soundperfection
100+ Head-Fier
So ive had the ier z1r since release. Havent looked at the iem market since ive got em. Is there any iem out there that is a clear upgrade from these 3 years later.
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SONY IER-Z1R
- Thread starter leylandi
- Start date
Not to derail the answers as they could prove helpful for me as well, but what do you feel needs to be improved after such a long-term test?
I've been wondering the same thing. There are other IEMs that do some things better, but they usually lose out to Z1R in other areas. I'm yet to see or hear an IEM that is a significant upgrade over Z1R (i.e. same sound but better in all metrics).
And by 'better' I mean better for my preferences.
Have you compared IEF's frequency response graphs? There do not seem to be many alternative options, hence I want to demo a set as well.
Yes, there is nothing quite like it. IE 900 comes close, but still falls short in some areas. As far as I can tell the Z1R is unique in the IEM world, which also explains its appeal to many people. Pair it with a Sony source, and it's even better.
I am yet to find a genuine “upgrade” to the IER-Z1R. I think the Elysian Acoustic Labs Annihilator and X are the two closest IEM’s I’ve heard to Z1R with superior detail retrieval, but they both lose out to Z1R on bass and treble texturing. I think Z1R has a taller and deeper soundstage than Annihilator, and a wider stage than X.
I think we might need to wait for Sony themselves to create a true upgrade
I think we might need to wait for Sony themselves to create a true upgrade
Why did you have to say that?I am yet to find a genuine “upgrade” to the IER-Z1R. I think the Elysian Acoustic Labs Annihilator and X are the two closest IEM’s I’ve heard to Z1R with superior detail retrieval, but they both lose out to Z1R on bass and treble texturing. I think Z1R has a taller and deeper soundstage than Annihilator, and a wider stage than X.
I think we might need to wait for Sony themselves to create a true upgrade
The HF quality is the thing I find lacking in most options I have heard so far. It always seems muted, instead of having a natural sparkle.
Ohmboy
100+ Head-Fier
I'm hardly bothered tbh as not many sets have past the test of time as well as Z1R...there's always a new set that's hyped for this or that and 12-18 months down the line there's a MKII which goes to show the confidence of their tuners
or more likely just their marketing skills 
soundperfection
100+ Head-Fier
I am yet to find a genuine “upgrade” to the IER-Z1R. I think the Elysian Acoustic Labs Annihilator and X are the two closest IEM’s I’ve heard to Z1R with superior detail retrieval, but they both lose out to Z1R on bass and treble texturing. I think Z1R has a taller and deeper soundstage than Annihilator, and a wider stage than X.
I think we might need to wait for Sony themselves to create a true upgrade
Ye im leaning towards that too. If sony release a successor than it will probably be a true upgrade. Still sonys flagship iem for now
I’m wondering if there’s anywhere I can audition these in the Boise area. I’ve heard so many great things but I hear the fit is very polarizing especially if you have smaller ears. I have a pair of m9’s coming shortly and the Z1r’s seem right up my alley.
wolfstar76
Headphoneus Supremus
The discomfort and fit issue does not only concern those with small ears, it has something to do with the stock cable (tends to derail from your ear) and the metal shell (tends to hurt after long listening session) besides the obvisou weight and shape.
For me, I can comfortably wear huge IEMs such as Monarch OG, Mest Mk2, and I have trouble to make Z1R stay in my ears (I eventually make do with a headband under even more challenging scenario: jogging/running, but I can feel the discomfort/hurt to my ears after two-hour's daily jogging). I ordered Dunu Amber cable and will see if the cable can ease the fitting or not.
For a clear upgrade, I can only image a few IEMs beating Z1R in the bass performance, such as EVO, XE6.
For me, I’m not sure it’s the cable that that affects comfort. Rather it is the insertion depth into my ears. I get the Z1R pretty deep in my ear canals, past the second bend where it locks in pretty tight. If I leave it more in my outer ear it falls out and also sounds thin. This works great for about 60-90 minutes or so, but after that my left ear tends to get a little sore and I’ve got to take a break. Not really a deal-breaker for me, but I do have other IEMs that I can wear for much longer.
I don’t think there is a ’clear’ upgrade from the Z1R, rather I think it’s more up to the individual whether something like EVO or Xe6 could be considered an upgrade. I’ve had the Xe6 on loan as part of a tour for the last week, and the way it presents bass, especially it’s mid-bass shelf is quite different to the Z1R. I find Xe6 bass to be a little faster and tighter, and the kinetic bass port is also something else which makes you feel the bass as much as hear it. Xe6 is also just a tad more revealing in the midrange and treble, which makes it a bit more immersive and engaging to me.
Despite those differences, I’d still be hard pressed to choose which is better, in universal form anyway.
However, one clear advantage Xe6 does have is that you can get it in custom which would obviously eliminate any fit or comfort issues.
wolfstar76
Headphoneus Supremus
Highly recommend SednaEarFit Max, best tip so far, especially for bass performance.
I’m only seeing these for TWS or AirPods Pro, are there others for IEMs?
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