MDR-W50

Review / Info: (8/10) The MDR-W50 can be somewhat misleading based on its model name, as its overall sound signature is more closely related to the MDR-A20 than the MDR-A50LV, albeit with a few notable differences. Compared to the A20, the W50 offers a slightly flatter, more balanced presentation while retaining much of the bass that gives the A20 its warmth and musicality. At the same time, the flatter tuning allows for improved clarity and detail, resulting in a sound that feels more refined without sacrificing the engaging low end. Overall, I would describe the W50 as a slightly more neutral and detailed version of the MDR-A20. It remains on the warmer side of neutral, avoiding the clinical character that flatter tunings can sometimes introduce. Construction is also very similar to the MDR-W30. The W50 appears to use the same plastic sliding headband mechanism and incorporates Sony’s flexible pivoting joints, a design also found on the MDR-A50LV.