Sony brings back the original Walkman headphones as the $59.99 USB-C MDR-3R

The skim

• Sony has brought back the MDR-3, the lightweight headphones that came with the very first Walkman in 1979, as the $59.99 MDR-3R. They're on sale now in the US.
• The big change is the plug: USB-C instead of a 3.5mm jack, plus a built-in mic and in-line remote for calls. There's no battery, no Bluetooth and no pairing.
• A Stranger Things Edition with red and black ear pads is up for preorder at $79.99. One catch: Sony says use with a Walkman "is not recommended."

What happened

Sony Electronics announced the MDR-3R on Thursday. The design is a near copy of the original MDR-3, which launched alongside the Walkman TPS-L2: a thin metal headband, small open-ear cups and foam pads. The box includes both blue and orange ear pads so you can swap the look, and even the packaging and manual copy the 1979 design.

Inside, Sony says it re-engineered the headphones with the same 23mm drivers as the original and tuned them to sound close to it, with "subtle refinements" for modern tastes. TechRadar reports they weigh 38 grams, making them the lightest over-head headphones in Sony's lineup.

Will they work with your phone or laptop?

• Yes, if it supports USB-C audio. Sony says they work with devices that support USB Audio Class 1.0, such as smartphones. There's nothing to charge, pair or update: you just plug them in.
• Some setups need a tweak. Sony warns that depending on the device, OS or app, you may need to change settings, and some functions may not work properly.
• Not for your Walkman. Despite the heritage, Sony doesn't recommend using them with a Walkman. SoundGuys points to a Sony support warning about USB-C headphones on its Walkman players.

Why it matters

Wired headphones are having a moment. Sony's own pitch is that people are rediscovering them for their "simplicity, ease of use, and freedom from charging or pairing." At $59.99, the MDR-3R is an easy way into that trend, a lot cheaper than Sony's latest high-end Walkman players, which run into the thousands.

Keep expectations in check, though. These are open-ear headphones built on a 1979 design, so don't expect them to shut out a noisy bus or plane the way noise-canceling earbuds do. They make the most sense as a light, fun pair for home or a walk, or as a gift for someone who remembers the original. Sony says they're sold at Sony, Amazon, Best Buy and other authorized dealers.

What's next

The $79.99 Stranger Things Edition, inspired by Max's headphones in the Netflix series, has an engraved logo and custom packaging. It's on preorder at Sony, Netflix and Amazon US, and Sony hasn't given a ship date.

Sources: Sony Electronics, Engadget, TechRadar, SoundGuys.