There was a time when music on the go was a minor revolution. In 1979, Sony launched the first Walkman, turning listening to music into a highly personal experience. Among the products that accompanied this trend was the MDR-3: a feather-light pair of headphones with a metal headband, colourful foam ear pads and a design that looks surprisingly contemporary again today.
Almost half a century later, it’s back. As the MDR-3R, this reissue retains the original’s distinctive look, including interchangeable ear pads in blue and orange. Even the packaging and user manual pay homage to the Walkman era.
Technically, Sony has made some subtle improvements. The 23-millimetre drivers are modelled on the original, whilst a USB-C port, built-in microphone and in-line remote make the headphones fit for the present day. Bluetooth? Not needed. A battery? Not needed either. Just plug them in and listen to music. Almost revolutionary.
The additional ‘Stranger Things’ edition is particularly charming. Inspired by Max and the mysterious shadow world of the Netflix series, the headphones feature exclusive design details, an engraved series logo and their own packaging. It doesn’t get much more ’80s than this.
The Sony MDR-3R will be available from November 2026 for €59.99, whilst the ‘Stranger Things’ edition costs €69.99.
And who would have thought that a cable, of all things, would one day be seen as a fashion statement again?
