AIWA/SONY MDR-CD,MDR-5a,MDR-M,MDR-E,MDR-A,AIWA HP-V and others of the golden era

The smaller brother of the E252. Surpsisingly nice sound, just got it but I loved it instantly.
Do you know the difference between the 252 and the 232?

 

Тhe difference between:
MDR-E242/262
MDR-E232/252
is cable only, drivers is the same.

 

Thanks! Fantastic as a 242 is on the way now and I love my 262.

 

Do you have any pictures of the A60 drivers? Are there any specifics about those drivers at all?
Thanks

 

MDR-E242 Driver


MDR-A60 Driver


MDR-E484 Driver

 

Thanks A LOT, really appreciated!

 

And it strenghtened my opinion and discoveries that the 484 diamond driver is in fact has the small golden ring. Cool!

 

Let's make this thread more productive.
Some service manuals:
AIWA HP-D8,HP-D9
AIWA HP-V88,HP-V99
SONY MDR-E282
SONY MDR-E484
SONY MDR-E575
SONY MDR-E747
SONY MDR-R10
SONY MDR-E472

 

If I could like this 10 times, I wanted to like it 11 times. Thanks a TON!

 

From CN site translated with google:
The original creator of this is unknown!

Part1: AIWA Earphones

Full Record of AIWA Earplugs from 1992 to 2000


AIWA Walkman can compete with SONY and occupied almost the entire market in the early 1990s. Although it is inseparable from the excellent quality of AIWA machines in that period, the outstanding performance of AIWA headphones is also an important factor. To say that "headphones are the soul of a walkman" is absolutely unnecessary, and this sentence is even more relevant to AIWA.


(The original text was published in JDDSY. This time it was reclassified and added a bit of my personal evaluation. The order of the earbuds is not simply based on the model number, but the models of the same series are arranged together for everyone to see. You can know the general situation of that series of earbuds when the representative model, and the representative model is not necessarily the highest model of the series):


I. J Series: This series is the highest grade AIWA earbuds in AIWA.
Is the essence of AIWA earplugs.
1. HP-J9 new design vertical in-ear, subwoofer-type headphones, perfectly match the ear canal to strengthen deep and powerful bass, neck-type oxygen-free copper flexible cord, 24K gold-plated stereo mini plug, 15 mm thin diaphragm, earphone roll Wire box. Frequency response 8HZ-25KHZ, impedance 16 ohm, volume sense 105DB / milliwatt, net weight 5 grams (excluding wire), produced in 92-95.

2. HP-J8 vertical in-ear, U-shaped bass tube headphone with deep bass response, neck-type oxygen-free copper flexible cord, volume control on headphone cable, 24K gold-plated stereo mini plug, and earphone coil box. Frequency response 8HZ-25KHZ, impedance 16 ohm, volume sense 105DB / milliwatt, net weight 5 grams (excluding wire), produced in 92-95.

3. HP-J7 vertical in-ear, U-shaped bass tube headphone, showing deep bass response, neck-type oxygen-free copper flexible cord, 24K gold-plated stereo mini plug, headphone coil box. Frequency response 8HZ-25KHZ, impedance 16 ohms, volume sense 105DB / milliwatt, net weight 6 grams (excluding wires), produced in 92-94.

Among them, J8 and J7 are the same series products.

Second, D series: D series is AIWA's top earplugs, the only two models fully say

It is clear that the D series is in the AIWA earphone product line, and the flagship model D9 is hailed as the king of AIWA earphones.

1. HP-D9 60mm U-shaped bass tube headphone with deep bass response, 4U thin amorphous diaphragm, soft earplugs, linear crystal oxygen-free copper flexible cord, strong SA-CO drive magnet, 24K gold-plated stereo Connector, headphone coil box. Frequency response 5HZ-30KHZ, impedance 16 ohm, volume sense 108DB / milliwatt, net weight 9 grams (excluding wire), produced in 92-94.

2. HP-D8 60mm U-shaped bass tube headphone, showing deep bass response, 4U thin amorphous diaphragm, soft earplugs, linear crystal oxygen-free copper cord, strong SA-CO (钐 -Co) drive Magnet, 24K gold-plated stereo connector, headphone coil box. Frequency response 8HZ-25KHZ, impedance 16 ohm, volume sense 108DB / milliwatt, net weight 9 grams (excluding wire), produced in 92-94.

D9 and D8 are products of the same series.

V series

1. The V743 series is the highest model in the V series, as well as equipment and indicators

The best series, after the D and J series faded out, it has become more prominent in its leadership position in AIWA earplugs. It should be noted that the V743 used by many people on the forum is produced in Dongguan, Guangdong. No matter from the appearance, workmanship, or actual hearing sense, it is quite different from the original Japanese (even the appearance is quite a lot The difference), early AIWA MD machines used it as earphones:

(1) HP-V743 Sapphire Evaporating Vibration Film Produces High-Quality Sound, Subwoofer Ear Logic Design That Provides Comfortable Wear, Sound Leakproof and Bacterial Headphone Design, Permanent Headphone Cleanness, Large 16mm Driver Unit, Fantasy Bass Flute Tube Headphones, anti-tangling neck-type linear crystal oxygen-free copper flexible cord, 24K gold-plated stereo mini plug, advanced appearance, volume control on the headphone cable, and earphone coil box. Produced in 1995-98.

(2) HP-V543 Subwoofer ear logic design that provides comfortable wearing, leak-proof and anti-bacterial earphone design, keep the earphones clean, large 16mm driver unit, fantasy bass flute headphones produce deep bass, and prevent tangled necks Oxygen-free copper flexible cord, 24K gold-plated stereo mini plug, high-end appearance, volume control on the headphone cable, and earphone coil box. Produced in 1995-98.

(3) HP-V541 Subwoofer ear logic design for comfortable wearing

Anti-leakage earphone design, large 16mm driver unit, fantasy bass tube headphone produces deep bass, anti-tangled neck-type oxygen-free copper flexible cord, 24K gold-plated stereo mini plug, high-end appearance, earphone coil box. Produced in 1996-98.

2. V553 series, now the most widely known AIWA V series earphones, also

It is a goal that many walkie-talkies "fans" are trying to pursue. It has a beautiful appearance and good sound quality, but the real thing is that you can't buy the real thing. The AIWA MD machine in the middle and late stages has widely used it as earphones with accessories:

(1) HP-V553 (HP-ED700) Air-matched technology design prevents leakage

Sound generation, vertical in-ear headphones, rubber silicon air cushion earplugs, 15 mm magnet drive unit, flute-type bass booster for double bass, CCAW voice coil, anti-tangled neck oxygen-free copper cord, gold-plated stereo mini plug . Frequency response 5HZ-25KHZ, impedance 16 ohm, volume sense 108DB / milliwatt, produced in 99-00. They are all equipped with earphones, including gold bar black handle, silver bar black handle, silver bar silver handle (full silver). They are not sold separately, and have not been seen in any AIWA product promotion. In 2001, its Japanese version was changed to HP-ED700.

(2) HP-V552 air with technology design prevents sound leakage, vertical

In-ear headphones, rubber silicon air cushion earplugs, 15mm magnet drive unit, flute-type bass booster for double bass, CCAW voice coil, anti-tangled neck oxygen-free copper cord, gold-plated stereo mini plug, headphone cable volume control. Produced in 1998.

(3) HP-V550 air with technology design prevents sound leakage, vertical

In-ear headphones, rubber silicon air cushion earplugs, 15mm magnet drive unit, flute-type bass booster for double bass, CCAW voice coil, anti-tangling neck-type oxygen-free copper cord, gold-plated stereo mini plug. Produced in 1998.

3. V161 series, the standard ear of the AIWA high-end tape drive and MD machine.

The plug, design and principle basically imitate the V553, but in addition to the advantages of wearing comfort, it is far from the sound quality of the V553, so it is not as popular as the V553:

(1) HP-V164 air with technology design prevents sound leakage and improves

Double-bass flute-type bass booster, 13.5mm large magnet driver unit, CCAW sound coil, anti-tangling neck-type oxygen-free copper flexible cord, volume control on headphone cable, gold-plated stereo mini plug, and earphone coil box. Produced in 1999-00.

(2) HP-V163 air with technology design prevents sound leakage and improves

Double-bass flute-type bass booster, 13.5mm large magnet drive unit, CCAW sound coil, anti-tangling neck-type oxygen-free copper flexible cord, gold-plated stereo mini plug, and earphone coil box. Produced in 1999.

(3) HP-V161 air with technology design prevents sound leakage and improves

Double-bass flute-type bass booster, 13.5mm large magnet driver unit, CCAW sound coil, anti-tangling neck-type oxygen-free copper flexible cord, gold-plated stereo mini plug. Produced in 1999-00. Since 2001, its Japanese version has been changed to HP-ED100.

4, V157 series, AIWA earphone product line has the least features, but also the output

The least and least familiar series:

(1) HP-V157 large 16mm driver unit, dream bass tube earplugs

Produce deep bass, anti-entangled neck-type oxygen-free copper flexible cord, leak-proof design, 45mm extra-long bass tube, and volume control on the headphone cable. Produced in 1996-98.

(2) HP-V155 large 16mm driver unit, dream bass tube ear

The machine produces deep bass, anti-tangling neck-type oxygen-free copper flexible cord, leak-proof design, 45mm extra-long bass duct, and earphone coil box. Produced in 1996.

(3) HP-V153 large 16mm driver unit, dream bass tube ear

The machine produces deep bass, anti-tangling neck oxygen-free copper flexible cord, leak-proof design, 45mm extra-long bass duct, and a mono / stereo switch. Produced in 1996-98.

(4) HP-V151 large 16mm driver unit, dream bass tube ear

The machine produces deep bass, anti-tangling neck oxygen-free copper flexible cord, leak-proof design, and a 45mm extra-long bass duct. Produced in 1996-98.

5, V141 series, commonly known as 95 gold holes, is a large number of machines since 1995,

A series that has been widely praised, but the personal experience for many years, the bass is not as good as V16, and the treble is not as good as V14, which can only be regarded as "fingers in the short":

(1) HP-V147 improved sound-proof headphone design, 30mm U-shaped low

Flute tube headphone, 14.8mm strong SA-CO (Samarium-Cobalt) drive magnet, neck-type oxygen-free copper flexible cord, volume control on headphone cord, produced in 1994-95.

(2) HP-V145 improved sound-proof headphone design, 30mm U-shaped low

Flute tube earphones, 14.8mm powerful SA-CO (Samarium-Cobalt) drive magnet, neck-type oxygen-free copper flexible cord, earphone coil box. Produced in 94-95.

(3) HP-V143 improved sound-proof headphone design, 30mm U-shaped low

Flute tube headphones, 14.8mm powerful SA-CO (Samarium-Cobalt) drive magnet, neck-type oxygen-free copper cord, with mono / stereo switch. Produced in 94-95.

(4) HP-V141 improved sound-proof headphone design, 30mm U-shaped low

Flute tube headphones, 14.8mm powerful SA-CO (Samarium-Cobalt) drive magnet, neck-type oxygen-free copper flexible cord. Produced in 94-95.

6, V70 series, one of the earliest high-end earphone series of AIWA, although it is known

Fewer people, but no matter from all aspects of equipment, indicators, etc., the V70 is satisfactory, and its shape is also very special, memorable:

(1) HP-V70 30mm U-shaped bass tube headphones, leak-proof and anti-bacterial

Headphone design, Yongbao headphones clean, large 16mm driver unit with powerful bass, neck-type oxygen-free copper flexible cord, 24K gold-plated stereo mini plug, volume control on the headphone cable, mono / stereo switch, headphone volume Wire box. Frequency response 7HZ-25KHZ, impedance 16 ohms, volume sense 109DB / milliwatt, net weight 5 grams (excluding wires), produced in 92-94.

(2) HP-V68 30mm U-shaped bass tube headphone, anti-leakage and anti-bacterial earphone design, keep the earphones clean, large 16mm driver unit for powerful bass, neck-type oxygen-free copper cord, 24K gold-plated stereo Miniature plug, volume control on headphone cord, headphone cord box. Frequency response 7HZ-25KHZ, impedance 16 ohms, volume sense 109DB / milliwatt, net weight 5 grams (excluding wires), produced in 92-94.

(3) HP-V65 30mm U-shaped bass tube headphone, anti-leakage and anti-bacterial earphone design, keep the earphones clean, large 16mm driver unit for powerful bass, neck-type oxygen-free copper cord, 24K gold-plated stereo Small plug, earphone coil box. Frequency response 7HZ-25KHZ, impedance 16 ohms, volume sense 109DB / milliwatt, net weight 5 grams (excluding wires), produced in 92-94.

7, V60 series, the model in the early AIWA earphones is not low, but the actual

The effect of international use can only be said to be unsatisfactory, and the appearance looks like low-grade goods:

(1) HP-V60 30mm U-shaped bass tube headphones, powerful SA-CO (钐

-Cobalt) drive magnet, showing deep bass response, neck-type oxygen-free copper cord, volume control on headphone cable, mono / stereo switch, 24K gold-plated stereo mini plug, and earphone coil box. Frequency response 10HZ-25KHZ, impedance 16 ohms, volume sense 104DB / milliwatt, net weight 6 grams (excluding wires), produced in 92-93.

(2) HP-V58 30mm U-shaped bass tube headphone, powerful SA-CO (钐 -cobalt) drive magnet, deep bass response, neck-type oxygen-free copper cord, volume control on headphone cable, 24K gold plating Stereo mini plug, headphone coil box. Frequency response 10HZ-25KHZ, impedance 16 ohms, volume sense 104DB / milliwatt, net weight 6 grams (excluding wires), produced in 92-93.

(3) HP-V56 30mm U-shaped bass tube headphones, powerful SA-CO (钐

-Cobalt) drive magnets for deep bass response, neck-type anaerobic

Copper flexible wire, 24K gold-plated stereo mini plug, earphone coil box. Frequency response 10HZ-25KHZ, impedance 16 ohm, volume sense 104DB / milliwatt, net weight 6 grams (excluding wire), produced in 1993.

8. V16 series, commonly known as the large gold bar AIWA, this series is related to AIWA's yellow

Closely related to the Golden Age, the earphones of AIWA tape drives in the early 1990s were equipped with earphones. This is enough for everyone to taste:

(1) HP-V28 30mm U-shaped bass tube headphone, large 16mm

The driver unit features powerful bass, improved sound-leakage headphone design, neck-type oxygen-free copper cord, 24K gold-plated stereo mini plug, volume control on the headphone cable, and mono / stereo switch. Frequency response 7HZ-25KHZ, impedance 16 ohms, volume sense 109DB / milliwatt, net weight 5 grams (excluding wires), produced in 92-94.

(2) HP-V23 30mm U-shaped bass tube headphones, large 16mm

The driver unit displays powerful bass, improved leak-proof headphone design, neck-type oxygen-free copper cord, and volume control on the headphone cable. Frequency response 7HZ-25KHZ, impedance 16 ohms, volume sense 109DB / milliwatt, net weight 5 grams (excluding wires), produced in 92-94.

(3) HP-V14 30mm U-shaped bass tube headphones, powerful SA-CO (钐-Cobalt) drive magnets for deep bass response, neck-type oxygen-free copper cord. Frequency response 15HZ-22KHZ, impedance 16 ohm, volume sense 105DB / milliwatt, net weight 5 grams (excluding wire), produced in 92-93. It is worth noting that V14 is divided into two types according to the color of the catheter: one is the gold bar V14 that everyone loves; the other is the silver bar V14, which is much worse than the gold bar V14, and is generally equipped on low-end machines.

10. HP-V12 15mm dynamic sound component earphones, powerful SA-CO (Samarium-Cobalt) drive magnet, deep bass response, oxygen-free copper cord, 3 sets of headphone covers (black, pink, sky blue) . Frequency response 8HZ-25KHZ, impedance 16 ohms, volume sense 105DB / milliwatt, net weight 6 grams (excluding wires), produced in 1993.

11, V061 series, the main earplugs of AIWA recently, the "pig mouth"

In principle, the earphone can focus the sound to achieve the effect of boosting the bass, but in reality, not only is it extremely uncomfortable to wear, but the bass effect is not only inferior to V16, but also a gap from V14:

(1) HP-V064 new ear design, fantasy bass flute tube headphones produce deep bass, flute-type bass booster to enhance double bass, air-compatible technology design, 15mm large magnet drive unit, CCAW sound coil, anaerobic Copper flexible wire, gold-plated stereo mini plug, volume control on the headphone cable. Produced in 1999-00.

(2) HP-V061 new ear design, fantasy bass flute tube headphones produce deep bass, double bass-enhanced flute-type bass booster, air matching technology design, 15mm large magnet drive unit, CCAW sound coil, anaerobic Copper flexible wire, available in three colors (black, orange, sky blue
color). Produced in 99-01.

12, HP-V051 Dream bass tube headphones produce deep bass, double bass tube headphones, leak-proof design, oxygen-free copper cord, CCAW sound coil. Produced in 1997-98.

13. HP-V041 Improved anti-leakage headphone design, 14.8mm powerful SA-CO (钐 -cobalt) drive magnet, showing deep bass response, oxygen-free copper flexible wire. Produced in 1995.

 

From CN site translated with google:
The original creator of this is unknown!

Part2: SONY 2nd series earphones

Forever gorgeous SONY 2 series headphones

SONY has developed its first generation of mainstream earphones 2X2 series since the early 1980s. From the first SONY MDR-E252 in 1982, the legend of this series of earplugs began. The mainstream of the 2 series includes the 13.5mm unit version of the SONY MDR-E222 and its simplified version 212; the 16mm unit has a bass tube without the SONY MDR-E252 (the legendary simplified version is 232); the 16mm single-pipe version SONY MDR-E262 and the simplified Version 242; the top version of the 16mm unit MDR-E282; and the final version of the MDR-E272 (with dual bass circuit) ~ 2 series of side earbuds include 2X series of sports diving earbuds, such as MDR-E215 / 225 ( Waterproof version of 212/222); 235/245; 255 (waterproof version of 252); 275 (waterproof version of 272). version.

Given that the Series 2 is something from 20 years ago, in general, it is not easy to save the old state, and its own number is scarce ~~ So many players are happy to collect the Series 2 earplugs. However, the evaluation of the 2 series of earplugs is divergent from various players. I am fortunate to have collected a few good conditions 252 262 272 282, and by the way, fill it with water ~~ Let ’s talk about 252 ~~ SONY ’s first model The mainstream earphones naturally have a lot of special features, which are slightly different from the later SONY earphone designs. For example, its model is written on the plug, and the metal mesh surface is stamped out as a whole (all the metal meshes will be later). At the same time, the sound of 252 is also very special. The sound field is very wide at first listening, but it lacks the feeling of a little treble and a little bass. Someone once thought that 252 was the best sound of SONY, but personally thought that the sound of 252 can only be regarded as special and not as excellent. After all, the details and momentum of the music 252 are still lacking in the performance. She can only make people feel the delicate voice in the ears ~~

After that, I will talk about 262 ~~ 262 should be the earplugs launched immediately after 252, and they have many similarities with 252, such as the same wire as 252. Here I want to talk about the 252 and 262 lines. This line is very special. It is very different from the later SONY line-this line has solder joints in the split line itself. The upper and lower sections are made separately. And then welded together. However, the single line in the next section is a shielded line design, with two signal lines in the middle, and the bottom line is wrapped around the signal line, and the line break of this line is made of metal. I do n’t know much about the meaning of this kind of wire for a while, but some BT corpse madman in the forum commented highly on this kind of wire ~~~ There are 262 looks almost exactly the same as 282, but the sound is not very similar, mainly 282 has extended the bass duct, and the design of the mesh is a bit different, but in fact 252/262/282 has a dustproof net ~ `~ 262 The sound of many people is better than 282, and there is a reason for this. The treble of 262 is indeed brighter and more lively than 282. At first hearing, it seems that 262 is more delicate than 282. However, I personally think that the sound of 262 is not as powerful as 282, especially the bass sound. 没有 Let me talk about 282 ~~ SONY's top earplugs from 1984 to 1986, it is estimated that many people are quite familiar with this; plus The production of the 282 is really small, and many collectors also aim at this. At first glance, the sound of 282 may be a little disappointing. There is no openness of 252 nor brightness of 262, but there is a little more than 282. There is something in the 2 series that everyone does not have except 272 ----- bass. However, in fact, the bass of the old generation earbuds is hard to come by. The 2 series of earbuds did not finally get a little bass until 272 and 282. The same is true of the old AIWA (referring to the capital AIWA trademark before 1992). The mainstream V series It seems that only V9 and V99 are considered a bit low, and the other V1, V3, V8, V11, and V14 are even less bass. It seems that the earphones and earphones used for radio in the 1970s are basically buzzers without bass. Not too fond of the bass, and the 282 is not the kind of goods required by the bass madman. But it is the 282 bass, which makes her look more balanced ~ more comprehensive ~ more imposing. 282 actually has 2 batches of products. The early batch splitting port is made of metal, and the late batch splitting port is made of plastic. The early batch of 282 sound is closer to 262. If 262 is a lively As for the younger sister's head, 282 should be a ladylike feeling (PS: I like more than 282 for earplugs, and for women, I still like my younger sister's head ~) Finally, talk about the last earphones in the 272 ~ 2 series. In fact, the 272 and 282 wires are the same design, and the branch line with solder joints like 252/262 is no longer used. The entire line is integrated. And 252/262/282 are notch 16mm units, and 272 is the same as 472/484 with 16mm units with notches. And 272 is the same as the 4 series. It uses a dual bass circuit design, which is no longer the 262/282 design, but the bass tube design is ~~ and 252/262/282 is made separately from the earphone handle and the earphone head, and 272 The earplug body has been made as a whole. In short, the design of 272 has gradually left the design of the first generation 2 series, and went to the 4 series. The sound is also the same. It can be said that human voice is a weakness of 272. But the first time I heard 272 was very exciting. The treble had to go up and down, the taste was heavy and the sound was strong, and it was almost the same as 472/575. Although the sound of 272 is not bad, it can even be said to be a standard SONY sound ~~ SONY has too many earplugs of the same type, enough to immerse 272 in it and become a mediocre member ~ Although the 2 series is still There are many earplugs, but I only own so few, but these earplugs personally think that they are enough to represent the feeling of the 2 series ~~~ Here is a poor article written by natives, welcome to shoot bricks ~

 

Thanks, both are very interesting! I'd be really interested about articles on AIWA buds from 1982 to 1992 and about series: HP-T5-T7-T10, X5, X8, X10. Are there any on the net?
To be honest I have not heard better contemporary lightweight on-ears. These still are strong enough to compete with the headphones of today.
Attached is my X5 and a Sony W20. The X5 is very special too with extended bass and a very pleasing overall presentation.

 

I had those… but lost them

 

I've only seen gold trim from the 484D but never a glossy housing like that. You sure it's a 472 or maybe a homebrew built of some kind. 472 always exclusively came with the inline remote. The earphones were designed by the same guy that made the PFR-V1 field speakers. Nevertheless such a rare find so awesome.

The ceramic composite housing is the same material they used on the Sony Metal Master cassette shell, and also their home audio stuff aka ceresin (gilbratar was their synthetic marble used in their ES CD players along with powdered ceramic feet they were something else).

I've owned 282 before and sold it because I find the bass response so much better with the 484. I also have the 472 on my D-350 Discman and the detail is amazing for a stock setup.

Sometimes I can't believe how my old 472 and 484 can edge out my MDR-Z1R in terms of overall presentation, it's insane how the new stuff are so overly expensive and can't quite mimic the 80's Sony house sound that I grew up with. Don't even bother with the modern Audio Technica ATH-CM2000ti it won't sound anywhere close even with 4.4mm balanced out of a NW-WM1A in native DSD (yes even after 200 hour burn-in of the caps). CM2000ti is more like a modern interpretation of the 888. My 484 is retired with my DD9 Walkman in the display case but once in a blue moon I would give it some exercise to remember the sound.

Back in the late 80's and early 90's we all used 484 with our Walkmans and Discmans in elementary school and later in high school, we would even ditch the inline remote for it cuz the sound was just too good. The MP plug short cord version wasn't readily available unless you went to Japan. Too bad one side of the cord always breaks after a while with daily use (cuz we hung it around our necks when not in use, current earphone designs are so backwards thanks to Apple). My mates pretty much dried out the remaining stock in Hong Kong by the late 90's.

Other vintage ones I've had before that you guys should give it a try if you can even find them these days are Aiwa HP-V9 and HP-V99 Pipephone.

Just my honest opinion you don't have to agree with lol!

 

Krayzie, nice to see you here! As it happens, I have a flawless 484 with case (courtesy of a really selfless fellow collector friend of mine) - do you know if there are any sources where we can acquire a pair of original drivers for it? Cheers

 

Unfortunately I think all possible stock have been dried up long long time ago.

What happened was around a decade or two ago, there were teams of people from Mainland China that went to Japan and bought up most if not all of the old vintage Japanese electronics (Walkman, Discman, headphones, etc). They brought them back to their home country for resale as collector's items in pawn shops. Basically what the Japanese did during the 80's and 90's in the US by buying up all the American vintage clothing (military style jackets), selvage denim (Levis 501, Lee 101), and sneakers (Nike Air Max 95) to resale for high prices as rare items in their home country.

Those Chinese forum posts that you guys found were written after Y2K, as they wouldn't have access to that sort of stuff when they were new to the market (well maybe limited access since at the time they were basically still a closed society like Wham! Foreign Skies era, funny I visited Canton and Peking a year after that documentary came out but I was too young to realize what Wham! was lol).

On a side note, Audio Technica ATH-CM2000ti does use DLC on the driver diaphragm. DLC is basically Amorphous Diamond Like Coating. I bought them thinking they would probably sound like the 80's stuff but I was very wrong (maybe due to missing bass ducting). Also AT house sound is different from Sony house sound especially with the presentation in the mids.

 

After my last post I acquired quite nice models of SONY earphones.

MDR-E888LP
............................................................................

■ Price 8,000 yen
■ Model Open air dynamic type
■ Diaphragm 16 mm dome type (biocellulose diaphragm)
■ Impedance 16Ω
■ Playback frequency band 8-27,000Hz
■ Allowable input 50mW
■ Sensitivity 108dB / mW
■ Code 1.2m LC-OFC Litz wire L-type stereo mini plug
■ Weight 7g (excluding cord)
■ Release around 1995
■ Remarks Compact case included

 

MDR-A60 Black
.........................

■ Price 7,000 yen
■ Model Open air dynamic type
■ Diaphragm 16mm dome type (sapphire diaphragm)
■ Impedance 18Ω
■ Playback frequency band 10-25,000Hz
■ Allowable input 50mW
■ Sensitivity 108dB / mW
■ Code 1.2m LC-OFC Litz wire L-type stereo 2-way plug
■ Weight 20g (excluding cord)
■ Release August 1986
■ End of sale Around 1992
■ Remarks Luigi Colani design

 

MDR-EX90LP
...........................................................................................................

China (2006) and Thailand (2007) Iphone 2g friendly version (thin 3.5mm jack)
Below is attached SONY UK Press Release

Product specifications for the EX Monitor MDR-EX90LP
● Type：Closed, dynamic
● Driver unit ：13.5mm diameter, (CCAW adopted) dome type
● Power handling capacity ：200mW (IEC)
● Impedance：16ohms at 1kHz
● Sensitivity ：106dB/mW
● Frequency response ：5～25,000Hz
● Cord：OFC Litz cord neck chain, 1.2m
● Plug ：Gold plated L-shaped stereo mini plug
● Weight ：Approx. 7g (without Cord)
● Supplied Accessories ：
Silicon ear buds in various sizes of small, medium and large
Inner case (1 unit)
Carrying case (1 unit)