard for 21st century in-ear headphones.

2006: MDR-EX90

High-end in-ear headphones that ignited a trend

With its high quality sound, and wearing comfort, MDR-EX90SL started a trend for high-end in-ear headphones. The exclusively developed 13.5mm driver had six types of acoustic tuning parts, and Sony’s original slanted duct with machined aluminum housing held the driver precisely.

2011: XBA-4

Sony-developed, original Balanced Armature drivers

Sony became the first, and the only, headphone manufacturer to design and produce Balanced Armature (BA) drivers. With four Sony original BA drivers, XBA-4SL reproduced the dynamic and magnificent sound that only Sony BA drivers can deliver.

2018: IER-Z1R

IER-Z1R – a new realm of in-ear headphones

Harnessing decades of audio expertise, IER-Z1R has a newly developed HD hybrid driver system, Refined-phase structure, and combines technology with craftsmanship, to proudly showcase the ideal sound that Sony has relentlessly pursued.

Bringing music even closer

A history of in-ear headphones

Sony is the innovators of the world’s first in-ear headphones – MDR-E252. Since the inception of in-ear headphones, Sony has been pursuing ways of bringing a full-size listening experience to music on-the-go.

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1965: TA-1120

The first all silicon transistor stereo integrated amp

A game-changer within the premium audio landscape, this amp was the first ever to simultaneously achieve large output with low distortion. It was the very first product in the ES series.

1977: TA-N88

The birth of digital amp technology

The TA-N88 was a switching amp that used pulse width modulation (PWM). Unlike the S-Master, it was not a full digital amp, but the technology upon which the current S-Master is based was already being developed at this time.

1982: CDP-101 & 1999: SCD-1

Digital format innovator

When we released the world’s first CD player – the CDP-101, there were 50 titles available on CD as we opened up the world of digital audio with both hardware and content. Our first Super Audio CD player was the SCD-1. We invented the DSD format and this model was a precursor to current High-Resolution Audio standards with 2.8MHz DSD playback up to 100kHz.

1999: TA-N1

An amp to bring out the best in any speaker

Weighing in at 70kg, this high-end audio amplifier was designed to release the potential of Super Audio CDs and DSD files, and comprised an output stage with an impressive power supply and low impedance to handle large currents. 

2005: TA-DR1a

The foundations for digital excellence

The foundations of the technology that supports the audio quality of the current S-Master were already complete when this model was released. The technology in this device also contributed to the evolution of the S-Master HX; the basis of the TA-ZH1ES’s D.A. Hybrid Amplifier Circuit.

2013: TA-A1ES

The ideal amp for the High-Resolution age 

In pursuit of audio excellence for the High-Resolution Audio age, Sony created the TA-A1ES. It packed in many advanced features, including eliminating emitter resistance, which improved the sound quality. It also included a dedicated A-class amp and sophisticated analog technology still used in our amplifier. 

2016: TA-ZH1ES

A new level of headphone audio excellence

Combining the best of digital and analog sound technology, the new Signature Series stationary amp is designed to unleash the full potential of your headphones and deliver a superior listening experience.

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Maximising audio quality

A history of digital audio and amplification

Powering audio systems without distortion is a precise art that we have been refining for over half a century. Engineering excellence, high grade components and advanced acoustics work together to elevate sound quality.

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1979: TPS-L2

The original Walkman®

With the iconic TPS-L2, the first product to bear the Walkman® name, we created a new way of listening to music. The personal stereo music player was born and widely accepted by young people across the world looking to take their music outdoors.

1984: D-50

World’s first portable CD player 

Weighing just 590g and barely four jewel cases high, the D-50 made CDs portable and brought CD quality to a much wider audience in an affordable and portable package. 

1992: MZ-1

Introducing a new generation of smaller personal stereos

Smaller than compact cassette, Minidisc offered magnetic tape recording capabilities plus the instant access and skip advantages of CD. The MZ-1 was the world’s first MD Walkman®.

1999: NW-MS7

The pioneer of today’s personal music players

Lighter and more compact than any previous Walkman®, the pocket-sized NW-MS7 set the stage for a new generation of portable music devices. It used the Memory Stick as its recording media for easy transfers to and from a PC.

2009: NW-X1000

A new standard in sound

The glass-fronted NW-X1000 set the standard for Walkman® audio quality. With an S-Master amplifier and DSEE for restoring high frequencies lost during compression, listeners could enjoy truly authentic sound. Clear Bass, Clear Stereo and built-in noise cancelling ensured a powerful, immersive experience.

2013: NW-ZX1

Introducing High-Resolution Audio in a Walkman®

The world’s first  Walkman® with High-Resolution Audio. Advanced sound technologies were incorporated to generate never-before-heard portable sound including S-Master HX, a highly rigid aluminium alloy chassis, low impedance power supply and high audio quality capacitor.

2016: NW-WM1Z

Delight in pure detail 

The NW-WM1Z is the most advanced Walkman® ever; fully encased in a high-grade oxygen-free copper chassis for natural sound, with premium components throughout. Beautifully crafted, this is a music player that powerfully reproduces every detail.

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2018: DMP-Z1

The sound engineers’ dream

DMP-Z1 is the culmination of Sony’s commitment to pursuing audio perfection. Through the craftsmanship of Hi-Fi components, and battery management and system integration technology of Walkman®, our engineers have reached the ideal sound that only Sony can realise. 

The making of an icon

A history of Walkman®

Walkman® redefined music listening for a generation. Suddenly stereo music became mobile, and available to enjoy any time anywhere. We’ve been refining this icon ever since.

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Lovingly crafted, beautifully composed
Carefully created

From the materials through to the soldering and structural engineering methods used, only the most advanced manufacturing processes and product solutions were employed in the creation of the Signature Series. This ensured the highest standards of quality and audio excellence.