If you want open-back reference headphones with a stated 5 Hz–80 kHz range for stereo and spatial mixing, choose Sony MDR-MV1; if you need the Sonova Sennheiser HD 660S2’s included 6.3 mm and 4.4 mm cables and a 300-ohm design, choose Sonova Sennheiser HD 660S2. For music production, I’d lean toward the Sony’s studio-monitor focus, while the Sennheiser makes a compelling choice for listening with compatible audio gear.
Neither is a wireless pick, and neither is a pair of earbuds. These are wired, over-ear, open-back headphones, so the practical decision is about your production priorities, connection needs, and the kind of listening setup you have.
• Sony MDR-MV1 strength: A stated 5 Hz–80 kHz frequency range and design intended for stereo and immersive or spatial mixing. Trade-off: It is open-back and wired, with no noise control listed.
• Sonova Sennheiser HD 660S2 strength: Includes both a 6.3 mm cable and a 4.4 mm cable, plus a 6.3 mm-to-3.5 mm adapter. Trade-off: Its listed impedance is 300 ohms, so buyers should consider whether their source is suitable.
• Sony’s fit: Producers who want headphones explicitly positioned for studio monitoring, mixing, and mastering.
• Sennheiser’s fit: Listeners who want an open-back wired headphone with multiple included connection options and a stated 8 Hz–41.5 kHz frequency range.
The Sony MDR-MV1 is the more directly production-focused option on paper. Sony describes it for mixing and mastering in stereo and immersive or spatial audio, and lists a 5 Hz–80 kHz frequency range. Its open-back design uses driver units described as optimized for that acoustic structure, with the stated aim of reproducing a rich low-frequency range. For a producer comparing these two models, that purpose is the clearest reason to put the MDR-MV1 on the shortlist.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-09 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
Comfort and practical studio use are also part of its design. Sony specifies a lightweight aluminum-alloy construction, soft suede ear pads, and a detachable cable. The package includes a mini-jack plug adapter, and the headphones use a wired 3.5 mm connection. That combination makes the Sony a straightforward choice for someone who wants a dedicated headphone-monitoring tool rather than a wireless, everyday earbud.
I’d consider the MDR-MV1 if your main task is working on stereo or spatial mixes and you want a model whose stated use is explicitly tied to studio monitoring. I’d skip it if you need wireless listening, built-in noise control, or a closed-back design for keeping sound contained. Its open-back construction is a meaningful limitation in noisy rooms or situations where you want less sound to escape.
The Sonova Sennheiser HD 660S2 is also a wired, open-back, over-ear headphone, but its clearest practical distinction is the connection package. It comes with separate 6.3 mm and 4.4 mm cables, both listed at 1.8 meters, along with a 6.3 mm-to-3.5 mm adapter. That gives you several connection formats to work with, provided they suit your equipment.
Its stated frequency range is 8 Hz–41.5 kHz, and its listed impedance is 300 ohms. Those figures are useful context when comparing the two, but they don’t by themselves tell you which headphone will sound better in your room or on your interface. The impedance is especially worth checking against your audio source before buying; the provided specifications don’t say how a particular interface or device will perform with it.
I’d look at the HD 660S2 if you value its included cable options and plan to use it with compatible listening or production equipment. I’d pass if your priority is a headphone explicitly described for stereo and spatial mixing, or if you need wireless playback or a design intended to isolate you from outside noise. Although the product information lists sound isolation as a control feature, it still identifies the headphone as open-back; I wouldn’t treat it as a substitute for a closed-back monitoring model.
• For music production focused on stereo and spatial mixing → Sony MDR-MV1. Its stated purpose names mixing and mastering in both formats.
• For the wider listed frequency range → Sony MDR-MV1. Its range is 5 Hz–80 kHz; the HD 660S2 is listed at 8 Hz–41.5 kHz. Range alone does not establish overall sound quality.
• For multiple included cable formats → Sonova Sennheiser HD 660S2. It includes 6.3 mm and 4.4 mm cables, plus a 6.3 mm-to-3.5 mm adapter.
• For a lower listed impedance → Sony MDR-MV1. The Sony is listed at 24 ohms, compared with 300 ohms for the Sennheiser. Check compatibility with your own source rather than assuming either figure guarantees a particular result.
• For a detachable cable and studio-oriented design → Sony MDR-MV1. Sony specifies a detachable cable and describes the headphone for monitoring, mixing, and mastering.
• For a headphone supplied with a portable carry pouch → Sonova Sennheiser HD 660S2. The listed package includes one.
• For a wireless setup or strong isolation from room noise → Neither. Both are wired and open-back, so these are not the choices I’d make for that use.
• For true wireless earbuds for music production → Neither. These are over-ear headphones with wired connections. If you’re searching for earbuds for music production, this comparison is about a different form factor.
In my opinion, I’d choose the Sony MDR-MV1 for a production-first setup because its stated use specifically covers stereo and spatial mixing and mastering. Its 5 Hz–80 kHz range and detachable cable also make it the more focused fit for the work described here. For music production, that clearer studio-monitoring purpose matters more to me than the Sennheiser’s broader included cable selection. I’d choose the HD 660S2 instead if its 6.3 mm and 4.4 mm connections better match my equipment.
FAQ
The Sony is the more direct fit for production because it is specified for stereo and immersive or spatial mixing and mastering. The HD 660S2 may suit a setup that benefits from its included cable formats, but check its 300-ohm impedance against your audio source.
The HD 660S2 includes 6.3 mm and 4.4 mm cables and a 6.3 mm-to-3.5 mm adapter. The Sony uses a wired 3.5 mm connection and includes a mini-jack plug adapter.
I’d compare the features you’ll actually use: the Sony’s explicit studio-monitoring purpose and wider stated frequency range versus the Sennheiser’s included cable choices and 300-ohm design. Check the current price on Amazon before deciding; the right value depends on how well each fits your gear and work.
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