USB C wired headphones remove the wait for batteries and Bluetooth pairing, and Sony MDR 3R and Razer Hammerhead V3 Chroma both take that direct plug in approach, though they aim at very different users.
USB C wired headphones: Sony MDR 3R revives the original Walkman design
Sony recreated the slim metal headband and close fitting, open back ear cups of the first Walkman headphones that shipped with the TPS L2 in 1979, now sold as the MDR 3R. The company kept the original on ear contour and offers a standard version with blue or orange earpads that users can swap themselves.
Sony redesigned the 23 mm driver, keeping it the same size as the original. The headphones weigh about 38 grams (about 1.34 ounces), not including the cable. The open back construction lets ambient noise in, and at higher volumes sound will leak to people nearby.
The cable is 1.2 meters long and includes playback controls and a microphone. When plugged into a device that supports USB Audio Class 1.0, users can control playback and take calls without any Bluetooth pairing. Sony said the packaging and the printed manual echo the original Walkman design.
Sony also released a Stranger Things special edition that switches to a black headband, red and black earpads, and features the Stranger Things logo and an inverted world motif on the box. Sony said the special edition follows the series styling closely.
Razer Hammerhead V3 Chroma built for mobile gaming
Razer unveiled the Hammerhead V3 Chroma on November 5. These in ear headphones pair an 11 mm dynamic driver with a 6 mm tweeter in each bud, and add a feed forward active noise cancellation option to reduce commuting noise.
The cable uses a 90 degree USB C plug so the cable runs along the body of a phone or handheld, which helps avoid pressure on the palm when holding the device sideways for gaming. Wired connection also avoids Bluetooth latency. Razer said PC users can enable THX 7.1 surround through Razer Synapse 4.
Plug and play, but check your player first
Both models require a device that supports USB C audio output. Older cassette era Walkman models with a 3.5 millimeter jack and iPhones using Apple Lightning cannot plug in directly. Sony specifically does not recommend pairing the MDR 3R with older Walkman players. Buyers should confirm their player or phone supports USB C audio before buying.
Hong Kong price, presale dates, and spec comparison
| Sony MDR 3R | Razer Hammerhead V3 Chroma | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Open back, on ear | In ear |
| Weight | About 38 grams (about 1.34 ounces, cable excluded) | 27.1 grams (about 0.96 ounces) |
| Drivers | 23 mm dynamic driver | 11 mm dynamic plus 6 mm tweeter |
| Connection | USB C plug | 90 degree USB C angled plug |
| Active noise cancellation | No | Feed forward active noise cancellation |
| Hong Kong price | About $48.32 (originally HK$379) for the standard version About $58.52 (originally HK$459) for the Stranger Things special edition | About $81.47 (originally HK$639) |
| Purchase details | Standard version presale through November 11, special edition presale through December 10 | Available to order from Razer Hong Kong online store |
Sony opened presales in Hong Kong on November 6, via Sony Store shops, the online Sony Store, and a sales hotline, Sony said. Razer listed the Hammerhead V3 Chroma on its Hong Kong online store at about $81.47 (originally HK$639), which is about $33.15 more than the Sony standard model.
Quick takeaway: USB C wired headphones like these remove battery and pairing friction, and the MDR 3R aims at retro styled portability while the Hammerhead V3 Chroma targets gamers who want low latency and RGB customization.
