Sony Debuts Retro $60 Wired Headphones in Tribute to 1979 Walkman

Sony is reviving the look of the headphones bundled with its first Walkman in 1979 with the $60 MDR-3R, a wired model designed to appeal to interest in retro technology. Available Thursday, it keeps the original’s 23-millimeter drivers, while Sony says it has made subtle adjustments to suit modern listening preferences. The updated headphones use USB-C and add a built-in microphone and an in-line remote. They come with interchangeable blue and orange earpads, and Sony emphasizes a lightweight design for extended listening rather than advanced features such as noise cancellation.

An $80 Stranger Things edition adds custom packaging, the show’s name engraved on the headphones, and red and black earpads; it will be sold by Sony, Netflix and Amazon. The standard model will be available through Sony, Amazon, Best Buy and other retailers. The launch arrives amid renewed demand for wired audio, including Apple’s inexpensive EarPods and Bose’s recently introduced wired earbuds. Consumers may prefer wired products to avoid charging, keep them as backups, or use their direct connection for clearer calls and smartphone video recordings. Sony’s offering is positioned as a nostalgic, relatively affordable alternative to newer wireless headphones, with practical modern additions but without features such as the active noise cancellation on Bose’s $99 wired model.