[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

I think everyone in this hobby should try or own Z1R at some point

Lend me the $1,000 and we'll talk?

 

[Redcarmoose]

The Sony XBA-Z5 goes down as one of the most disappointing purchases of my entire life. All that money spent for what was a bass heavy and dark treble IEM with middling technicalities, and this purchase was based on the raves of several Discovery vets. Might be neck and neck with the disappointment in the Dita Truth, and just below the Mofasest Trio.

2014 when Sony gave us the XBA-Z5 it was a while ago. In fact Sony did give me the Z5 as a gift with a DAP. You know in Singapore gifts with audio purchases are more common and liked. To where I like the Z5 but realize the drawbacks. One crazy thing is if you try and bring the midrange up and out, it becomes strangely grainy? But I look at it as a progression of sorts, yet there are still people that find the XBA-Z5 new to them now a decade later and fall in love. Though its outside surface does scratch, that and MMCX.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

What's one of the most recommended $500 or less IEM recommended for a more musical/organic/slightly warm presentation while still having good technicalities?

Oriveti OD200

 

[Redcarmoose]

Lend me the $1,000 and we'll talk?

Someone just purchased the IER-Z1R (used) due to the Japan exchange rate right now.......for $850 or so?

 

[o0genesis0o]

Lend me the $1,000 and we'll talk?

Me looking at my wallet

But seriously, almost every “audiophile” I met has owned, is still owning, or at least has tried the Z1R once. That IEM is legendary.

The first time I tried it was when I was deep in the flathead earbuds phase. I was still shocked how the Z1R matched the stage of earbuds but with much more epic bass.

And how you can swing that IEM around and yonk it to someone face like a self defence weapon. (I might or might not have done so)

 

[ToneDeafMonk]

My feelings and sound impressions on one you may not have noticed.
Shanling ME600

 

[Zerstorer_GOhren]

I think everyone in this hobby should try or own Z1R at some point

I'm not that particular fan of IER-Z1R especially on how it was tuned. Tested it many times since early 2019. For sure it has a superb technical performance and excellent fitting to my lugholes but its tuning doesn't fit well to my sound profile preference. Somewhat off to me.

 

[Knale]

I think that upcoming Dunu x GizAudio DaVinci might just suit all that to a T. A lot of early impressions seem to match up pretty well.

Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite or Aful MagicOne as well.

 

[suman134]

Is Kinera Verdandi better than it's older brother Urd? Both are EST based with similar type of configuration while the more expensive Verdandi has a BCD that does it's job at lower mid bass and sub bass region but is it better? Here is my comparison video review:

For those who doesn't have patience, Urd is a more pleasing IEM, a bit more composed and refined. Thi sounds odd but the calm and composure Urd has is not there with Verdandi. Verdandi's treble is a bit more agitated and feels like it's trying to do a lot of things at once and is all over the place, lacking control and refinement.
For more details, watch the video.

 

[suman134]

I'm not that particular fan of IER-Z1R especially on how it was tuned. Tested it many times since early 2019. For sure it has a superb technical performance and excellent fitting to my lugholes but its tuning doesn't fit well to my sound profile preference. Somewhat off to me.

I found the Z1r to be horrible. Very V shaped, wooly bass and bad treble extension with lower and mid treble prominence. Badly tuned IEM which is good for bass heads only.

 

[musingclouds]

Planning to make a longer thread about these in a bit after more listening, but man are the SWEEAR SR-11s a thing of beauty... Apologies for my crap yellow lighting and subpar camera skills.

This brand is way way way slept on compared to other TOTL IEMs. I'm happy about that so I could get a pair of these but these deserve to be seen and heard!!!

http://www.sweear.com/product/sr11-hybrid-11-driver-in-ear-monitor

Currently have them paired with Baroque Eletech Tips and these flat out sing. I swapped the stock cable for my Hikari Audio Sigure.

 

[o0genesis0o]

I found the Z1r to be horrible. Very V shaped, wooly bass and bad treble extension with lower and mid treble prominence. Badly tuned IEM which is good for bass heads only.

Maybe fit problem if you hear bad treble extension and wooly bass. Treble extension and subbass shelf is like its forte

 

[thaslaya]

Newest review just posted for the Rose Technics QuietSea (Headfi and blog) for those interested. Really wanted to like this set but unfortunately it didn't quite agree with me. However, it does come with good accessories including a fantastic stock cable that's better than many sets under $200.

 

[o0genesis0o]

Newest review just posted for the Rose Technics QuietSea (Headfi and blog) for those interested. Really wanted to like this set but unfortunately it didn't quite agree with me. However, it does come with good accessories including a fantastic stock cable that's better than many sets under $200.

I swear I have seen that shell a couple years ago under a different brand. Am I hallucinating?

 

[thaslaya]

I swear I have seen that shell a couple years ago under a different brand. Am I hallucinating?

Keen eye sir! iKKO OH2 uses the same shell. The QuietSea was made with iKKO's help.