[EDN80]

Look like I missed the Amazon UK deal, it said no shipment to the US now. Wonder who is the tattle tale?

Now I got to wait for price to drop here in the US, good thing look like it already does, 2000 now on US Amazon.

 
Read through the thread. If history is any indication, chances are the deal will be back and shipping to US again. Beyond that, who knows? Keep checking.

 

[Whitigir]

When pairing with WM1Z, I need to EQ the setup to get what I want ^_^ truly amazing about how well Wm1z can EQ. Gotta take sub bass and upper bass down a notch and boosting up that trebles . Also, Vocal on the Z1R and WM1Z is too forward/close. So it also goes down a notch. Just sharing my EQ for this pairing

 

[227qed]

When pairing with WM1Z, I need to EQ the setup to get what I want ^_^ truly amazing about how well Wm1z can EQ. Gotta take sub bass and upper bass down a notch and boosting up that trebles . Also, Vocal on the Z1R and WM1Z is too forward/close. So it also goes down a notch. Just sharing my EQ for this pairing

Very nice...and as you sort of indicated before, eqing the 31 hz to the max produces more subbass quantity than the th900? A real rattler that can take over the #2 or maybe even dethrone the #1 bass set in the extreme bass club thread?

 

[thatonenoob]

WM1A goes better with Z1R imo.  WM1Z is too much of one signature.

 

[greggf]

Just listened to "Song of the Nightingale".  Do I dare wonder if the Z1R is now the best overall headphone on the market?
 
I've had the STAX 007 and 009 and the HD800 and HD800S.  I prefer the Sonys.  And the Sony's "enjoyment factor" is just off the charts.

 

[ross1974]

+1 on emotion for sure.
I think we all WANTED these Sonys to be great for many reasons.

They are the successor to a legendary model
Are built like a tank
Are made by a brand that has been hit and miss but when it hits....fireworks

I for one am always looking for "the one" , a phone to keep for many many years, but it needs a combo of ultimate build quality and sound quality. I think this could be it.

 

[ubs28]

  Just listened to "Song of the Nightingale".  Do I dare wonder if the Z1R is now the best overall headphone on the market?
 
I've had the STAX 007 and 009 and the HD800 and HD800S.  I prefer the Sonys.  And the Sony's "enjoyment factor" is just off the charts.

 
Could be. If you say it offers performances like the SR-009 and the HD 800 S while being closed and portable and easy to drive out of Mojo or smartphone, then Sony could have a winner.
 
I have been looking for a long time for a full sized closed headphone that can replace the Shure SE846. So far all closed headphones have failed. We shall see if the Z1R is the closed headphone that I was looking for when I get my hands on them

 

[Satir]

n/a

 

[Naim.F.C]

Sold the Ether C's. Looking at replacements. Interesting to read Z1R mediocre match with Questyle amplification. Important to ensure ones source components good synergy for headphone considered. Appreciate Japanese asthetic for packaging of consumer goods, but humongous Z1R presentation box is ridiculous. For Z1R money included hardcase for transport and protection required. 

I know this might sound like blasphemy to some, but if you're worried about synergy, just buy a cheap neutral alternative like the O2+ODAC or HP-A4BL. Noise floor is zilch, and there's plenty of power and performance for cans like these.

Amplication needn't be the barrier to you considering a great pair of headphones. Especially headphones like these, which are not particularly difficult to power.

 

[Satir]

n/a

 

[MisterMoJo]

Bit the bullet and bought the sony/kimber cable from Amazon.  Should be here Monday if the weather cooperates.  I am looking forward to comparing it to the stock cable, which sounds fine, but is flimsy.

 

[kefs]

Bowers and Wilkins p9 or Sony Z1R ?
purely for home use only via a Sugden Headmaster.I appreciate they will be very different beasts, i currently use B&W p7. I will need approx 4-5m cable from the sofa to my system.

 

[ross1974]

Try Dark Side of the Moon, a very difficult recording on the phones. It's EPIC.
As well as Shine on. Epic as well.

 

[Sonic Defender]

Bowers and Wilkins p9 or Sony Z1R ?
purely for home use only via a Sugden Headmaster.I appreciate they will be very different beasts, i currently use B&W p7. I will need approx 4-5m cable from the sofa to my system.

I don't think either have cables that long, certainly not the Z1R, so you are in custom cable, or extension cable territory. Get a comfy foldable chair and sit closer to your system and save a ton of money (unless you buy a seriously expensive chair). I have heard the P9, and I will be borrowing a friends soon to have for a few weeks, but already I am quite confident that the Z1R will win that competition, but that is for me. The P9 has with the right material, a gorgeous mid-range and top end if I remember correctly, but with some bass intensive material the mid-bass emphasis can become muddy and congested sounding. I'm looking forward to having the P9 here soon. I also have a P7, wireless and really enjoy it.

 

[pietcux]

 
Get a comfy foldable chair and sit closer to your system and save a ton of money (unless you buy a seriously expensive chair).

That is an exceptional comment, love it! Made my day!