I have a collection of headset mostly because I like to listen to music and audio books as well as watch videos any chance I can find a small window of alone time. Over the years, I’ve been able to amass different brands of headset looking for that brand that meets my personal preferences: lightweight and portable, good sound isolation, and most of all not overly expensive.
My current brand of headsets at home include a Sennheiser, Bose, Beats and AudioTechnic. I was recently offered a chance to try out the Sony MDR-1R. Sony markets the MDR-1R as “prestigious” family of premium headsets. There are three models in the Sony Store. The unit I have is the entry model priced at HK$1,880.
The Sony MDR-1R over-ear headphones speak volume about what’s important to the target audince for this series of headset: size, fit and comfort. The MDR-1R is light but has a very sturdy feel. It speaks of premium quality. One of the things I dislike about my Bose Quiet Comfort 3 headset if the skull-pinching after just an hour of use.
The earcups are mounted with three-dimensional flex. It takes a little bit of getting used to but once you find the sweet spot (fit), you are hooked.
Included in the box is a carry pouch and two serrated, non-tangle cables. One includes a remote for use with iPhones. The shorter length cable fits most other devices.
In the weeklong test of the MDR-1R, these have traveled with me on the MTR, on trams, buses and just plain walking around town. When indoors (even with the TV blaring my favorite program) listening with the MDR-1R is heaven. The cups provide some isolation sufficient to create the illusion that you alone in your very own theater listening to your favorite music tracks or watching a video with surround sound.I am not an audiophile by any stretch of the imagination. However I do enjoy good music and my pet peeve are headsets that can block out outside noise, including human chatter in an enclosed area. Unfortunately I suspect all headphones are designed this way to keep the user from accidentally getting run over by a passing motorist.
WHAT I LIKE
I love the experience of using the MDR-1R indoors. It feels like I am in a sound-proof room where all I can hear is the music I am listening to or the video I am watching – nothing else. I love not feeling like my head is stuck between the jaws of a bench vice. The feel of the soft leather is difficult to put into words.
WHAT I DON’T LIKE
My single biggest gripe about the Sony MDR-1R is its inability to block external noise when used outside of the quiet comfort of your room. These are not your walkabout headsets.
CONCLUSION
At HK$1,880 suggested retail price, the Sony MDR-1R is priced to compete against the fashion-driven Beats headset overpriced headset. Without a doubt the MDR-1R bested the Beats headset IMHO. There is sufficient detail (clarity) in the sound quality using your standard iPod or portable music device. If you want a heavier base, more thudding in your head, consider using one of those portable amplifiers.
For my money, the Sony MDR-1R is comparable value to many of today’s mid to high headphones. These are comfortable, stylish and a great addition to your home entertainment system or when you just want to quietly listen to your favorite music.
PHOTO GALLERY
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TECHNICAL SPEC
| Type |
|
| Headphone Type |
Closed, dynamic |
| Power |
|
| Power Handling Capacity |
1500 mW (IEC*) |
| Audio |
|
| Driver Unit |
40 mm, dome type (HD, OFC Voice Coil) |
| Impedance |
24 Ω at 1 kHz |
| Sensitivity (dB/mW) |
105 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response (Hz) |
4 Hz – 80,000 Hz |
| General |
|
| Mass (g) |
Approx. 240 g (without cord) |
| Supplied Accessories |
Inline remote and microphone cord for iPod/iPhone/iPad (1.2 m cord, using PCOCC, Four-conductor gold plated L-shaped stereo mini plug) (1)**
Carrying pouch (1)
Operating Instructions (1) |
| Remark |
|
| Remarks |
** Not compatible with all iPod/iPhone/iPad models.
|
I got a chance to play with the Sony Xperia Tablet S for the weekend. This is not meant to be a comprehensive review since the Tablet S. This is the second generation of tablets from Sony aimed at breaking into the market dominated by Apple and Samsung.
The Tablet S sports a skinned Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich OS, Tegra 3 quad-core SoC, and a 9.4 inch 1280×800 IPS LCD screen (the same panel used in the first-gen Tablet S) that is surrounded by a big, glossy black bezel. The Tablet S can be ordered in 16 or 32GB built-in storage with WiFi or 3G=WiFi. It has a SD card slot as well for those who feel 32GB isn’t enough.
This second gen Tablet S that I am testing still has the folded-over magazine shape although this time around it is more subtle (239.8 x 174.4 x 8.8mm). The magazine-like fold extends only a quarter into the back. In the middle of this “fold” is a 8-megapixel camera (no flash) and an IR blaster. On one end of the short rectangular back panel are located the power button and volume rocker. Across the other side is the 3.5mm audio jack next to the SD card reader which is hidden behind a silver coated plastic cover. At the bottom is a pair of speakers flanking the multi-port dock.
One final observation, when viewed from the other end there is a semblance to the iPad 2 or the new iPad.
WHAT I LIKE
The Tablet S continues the Sony tradition of being easy on the eyes and a droll magnet. It has very good contrast making for a pleasant experience looking at pictures, reminiscent of the experience you’d get from one of Sony’s Bravia TVs. Another plus I want to highlight are the speakers. By far the Tablet S is great for listening to music or audiobooks or watching a movie. I don’t need a pair of headsets or plug in an external speaker. The speakers produce crisp clear sound – a very welcome change from the current crop of tablets (include the iPad) and even against some of the larger notebook computers.
I normally do not like it when a manufacturer skins the Android OS in their attempt to “add” value and differentiation to their device. This is one instance where the changes Sony has incorporated are sufficiently minimalistic that they truly add value without masking some of the inherently strong features of the base operating system. Kudos to Sony for taking this path.
Sony learned from Samsung creating small apps (pop-up widgets) that let you easily launch any number of commonly used apps including a calculator, clipping tool, memo, voice recorder, timer and a browser. For the socially addicted, SocialLife is a very interesting app that seems to have taken a lesson from FLIP.
Sony must have recognized that tablets are meant to be shared. It has integrated a feature called Guest Mode which allows another user to have access to the same device without being privy to your personal messages, etc. This is a great tool that will enable temporary “guests” to use the device without forcing the original owner to logout from all of his or her favorite programs or even exit those same programs. This is a great example of virtualization at work.
The Tablet S is the first Android smart device I’ve had the pleasure of using for extended periods – longer than 8 hours without recharging. Despite the large screen and loud speakers, you can literally several movies on the Tablet S without needing a recharge. Great job Sony!
WHAT I DON’T LIKE
The proprietary multi-port dock is concealed under a removable cover which you can easily lose. Being proprietary means you have to use the supplied cable to charge or connect the device. The Tablet S supports HD video but the hardware didn’t come with a HDMI port. Instead you need to buy a special adapter that connect a HDMI appliance like a 3D TV to the Tablet S via the multi-port connector.
All vendors have a natural inclination to add their own special brand of software applications into their device. The Tablet S comes preinstalled with software and services like Music Unlimited, Video Unlimited, PlayMemories, Walkman, Reader by Sony, and Sony Select. Most require a service, some paid. Sony, of course, is not forcing you to use these apps and services but because they come pre-installed and are integrated into the “skinned” Android, you can’t get rid of the apps.
CONCLUSION
Despite the skinning of ICS, the Tablet S is a fast tablet. Despite the added “skin” it performs better than most tablets I’ve had the pleasure of using. At a suggested retail price of HK$3,288 for a 16GB WiFi only model, it is not much more expensive than the 7″ Nexus 7 from Google/Asus (yes the Nexus is more expensive in Hong Kong than it is in the US – complain to Google please!). Sony did well not to alter the Google UI. The “Sociallife” software is a great addition (IMHO) to the stack of Sony apps that come pre-installed on the Tablet S.
I usually end these reviews asking myself “would I buy this device” for my personal use. If I favored a 9″ screen (with its added weight and portability issues), I would consider the Tablet S over the iPad anytime (since it is no secret that I don’t like iTunes and the slavery – aka vendor lock-in – it promotes). Would I prefer the Sony Tablet S over a Samsung Tab 2 10? Probably! How about a Samsung Note 10.1? I need to think about that harder? Let me get back to you on that.
TECHNICAL SPEC
| Model |
SGPT121HK (Wi-Fi model) |
| Operating System |
Android™ 4.0 |
| Processor |
NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 Mobile Processor | with 4‐PLUS ‐1™ Quad Core ARM® Cortex™-A9 CPU 1.4 GHz *1 *2 |
| Display |
9.4″ wide (WXGA: 1280 x 800) TFT Color LCD*3 |
| Memory |
1 GB*4 |
| Storage |
16 GB*5 |
| Interface |
Multi Port |
Multi Port x 1*6 |
| Headphone Jack |
Stereo mini jack x 1 (works as a monaural microphone jack) |
| Wireless LAN |
Wireless LAN Specification |
IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n (WPA2 Supported)*7 |
| Wireless LAN Data Rate |
Maximum transmission speed: 150 Mbps, Maximum receipt speed: 150 Mbps*8 |
| Wireless WAN |
Wireless WAN Function |
No |
| GPS |
Yes |
| Bluetooth® Technology |
Bluetooth® Technology |
Bluetooth® standard Ver. 3.0*9 |
| Supported Profile |
A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HID, SPP, OPP |
| Sensor |
Accelerometer (3-axis accelerometer), Gyro, Digital Compass, Ambient Light Sensor |
| IR Remote control function |
Yes (Supports Multi Function, Learning Function (Pre-loaded remote control code)) |
| Expansion Slots |
Memory Card Slot |
SD memory card x 1 (Supports SD, SDHC, SDHC UHS-I) |
| Speaker |
Built-in stereo speakers |
| Microphone |
Built-in monaural microphone |
| Camera |
Front Camera |
HD web camera (Resolution: 1296 x 808, Effective Pixels: 1 Mega pixels) |
| Rear Camera |
HD camera (Resolution: 3264 x 2448, Effective Pixels: 8 Mega pixels) |
| Supplied Accessories |
AC adapter (SGPAC5V6), Power Cord |
| Battery Life (Approx.)*11 *12 |
Battery |
Built-in rechargeable battery pack*10 |
| Browsing web with Wi-Fi |
10.0 hours |
| Browsing web with 3G |
NIL |
| Playing video |
12.0 hours |
| Battery Charging Time |
5.5 hours*13 |
| Size (Approx. ) |
Dimensions (W x H x D) |
239.8 x 8.8 – 11.85 x 174.4 mm |
| Weight |
570 g |
OTHER SITE REVIEWS
TechRadar (http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/tablets/sony-xperia-tablet-s-1093685/review/2#articleContent)
Slashgear (http://www.slashgear.com/sony-xperia-tablet-s-review-12260425/)
The Verge (http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/24/3333106/sony-xperia-tablet-s-review)
PHOTO GALLERY
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In My Humble Opinion 