[ross1974]

Have you had exposure to any, more recent totl IEM’s and especially hybrids?

Not really my most recent purchase was the Roxanne which is not a hybrid

 

[normie610]

I have just received my IER-Z1R last week after a long wait, S/N 7395.
Before purchasing I read all available reviews and more all less all useful feedback in this forum, as these were not available to demo (or even imported) in my country. I decided to pull the trigger mostly based on my faith in SONY as I know their sound well and like it, I have owned the MDR-Z1R as well and my home hi-fi is also comprises of their signature series components HAP-S1, TA-A1ES amp and NA2-ES speakers which I also (bravely) bought "blind".
What surprised me is the huge variation of opinions on this forum, almost beyond "normal", and having heard them now for about 25 hours I though I should post my view on them.
My sources are the 1A sony DAP (balanced, firmware 3.02, low gain) and as a means of comparison also straight out of an iphone 11 dongle.
Other IEMS I own are the AKG i3003 (my reference iem for a long time), JH Roxanne custom and Final Audio Piano Forte

My first impressions are somewhat different to almost everything I have read so far.
This is an IEM which in search of one single word to describe it, I would call "refined".
I can hear the Sony sound, but only so slightly, a slight warmth.
Otherwise, in what I hear, nothing stands out, and I mean that as a compliment.
What I often dislike in expensive equipment is using a "shouty" signature in part of the frequencies to create an easy impression of something, bass, detail, sparkle, intimacy or whatever.
The Sony, on the contrary sounds perfectly balanced, the bass is fantastic but not overwhelming, the voices are natural and exactly where they should be in the mix, not overtly intimate but neither recessed as so many have described them, and detail, separation, and air is exemplary and exactly at the limit before entering into the over analytic sibilant zone.
So in one word, everything is there, nothing impresses as a single element, but this is clearly an expensive, advanced, complete sound. If I wanted to mention one "trick" that stands out is the spacial impression that this IEM creates which reminds the sound of a hi-fi rather that a headphone, let alone a monitor iem. This probably has something to do with the sound path that Sony has engineered in the headphone as well as the frequency response tuning which approximates how we hear music in space rather that in our ears.
I believe this is the first element that causes some controversy especially with voices as this is a different tuning to a "monitor" tuning, where voices as so upfront in the mix, and our generation is a little bit used in this type of tuning present is so many of the BA monitors.

Also, while the IEM upscales clearly with the 1A and balanced, it sounds just fine out of an iphone.
Its sound actually reminds me a little bit of the AKG i3003...but ten years later, especially in what regards BA technology and crossover points integration.
I have yet to see if and how it improves with the hours after burn-in.

The second very decisive element which causes this huge variation in opinions is probably the fit issue.
I have a perfect fit with these using the hybrid L seals, absolutely perfect.
As these are big iems I believe insertion and fit is even more critical that usual and from what I can see in pics not all posters have enjoyed such a straight forward fit out of the box.

So in summary: I havent noticed the mids to be recessed, and having tried different eqing curves I always return to the direct sound mode which sounds the most natural.
I havent noticed this to be a power hungry iem, I sounds fine straight out of an iphone, although it does upscale well.
I havent noticed any fit issues and the huge selection of tips Sony supplies made this very easy for me.
I havent noticed the bass to steal the show in a bad way, it is just a very well executed bass.
I find more differences than similarities with the MDR-Z1R, opposite to what many have posted here. There is a similar basic signature but it is executed so much better with the IER. Especially the bass.

And one final word: i dont hear the crossover points at all, which is a major compliment for an iem with 3 drivers and 2 different technologies, very impressive.

So for me, this was what I expected and more.
I hope this helps.

congrats! and you can also try the z1r with a high powered source, it will sound even better, it scales up very very good. I used to drive it off of my 1Z, and now I’m using Cayin N6ii E02 card w/ high gain and it sounds incredible.

 

[ross1974]

You are right! I am now listening to it through my Sony TA-A1ES amp’s headphone output in mid gain and the sound is incredible, fuller, richer.

 

[phonomat]

I have just received my IER-Z1R last week after a long wait, S/N 7395.
Before purchasing I read all available reviews and more all less all useful feedback in this forum, as these were not available to demo (or even imported) in my country. I decided to pull the trigger mostly based on my faith in SONY as I know their sound well and like it, I have owned the MDR-Z1R as well and my home hi-fi is also comprises of their signature series components HAP-S1, TA-A1ES amp and NA2-ES speakers which I also (bravely) bought "blind".
What surprised me is the huge variation of opinions on this forum, almost beyond "normal", and having heard them now for about 25 hours I though I should post my view on them.
My sources are the 1A sony DAP (balanced, firmware 3.02, low gain) and as a means of comparison also straight out of an iphone 11 dongle.
Other IEMS I own are the AKG i3003 (my reference iem for a long time), JH Roxanne custom and Final Audio Piano Forte

My first impressions are somewhat different to almost everything I have read so far.
This is an IEM which in search of one single word to describe it, I would call "refined".
I can hear the Sony sound, but only so slightly, a slight warmth.
Otherwise, in what I hear, nothing stands out, and I mean that as a compliment.
What I often dislike in expensive equipment is using a "shouty" signature in part of the frequencies to create an easy impression of something, bass, detail, sparkle, intimacy or whatever.
The Sony, on the contrary sounds perfectly balanced, the bass is fantastic but not overwhelming, the voices are natural and exactly where they should be in the mix, not overtly intimate but neither recessed as so many have described them, and detail, separation, and air is exemplary and exactly at the limit before entering into the over analytic sibilant zone.
So in one word, everything is there, nothing impresses as a single element, but this is clearly an expensive, advanced, complete sound. If I wanted to mention one "trick" that stands out is the spacial impression that this IEM creates which reminds the sound of a hi-fi rather that a headphone, let alone a monitor iem. This probably has something to do with the sound path that Sony has engineered in the headphone as well as the frequency response tuning which approximates how we hear music in space rather that in our ears.
I believe this is the first element that causes some controversy especially with voices as this is a different tuning to a "monitor" tuning, where voices as so upfront in the mix, and our generation is a little bit used in this type of tuning present is so many of the BA monitors.

Also, while the IEM upscales clearly with the 1A and balanced, it sounds just fine out of an iphone.
Its sound actually reminds me a little bit of the AKG i3003...but ten years later, especially in what regards BA technology and crossover points integration.
I have yet to see if and how it improves with the hours after burn-in.

The second very decisive element which causes this huge variation in opinions is probably the fit issue.
I have a perfect fit with these using the hybrid L seals, absolutely perfect.
As these are big iems I believe insertion and fit is even more critical that usual and from what I can see in pics not all posters have enjoyed such a straight forward fit out of the box.

So in summary: I havent noticed the mids to be recessed, and having tried different eqing curves I always return to the direct sound mode which sounds the most natural.
I havent noticed this to be a power hungry iem, I sounds fine straight out of an iphone, although it does upscale well.
I havent noticed any fit issues and the huge selection of tips Sony supplies made this very easy for me.
I havent noticed the bass to steal the show in a bad way, it is just a very well executed bass.
I find more differences than similarities with the MDR-Z1R, opposite to what many have posted here. There is a similar basic signature but it is executed so much better with the IER. Especially the bass.

And one final word: i dont hear the crossover points at all, which is a major compliment for an iem with 3 drivers and 2 different technologies, very impressive.

So for me, this was what I expected and more.
I hope this helps.

Great post, and your impressions are very much in line with my findings. It really is entirely different from the MDR-Z1R (and betters it in every regard IMHO). The closest I've heard in full-size headphones is the Pioneer SE-Master1, which, coincidentally, is my favorite headphone. Airy and spacious with gobs of excellent bass, is how I would describe both.
Have fun with this exceptional IEM!

 

[radnor]

You are right! I am now listening to it through my Sony TA-A1ES amp’s headphone output in mid gain and the sound is incredible, fuller, richer.

you have not heard them until you have out of a Hugo 2 + 2GO.... much much better than your current sources.

 

[ross1974]

Really? I though the 1A Sony walkman is a good match for them snd powerful enough?

 

[Gamerlingual]

Really? I though the 1A Sony walkman is a good match for them snd powerful enough?

It's plenty strong. I use IER with the 1A and the combo is solid.

 

[phonomat]

Really? I though the 1A Sony walkman is a good match for them snd powerful enough?

Yes, it is. My Z1R sounds fine out of the DMP-Z1, and it sounds fine out of the WM1A. It's just the usual "audiophile" hyperbole. Yes, you have heard it if you haven't heard it out of the Hugo 2 + 2Go, and yes, there are plenty more options.

 

[radnor]

Really? I though the 1A Sony walkman is a good match for them snd powerful enough?

nope... Fiio M15 is quite a bit more powerful than Wm1A balanced with overhead mode and the H2GO sounds WAYYY better than the M15. You dont know what you are missing... i literally bought the IER 3 times... all prior times tested with mojopoly, kann cube and m15... delta was not that different than mojo poly.... once i got h2go and plugged in the ier was shocked how much better than m15 and mojopoly and kann cube and sony TAZ... and they sound even better on TT2... so because of H2GO i am keeping! also the delta with MDR Z1r was non existent on the other devices... MDR sounded better.... with H2go ier sounds much better than MDR and i say IER is more like a mini LCD 4Z than MDR in this configuration... dont believe the guys that have tested with 1 DAP and have ZERO experience AT HOME with other DAPS.

 

[radnor]

Yes, it is. My Z1R sounds fine out of the DMP-Z1, and it sounds fine out of the WM1A. It's just the usual "audiophile" hyperbole. Yes, you have heard it if you haven't heard it out of the Hugo 2 + 2Go, and yes, there are plenty more options.

incorrect... sorry bud... you know not what you are talking about... like saying "I have heard an LCD4Z" out of MojoPoly having not heard than from TT2 COMPLETELY different sound sig.... one weak thin.. .the other muscular, meaty organic and thick... you wouldn't think you were listening to the same HP.

again Headfi confirmation bias is rampant.... id only trust the people that have had these units AT HOME and have auditioned... MOST... like the chap above have not.

IRE Z1R is like the susvara of earphones... needs HP class power and transforms immensely

 

[Ocelitgol]

Really? I though the 1A Sony walkman is a good match for them snd powerful enough?

I'm gonna go ahead and share my experience that I didn't notice any audible differences between my Fiio BTR5, Fiio M5, A&K Jr., Hidizs AP80, Hiby R6, and Shanling M0 (yes, I know they're not that "high-end", but I can't tell a difference.)
It just reaches the point that I'd prefer to spend my time listening to music with whatever dap/amp near me.

 

[radnor]

I'm gonna go ahead and share my experience that I didn't notice any audible differences between my Fiio BTR5, Fiio M5, A&K Jr., Hidizs AP80, Hiby R6, and Shanling M0.
It just reaches the point that I'd prefer to spend my time listening to music with whatever dap/amp near me.

albeit compromised. some of us have put in the time, $$$ and effort to really get to the bottom VS listening to the BS rampant here.... this is the type of individual I would at least have greater confidence deciding with.

 

[Ocelitgol]

albeit compromised. some of us have put in the time, $$$ and effort to really get to the bottom VS listening to the BS rampant here.... this is the type of individual I would at least have greater confidence deciding with.

well, different experience I guess.
I tried testing it with A&K Kann and Sony 1A in the shop, but I couldn't justify if I can tell the difference
Same thing with my brother's Black Label actually.

 

[radnor]

well, different experience I guess.
I tried testing it with A&K Kann and Sony 1A in the shop, but I couldn't justify if I can tell the difference
Same thing with my brother's Black Label actually.

pro tip you cannot test gear in a shop...

i listened to a tt2 mscaler in a shop and had a hard time discerning between a kann cube... the dealer let me take it home... and holy smokes what a difference.

shops and jams do not count... you simply cannot judge in those environments.

 

[Gamerlingual]

I'm gonna go ahead and share my experience that I didn't notice any audible differences between my Fiio BTR5, Fiio M5, A&K Jr., Hidizs AP80, Hiby R6, and Shanling M0 (yes, I know they're not that "high-end", but I can't tell a difference.)
It just reaches the point that I'd prefer to spend my time listening to music with whatever dap/amp near me.

I tried many other DAPs like the M15, M11 and what not and I didn't find any discernible differences. E-Earphone gave me a big taste of sampling headphones, AMPS, DACs, etc. So I did test a lot of equipment. So I speak from experience