[ThatNzGuy]

   
Mine just shipped via fromjapan.co. They refused to cancel my order and are not the easiest to deal with (wouldn't recommend anyone order from them) but I did get in on a 15% off deal. Z7s came to 487 after shipping and nickel/dime fees. Hope no issues with delivery or function.

Before buying anything, you should at least read the policy, terms and conditions of the seller.
Don't criticize a business just because you failed to read them.
 
Article 13: 
Concerning shopping orders, as a general rule, we are unable to cancel, return, exchange or make claims on your items. However, please be aware that there may be cases where the cancellation, return or claim for an item is possible only if the seller is willing to do so. Please understand that this is the only case when we can accept cancellation, returns, exchanges or claims.

 

[Fegefeuer]

Also: Don't buy on hype. 

 

[Gagarin]

Currawong has a really good review up:
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpp4sF62AmA&list=UUn4Y6OtD4lUEetb1CtpzURA
 
Brilliant review, headphones look like a great buy for modding and the such.
 
 
I was wondering though- how do these scale up with good amping? Also, does a smoother sounding amp make it less disjointed?
 
Also, has anyone tried these with the PHA-3 yet? 

 

[gr8soundz]

  Before buying anything, you should at least read the policy, terms and conditions of the seller.
Don't criticize a business just because you failed to read them.
 
Article 13: 
Concerning shopping orders, as a general rule, we are unable to cancel, return, exchange or make claims on your items. However, please be aware that there may be cases where the cancellation, return or claim for an item is possible only if the seller is willing to do so. Please understand that this is the only case when we can accept cancellation, returns, exchanges or claims.

 
Do you work for them?
 
I wasn't referring to just their cancellation policy. They also refused my request (2 days before shipment) to let me add extra insurance. So now I only have basic EMS insurance which won't cover full cost of z7 if needed. I've ordered stuff from japan since the 90s (mostly gaming stuff) and never encountered this level of rigidity and rudeness. They even stated if I didn't make the 2nd payment (forgot to mention u have to pay in pieces; each time with fees) for shipping that the item would be discarded and no refund given. I can now only hope the z7s arrive ok and work perfectly or I'll be contacting paypal and show them all the email messages. 
 
So what is it about me NOT recommending them that you find fault with?

 

[grizzlybeast]

 

Mine just shipped via fromjapan.co. They refused to cancel my order and are not the easiest to deal with (wouldn't recommend anyone order from them) but I did get in on a 15% off deal. Z7s came to 487 after shipping and nickel/dime fees. Hope no issues with delivery or function.

Before buying anything, you should at least read the policy, terms and conditions of the seller.
Don't criticize a business just because you failed to read them.

[COLOR=333333]Article 13: [/COLOR]
[COLOR=333333]Concerning shopping orders, as a general rule, we are unable to cancel, return, exchange or make claims on your items. However, please be aware that there may be cases where the cancellation, return or claim for an item is possible only if the seller is willing to do so. Please understand that this is the only case when we can accept cancellation, returns, exchanges or claims.[/COLOR]

While it is up to us to read policies, the policy itself is subject to criticism and in this case it maybe an unfair one. Any item that hasnt shipped should be able to be cancelled. That is only ethical. If a company holds an unfair policy than that company is subject to criticism even if we agree to thier terms. This is simply because the market standards are of a high value on customer service. Those companies that dont meet those standards will be under scrutiny.

 

[elnero]

While it is up to us to read policies, the policy itself is subject to criticism and in this case it maybe an unfair one. Any item that hasnt shipped should be able to be cancelled. That is only ethical. If a company holds an unfair policy than that company is subject to criticism even if we agree to thier terms. This is simply because the market standards are of a high value on customer service. Those companies that dont meet those standards will be under scrutiny.

I gather from the wording that the policy is in place because they act as an in-between to facilitate the purchase of products directly from Japan. I could be wrong on this but I'd assume they don't actually keep stock, they've put in an order or purchase a quantity from a 3rd party based on the orders they've received which would likely make allowing for cancelled orders highly inconvenient on their end and quite likely make the service not viable.

 

[xjaynine]

Personally I haven't used Price Japan, but have used other package forwarding services. It's a hassle not being able to return goods but I can see why'd they've written their returns/ cancellation policy the way it is. Especially if the cancellation request is last minute or close to the final stages of forwarding the order (items being repackaged, and final destination address and paper work all written up).
 
PJ are only getting paid for the commissions they are charging for the forwarding service, and don't get a share of the profits from the actual item they're forwarding (maybe they've cut a deal with some retailers, who knows). Also there's an off chance that in order to get the lowest prices to the consumer (they use kakaku.com prices), PJ may sometimes use a retailer that doesn't offer returns. I know of some computer retailer in Australia that are fairly unfriendly when it comes to those kinds of returns. If that happens and if they refund a forwarding order they'll be left with bearing the cost of that item.
 
However, if they are able to return the goods to the original retailer, I should think that refunding the buyer the purchase price of the goods minus their commission fees would be a fairer policy. As it takes them the same amount of effort and work to return the item back to base as to ship it to the buyer.

 

[grizzlybeast]

While it is up to us to read policies, the policy itself is subject to criticism and in this case it maybe an unfair one. Any item that hasnt shipped should be able to be cancelled. That is only ethical. If a company holds an unfair policy than that company is subject to criticism even if we agree to thier terms. This is simply because the market standards are of a high value on customer service. Those companies that dont meet those standards will be under scrutiny.

I gather from the wording that the policy is in place because they act as an in-between to facilitate the purchase of products directly from Japan. I could be wrong on this but I'd assume they don't actually keep stock, they've put in an order or purchase a quantity from a 3rd party based on the orders they've received which would likely make allowing for cancelled orders highly inconvenient on their end and quite likely make the service not viable.

True I gathered the same but just figured it would be different for stuff that is back ordered since it may be easier to cancel but you are right.

 

[gr8soundz]

I knew their return policy beforehand but figured it couldn't hurt to ask. Doubt they contacted seller mikasacamera but I didn't argue. Figured I'd sell the z7s if I didn't like em. Only problem I really had was feeling like I was jumping through hoops to complete the purchase only to have them insist on shipping it without the proper insurance (that I was willing to pay for). That is inexcusable in my opinion

 

[up late]

pricejapan isn't a package forwarding service. kaneda replies promptly to email enquiries. orders are sent quickly if the item is in stock. packaging for shipment can be flimsy so it's a bit of a crapshoot.

 

[Oregonian]

Currawong has a really good review up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpp4sF62AmA&list=UUn4Y6OtD4lUEetb1CtpzURA

Brilliant review, headphones look like a great buy for modding and the such.


I was wondering though- how do these scale up with good amping? Also, does a smoother sounding amp make it less disjointed?

I've been running them out of three different vintage amps of varying levels of "good" - a Realistic STA-64B (12wpc amp from 1976), Pioneer SA-7500 II (45wpc from 1978) and a Pioneer Spec (250wpc from 1979). All have performed well and can't really say any one stood out other than the Spec, fed via a Pioneer CD player, sounded incredible.

Don't have a Headphone-specific amp but I'd guess they would scale nicely but that's a guess.

Not sure what you mean by disjointed.

 

[Currawong]

Yeah, time for an International Standard Plug for balanced. TRRS 4-pole ftw. Except for studio gear and Über-High End stuff maybe.

XKCD has some comment on that ... http://xkcd.com/927/

Bulls Eye

In all seriousness, I just wanted to state my case here. I'm not really keen on forced standards.

However, I hope more and more companies will gear towards the balanced TRRS for the following reasons:

1) It's largely compatble with the normal 3-pole plug/socket. You can almost "sneak" it in without any major changes.

2) A 4-pole TRRS can easily work for non-balanced transmission (i.e. 3 poles, common ground), while the opposite isn't possible.

3) In the cases where an adapter is needed, these can be made maximally compact (think of that little cable Stumpf that comes in the box when you buy a headset).

Ordinary people will confuse it between the iDevice standard though. Remember that ordinary consumers are quite often lazy and don't expect to have to think about how to use stuff.

 
Before buying anything, you should at least read the policy, terms and conditions of the seller.
Don't criticize a business just because you failed to read them.

[COLOR=333333]Article 13: [/COLOR]
[COLOR=333333]Concerning shopping orders, as a general rule, we are unable to cancel, return, exchange or make claims on your items. However, please be aware that there may be cases where the cancellation, return or claim for an item is possible only if the seller is willing to do so. Please understand that this is the only case when we can accept cancellation, returns, exchanges or claims.[/COLOR]

Do you work for them?

I wasn't referring to just their cancellation policy. They also refused my request (2 days before shipment) to let me add extra insurance. So now I only have basic EMS insurance which won't cover full cost of z7 if needed. I've ordered stuff from japan since the 90s (mostly gaming stuff) and never encountered this level of rigidity and rudeness. They even stated if I didn't make the 2nd payment (forgot to mention u have to pay in pieces; each time with fees) for shipping that the item would be discarded and no refund given. I can now only hope the z7s arrive ok and work perfectly or I'll be contacting paypal and show them all the email messages. 

So what is it about me NOT recommending them that you find fault with?

EMS is reliable. Don't sweat it. As for cancellation, once they have bought it, they would have made a loss if they allowed cancellations, so of course they will say "no".

 

[M-13]

Just saw Amos's video and at the end when he takes off the pads... OMG talk about driver porn. Those 70mm are way too sexy...

 
*thanks for video Amos it just makes me want to get the Z7 even more now...

 

[halcyon]

Les Numeriques has the French language interview. They like it, 5 out of 5 stars.

http://www.lesnumeriques.com/casque-audio/sony-mdr-z7-p22050/test.html

However, the 50Hz square-wave leaves a LOT to be desired for me:
 

 

[takato14]

  Les Numeriques has the French language interview. They like it, 5 out of 5 stars.

http://www.lesnumeriques.com/casque-audio/sony-mdr-z7-p22050/test.html

However, the 50Hz square-wave leaves a LOT to be desired for me:
 

that is FAR better than I expected actually
 
get rid of that minor hump/bloat after the leading edge and it's quite good