The Headphones That Came With the First Sony Walkman Are Back, Now With USB-C

Live updates

1. 41m ago

   Sony revives original Walkman headphones as MDR-3R with USB-C for $60

   Sony has launched the MDR-3R, a modern reissue of the lightweight on-ear headphones that shipped with the first Walkman in 1979. The new model retains the iconic open-air design and thin headband but replaces the fixed 3.5 mm cable with a detachable USB-C connection. Priced at $60, the wired headphones are positioned as an affordable retro accessory rather than an audiophile product. Sony says the 30 mm drivers deliver a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The MDR-3R is available now in black and silver colorways through Sony's website and select retailers.

   Why it matters

   The original MDR-3L2 headphones defined portable listening for a generation and became a design icon of the 1980s. Sony has periodically reissued vintage audio gear, but this is the first time the classic Walkman cans have returned with a native digital interface. The USB-C plug lets them work directly with modern phones, laptops and tablets that lack headphone jacks, while the low price undercuts most premium wired competitors.

   What is confirmed

   • Sony released the MDR-3R headphones inspired by the original Walkman-era design.
   • The MDR-3R features a USB-C connector instead of the original 3.5 mm plug.
   • The headphones are priced at $60.
   • The design retains the lightweight open-air on-ear style and thin headband of the 1979 MDR-3L2.
   • Sony specifies 30 mm drivers with a 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The MDR-3R may appeal primarily to nostalgia buyers rather than critical listeners.
   • Sound quality could be limited by the open-back design and budget tuning.

   What to watch next

   • Consumer reviews on comfort and sound signature after extended use
   • Whether Sony expands the retro line with other legacy models
   • Sales performance compared to modern wireless alternatives
   Sources used for this update (6)

   1. Bloomberg.com — Sony Debuts $60 Wired Headphones With ’80s-Inspired Design
   2. Ars Technica — Sony revives the original Walkman headphones, adds USB-C
   3. Mashable — Hands-on: Sony MDR-3R headphones modernize an '80s classic
   4. DJ Mag — Sony launches MDR-3R retro wired headphones inspired by original Walkman-era design
   5. Hypebeast — The Headphones That Came With the First Sony Walkman Are Back, Now With USB-C
   6. CNET — Vintage Sony Walkman Headphones Return as the MDR-3R USB-C and I’m Stoked About Them
   confidence 90%