[feverfive]

Wow, what a thorough job by the OP, very much appreciated.  I am in the market for fullsize cans, and these will get serious consideration.

 

[noplsestar]

I wonder if they can compete with Ether C Flow head to head.
Planar magnetic driver being much faster then dynamic ones.

Jep, this is the only question that counts for me. They are in the same price range and both closed cans. So very soon we will see who the winner is I guess. And the winner will get my money ... If I could bet (have not heard both of them) I would say that the Ether C Flow will win, but who knows?

 

[beowulf]

Driver comparison MDR-Z1R vs MDR-Z7
 

 

[beowulf]

If I could bet (have not heard both of them) I would say that the Ether C Flow will win, but who knows?

 
Unless it's in the "Best looking case" award...

 

 

[thatonenoob]

Jep, this is the only question that counts for me. They are in the same price range and both closed cans. So very soon we will see who the winner is I guess. And the winner will get my money ... If I could bet (have not heard both of them) I would say that the Ether C Flow will win, but who knows?

I have not had a try with the ether c flow. But if it was up to me, I'd take thr z1r over the ether c (edit). I think that in terms of coherence the z1r does have the upper hand.

 

[pietcux]

Unless it's in the "Best looking case" award...

I don't remember ever putting a case on my head to listen to music...cardbord boxes are just fine with me.

 

[XERO1]

I don't remember ever putting a case on my head to listen to music...cardbord boxes are just fine with me.

 
All I think beowulf is saying is that for $1800, you would expect a liiiittle bit better packaging than what MrSpeakers currently offers.

 
To each there own, of course.

 

[kurochin]

If based on case alone, I'd take the Sony. It's roomier. Important for when I end up homeless after spending everything I have on headphones.

 

[XERO1]

If based on case alone, I'd take the Sony. It's roomier. Important for when I end up homeless after spending everything I have on headphones.

 
Same here!

 

[gr8soundz]

  Driver comparison MDR-Z1R vs MDR-Z7
 

 
Anyone else think the Z7 driver looks like a hot plate?
 

   
Unless it's in the "Best looking case" award...

 
Mr. Speakers case designed for actual transport. Z1R case is just for it's grand opening (unboxing).
 

 

[XERO1]

 
 
Mr. Speakers case designed for actual transport. Z1R case is just for it's grand opening (unboxing).

 
Maybe.  But you can get a much better looking travel case for your headphone on Amazon for around $20 bucks.
 
Just sayin'

 

[Mark Up]

Cutting the case could have saved them money, and even shipping cost to them to warehouses from its added weight. A compact, hard, zipper case is always better.

 

[Jackson 6]

You are right, but my son is practising Kendo and Judo to take over, once he got his light sword...

It must be tempered in the pure spring water of Fiji, from a young age, though multi tourist visa's can be arranged, for the tempering must be over several seasons. And he must camp at 4000m, to taste the blade in the first tributary gurgling's. Or use a lithium battery within.

 

[Soundsgoodtome]

No one seems to be mentioning that Sony might be tuning these to go hand in hand with the Gold Walkman. Sony has been known to match their products to their DAP on numerous occasions. Not to say the Z1R won't sound good with other systems but tuning is usually done in unison with their other items for their perfect presentation of sound. Which is any representation of Sony, a deep clear bass with good impact (being reference, no mid bass boost here), sweet and clean mids with excellent detail retrieval. Airy highs but no sibilant peaks, and expansive soundstage. Speed might not be planar magnetic speed but quick enough to be able to retrieve all details.

 

[gr8soundz]

   
Maybe.  But you can get a much better looking travel case for your headphone on Amazon for around $20 bucks.
 
Just sayin'

 
Already done. Got the Slappa hard case for $10 a couple months ago.
 
Still, the Sony box looks like a major factor of the price increase.