Sony MDR-EX1000 User manual

Stereo Headphones
MDR-EX1000
4-257-842-32(1)
Product Information
Informations produit
Produktinformationen
Información del producto
Informazioni sul prodotto
Informação do produto
©2010 Sony Corporation Printed in Japan

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Introduction
Over many years, Sony has joined together with people who work in professional production studios,
and using their feedback has crafted superior headphones that meet their high expectations. One of the
most important elements among those expectations is accurate sound. In order to allow the wearer to
enjoy that sound in an outdoor environment, these headphones have passed through a development
stage that pursued perfection in functionality and performance. To provide accurate sound and a fit
designed for outdoor usage and portability without compromise, they are packed with technology that
Sony has accumulated to date as well as Sony’s own cutting edge technology. This pamphlet explains
these technological components.

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1. For high sound quality
Rich bass and expansive treble:
Large caliber 16 mm diameter dynamic-type driver unit
In the closed-body-type in-ear headphones, a large caliber dynamic driver unit that is the largest in the
industry at 16 mm diameter was used. It enables a wide dynamic range available only with a dynamic
driver unit and playback of a broad range of sound, providing a clear and accurate sound with
incredible balance from the bass to treble range.
Driver unit size comparison
9 mm driver unit 13.5 mm driver unit 16 mm driver unit

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Suppressing unwanted vibrations and providing high resolution sound playback:
Liquid Crystal Polymer film diaphragm
For the driver unit diaphragm material, lightness and consideration to the seemingly contradictory
features of highly rigidity vs. high internal loss is essential. Though rigidity is key in accurately
converting input signals over a wide bandwidth into sound, a high level of internal loss is also required
to suppress unnecessary vibration of the diaphragm itself.
Liquid Crystal Polymer has already been identified for some time as a material that can provide a
balanced combination of these two characteristics in high order. However, previously it could not be
used to create diaphragms for headphones due to the inability of compositions and manufacturing
methods to obtain sufficient heat resistance and the inability to achieve the thinness required for usage
in headphones, caused by a low degree of film elongation and the difficulty of formation.
To solve this problem, a highly stretchable Liquid Crystal Polymer
was successfully developed for use as a casting film using polymer
varnish. This made it possible to enable both rigidity and a high level
of internal loss over a wide bandwidth, while also providing the level
of strength required to stand up to the process of creating a thin film.
In short, a material for creating the perfect diaphragm for
reproducing accurate sound was born.
Liquid Crystal Polymer filmLiquid Crystal Polymer film

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Increasing flux density and achieving highly sensitive playback:
440kJ/m³ high power neodymium magnets
To enhance sound resolution, 440 kJ/m³ high power neodymium magnets which boast the highest
energy efficiency among general industrial goods were used. They supply clear mid and high tones and
powerful bass.
A manufacturing method called the “transverse field pressing method” boosts the magnetic force of
neodymium magnets even higher. This is a manufacturing method designed to strengthen magnetic
force even further by arranging the orientation of magnetic powder particles parallel in directionality
from the N pole to the S pole of the magnetic field that magnetizes the particles.
Longitudinal magnetic field Transverse magnetic field

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Enabling both high sound quality and miniaturization:
Driver unit-integrated housing
In order to miniaturize and thin the housing, a structure that integrates the driver unit and housing was
implemented. In addition to cutting unwanted air leakage generated from slight gaps between the
components, this also suppresses unwanted vibration and actualizes a smooth response at low pitch
frequencies.

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Front register
Mainly to balance bass.
Earbud
Equalizer
Mainly to balance
midrange and treble.
Front housing
Liquid Crystal Polymer
film diaphragm
Pole piece
440 kJ/m3Neodymium
magnet
Driver register
Mainly to balance
midrange and bass.
Rear housing
Rear register
Mainly to balance
midrange and bass.
Headphone component diagram
Frame
Magnesium alloy housing
Regulator
Mainly to balance
midrange and bass.

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Adjusting sound quality for each set by hand:
Sony original acoustic tuner
In addition to measuring each set meticulously during the manufacturing process, adjustment of
acoustic resistance material to constant values is also performed by hand. To achieve ideal
characteristics, only items that clear strict sound control requirements are shipped. Persistent detailed
tuning with precision controlled acoustic tuning components and original Sony acoustic tuners ensure
sound quality control at a level of precision higher than ever before.
Suppressing transmission loss of music signals:
High grade 7N-OFC Litz cord
The cord for transmitting the signal uses grade 7N OFC (Oxygen Free
Copper) of extremely high purity (99.99999 %). Suppressing signal loss in
the cord minimizes sound degradation.

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The ultimate in sound insulation:
Noise isolation earbud
Pressure-relieving urethane foam inside the earbud equalizes pressure to the ear canal and
complements the complex bumps and dips of the inner-ear. Due to this, sound insulation is increased
with a fit that exceeds the comfort of previous earbuds.
Noise isolation earbud cross section
Low-density silicone
High- density silicone
Pressure-relieving
urethane foam

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2. For a snug fit
Actualizing a superior fit with a large caliber driver unit:
Closed-type vertical in-the-ear method
In using a 16 mm diameter large caliber driver unit, a closed-type vertical in-the-ear method wherein
the driver unit is positioned perpendicularly to the external ear canal was incorporated. And, in order
to absolutely minimize the thickness of the housing, which impacts the fit of the headphones, a high
strength magnesium alloy for the housing was used. This let us shave over 30% off the thickness
compared to housings that use common resin material.

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Magnesium alloy housing before coating
Physical properties of magnesium
Magnesium Aluminum Iron ABS
Specific gravity 1.82 2.7 7.86 1.03
Specific strength 154 1.7 66 34

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Actualizing a highly stable fit for individual ear shapes:
Flexible ear hanger using TEKNOROTE™
For the hanger component, TEKNOROTE™, a plastic material that folds freely and
maintains its shape was used. Because this material can alter the hanger shape to fit
each individual ear, a superior fit stability is achieved. Also, TEKNOROTE™
provides a comfortable and safe fit because it is lighter and more difficult to snap.
* TEKNOROTE is a trademark of Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.

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Selectable by ear size:
7 hybrid silicone rubber earbuds
Newly developed, hybrid silicone rubber earbuds combine silicone of two different hardness levels.
This new design maintains the shape of the earbud tips where sound exits by making the core firm,
preventing sound quality deterioration via squeezing of the earbud tips. The outer portion is soft, and
this improves fitting to the outer ear canal. Overall, the earbuds have increased enclosure and provide a
more comfortable fit even during long usage periods. 7 earbuds are included to fit different ear types.
Hybrid silicone rubber earbud cross section
Low hardness silicone
High hardness silicone
Earbud size
Small Diameter Large
– ML
(blue)
LL
(purple)
S
(orange)
M
(green)
L
(light blue)
SS
(red)
MS
(yellow)
–

High
Height
Low
Hybrid silicone rubber earbud cross section
Low hardness silicone
High hardness silicone
Earbud size
Small Diameter Large
– ML
(blue)
LL
(purple)
S
(orange)
M
(green)
L
(light blue)
SS
(red)
MS
(yellow)
–

High
Height
Low

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3. Other features
Detachable cord
The cord is detachable, and a 0.6 m and 1.2 m cord are
included. Users can select a cord length of their
choosing.

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Enjoy a high quality feel and convenience:
Genuine leather carrying case
For the convenient carrying case, genuine leather was used. Users can look forward
to that wonderful and intimate leather feel that emerges with age and use.

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Introduction
Depuis de nombreuses années, Sony s’est rapproché des collaborateurs des studios de production
professionnels et s’est appuyé sur leurs commentaires pour créer des écouteurs de premier choix
répondant à leurs exigences pointues, au premier rang desquelles se situe la reproduction d’un son
précis. Pour permettre à l’utilisateur de profiter d’un son de cette qualité à l’extérieur, ces écouteurs ont
fait l’objet d’un développement qui visait la perfection tant en ce qui concerne les fonctionnalités que les
performances. Pour offrir un son précis et permettre une utilisation à l’extérieur sans compromettre
leur portabilité, ils intègrent différentes technologies que Sony a accumulées jusqu’à ce jour, ainsi que
des technologies de pointe propres à Sony. Ce livret décrit ces composants technologiques.

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1. Pour un son de haute qualité
Graves riches et aigus enveloppants :
Transducteur dynamique grand calibre de 16 mm de diamètre
Les écouteurs intra-auriculaires de type fermé utilisent un transducteur dynamique grand calibre de
16 mm de diamètre, le plus volumineux de l’industrie. Les écouteurs possèdent une gamme dynamique
étendue seulement possible avec un transducteur dynamique et ils permettent la restitution d’un large
éventail de sons, reproduisant un son clair et précis avec un excellent équilibre, des graves aux aigus.
Comparaison de la taille du transducteur
Transducteur de 9 mm Transducteur de 13,5 mm Transducteur de 16 mm

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Suppression des vibrations indésirables et lecture audio haute résolution :
Diaphragme en film polymère cristal liquide
Le matériau du diaphragme du transducteur doit répondre à des impératifs apparemment
contradictoires, puisqu’il doit être léger tout en présentant une rigidité élevée par rapport à une perte
interne élevée elle aussi. Bien que la rigidité soit déterminante pour convertir avec précision les signaux
d’entrée en son sur une large bande passante, une perte interne élevée est aussi indispensable pour
éliminer les vibrations superflues du diaphragme proprement dit.
Le polymère cristal liquide est connu depuis un certain temps comme matériau offrant un bon équilibre
entre ces deux caractéristiques indispensables. Toutefois, il n’était pas possible jusqu’à présent de créer
des diaphragmes pour des écouteurs, car les compositions et les méthodes de fabrication ne
permettaient pas d’obtenir une résistance thermique suffisante et une épaisseur adaptée pour les
écouteurs en raison de la faible élongation du film et de difficultés
liées à sa formation.
Pour résoudre ce problème, un polymère cristal liquide offrant un
degré d’étirement élevé a pu être développé en vue d’être utilisé
comme coulée de film à base de vernis polymère. Il est donc
désormais possible d’atteindre un niveau élevé tant de rigidité que de
perte interne sur une large bande passante tout en bénéficiant du
niveau de résistance requis pour mener à bien le processus de création
d’un film fin. En bref, il s’agit du matériau le
mieux adapté pour créer le diaphragme parfait,
capable de reproduire un son précis. Film polymère cristal
liquide
Film polymère cristal
liquide

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Densité accrue du flux et reproduction ultra-sensible :
Aimants au néodyme ultra-puissants de 440 kJ/m³
Afin d’améliorer la résolution audio, des aimants au néodyme de 440 kJ/m³ sont utilisés. Il s’agit des
plus puissants rencontrés dans les produits industriels grand public. Des tons moyens et aigus nets et
des graves puissants sont reproduits.
La méthode de fabrication appelée « méthode de pression à champ transversal » augmente de façon
inégalée la force magnétique des aimants au néodyme. Cette méthode de fabrication est destinée à
accroître davantage encore la force magnétique en modifiant l’orientation des particules de poudre
magnétique parallèlement au sens nord-sud du champ qui magnétise les particules.
Champ magnétique longitudinal Champ magnétique transversal

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Son de haute qualité et miniaturisation :
Boîtier intégré au transducteur
Afin de réduire autant que possible la taille et l’épaisseur du boîtier, celui-ci et le transducteur sont
regroupés dans une même structure. Outre la réduction des fuites d’air indésirables provenant des
écarts entre les composants, elle permet d’éliminer les vibrations gênantes et d’obtenir une réponse
harmonieuse dans les basses fréquences.