aceedburn
1000+ Head-Fier
It’s 2 different players altogether? Surely there should be some difference? I’ve not heard the A series so I can’t be sure.
Sony Walkman custom firmware (non-Android)
- Thread starter MrWalkman
- Start date
So interesting to see a discussion between N3 and Z5 in 2020, both IEMs are pretty classic!
Given an appropriate source, N3 cannot beat Z5 for sure. However, the two IEM aimed at different customers (and at different times)
Z5 aimed at high-end players, who have no problem to find gears to fit the IEMs. If I remember correctly, XBA-Z5 was released around the same time as Sony's PHA portable DACs? When Sony used those dual 3.5mm balanced cable. Z5's full potential is released with a higher-end source. With nowadays gears, I think ZX300's balance out shall be a bare minimum to properly drive Z5, while 1A or 1Z should be more recommended. ZX300's single end is insufficient (well, stock firmware, no chance to test the Z5 with the firmware here), let alone A series.
On the other hand, N3 targeted general listeners. Enjoyable sound could be produced on N3 with smartphone source (ops, goodbye headphone jack). And surprisingly, N3's warm and bassy sound isn't entirely because of the tuning of the unit. In fact, most of them are due to the cable (specifically, the N3AP stock cable). Sony later released N3BP, which is the N3 with 4.4mm balanced cable. With that set up the sound was much more neutral. The bass was significantly not as overwhelming.
ZX300 with N3BP is a nice mid-fi end game for me. A good balance of cost and quality, as well as the neutrality of the sound.
Given an appropriate source, N3 cannot beat Z5 for sure. However, the two IEM aimed at different customers (and at different times)
Z5 aimed at high-end players, who have no problem to find gears to fit the IEMs. If I remember correctly, XBA-Z5 was released around the same time as Sony's PHA portable DACs? When Sony used those dual 3.5mm balanced cable. Z5's full potential is released with a higher-end source. With nowadays gears, I think ZX300's balance out shall be a bare minimum to properly drive Z5, while 1A or 1Z should be more recommended. ZX300's single end is insufficient (well, stock firmware, no chance to test the Z5 with the firmware here), let alone A series.
On the other hand, N3 targeted general listeners. Enjoyable sound could be produced on N3 with smartphone source (ops, goodbye headphone jack). And surprisingly, N3's warm and bassy sound isn't entirely because of the tuning of the unit. In fact, most of them are due to the cable (specifically, the N3AP stock cable). Sony later released N3BP, which is the N3 with 4.4mm balanced cable. With that set up the sound was much more neutral. The bass was significantly not as overwhelming.
ZX300 with N3BP is a nice mid-fi end game for me. A good balance of cost and quality, as well as the neutrality of the sound.
gerelmx1986
Headphoneus Supremus
I liked the staging of chameleon 2.0, hope the mk3 of the DMP-Z1 mod brings such a stage
aceedburn
1000+ Head-Fier
From what I’m hearing it does. I can’t remember if it’s the same as chameleon, but the bass quality and presence is unbelievable. It’s surreal.
Nice Sony collection. Made me review what I have. Turns out I have most of them, except for 2 of them, the MDR-EX800ST, and the XBA-N3.I love Sony IEM's in general. They're all amazing in their own way and great value considering how expensive high end IEM’s have become. I only have the Z1R now but used to have a handful. Kinda miss the others now
Been listening for about 6-7 hours continuously, with the Shure SE846 and the upcoming update for the DMP-WM1 - it's just amazing how there's absolutely no hint of fatigue after all this time.
As the point is to get the best sound there is, I'm not gonna release this as a "MK3", but as an update for the DMP-WM1 in general. That means that "MK2" will be gone as well.
It should be here by the end of this week, same as for the DMP-300 update.
As the point is to get the best sound there is, I'm not gonna release this as a "MK3", but as an update for the DMP-WM1 in general. That means that "MK2" will be gone as well.
It should be here by the end of this week, same as for the DMP-300 update.
HeyManslowdown97
500+ Head-Fier
I think the cat lady analogy is funny when it comes to owning too many entry-mid level headphones/earphones. However, there are times when you cannot use your top notch gear albeit your flagship iems/headphones or DAPs in fear of thief or them being damaged.
I am curious to know if $1,200+ earphones shrinks the margins sonically between entry level daps vs Flagships ones significantly? The reason I ask is that if it’s better to start your endgame with flagship iems before getting a flagship dap??
I am curious to know if $1,200+ earphones shrinks the margins sonically between entry level daps vs Flagships ones significantly? The reason I ask is that if it’s better to start your endgame with flagship iems before getting a flagship dap??
seanwee
Headphoneus Supremus
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In my experience it makes the gap wider if anything.
HeyManslowdown97
500+ Head-Fier
Really??! How so? (Just wondering why).
I think you will get different opinions with this. I have done different experiments and at this point, I would suggest spending 70% to 80% of a budget (and time) to buy / select the right headphones or speakers and then put 20% to 30% of your money (and time / effort) to get the DAP / amplifier.
So I would go with a TOLT IEM that I can happily use from my smartphone (smartphones are quite neutral), then I will get a DAC that improves on that (better amplification circuit, DSP options to tune up the sound, connectivity features, storage, battery life etc).
seanwee
Headphoneus Supremus
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Better iems allow you to better appreciate the difference between an entry level source vs a higher end one and better sources allow you to better appreciate the difference between an budget iem vs a higher end one. Make sense?
That said, there is a bar to clear for sources so you can't just cheap out on it as well. I pretty much wasted a japan trip because i was using a less than adequate source once. Having a good source also gives you a better platform when trying out TOTL iems and deciding on what to go for as your endgame.
auronthas
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Agreed what you described, I have both too, the stocked cable of EX1000 is great !
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Not if you got them from America - the RC-EX1000 cable didn’t get shipped to the US
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