By Ahmed Abdelsalam
Sony has announced the return of its classic Walkman headphones, nearly five decades after the original 1979 release. The new MDR-3R model replicates the distinctive perforated earcups and 23mm driver size of the bundled headphones that accompanied the first Walkman cassette player, with audio tuned to match the vintage sound profile.
Modern Upgrades
While preserving the retro aesthetic, Sony has added USB-C connectivity in place of the original 3.5mm jack, along with an in-line microphone and playback controls for calls and track navigation. The package includes the signature orange foam ear cushions plus a second pair in blue, and even the packaging and instruction manual mimic the 1979 design.
Stranger Things Edition
A special Stranger Things variant features an engraved logo and custom Upside Down packaging inspired by the character Max's headphones in the series. The standard MDR-3R will retail for £49, while the Stranger Things edition is priced at £59, with both available later this month.
Wired Headphone Resurgence
The launch coincides with a market rebound for wired headphones. Research firm Circana reported a 20 percent revenue increase for wired models in the first six weeks of 2026, reversing five years of declining sales in the US. Sony recently also introduced new flagship Walkman players, the NW-WM1AM3 and NW-WM1ZM3, priced up to £4,299.
