[emilsoft]

* Oops this was meant for the A300 forum thread.. but I'll leave it here in case it helps someone looking to get this as a side kick for their ZX500

Here is some more factual based information of what's wrong with the A306, so we can take hearing preferences and variability out of the equation.

I used the a306 in DAC mode with no DSP, ran 30 second frequency sweep from 20hz to 20khz through it and recorded/measured it via my Apogee Element interface inputs which are reference quality

This is what I see. I can't mince words about this - it's not even bright, it's just plain wrong, we are missing about 10db starting from 250hz all the way down to 20hz. I will show this to Sony and they'd better take it back as they sold me something which doesn't meet basic audio playback specs.

I don't think there is a hardware issue, I think Sony intentionally tuned it like this to make it sound bright.. I'm speechless

 

[kms108]

I have a question, will you choose this over the ZX707, I just don't like the ZX707 with the boxy design, and the sound quality does not make any different to me, Money isn't a problem for me, but the ZX505 has dropped in price, I can get it from Japan for less than 51000 yen, even cheaper than from hong kong where i live.

 

[TP1410]

I have a question, will you choose this over the ZX707, I just don't like the ZX707 with the boxy design, and the sound quality does not make any different to me, Money isn't a problem for me, but the ZX505 has dropped in price, I can get it from Japan for less than 51000 yen, even cheaper than from hong kong where i live.

Zx500 is fine in audio quality at price, but one thing you must care is battery life, it very poor!

 

[emilsoft]

I have a question, will you choose this over the ZX707, I just don't like the ZX707 with the boxy design, and the sound quality does not make any different to me, Money isn't a problem for me, but the ZX505 has dropped in price, I can get it from Japan for less than 51000 yen, even cheaper than from hong kong where i live.

507 sounds same maybe even little warmer than 707. Portability is great. Battery is good when just using the Sony music app without wifi. If streaming music it’s poor about 5 hours. It doesn’t bother me because if I’m streaming I’m usually on my desk and I can charge it, and I usually don’t stream 8 hours straight. If you are using it throughout whole day it’ll need daily charge.
507 sounds better than 306 there’s no way around this

 

[MrWalkman]

With the ZX707 you also get DSD Remastering, USB DAC mode, and better battery life.

 

[kms108]

Thanks for the reply, I never stream music, so I should be good, I always visit Japan, so I can change a new battery is no problem, I still have the ZX2 and i'm on my 2 nd battery, I also have the ZX300, battery is running low on charges, so i probably have to change that battery too.

 

[MrWalkman]

Thanks for the reply, I never stream music, so I should be good, I always visit Japan, so I can change a new battery is no problem, I still have the ZX2 and i'm on my 2 nd battery, I also have the ZX300, battery is running low on charges, so i probably have to change that battery too.

I was talking about how long the battery lasts before you have to charge it again. ZX300's battery lasts longer before you have to charge it, ZX500's gets depleted pretty quickly.

 

[kms108]

I understand what you say, but sony batteries do drain quick, but you can get at least 5 years.

 

[purk]

With the ZX707 you also get DSD Remastering, USB DAC mode, and better battery life.

Much better battery life. Almost three times as long in terms of battery life. I am getting almost 20 hours with the ZX707 and only around 6 to 7 hours on the ZX507. Also agree that DSD mastering is so so nice. I love it.

 

[emilsoft]

I understand what you say, but sony batteries do drain quick, but you can get at least 5 years.

Sony batteries are the best for durability.. I still have a PS Vita that still holds a good few hours gaming charge.

 

[purk]

Size wise, the ZX707 is larger but thinner than the old W1A and 1Z.

 

[tonyg1]

Zx500 is fine in audio quality at price, but one thing you must care is battery life, it very poor!

 

[tonyg1]

Hard to comment on battery life unless you state music file format, codecs, whether you're using bluetooth etc... My NW-ZX507 gives me 20 hours with wired 'phones (1More Quad Drivers) with MP3, WiFi off, apps disabled, output set to Direct only etc, That's just over what Sony quote in their specs. About half that with BT and higher-res audio. Works for me because on a portable player when I'm on the go hi-res audio is wasted on me.
I also have the NW-ZX300, and under same conditions I'm still getting 26-27 hours. To be honest If I'd realised what a pain in the butt the Android OS is I'd have stuck with the ZX300. All my home and mobile kit is Apple, and Sony no longer provide a media content app for MacOS; also the ZX300 had mass storage mode, so I could sync direct from my Mac with the USB cable. With the ZX500 I've found that Android File Transfer is very unstable, and ActiveSync is incredibly slow, so I have to plug my SD card into my Mac and use CCC (Carbon Copy Cloner) (which is what I use to sync the ZX-300 only I don't need to take the SD card out.

 

[Vamp898]

I have a question, will you choose this over the ZX707, I just don't like the ZX707 with the boxy design, and the sound quality does not make any different to me, Money isn't a problem for me, but the ZX505 has dropped in price, I can get it from Japan for less than 51000 yen, even cheaper than from hong kong where i live.

Owned the ZX500, no way. The sound of the 700 is significantly better, the battery life is much better, everything is much better. There is no reason to get the ZX500 IMHO

 

[jehutyset]

Hard to comment on battery life unless you state music file format, codecs, whether you're using bluetooth etc... My NW-ZX507 gives me 20 hours with wired 'phones (1More Quad Drivers) with MP3, WiFi off, apps disabled, output set to Direct only etc, That's just over what Sony quote in their specs. About half that with BT and higher-res audio. Works for me because on a portable player when I'm on the go hi-res audio is wasted on me.
I also have the NW-ZX300, and under same conditions I'm still getting 26-27 hours. To be honest If I'd realised what a pain in the butt the Android OS is I'd have stuck with the ZX300. All my home and mobile kit is Apple, and Sony no longer provide a media content app for MacOS; also the ZX300 had mass storage mode, so I could sync direct from my Mac with the USB cable. With the ZX500 I've found that Android File Transfer is very unstable, and ActiveSync is incredibly slow, so I have to plug my SD card into my Mac and use CCC (Carbon Copy Cloner) (which is what I use to sync the ZX-300 only I don't need to take the SD card out.

You able to get 20 hours out of your ZX-507? What kind of voodoo magic did you do to it? Lol in the best conditions I only ever got about 7 hours or so with my old one, that’s why I switched to the ZX-707.