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Sony DR-Z6 (Vintage) - Page 3

post #31 of 116
2/22/11 at 7:10pm
Quote:

Almost a year ago I bought these Sony DR-Z6 headphones for $7.50 ~ and what a find, still my favorite headphone. Well today I found the only other pair on ebay that went for $144.50 + shipping, still an absolute steal at that price. Considering I'm the only one blabbing on how great these are the rise in price has to solely come down to me... perhaps I should of stayed quite and wallowed in my sneaky find. I HOPE someone from this community bought them, I mean at the very least they viewed this thread.

 

Are you out there?

 

It was me =)  I spotted them while searching for vintage headphones on ebay the other day. Being a sucker for rare/obscure headphones that are notable for their sound I couldn't resist, especially when I recalled this thread and how much you've enjoyed your pair. I will post some impressions once they arrive.

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post #32 of 116
2/22/11 at 7:46pm

I bid on them, but they got a bit rich for my currently available funds.  These are definitely a pair on my radar, though.  Maybe someday...

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post #33 of 116
2/22/11 at 8:04pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by CFabian View Post

It was me =)  I spotted them while searching for vintage headphones on ebay the other day. Being a sucker for rare/obscure headphones that are notable for their sound I couldn't resist, especially when I recalled this thread and how much you've enjoyed your pair. I will post some impressions once they arrive.


Nice! I had a feeling when I was bidding and it just kept rising that someone knew what these were. I was sure they were a head-fier thus stopped bidding. It will be nice to hear what you think about them considering you have a few headphones in your profile... if you still have that ASL they should sound great.

 

Once they arrive greet them with some Clapton live or similar, they're my show-off cans to friends. smile.gif

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post #34 of 116
3/2/11 at 2:39pm

Just got these in yesterday, hadn't had a chance to listen to them until this afternoon though. First impressions (these are currently plugged into my MG Head) are that they sound forward and engaging, with good extension and impact and no lack of detail. They are more resolving than any other headphone I've heard from its era (Pioneer Monitor 10 is close but glosses over some fine subtleties in some recordings that these are capable of picking up) and quite a bit more detailed than a lot of modern sets I've tried as well. It is hard to find a headphone that is this revealing while retaining a healthy amount of musicality, but the DR-Z6 treads this fine line very well. So far they definitely sound at their best with live music (as Graphicism as suggested) and pristine recordings, a few tracks from my less well-mastered pop albums did not sound quite so enjoyable. For the $150 or so I paid for them I am very satisfied, I certainly cannot think of any headphone for that price that manages to sounds as detailed and musical as these.

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post #35 of 116
3/2/11 at 7:40pm

I'd like to add that these really seem to excel with smaller classical ensembles. With this type of music the smaller soundstage is not really an issue, instead it is Z6's good instrument seperation and relatively flat response that makes them stand out. Naturally acoustic music also fares very well. Vocals have been a bit hit-or-miss for me so far depending on the quality of the recording, tying into what I stated previously. These really do tear bad recordings and poorly encoded material apart.

 

So far my only issue with these has been with their comfort. It's not as bad as the Grados I've tried but they are on the heavier side and the headphones do exert a bit of pressure on my ears. Perhaps I will grow accustomed to them as I use them more.

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post #36 of 116
3/2/11 at 9:58pm
Thread Starter 

Great first impressions CFabian, good to see we're both on the same page. Upon receiving them I initially played some classical, perhaps partly thinking thats all they would be good for if anything and was wowed by the realism. Moving on to a more intimate setting with acoustic recordings both live and in the studio you begin to hear how forward they are. I haven't been able to compare it to anything similar, I've only heard the lower end Grados and they trumped those.

 

You are spot on regarding poor recordings, in fact upon listening to my music library I; went looking for better classical recordings, and stopped listening to MP3 as the difference from lossless was startling.

 

What I like to do with new phones is listen to them straight for a couple weeks and get rid of any previous sound signatures I have become accustomed too. Upon returning to my previous headphones the initial impressions run over you again, only this time in reverse. Personally I don't find the weight an issue and as I was coming from Ultrasone didn't notice any discomfort. I do find however I fiddle with the ear position at first.

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post #37 of 116
8/2/11 at 3:39pm

Okay, I just got a used (duh) pair today.

 

One word review: Wow.

 

Obviously, I need some more time with them, but I think these might be the headphone that the DT48 was trying to be.

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post #38 of 116
8/2/11 at 5:07pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by joelpearce View Post

Obviously, I need some more time with them, but I think these might be the headphone that the DT48 was trying to be.

Please explain, I am very curious...
 

 

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post #39 of 116
8/2/11 at 5:10pm

Congrats. I have never heard the DT48, would love to hear a comparison of the two should you ever have the chance.

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post #40 of 116
8/2/11 at 5:17pm

I have his old DT48E-25, for what it does 'right' it is very underrated. But his last remark might confirm something that has been on my mind for a while...

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post #41 of 116
8/2/11 at 5:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deep Funk View Post

Quote:

Please explain, I am very curious...
 

 



Both are extremely detailed and analytical, with uncommonly precise clarity and a flat frequency response.  Where the DT48 only did that in the midrange, my initial listening suggests that the DR-Z6 does it across the full frequency range.  A more interesting comparison might be the DR-Z6 and the Pioneer Monitor 10.  The Pioneer is a bit more comfortable, though I think I might end up preferring the sound of the Sony.  It's early, though.

 

Unfortunately, I don't have the DT48 anymore, so I won't be able to do really detailed comparisons between the two.

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post #42 of 116
8/2/11 at 5:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deep Funk View Post

I have his old DT48E-25, for what it does 'right' it is very underrated. But his last remark might confirm something that has been on my mind for a while...



Which is?

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post #43 of 116
8/2/11 at 5:26pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by joelpearce View Post

Both are extremely detailed and analytical, with uncommonly precise clarity and a flat frequency response.  Where the DT48 only did that in the midrange, my initial listening suggests that the DR-Z6 does it across the full frequency range.  A more interesting comparison might be the DR-Z6 and the Pioneer Monitor 10.  The Pioneer is a bit more comfortable, though I think I might end up preferring the sound of the Sony.  It's early, though.

 

Unfortunately, I don't have the DT48 anymore, so I won't be able to do really detailed comparisons between the two.

I do not mind sending the DT48E-25 over. If the DR-Z6 does what the Beyerdynamic does but better in the low and high range I want to know. I could also send the DR-6A since it surprised me by its 'flatness' even though it is a painful head clamp. 

 

"Which is?" -> The Stock DT48E was never a finished product. Somehow its development was compromised... (This might come across as weirdph34r.gif.)
 

 


Edited by Deep Funk - 8/2/11 at 5:31pm
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post #44 of 116
8/2/11 at 5:41pm

Well, as much as the DT48 community doesn't like to talk about it, the DT48 was designed for a very specific purpose: Audiometrics and field recording, where a precise yet narrow frequency response range is required.  They were not designed for full-range monitoring or recording, and they were definitely not designed for enjoyable listening.

 

Give me some time to get a feel for these, which is going to take a while.  I can do a comparison between these and the Monitor 10, which should give you a pretty good sense of what they are like.

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post #45 of 116
8/2/11 at 6:35pm
Thread Starter 

Welcome to the club Joel!

 
When I first heard these they really took me by Supprise, I was expecting the typical hollow sound of the era and instead I'm treated to the most detailed listen I've ever experienced in a headphone. I enjoy them most with live recordings and acoustic, folk type genres which come across with great intimacy. Even today with the addition of the new flagships and orthos and I haven't heard anything like them. My best pairing is with the slightly warm sounding VT-231 Raytheon, do you have a tube amp?
 
And in answer to your PM; I never take them apart (I keep them in a box) however they do disassemble very easily, just slide the black tab forward and it should release the ear speaker effortlessly.
 
z6-05.jpg

Edited by Graphicism - 8/2/11 at 6:39pm
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