Sony’s Walkman-era MDR-3 headphones are back with USB-C and a $60 price tag

Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more.

Sony’s Walkman-era MDR-3 headphones are back with USB-C and a $60 price tag

Nov 6, 2026 — 3:54 AM ET

- Sony has relaunched its iconic MDR-3 headphones with a modern touch: USB-C connectivity.

- These $60 headphones retain the same iconic design they originally featured in the 1980s.

- Sony has also launched a Stranger Things special edition, priced at $80.

You probably wouldn’t be surprised to know that a principle called Laver’s Law describes the cyclicity in fashion. Styles that were trendy two decades ago suddenly emerge again, while what was hip almost a decade ago becomes distasteful. And it goes on — or at least has for the last several decades in the postmodern era. Something similar is happening with accessories and gadgets, especially when it comes to music, as we witness a resurgence of retro tech and equipment. In recent months, several audio brands have hopped on the bandwagon, offering retro-looking products with modern features. Now, Sony is joining the club with a pair of wired headphones that look straight out of the 1980s — but with a modern spin.

Sony has announced a refreshed version of its iconic MDR-3 dynamic headphones, first introduced in Japan in the late 1970s, right before Sony announced the first Walkman cassette player. The newer iteration, called MDR-3R, features the same fluorescent orange earpads and the minimal design as the original model. They even use a similar spring steel band and weigh roughly the same — 38 grams, which is a couple of grams lighter than the original version.

In terms of audio, too, you get the same 23mm dynamic drivers as the original model, but Sony says it has made subtle improvements to suit it to modern listening.

However, this new pair differs significantly from the original headset, which featured a 6.35 mm jack. Instead, the newer MDR-3R gets — not a 3.5mm jack or a balanced 4.4mm — a USB-C connector for easier use with modern equipment. That’s even despite the fact that most modern Sony phones still retain a 3.5mm headphone jack, which continues to drive sales. In addition, the headphones also come with an in-line microphone and volume controls.

Curiously, though, these headphones may not work with Sony’s modern Hi-Fi media players under the Walkman series. They might also not work with modern Android smartphones, which don’t support passive USB-C headsets and instead require an in-line digital-to-analog converter (DAC).

That doesn’t mean you can’t buy these headphones for nostalgia, especially given what they cost. Sony is selling the new MDR-3R for just $60. There’s also an $80 Stranger Things special edition with a black headband and red or black ear cushions, but the pair should sound exactly the same.