I did enjoy the read, very well written. I think the price point of the Z55 lies in competitive territory, but it certainly sounds intriguing. Shame about the clamp force. While a good seal is important, if something is too tight that is often well worse, but I guess what is too tight is very personal. Cheers.

@Sonic Defender thanks!  The Z55 is definitely placed in a competitive territory, and the fact that it has barely gotten any attention by way of reviews or advertising means that it's going to lose out to many potential rivals.  That said, perhaps it'll be more successful in studio applications and word will get around...eventually.  Clamping force did let up slowly, but yes it is still rather strong....oh well.

It might use the same driver as the RTE X, my favorite portables. Folds flat, compact hard case. Noise Cancelling circuitry is good, slightly deeper pads. Analytical sound with NR off. Extended but not harsh highs. A bit more than my sensitive ears like. Flat mids, decent but not heavy bass. In NR mode, highs warm up, but keeping detail, fuller mids, mid bass a bit north of neutral, and big but detailed sub bass. 

Like the best of both worlds (similar sound to the above, in a more portable, option, with a bonus of NR turning them into fun but accurate cans). For $99 I can't say enough good about them. Right out of the box before burn in, they had that sound. They can clamp a bit, but pulling them apart  wider just before putting them on, and now and then while I'm using them, would make them comfortable enough for me.

@Mark Up ...very interesting!  I shall need to do some research on the RTE X.  I haven't tried pulling them apart out of fear of breaking them, but I might give a gentle tug in the near future.