Sony relaunches its retro MDR-3R wired headphones with a 1979 design

Sony has brought back its MDR-3 series headphones, a design that dates to 1979. The new model is called the MDR-3R and is sold as a wired headphone.

The headphones were first released alongside the Walkman TPS-L2 cassette player. Sony shared a marketing image showing the cassette player next to the revived headset. The original model was called the MDR-3L2.

The original headphones had a slim, adjustable grey plastic headband. Metal sliders let the wearer change its length, and the band ended in round orange ear cushions. The design is light and sits on the ear rather than around it.

This stands in contrast to many headphones sold today. Those tend to use wide, padded headbands and large earcups. The bigger cups hold larger drivers and are often heavily padded to block out noise.

One reviewer described wearing a pair of the original MDR-3L2 models, handed down from an older brother, on long summer rides. That reviewer now uses the MDR-3R with a phone rather than a Walkman.

The new model adds a USB-C port. The price, release date and retailers for the MDR-3R have not been announced, so buyers should check Sony's website for those details.