Sony revives classic Walkman headphones as MDR-3R

Japanese electronics company Sony has leaned into 1980s nostalgia with its remake of the original Walkman headphones, complete with colourful, interchangeable foam pads.

The MDR-3R, with its slim headband and sliding metal arms, looks almost exactly like the model that debuted with the first portable Walkman cassette player in 1979.

But the design now comes with a USB-C connector that works with most modern devices, feeding into the growing return to wired headphones.

The original MDR-3s pioneered the idea of modern portable headphones and have inspired a host of copycats – both then and now, as retro on-ear headphones have staged a comeback in recent years.

“The value of wired headphones is being rediscovered for their simplicity, ease of use, and freedom from charging or pairing,” Sony said.

The company went back to its archives and stuck close to the lightweight, open-ear design, adding interchangeable blue and orange foam pads and details in recycled plastic.

Sony even replicated the 1979 packaging and reengineered the headphones with the same 23-millimetre driver units to stay true to the original sound – although subtle refinements were apparently made to suit “modern listening preferences”.

On top of the USB-C connector, the product has been updated with a built-in microphone and an inline remote for controlling audio and calls.

Sony has also released a limited-edition version of the MDR-3R with red foam pads and a black headband in collaboration with Netflix‘s Stranger Things, celebrating their “shared 1980s inspiration”.