takato14
Headphoneus Supremus
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I have the SA3k myself, which uses the <exact> same drivers as the SA5k, and they're not genuinely fast, while the Z5 is. The SA3k seems to try and fake fast by being trebley and dry. They are very detailed, but the Z5 has more. The treble extension is better as you said, but is also splashier and far less refined. The Z5 exhibits so much control over its treble; I've never heard better. Even my friend's RS2i can't compare. The SA3k's bass also falls off a cliff, while the Z5 is almost a flat line all the way down to 10Hz.
About the soundstage, I was attempting to make the Z5 open-backed because of how amazing the imaging is on these beasts. It's absolutely spot on, and I'm sure that if these were in a different enclosure that the soundstage could be absolutely perfect. However, since they're so rare, I don't really dare mess with them much... I already snapped the adjuster trying to take off the inner headband and had to glue it back on.
How's the technical precision on the Z6 and 7 compared to the Z5? Just wondering if there's any real reason to keep my eyes peeled for a Z6 or Z7.
Quote:Maybe.
Thought so, I was looking at it since late last year but decided not to buy it due to his habit of flipping (that's why he was banned here) and the supposedly damaged cable.
For some impressions, since I'am of the few people here who has heard all the 3 models, namely Z5, Z6 and Z7. They share one thing in common is their is a roll off present with the treble. Detail retrieval for these things are amazing for the size the heavy duty drivers are capable of but they don't offer the level of micro-detail and airy soundstage that of the SA5k or a modded S3k. The Z6 is balanced of the 3 and sounds about 2/3 of a CD17/2k. The Z7 is a more balanced Z5 with some of the roll off removed, but it is still present.
They are indeed rare, if they were still in production they would probably be the best portables to exist today. Prices for the Z5 is usually $35-80, Z6 is around $120-150 and Z7 can go up to $250 but mostly around $200.
I have the SA3k myself, which uses the <exact> same drivers as the SA5k, and they're not genuinely fast, while the Z5 is. The SA3k seems to try and fake fast by being trebley and dry. They are very detailed, but the Z5 has more. The treble extension is better as you said, but is also splashier and far less refined. The Z5 exhibits so much control over its treble; I've never heard better. Even my friend's RS2i can't compare. The SA3k's bass also falls off a cliff, while the Z5 is almost a flat line all the way down to 10Hz.
About the soundstage, I was attempting to make the Z5 open-backed because of how amazing the imaging is on these beasts. It's absolutely spot on, and I'm sure that if these were in a different enclosure that the soundstage could be absolutely perfect. However, since they're so rare, I don't really dare mess with them much... I already snapped the adjuster trying to take off the inner headband and had to glue it back on.
How's the technical precision on the Z6 and 7 compared to the Z5? Just wondering if there's any real reason to keep my eyes peeled for a Z6 or Z7.