Apple sit down, Sony just won the wired headphone trend

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Grab your Walkman, we’re going back to the ‘80s.

Sony wired headphones
(Image credit: Sony)
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Sony has revived a cult classic of 80s tech design, and retro fans are foaming at the mouth. Many of us will be familiar with the iconic Walkman, but what was the perfect accompaniment to this newfangled portable music device? Well, the MDR-3 headphones, of course. And now they're back with a bang.

It shouldn't come as a surprise given the rising popularity of wired headphones. While it's only been a decade, we've come full circle, and now they're officially cool again. Sony's MDR-3R USB-C Wired Headphones are going for a tasty £49, but sadly they're currently sold out. But thankfully, if you're on the hunt for something similar, there are several popular dupes.

Sony MDR-3R USB-C Wired Headphones
Sony MDR-3R USB-C Wired Headphones: $59.99 at sony.co.uk

The new and improved MDR-3R's are all about preserving heritage. From the packaging to the design of the headphones themselves, there's a distinctly retro appeal to the design, but it's what's inside that counts. The open-air design creates a spacious, airy sound, offering natural, clear vocals and well-balanced sound with rich bass and extended highs.

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Koss Porta Pro Classic
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Koss Porta Pro Classic: was $49.99 now $39.99 at Amazon

Another retro competitor, the Koss Porta Pros offer elite sound with 60-ohm dynamic drivers, for sound clarity, rich bass, and an ultra-wide frequency response of 15–25,000 Hz. A premium, Koss-branded leatherette pouch offers easy portability thanks to the headphones' collapsible build. With a bolder design than the MDR-3Rs, these are wireless headphones built to stand out, perfect for retro lovers who want a unique, authentic look.

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Apple EarPods
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Apple EarPods : was $19 now $15 at Amazon

Wired EarPods have been having quite the style resurgence, spotted on celebrities like Bella Hadid, Harry Styles and Zendaya (check out @wireditgirls on Instagram for more). The effortless nonchalance of wired EarPods has made them the unshakable leader in the wired headphone game. Simple, clean and cool, they're a no-brainer if you want a more lowkey look.

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Not found what you're looking for? Check out the best wired headphone deals based on your region.

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Natalie Fear
Natalie Fear
Staff Writer

Natalie Fear is Creative Bloq's staff writer. With an eye for trending topics and a passion for internet culture, she brings you the latest in art and design news. Natalie also runs Creative Bloq’s 5 Questions series, spotlighting diverse talent across the creative industries. Outside of work, she loves all things literature and music (although she’s partial to a spot of TikTok brain rot). 

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