[Tristy]

What you think the tech would be? Hybrids appear to be going to triple setup - DD, BA and ES for highs. Like the Fir Audio and TOTL Noble offerings. If Sony were to go down that route they'd likely make the ES driver in house ?

I have no idea. I can’t imagine that they would stray too far from their hybrid DD design as they’ve put a lot of emphasis on the ‘live’ feel on their website. Can’t get that feel from a pure BA design etc.

 

[grooveriders]

I have both, and have actually recently had the VE Elysium on trial from the tour. God do those have amazing treble! Almost KSE12500 level.

MEST has a very similar treble to the Ely tbh, but it's not quite as effortless and natural. MEST shimmers and crunches a bit more, but it's still so clean and effortless - more so than Z1R.

Where Z1R outshines MEST though is the sense of realism, texture and tone. It's a more coherent and mature sounding IEM, with really exemplary bass. Midrange on both of these are kind of their weaknesses, Z1R particularly sounds stuffy in midbass and lower mids (too much), and MEST sounds too wimpy in the midbass to lower mids (not enough weight). Upper mids both tend to be energetic, but MEST sometimes is a bit too much. In fact, I don't find the frequency response to be too elevated in the upper mids for MEST, but rather I think I hear a lack of coherency in that region, and the est's trying to mix in, makes for a bit of a digitized effect with some music.

With really good recordings however, MEST outshines Z1R imho, Z1R always imposes its character, but seems to plateau compared to the likes of KSE1500, Ely or MEST with really detailed music; I'm guessing the effortless nature of the est's, when perfectly matched can allow for a real immersion where you feel there with the artist. KSE1500 is truly the best at that, but sometimes that IEM simply doesn't work

My 2 cents, they're my complimentary iem's now.

The VE elysium was too "expensive" (3800usd in my country) for me but I do like the mids and treble better than the z1r. And the other downside of the z1r for me is that the bass is too a tad bit too "slow" and "boomy" not sure if Im using the right wording here.
I got the ier-m9 and qdc Dmagic instead (both for the roughly price of a single z1r) but will be on the look for the z1r and Mest in the near future. Im also very interested in the KSE1500 but I have to cross it out due to the fact that its an est and not compatible with other dap/amp.

 

[Tristy]

The VE elysium was too "expensive" (3800usd in my country) for me but I do like the mids and treble better than the z1r. And the other downside of the z1r for me is that the bass is too a tad bit too "slow" and "boomy" not sure if Im using the right wording here.
I got the ier-m9 and qdc Dmagic instead (both for the roughly price of a single z1r) but will be on the look for the z1r and Mest in the near future. Im also very interested in the KSE1500 but I have to cross it out due to the fact that its an est and not compatible with other dap/amp.

Which source were you using on the Z1R? Strangely, I think the bass seems to ‘tighten up’ with more power and seems to be a little more flabby with less power.

 

[grooveriders]

Which source were you using on the Z1R? Strangely, I think the bass seems to ‘tighten up’ with more power and seems to be a little more flabby with less power.

It was powered by the Fiio M11 pro (4.4mm port) should be enough power I think?

 

[425455]

It was powered by the Fiio M11 pro (4.4mm port) should be enough power I think?

Other opinions in respect of the IER-Z1R are OK. All our ears are different.

 

[grooveriders]

Other opinions in respect of the IER-Z1R are OK. All our ears are different.

I didnt mean that the bass on the z1r sounded bad it, in fact was one of the best bass on iem I have tried (better than the VE Elysium for me, I would rank it on the same level as the Legend X, the Legend X has better sub-bass but it bleeds alot into the mids).

 

[Mal Waldron]

I dont think the IER-Z1R midrange is recessed. Treble is not harsh but extends to infinity, you must try classical music instead of badly mastered modern music (if possible try Hi-res recordings/SACD)

Lately I'm just listening to classical music and the experience is truly second to none. The extension of treble, scene and the body that that subwoofer provides make you not want to hear another style. Like many others, the Final E tips, size M in my case for a deep insertion, are the ones that are giving the best results.

 

[marklivia]

I just got a pair of these beauties and in my ears the only tips that really work that come with them are the largest size soft ones (the non silicone ones). My question is where do I find more of these or something that everyone agrees sound as good or better?
I've been reading this thread but over 600 pages......... thanks in advance!

 

[425455]

OK ... so now ... listening to Santana's Moonflower, the Z1Rs have finally got the edge on Nio + mx and Nio + m15!!

There's alot of complicated stuff going on in those tunes so maybe that's it... !?

NOT by much mind. BOTH very impressive!!

 

[OlosAftia]

Lately I'm just listening to classical music and the experience is truly second to none. The extension of treble, scene and the body that that subwoofer provides make you not want to hear another style. Like many others, the Final E tips, size M in my case for a deep insertion, are the ones that are giving the best results.

I can confirm - even with my poor source (Alc1220 on a PC mobo) they absolutely shine with good classical music recordings.

 

[tgx78]

Right now, I am just listening mine out of iPhone 6S and enjoying it immensely.

And yes, classical music sounds amazing out of the IER-Z1R.

 

[SQ13]

Right now, I am just listening mine out of iPhone 6S and enjoying it immensely.

And yes, classical music sounds amazing out of the IER-Z1R.

Try it with an amp, it scales very well with one

 

[tgx78]

IER-Z1R vs IT07

A mini comparison coming up
at least on a graph, IT-07 has fuller lower mids and proper pinna gain for more correct tonality.
Does this translate into real world listening scenario as well?
stay tuned..

 

[Razornova]

Well... These finally came in today!
Shipping to quite a while but they're here now!!!

I'm actually glad I got 3 sizes since the fit and seal were quite different from the IEMs that I have.

For example S for the IER-Z1R, M for the Zeus XR-A and The FitEar Monet17, while L for the Layla and FitEar TG334.

These pretty much replaced what I thought was the best seal and fit for the Z1R which was the new Final Audio Type E for TWS. I liked the shorter form factor and larger bore but man these Eartunes are something else in terms of comfort and seal.

Wondering if these would work well for the M9 as well

 

[riverground]

Wondering if these would work well for the M9 as well

I unfortunately don't have the M9s but they seem to have a shallower fit compared to the Z1R.

The local shop here that has them on demo is still currently closed for in-store services. So I won't be able to go there to test it out.

Maybe someone else here is able to chime in?