Another possibility to account for what I'm hearing is that I might be dumb. Partly because I wanted to be a big boy I've stuck with the M hybrid silicone rubber tips. The MS ones of the same type didn't do much for me and I think I only tried the M of the tiple-comfort tips. As you can see in the picture the triple-comfort are chunkier looking.
Out of desperation I tried the MS triple-comforts. This sounds more correct.
Drums are remarkably defined and punchy, male vocals are present, the cymbals are there, and the sound is generally clear (which is notable given I'm still with just the Magni) and not mellow. I'm not sure the saxophone is as expressive as it should be though. Toto has balls now and Sandstorm sounds more alive in higher frequencies. Clearly I don't have the discernment to evaluate if this is tonally correct (vocals may still be lean) and to characterize the sound with great precision especially relative to other iems I haven't heard but this is substantial progress for me. Bass may still be too dominant but the signature makes more sense. I swapped back and forth between the hybrid M and triple-comfort MS again and the latter definitely has a significant positive effect primarily in boosting frequencies past bass (tried the hybrid MS too).
Let's go over the significance of tips. Does it make sense that I was getting an L-shaped sound signature with the M hybrid silicone rubber tips? Why didn't going down to MS of the same type of tips do much to correct this? What happened when I switched to MS of triple-comfort to better balance and improve the sound? How exactly are you supposed to know that you have the right tip and size? What is the range of negative effects that should tip you off to a mismatch, and is it exclusive to tips?
PS
I found this to be an interesting critical comparison of the Z1R to the FW10000. I have to say, being able to go to a local store and compare is a major advantage people in East Asia have that many of us don't. Trying to decipher online impressions is the true hobby, and it isn't very enjoyable.
Out of desperation I tried the MS triple-comforts. This sounds more correct.
Drums are remarkably defined and punchy, male vocals are present, the cymbals are there, and the sound is generally clear (which is notable given I'm still with just the Magni) and not mellow. I'm not sure the saxophone is as expressive as it should be though. Toto has balls now and Sandstorm sounds more alive in higher frequencies. Clearly I don't have the discernment to evaluate if this is tonally correct (vocals may still be lean) and to characterize the sound with great precision especially relative to other iems I haven't heard but this is substantial progress for me. Bass may still be too dominant but the signature makes more sense. I swapped back and forth between the hybrid M and triple-comfort MS again and the latter definitely has a significant positive effect primarily in boosting frequencies past bass (tried the hybrid MS too).
Let's go over the significance of tips. Does it make sense that I was getting an L-shaped sound signature with the M hybrid silicone rubber tips? Why didn't going down to MS of the same type of tips do much to correct this? What happened when I switched to MS of triple-comfort to better balance and improve the sound? How exactly are you supposed to know that you have the right tip and size? What is the range of negative effects that should tip you off to a mismatch, and is it exclusive to tips?
PS
Second take with different IER-Z1R from different store and different source. iPhone with dongle is **** according to some.
Source : SP1000m.
Vol90 on Z1R, vol85 on 10K.
Overall Z1R signature : boomy warm, upfront mid and treble distant back relative to mid and low.
Adele - Sorry
Z1R - Vocal sound “hard” and upfront. Doesn’t feel as unnatural or plasticky compared to previous demo. Bass quite boomy and ever presence. Not much detail/nuance in low end. High doesn’t feel like soaring high and a step behind. Overall clarity feel smoothed but not veiled. Stage not wide or tall.
10k - Vocal sound much more natural, the Adele voice that I know. More nuance/detail can be heard easily (probably boosted). Perception of stage is better in term of height, wide and depth. More emotional as it should be.
Daft Punk - Get Lucky
Z1R - Same overall warmth. Again bass doesn’t have that tactile-ness and feel boomy. Mid upfront but sound ok this time. Not enough air between each instrument/note. Overall more intimate ie closed in. Club feel when cranked up the volume.
10K - Bassline stay where it should be and each note distinct. Vocal sound more natural. Details more easily heard.
Dire Straits - Money for nothing
Z1R - Bass boomy and overall warmth. Vocal sound nasally/hard and upfront. Intimate stage but still can pin point instrument/vocal/position quite accurately.
10K - Stage size and dynamic improvement quite noticeable over Sony. Sub and mid bass well controlled and placed behind the vocal. Vocals and instruments are clear, well separated and positioned. Each take their own space. Show better dynamic range compared to Z1R.
Make no mistake, Z1R is definitely TOTL but not to my number 1 choice.
I found this to be an interesting critical comparison of the Z1R to the FW10000. I have to say, being able to go to a local store and compare is a major advantage people in East Asia have that many of us don't. Trying to decipher online impressions is the true hobby, and it isn't very enjoyable.
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