MDR-W30

Review / Info: (5/10) The Sony MDR-W30 was the first model in Sony’s MDR-W lineup of vertically oriented earphones and was paired with the WM-20. Its sound signature is noticeably flatter than that of the later MDR-W20. While it offers better clarity than the MDR-W10, it doesn’t quite reach the level of the MDR-W20. It’s possible that the particular pair I tested, along with its age, affected the perceived clarity, but even accounting for that, it didn’t quite live up to the other models in the series. The MDR-W30 has less bass emphasis than the MDR-W20, resulting in a more balanced and neutral presentation. While some listeners may prefer this tuning, I found it less engaging, and the slight reduction in clarity compared to the MDR-W20 ultimately lowered its overall score for me. The build of the MDR-W30 is very similar to the MDR-W50, with both using the articulating joint-like system between the headband and driver housing. All in all, these earphones, to me, lack the dynamic and fun-filled presentation of others in the series but are nonetheless a historical and important milestone in earphone development.