Owludio
500+ Head-Fier
Thank you! It's unfortunate that your set is defective. Agree with Warriorpoet, this is not at all like Roland sounds. It's opposite of hollow and distant, mids, especially lower - sound prominent and full bodied. Roland is more mid-centric(or balanced, leveled) IEM than z1r, though, like I said earlier, technical performance wise z1r extends better, has more effortless presentation (albeit more aggressive). That said, when I had z1r, some time I couldn't listen to it, while Roland usurped ear-time from even ones that I used to listen on the days when my hearing goes down (like IMR R1z & FH7, LX). So, it would be interesting addition to your collection for sure. This is the kind of sound that I find most universally acceptable than any IEM in my entire experience!TE5B is vented. And Roland did indeed isolate very well. And hella comfy at the same time.
I wasn't expecting an upgrade from the Z1R. I was looking for a different hybrid setup. I like trying unique tech and various implementations. That's what interests me in this hobby. "Markedly different implementation and approach to sound, all trying to achieve the same goal." An ideal sound. Whether it's a multi BA, a unique low pass filter, using DD as super tweeter, unique crossover system, piezo electric, estat, single DD, triband, planar, vented, switches, replaceable filters, etc etc. Although I do have my sound preference, I don't mind different sounding IEMs, unless they just sound terrible or are flawed in a major way. And I don't rank IEMs. I think that's pointless as sound is highly subjective and things change depending on my mood or genre of music I'm listening to. Some sound better with rock, while others are more suited to classical or acoustic music. So how do you rank them? Its true there are technically more capable or superior IEMs, but that doesn't mean they always sound better to my liking. However, I do agree to a certain point, higher budget IEMs tend to sound better in general, and are made with better build quality, one of the aspects I value. Lastly, these are reasons why I generally prefer big companies or well established brands, as they have the resources for a bigger R&D to venture out and apply different methods and technologies. There are plenty of good sounding IEMs out there that suits every imaginable taste, but doesn't mean they're unique.
To me, instead of being different, Roland (at least my set) just sounded very wrong. Very subdued, hollow, and distant. Like I said, it could've been a defective unit.
Sorry for a drawn out post. Hope that answered your question.
Very accurate and forgiving sound. Not the widest soundstage, not the deepest or strongest bass, not the most extended treble but still...