[nc8000]

Exactly my experience too as i have stated before. Z5 fits me perfectly and sounds much better than Z1R to my ears. I re-iterate, music is meant for enjoyment and not for analysing. Z1R is very clinical sounding and harsh overall. Never as smooth as Z5.

I don’t find the Z1R in any way clinical nor harsh but yes the Z5 was warmer

 

[blazinblazin]

Boy, these xelastec AZLA Earfit tips make the IER-Z1R wild, the added more treble and huge soundstage


Oh and that was not using @MrWalkman magic of DSEE HX AI, forgot to turn it on... wow if the stage was big no AI DSEE now is gargantuan

Think it is cause of the wide bore design of Azla if you are using default Sony tips previously.
Acoustune AET07 will gives you slightly more treble than Azla.

 

[aceedburn]

I don’t find the Z1R in any way clinical nor harsh but yes the Z5 was warmer

I am treble sensitive and will pick up the slightest sibilance if there is any present. So that’s why I always prefer warmer yet highly resolving headphones. None of the Sennheisers fit my bill except the HD400S. And I’ve tried dozens of high end iems and so far the Z5 is best for me. Always hated thin and anemic sounding headphones too.

 

[Blueoris]

Hardware and firmware modded WM1A is driving very well the Odin so far despite their 3 Ohms impedance.
Bass texture is insane. Impressed.

At 3 ohms and 108dB sensitivity, that's the closest thing to insert the S-Master chip directly in one ears LOL S-Master at its fullest!

 

[Sonywalkmanuser]

At 3 ohms and 108dB sensitivity, that's the closest thing to insert the S-Master chip directly in one ears LOL S-Master at its fullest!

It’s only a matter of time before audiophiles implant chips into our brains then we can hear 32bit 768Khz audio or even better. Goodbye to Tiger ears!

https://thenextweb.com/neural/2020/...t-the-neuralink-demo-heres-why-thats-awesome/

 

[Damz87]

Posted this on the EE thread but forgot to post it here. Agreed with @MrLocoLuciano the Odin is great with the WM1 despite the 3 ohm impedance

Great combo. The Odin has an analytical midrange tone but the warmth of the 1Z helps a lot.

 

[proedros]

Odin seems like the bomb (sigh)

 

[534409]

Mesa don't like 2-pin connectors

 

[musicinmymind]

I tried it with the same kimber kable I use for the Z5.

Is there any way we can tame the harshness?

It would be perfect for me if lower mids are bit more forward, vocal on some track are thin.

 

[Redcarmoose]

Around 2016 Sony also developed an in-house made single BA IEM called the XBA-100. And while they are entry at $60 to $100, they show great innovation on Sony's end in creating a single full range driver. The only downside is they are sold brass and due to oxidation don't age well.

Spoiler: Photos

 

[Sonywalkmanuser]

I didn't like the sound of the earlier Sony headphones and IEMs.

Particularly the MDR-Z7 and XBA-300.

XBA300 has Artificial sounding treble.

Z7 has bad imbalances in frequency and too dark sounding in a bad way.

I think it was only after 2016 when Sony began to dramatically improve on their IEMs and headphones.

 

[aceedburn]

Is there any way we can tame the harshness?

It would be perfect for me if lower mids are bit more forward, vocal on some track are thin.

That’s the problem with the z1r. And that’s why I don’t like it and prefer Z5.

 

[denis1976]

You are talking about ierz1r?

 

[Whitigir]

Is there any way we can tame the harshness?

It would be perfect for me if lower mids are bit more forward, vocal on some track are thin.

The acoustic foams modifications would be your answer

 

[aceedburn]

You are talking about ierz1r?

Yep