MDR-Z1000 new Sony flagship headphones - Page 97

Originally Posted by asmagus 

Is it true that Z1000 production was ended? What about 7520?

Originally Posted by asmagus 

There is new driver in MDR-1R or 40mm driver from MDR-7506?

In MDR-Z1000 was 50mm?

Originally Posted by WhiteCrow 

Someone had impressions of it, they said it was like the z1000 with more bass. So take that as you will but that seems like it might be cool.

Originally Posted by M-13 

At least in America it has been discontinued (It looks like). This is why I quickly picked up a pair as I'm not sure when Sony will make another proper "flagship" and I've wanted the Z1000 since it came out. It's really is a shame it wasn't a bigger hit because I'm loving the sound. The build quality is off the charts amazing of course. The MDR-1R looks promising but it's not really a proper heir to the Z1000.

Originally Posted by StudioSound 

Unfortunately Sony is having to drop out of the true high-end markets in a lot of product categories because the high-end markets are rapidly dying off, and Sony is in real financial trouble right now. The same thing happened with their TVs a couple of years back. There have been new "flagships" but nothing comparable to the HX900 which was designed and built to different standards. Newer models are just trying to cut costs where possible.
I really regret not having bought a pair of Z1000s when they came out. They were very late on their release over here, and were overpriced at launch. By that point measurements were out and the headphones were, in my opinion, unfairly slated based on that without anyone listening to them. So I ended up buying other headphones, which I’ve never been satisfied with and have sold on, searching for the next best thing.
Well I bought a pair of MDR-7520 earlier and have had them on all day. While not the Z1000, many people have said they are essentially the same headphone, and if that is true, it's a real shame they were overlooked. I could have bought a pair of Z1000 at a fair discount now they’re discontinued, but preferred the all black look, having PrimeSupport, and having the latest thing in case they have made improvements to them.
The graphs don’t tell how these headphones sound at all. They look like they have anaemic bass on a frequency graph, but these are the only headphones I’ve heard other than Grado’s GS1000 that manage to let you feel some impact from deeper bass notes. The AKG K550 which i had for a while measures lower but the sound from them isn’t in the same league. I'm not great at describing how a headphone sounds, but I will say that I haven’t heard anything from these that I don’t like about them yet, which I can’t say about many headphones.
They've also been very comfortable to have been on all day. Clamping force seems just right - enough for a good seal, but not enough to give me a headache as many headphones do. They’re very well padded all around, and weight seems well distributed - they feel very light for their size though due to the magnesium construction. They also seem comfortable to wear with glasses so far.
Isolation seems good, which is very important for me.
So if the Z1000 is essentially the same headphone, I would have no hesitation picking up a pair if you can find them at a good price - I'm very tempted to buy one as a spare right now before they disappear. That’s how happy I am with the 7520 purchase so far. Most headphones have made a negative impression in some area by now. (Weight, clamp force, listening fatigue etc.) I'd definitely want the Z1000/7520 over the new MDR-1R which I think are very ugly.

Originally Posted by StudioSound 

One thing I meant to ask - on the 7520, the headand and the outer shell are magnesium, but the bracket that attaches the headband to the shell appears to be plastic. (Warm to the touch, unlike the metal) Is that the same on the Z1000, or was it an all magnesium construction?

Originally Posted by reddragon 

The bracket is plastic and is warm to touch on my z1000, I believe they are essentially the same headphone.

Originally Posted by StudioSound 

Thanks, I was just wondering if it was silver plastic, or magnesium on the Z1000, and a cost-cutting measure on the 7520.
Because it’s a high-end Sony headphone, I assume it must be plastic for a reason other than cost-cutting.

Originally Posted by StudioSound 

Unfortunately Sony is having to drop out of the true high-end markets in a lot of product categories because the high-end markets are rapidly dying off, and Sony is in real financial trouble right now. The same thing happened with their TVs a couple of years back. There have been new "flagships" but nothing comparable to the HX900 which was designed and built to different standards. Newer models are just trying to cut costs where possible.
I really regret not having bought a pair of Z1000s when they came out. They were very late on their release over here, and were overpriced at launch. By that point measurements were out and the headphones were, in my opinion, unfairly slated based on that without anyone listening to them. So I ended up buying other headphones, which I’ve never been satisfied with and have sold on, searching for the next best thing.
Well I bought a pair of MDR-7520 earlier and have had them on all day. While not the Z1000, many people have said they are essentially the same headphone, and if that is true, it's a real shame they were overlooked. I could have bought a pair of Z1000 at a fair discount now they’re discontinued, but preferred the all black look, having PrimeSupport, and having the latest thing in case they have made improvements to them.
The graphs don’t tell how these headphones sound at all. They look like they have anaemic bass on a frequency graph, but these are the only headphones I’ve heard other than Grado’s GS1000 that manage to let you feel some impact from deeper bass notes. The AKG K550 which i had for a while measures lower but the sound from them isn’t in the same league. I'm not great at describing how a headphone sounds, but I will say that I haven’t heard anything from these that I don’t like about them yet, which I can’t say about many headphones.
They've also been very comfortable to have been on all day. Clamping force seems just right - enough for a good seal, but not enough to give me a headache as many headphones do. They’re very well padded all around, and weight seems well distributed - they feel very light for their size though due to the magnesium construction. They also seem comfortable to wear with glasses so far.
Isolation seems good, which is very important for me.
So if the Z1000 is essentially the same headphone, I would have no hesitation picking up a pair if you can find them at a good price - I'm very tempted to buy one as a spare right now before they disappear. That’s how happy I am with the 7520 purchase so far. Most headphones have made a negative impression in some area by now. (Weight, clamp force, listening fatigue etc.) I'd definitely want the Z1000/7520 over the new MDR-1R which I think are very ugly.