[VancityDreaming]

Why these IEMs so harsh? I use Hugo 2, Mojo source... I tried every different type of tip.
I have Andromeda 2020, Solaris OG, Nio, U12t, none of them are harsh to me.

Shallow insertion depth made it harsh for me. I had to downsize to the smallest tip possible, to negate the issue.

 

[Tristy]

Why these IEMs so harsh? I use Hugo 2, Mojo source... I tried every different type of tip.
I have Andromeda 2020, Solaris OG, Nio, U12t, none of them are harsh to me.

I’ve tried all of the IEM’s mentioned except for Nio and the Z1R’s treble comes across as a lot less abrasive than the Solaris OG and Andromeda's to me. Are you sure you are getting a good seal / good insertion?

 

[normie610]

Why these IEMs so harsh? I use Hugo 2, Mojo source... I tried every different type of tip.
I have Andromeda 2020, Solaris OG, Nio, U12t, none of them are harsh to me.

Yes it can be a bit harsh. Try to use tips with wide bore and have the deepest insertion possible. After experimenting for the last 1.5 years, I just recently managed to reduce the harshness by using Tennmak Whirlwind tips medium size with a very very deep insertion.

 

[gerelmx1986]

Why these IEMs so harsh? I use Hugo 2, Mojo source... I tried every different type of tip.
I have Andromeda 2020, Solaris OG, Nio, U12t, none of them are harsh to me.

Either all these iems are of a.laidback signature, like the koss pp, but I sont find my Z1R harh at all, if sometimes a bit harh its brief and perhaps depends on mastering quality of albums

 

[nc8000]

Why these IEMs so harsh? I use Hugo 2, Mojo source... I tried every different type of tip.
I have Andromeda 2020, Solaris OG, Nio, U12t, none of them are harsh to me.

I don’t find them in any way harsh

 

[Damz87]

Why these IEMs so harsh? I use Hugo 2, Mojo source... I tried every different type of tip.
I have Andromeda 2020, Solaris OG, Nio, U12t, none of them are harsh to me.

It could be the synergy with your sources? I’ve never heard a chord product before but I believe they are more on the analytical side of the tonality spectrum (please correct me if I am wrong)

Z1R’s seem to pair best with neutral to warm sounding sources.

 

[OlosAftia]

It could be the synergy with your sources? I’ve never heard a chord product before but I believe they are more on the analytical side of the tonality spectrum (please correct me if I am wrong)

Z1R’s seem to pair best with neutral to warm sounding sources.

Could you name a couple Damz87? My pair will be arriving any time now!

 

[Damz87]

Could you name a couple Damz87? My pair will be arriving any time now!

I haven’t heard very many DAPs, so I’m probably not the best person to ask unfortunately lol... But out of the ones I have tried, my preference order would be:

1. iBasso DX220 Max
2. A&K KANN Alpha
3. Sony WM1Z (with DMP-WM1 custom firmware)
4. Sony ZX507

 

[OlosAftia]

The WM1Z is the nicest-looking DAP I've laid my eyes on. That price tho...

And have you tried any appropriate desktop DAC/amps?

 

[Damz87]

The WM1Z is the nicest-looking DAP I've laid my eyes on. That price tho...

And have you tried any appropriate desktop DAC/amps?

Not many, sorry however I do own a Sony TA-ZH1ES & DMP-Z1 which both sound excellent with the Z1R. There’s a few TA-ZH1ES & Z1R owners around this thread that can hopefully chime in and share their thoughts as well, but I certainly believe they are a great pair up.

The DMP-Z1 takes it a step further again, but the improvement probably isn’t worth the almost 4x price difference imho.

 

[toaster]

It could be the synergy with your sources? I’ve never heard a chord product before but I believe they are more on the analytical side of the tonality spectrum (please correct me if I am wrong)

Z1R’s seem to pair best with neutral to warm sounding sources.

h2 is monstrously technical, but the mojo is actually quite warm.

 

[Bostyn]

Damn I might be beating a dead horse here but these are the worst fitting IEMs in history — and I've tried many. I have relatively big ears too, so I can only shudder to think how people with smaller ears suffer.
Frustratingly it's only the left ear that spits them straight out, the right fits better ( as in, still torturous but deep at least).
These will be a catch and release most likely, I just can't fit them in and not a single tip they came with helps to get a comfortable seal.

Any tips or is it just hopeless and they simply don't agree with the anatomy of my ear ?

 

[aaf evo]

Damn I might be beating a dead horse here but these are the worst fitting IEMs in history — and I've tried many. I have relatively big ears too, so I can only shudder to think how people with smaller ears suffer.
Frustratingly it's only the left ear that spits them straight out, the right fits better ( as in, still torturous but deep at least).
These will be a catch and release most likely, I just can't fit them in and not a single tip they came with helps to get a comfortable seal.

Any tips or is it just hopeless and they simply don't agree with the anatomy of my ear ?

The fit is pretty bad compared to other iems. Took me about a week with lots of tip rolling and listening to find what works best for me. Now I can listen with virtually zero discomfort.

 

[nc8000]

Damn I might be beating a dead horse here but these are the worst fitting IEMs in history — and I've tried many. I have relatively big ears too, so I can only shudder to think how people with smaller ears suffer.
Frustratingly it's only the left ear that spits them straight out, the right fits better ( as in, still torturous but deep at least).
These will be a catch and release most likely, I just can't fit them in and not a single tip they came with helps to get a comfortable seal.

Any tips or is it just hopeless and they simply don't agree with the anatomy of my ear ?

It is extremely individual. I have absolutely no problem (the Sony Z5 on the other hand were the worst ever for me) and people with all size ears have had no problems or massive problems

 

[terminaut]

Damn I might be beating a dead horse here but these are the worst fitting IEMs in history — and I've tried many. I have relatively big ears too, so I can only shudder to think how people with smaller ears suffer.
Frustratingly it's only the left ear that spits them straight out, the right fits better ( as in, still torturous but deep at least).
These will be a catch and release most likely, I just can't fit them in and not a single tip they came with helps to get a comfortable seal.

Any tips or is it just hopeless and they simply don't agree with the anatomy of my ear ?

Yeah whoever is in charge of UX (user-experience) on the Z1R team blew it. These IEMs are sublime when you're able to achieve ideal fit/seal though, so are well worth the exercise of experimenting.

I have spent countless hours rolling through tips and custom-made "stuff" but think I may have arrived at a very achievable solution that could help. Will follow up later today with some photos and links...