Sony Debuts Wired Headphones with '80s-Inspired Design

Sony is reviving the look of the headphones bundled with its 1979 Walkman, positioning the $60 MDR-3R as both a tribute to the cassette-player era and a product for today’s renewed interest in retro technology. The wired headphones retain the original’s 23-millimeter drivers, with subtle sound adjustments for current listening tastes. Modern additions include a USB-C connector, an in-line remote and a built-in microphone for calls. Sony emphasizes their lightweight construction for long listening sessions rather than adding active noise cancellation, a feature found on some pricier wired alternatives.

The launch reflects growing demand for wired audio, particularly among listeners who prefer not to charge headphones, want a backup set or value a direct connection for clearer calls and video recordings. The standard MDR-3R includes interchangeable blue and orange earpads and is sold through Sony, Amazon, Best Buy and other retailers. An $80 Stranger Things edition adds branded packaging, an engraved show name and red-and-black earpads; Netflix, Sony and Amazon will sell it. The product joins a broader comeback for wired listening, alongside inexpensive Apple EarPods and Bose’s $99 noise-cancelling wired earbuds, which have often sold out.