Guys, there is a ALO Continental V2 amp in the for sale section.
 
And let me tell you... it was the best portable amp I have ever heard as far as soundstage and midrange go. I'd guess pairing it with the Z7 will complete your portable or transportable setup.

bill-p said:

  Guys, there is a ALO Continental V2 amp in the for sale section.
 
And let me tell you... it was the best portable amp I have ever heard as far as soundstage and midrange go. I'd guess pairing it with the Z7 will complete your portable or transportable setup.

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:x you should really give the iBasso PB2 a listen, with the RIGHT OP amps and Buffers... I can say it rivals my Audio GD NFB10ES2 in terms of neutrality, it's only down fall? It distorts a little when powering my HE 4 or other Harder To Drive Orthos 
 
Aside from that, the PB2 is a stellar amp! Though you need to re Cable all your existing headphones to 4pin XLR, then carry around a 4pin XLR to 6Pin HiRose adapter <3 

Well, yeah, but a tube amp is really not just about tonality. It can also make the music sound "liquid" by smearing the transient slightly.
 
This won't look good in measurements, but in practice, it does have the ability to transform a grainy song into something that's more fluid, more analog.
 
And that's the whole deal with high-end tube amps.
 
Granted, not all of them do that, but the ones that do do that... are highly sought-after despite their insane price tags.

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Just got these, listening balanced with the stock cable.  Crazy !  Enjoying them so far.
 
It sounds like everything above 12k has been chopped off with a hatchet. Bass below like 500 is pushed forward above the mids.  Not real boomy bass, just pushed way forward.  The mids seem to be in there, diminished in relation to the bass, will need to listen more.
 
Anyone here have a V-Moda can to compare these to? I think I'm getting shades of the Crossfade M-100 I used to have but I could be wrong, been a while.  These are much better though.
 
I have been listening the HD800s for about a week, putting these on just made me smile.  

If you like the Continental, you might like the PanAm too. That might actually be a good match with the Z7s too, now I think of it.

tseliottt said:

  This is how I feel about the HD650s, but people seem to love them because of this quality. One man's monolithic and shallow, is another man's smooth and sweet. To me the Z7 is somewhere between. The bass definitely makes itself present for an overall darker sound, but the Z7 has a crisper upper end than the Senns which brings out more detail.
 
To me these are like the Denon Dx000 series perfected. The bass is similar to the Denons, but tamer. They cover the entire lower end very well, but it isn't as visceral. Specifically love the way they bring out kicks and subtle bass lines. But listening to Mala's "Changes" for example, the sub bass is definitely there, but not with the same dominance as my Denons. Which may be a good or bad thing. My main problem with the Denons though were the sharp highs. The Z7s fix that. Really loving these for more modern synthy, bassy, dance type music. Stuff like Shed, Sd Laika, or even Mount Kimbie kill with these. If I want to listen to more natural vocals like some old Lauryn Hill though, probably pick up the MA900s instead. There's just something about the MA900s that allows you to hear these subtle melodies you've hardly noticed before. Shouldn't have expected closed cans to sound like my favorite open headphones. But as far as closed goes, the Z7s have one of the best soundstage I've ever heard. And haven't heard the Fostex yet, but these dethrone the Denons as my favorite basshead headphones out there.
 
Also noticed that these are pretty sensitive to ear placement like the MA900s, which could be why everyone has a different opinion on them.
 
In the end though, I bought these because I thought they would be a bassier, closed MA900, but instead I got headphones that are everything I wanted my old Denons to be. So I guess I could finally stop regretting I sold them.
 
Edit: And holy **** these are like the Rolls Royce of headphones. Every centimeter of these things are quality.
 

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This would seem to match my memory as well, but I haven't listened to either my D7000's or my HD580's much lately. I will do so and report back further.
 

zoide said:

   
Soundstage that is comparable to the CD3000s? And comfort that is even better? Oh, zhenya, why do you tempt me so...

On the other hand, seeing you call the Z7 boomy and dark is a bit of a concern. That said, the CD3000 are so bright and thin (IMO) that anything that gets A/B'd against it is prone to sound dark/boomy because of the sheer sonic contrast.
 
I'm really looking forward to your D7000 comparison. Do you have any other cans aside from the CD3000 and D7000? The only cans I've listened to in the past years are the HiFiMAN HE-500 and the Westone 4R IEMs.
 
Thanks

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Everything I own is in my sig. My main cans at home are the HD800's. At work the CD3000's. Besides the D7000's I have a set of HD580's which were my first high-end cans. It is absolutely true that there is a preference in sound signatures and I would definitely say mine tends towards the brighter end of things as I tend to feel that gives much greater detail and transparency. I found the D7000's alluring for a while because they were so comfortable, smooth, and easy listening, but in the long run they fell out of favor in my collection because the accuracy wasn't there.
 

mrguzmanwhite said:

  My god, I have a MDR-Z7 coming to my door in just a couple of days (it was shipped today from Sony USA) and after reading so many negative reviews I am disappointed even before getting the headphones. Based on your description, the Z7 is a boomy and dark headphone with receded mids. This is bad news to me as I don't like dark and overly bassy headphones. And boomy bass?, that is terrible, how is that possible in a $700 headphone !!!
 
I am coming from a B&O H6, AKG 550, and a Beyerdynamic T70p, all of which have clear highs and well controlled bass. None of them are dark headphones. I like to get a headphone that is a bit "warmer" than the ones I have, but with good definition and slam on the bass without being muddy. I was hoping the Z7 to be very "clear" with good highs but warmer and greater bass with a 70 mm drive. From your description the MDR Z7 seems to have the sonic profile that I don't like. I am amazed they would make a $700 headphone without highs and with boomy bass. 
 
Very disappointed.

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My comment directly above is pretty much what I'd say to you as well. I'm not familiar with the cans in your collection, but the Beyer house sound is known to be bright and detailed. If you like that I suspect you may also find the Z7's dark. I fully agree with those who have said to listen and decide for yourself though. It's my opinion that reviews here should be considered as an avenue to get a general sense of the sound of a particular piece of gear, but both the reviewer and their audience must be aware of their own personal preferences which will undoubtedly shape their opinion.
 

mshenay said:

  GREAT your impression of it is NEGATIVE, I'm kinda not kidding. Have an utter fear that a headphone will sound like schiit is kinda nice. When you get it and 95% of the time it sounds better that what you though you'll b happy. I HIGHLY doubt its "boomy" you know people like to exagerate things, granted it is Dark and coming from a Beyer you might appreciate the new sound style or hate it. Though do not confuse "dark" with "warm" warm denotes forward bass n mids with exxcessive Decay [my Hm801 was WARM (but man it was SPACIOUS!)] Dark denotes Forward Bass n Mids withouth excess Decay [my HM901 is Dark] I appreciate Dark headphones, I prefer Colder Brighter cans, but I can appreciate Dark Cans. It's nice to have compliments to your bright cans to, as in all honestly SOME music just sounds better Dark [Looking at you Metal n Techno] 

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I will have to compare it directly to my D7000's which I definitely find bass heavy. To me the Z7's seem to have an excess of low and mid-bass that ends up overwhelming much of the detail I have come to expect from my high-end cans. Your description of Dark is exactly what I'm hearing in the Z7, although I'd say that decay is almost non-existent and will be one of the hardest things for me to accept from these. Cymbal strikes in particular just seem to fall off with none of the natural resonant decay that some of my other cans have.
 

zoide said:

  Just how dark are the Z7s? Are they as dark as a Sennheiser HD-580/HD-600?
The HD-580 are the darkest cans I've owned and, while they sounded beautifully open and very sweet with music like The Beatles, were a bit too "polite".

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Again, I'll have to compare. My sense from memory is that they are similarly dark but with a much better soundstage and instrument separation.

How about a little headphone porn?

I finally got the chance to do side-by-side with these two beauties and to be honest with you they are probably equals. Bass tightness goes slightly to the Lawton modded Denon as it should. Mids of the Sony definitely better and better comfort as well. Hard to tell which is really better side-by-side. Love them both.

currawong said:

  If you like the Continental, you might like the PanAm too. That might actually be a good match with the Z7s too, now I think of it.

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Yeah, I'm finding that a bit weird that you haven't mentioned it, since I was sure you have the Pan Am.
 
Have you tried the Pan Am with the Z7 yet?

zhenya said:

   
This would seem to match my memory as well, but I haven't listened to either my D7000's or my HD580's much lately. I will do so and report back further.
 
 
Everything I own is in my sig. My main cans at home are the HD800's. At work the CD3000's. Besides the D7000's I have a set of HD580's which were my first high-end cans. It is absolutely true that there is a preference in sound signatures and I would definitely say mine tends towards the brighter end of things as I tend to feel that gives much greater detail and transparency. I found the D7000's alluring for a while because they were so comfortable, smooth, and easy listening, but in the long run they fell out of favor in my collection because the accuracy wasn't there.
 
 
My comment directly above is pretty much what I'd say to you as well. I'm not familiar with the cans in your collection, but the Beyer house sound is known to be bright and detailed. If you like that I suspect you may also find the Z7's dark. I fully agree with those who have said to listen and decide for yourself though. It's my opinion that reviews here should be considered as an avenue to get a general sense of the sound of a particular piece of gear, but both the reviewer and their audience must be aware of their own personal preferences which will undoubtedly shape their opinion.
 
 
I will have to compare it directly to my D7000's which I definitely find bass heavy. To me the Z7's seem to have an excess of low and mid-bass that ends up overwhelming much of the detail I have come to expect from my high-end cans. Your description of Dark is exactly what I'm hearing in the Z7, although I'd say that decay is almost non-existent and will be one of the hardest things for me to accept from these. Cymbal strikes in particular just seem to fall off with none of the natural resonant decay that some of my other cans have.
 
 
Again, I'll have to compare. My sense from memory is that they are similarly dark but with a much better soundstage and instrument separation.

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Yea, to be honest I really like DARK sources, as for headphones... not so much. I like em super bright
 

oregonian said:

How about a little headphone porn?

I finally got the chance to do side-by-side with these two beauties and to be honest with you they are probably equals. Bass tightness goes slightly to the Lawton modded Denon as it should. Mids of the Sony definitely better and better comfort as well. Hard to tell which is really better side-by-side. Love them both.

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mmmmm those Denons! Frank why don't you get some Custom Cups man! Those Stocks are pretty but ;3 they could be prettier 

Have a set coming very soon bro..........I'm part of a test group of cups made of some exotic SE Asia wood. Can't wait!

oregonian said:

Have a set coming very soon bro..........I'm part of a test group of cups made of some exotic SE Asia wood. Can't wait!

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Very nice :3 

mrguzmanwhite said:

My god, I have a MDR-Z7 coming to my door in just a couple of days (it was shipped today from Sony USA) and after reading so many negative reviews I am disappointed even before getting the headphones. Based on your description, the Z7 is a boomy and dark headphone with receded mids. This is bad news to me as I don't like dark and overly bassy headphones. And boomy bass?, that is terrible, how is that possible in a $700 headphone !!!

I am coming from a B&O H6, AKG 550, and a Beyerdynamic T70p, all of which have clear highs and well controlled bass. None of them are dark headphones. I like to get a headphone that is a bit "warmer" than the ones I have, but with good definition and slam on the bass without being muddy. I was hoping the Z7 to be very "clear" with good highs but warmer and greater bass with a 70 mm drive. From your description the MDR Z7 seems to have the sonic profile that I don't like. I am amazed they would make a $700 headphone without highs and with boomy bass. 

Very disappointed.

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Relax, don't self-defeat and give them a chance. You may not like this sound signature but these are comfy, built as well as anything I've ever seen and will re sell if you don't like them. It's all good bud! Not all headphones are for everyone.

mrguzmanwhite said:

My god, I have a MDR-Z7 coming to my door in just a couple of days (it was shipped today from Sony USA) and after reading so many negative reviews I am disappointed even before getting the headphones. Based on your description, the Z7 is a boomy and dark headphone with receded mids. This is bad news to me as I don't like dark and overly bassy headphones. And boomy bass?, that is terrible, how is that possible in a $700 headphone !!!

Click to expand...

 


You might want to take a look at the Denon D7100. It's Summit-Fi, and it's bassy stuff. If it's possible at $1k+, then it's damn well possible at $700.

thatbeatsguy said:

  You might want to take a look at the Denon D7100. It's Summit-Fi, and it's bassy stuff. If it's possible at $1k+, then it's damn well possible at $700.

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D7100 no no no, check out the JVC DX1000 and DX 2000 [btw the JVC DX 2000 is pretty much a re launch of the DX 1000 with new wood cups] they are both pretty bassy with... different mids