If you want a wired open-back headphone for studio work and immersive or stereo mixing, choose Sony MDR-MV1; if you need a relaxed listening headphone with stronger emphasis on low bass, choose Sennheiser HD 660S2. Neither is designed to be a side-sleeping headphone: both are over-ear, open-back models, so their earcups need room around your ears and their cables can get in the way when you lie down.
Sony MDR-MV1 vs Sennheiser HD 660S2 at a Glance
• Sony MDR-MV1: Biggest strength—studio-focused monitoring for stereo and immersive audio, with a 5 Hz–80 kHz stated frequency range. Trade-off—it is wired, open-back, and over-ear, so it is not built for sleeping in or blocking outside sound.
• Sennheiser HD 660S2: Biggest strength—an open-back listening design with extra low-frequency emphasis and plush ear cushions. Trade-off—its 300-ohm impedance and wired setup make it a less straightforward choice for casual, mobile listening.
• Sony is for: Listeners who want a studio-oriented headphone for mixing, mastering, or detailed listening at a desk.
• Sennheiser is for: Listeners who prioritize relaxed music sessions and a fuller low end from a wired, open-back headphone.
• For side sleepers: Choose neither as a sleep-specific option; both have over-ear earcups, and neither sheet describes wireless or sleep-focused features.
The MDR-MV1 is the more clearly production-oriented pick. Sony positions it for mixing and mastering in both stereo and immersive or spatial audio. Its open-back construction and dynamic drivers are intended to support that monitoring use, while the stated 5 Hz–80 kHz frequency range gives it a wide specified span. That figure is a product specification, not a promise that every listener will hear every frequency.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-15 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
The main reasons to skip it are practical. It is open-back, so it does not offer the isolation a person might want in a noisy room or beside a sleeping partner. It is also an over-ear model, not a low-profile ear clip or earbud.
The HD 660S2 is aimed at music listening, with a warm, relaxed presentation and extra sub-bass emphasis described in its product information. Its 42 mm transducers and vented magnet design are part of the stated acoustic approach. The listed response range is 8 Hz–41,500 Hz, and Sennheiser specifically highlights low-frequency material such as piano fundamentals and bass-drum impact. That makes it the more obvious choice here for someone who wants bass to have a more prominent role in a listening session.
Its open-back design and plush ear cushions are presented as comfort features for longer listening. It is still a wired over-ear headphone, though, and its 300-ohm impedance is a notable consideration when choosing a source. The package information lists 4.4 mm and 6.3 mm cables, along with a 6.3 mm-to-3.5 mm adapter, so the supplied connections offer options for a desktop setup and compatible headphone outputs.
Skip it if you want a sleep-specific design, wireless convenience, or sound isolation. The HD 660S2’s open-back construction is not a substitute for a closed, isolating headphone, and its over-ear cups take up space around the ears. It may appeal to someone looking for deep bass headphones for side sleepers in a search, but it is not designed to be worn comfortably while lying on one side. “Deep bass” describes its listening emphasis, not its suitability for sleeping.
• Best fit for mixing and mastering → Sony MDR-MV1. Its stated use explicitly includes stereo and immersive or spatial production. - Best fit for relaxed music listening with extra sub-bass → Sennheiser HD 660S2. Its design and product details emphasize stronger low-frequency presence. - Best for a lower listed impedance → Sony MDR-MV1. It is specified at 24 ohms, compared with 300 ohms for the Sennheiser. That is a meaningful specification difference, though it does not by itself guarantee how loud either headphone will play from a particular device. - Best for a wide stated frequency range → Sony MDR-MV1. Its listed span is 5 Hz–80 kHz; the HD 660S2 is listed at 8 Hz–41,500 Hz. Frequency range alone does not determine sound quality. - Best for a choice of included cable connections → Sennheiser HD 660S2. The package lists both 4.4 mm and 6.3 mm cables, plus an adapter for 3.5 mm. - Best for a detachable cable in a studio-oriented setup → Sony MDR-MV1. Its detachable cable and included mini-jack adapter suit a wired desk workflow. - Best for someone choosing between production and music-focused use → Sony for production, Sennheiser for listening. That is the clearest distinction in their stated purposes.
One point is easy to overlook: open-back design affects the experience around other people as well as the wearer. Neither model is described as having noise control, and an open-back headphone is not the choice I would make when the goal is to keep sound contained or shut out room noise. If you share a room at bedtime, that makes both options less practical than a purpose-built sleep audio product.
The differences in comfort language should also be read in context. Sony describes lightweight construction and soft suede ear pads; Sennheiser highlights breathability and plush cushions. Those details may matter during a long seated session, but they do not change the basic over-ear shape. For a person lying on one side, the earcup and pillow will still compete for space.
My Verdict
For a music-first listener who wants extra sub-bass and long-session comfort features, I’d choose the Sennheiser HD 660S2 instead.
For side sleepers, though, I would buy neither as a sleep headphone: both are wired, open-back, over-ear designs.
My recommendation for side sleepers is to look for a separate sleep-focused option rather than trying to make either studio or audiophile headphone fill that role.
Neither is designed as a side-sleeping headphone. Both have wired, open-back, over-ear designs, so the earcups may press against a pillow, and neither sheet lists a sleep-focused fit.
The HD 660S2 is the clearer pick if extra sub-bass emphasis is your priority; its product information specifically calls out added low-frequency impact. Sony describes the MDR-MV1 as having a rich low-frequency range, but its main stated purpose is studio monitoring.
Neither is an earbud or ear-clip model, so shoppers looking for those features should consider another product category.
The Sony’s listed impedance is 24 ohms, while the Sennheiser’s is 300 ohms, so the Sony presents the lower impedance specification. The Sennheiser includes 4.4 mm and 6.3 mm cables and a 3.5 mm adapter; source compatibility still depends on the device and its output.
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