That's how it should sound!

The MDR-1R Bluetooth MK2 is a new pair of wireless headphones from Sony featuring outstanding sound quality thanks to a high-resolution audio driver.

The MDR-1RBT MK2 is a full digital Bluetooth headset with Near Field Communications (NFC) technology that helps connect it to a Bluetooth-enabled MP3 player or smartphone easily.

Best of all, the headset can connect to two devices at the same time, allowing you to enjoy listening to music streamed via Bluetooth connection from a music player while allowing you to be on alert for calls from your smartphone as well.

The headphones use 40mm HD driver units that provide ultra-wideband audio performance from 4Hz to an impressive 80,000Hz. This covers powerful lows to extended ultra-highs.

The driver units are encased in liquid crystal polymer film diaphragms. Each diaphragm is designed to balance rigidity and high levels of internal loss, resulting in minimal vibration. So the music is reproduced with good balance and accurate mid- to high-range sound.

The headphones use enlarged air vents to enhance the bass. The vents at the back of the driver units increase port efficiency to give you the heart-pumping bass you crave.

The 1RBT MK2 can be used for both wired and wireless headphones. The package comes with a stereo cable for connecting the headphones to the stereo jack of your smartphone or MP3 player.

When it is used in Bluetooth mode, the headphones’ sound quality is enhanced with an internal S-Master amplifier and Sony’s Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE).

The 1RBT MK2 is comfortable to wear with pressure-relieving cushions tailored for the ears, and the cushions provide a wrap-around feel with acoustic sealing to deliver powerful lows.

To use as a Bluetooth headset, you need to turn its power on. Its built-in rechargeable battery can last up to 30 hours. The battery can be recharged through a microUSB port.

When it is used in Bluetooth mode, you can adjust the volume with buttons on the right ear cup. Moreover, you can also control the music play with the play/pause and skip forward/backward buttons also on the right ear cup.

There is also a call button on the right ear cup for receiving or ending a phone call as well as for redialling the last call. The headset has a microphone embedded on the left ear cup so that you can make hands-free Bluetooth-linked calls.

And when you connect the headset to an AAC- or aptX-compatible device via Bluetooth, you can select the priority of sound quality mode in three options – priority on sound quality, standard or stable connection. You can tell the current mode from the rate of blinking of the Bluetooth LED.

To enjoy the high-resolution audio music, you need to connect the 1RBT MK2 headset to a high-resolution audio player like Sony NWZ-ZX1 by using the provided audio cable.

I tested the headphones with the ZX1 player and I was very impressed by the music quality. The bass sound was very powerful and solid and there were also music clarity from the middles and highs. When you connect it, using the cable, the Bluetooth mode is turned off automatically.

I also tried the Bluetooth mode, using the NFC connection to link the headset to the ZX1 with each. The first time, the ZX1 will ask you if you want to connect to the 1RBT MK2 headphones or not. The next time, the two will be automatically Bluetooth-linked when you tap the NFC mark at the back of the ZX1 to the NFC mark of the headset.

When listening to music in Bluetooth mode, you could feel even more convenient without any cable.

I found that when it is used in Bluetooth mode, the music quality was also very good. With the solid and powerful bass, I enjoyed using the headphones to listen to AC/DC’s “Black Ice” album. The guitar was screeching and the drums and guitar bass was very powerful.

Listening to the “Sax for Sex: Beautiful Night” album, I enjoyed the sweet sound of the saxophone in nice contrast to the bass sounds of the drum and bass guitar.

The headphones were comfortable to wear and I could use them for hours to enjoy the music.

Sony MDR-1RBTMK2 retails for Bt10,990.

 

KEY SPECS

 

Type: Closed, dynamic

Driver unit: 40mm (HD driver unit), dome type

Frequency response: 4Hz to 80,000Hz (when using supplied audio cable)

Diaphragm: Liquid Crystal Polymer Diaphragm

Magnet: Neodymium

Power source/battery type: DC 3.6 V: Built-in lithium-ion rechargeable battery

Battery life: 30 hours

Battery charging time: Six hours

Weight (without cord): 297g (including rechargeable battery)

Supplied accessories: Micro-USB cable (50cm), connecting cord (1.5m), carrying pouch

Bluetooth communication system: Version3.0

Output: Bluetooth power class 2

Maximum communication range: Line of sight approximately 10m

Frequency band: 2.4GHz band (2.4000GHz-2.4835GHz)

Bluetooth-compatible profiles: A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) AVRCP (Audio Video Remote Control Profile) HFP (Hands-free Profile) HSP (Headset Profile)

Supported codecs: SBC4, AAC, aptX

Transmission range: 20Hz to 20,000Hz (44.1kHz sampling)

Microphone unit/type: Electret condenser

Directivity: Omni directional

Microphone frequency range: 100Hz to 4,000Hz