Redcarmoose
Headphoneus Supremus
I found the XBA-N3 to be quite the enigma. Fit was great, but there was way way too much bass for me in the beginning? I had no idea at the time I didn’t need to use the provided Hybrid Tips. Typically the black Sony Hybrids fit well, but the bore diameter seems to enhance the bass. Once I switched to wide bore tips I was on my way! Though that was a couple years after my purchase.That was actually my feeling. I went back to the stock FW for a while on both the ZX300 and the WM1A. But I wasn't satisfied either because with most of my headphones, WM1A and ZX300 are really improved by WalkmanOne signature WM1Z.
With the stock FW, I felt like a very significant regression. After having also tested the other signatures, it is WM1Z that I prefer because it is the one that I find the most natural.
With Bright and Warm, I sometimes seem to perceive somewhat accentuated resonances (this is still what I noticed these last days while listening to various albums by Víkingur Ólafsson).
So I reinstalled WalkmanOne signature WM1Z on the 2 DAPs, choosing the MX3 region (J3 was not yet available) which, from my point of view, then offered the best mids. When I listen to locally stored tracks with the IER-Z1R, I use the DAP's equalizer. And when I listen to AppleMusic with my phone by activating the BT Receiver mode on the DAP, I also activate the Wavelet application, and I select the AutoEq intended for the Z1R (about 50% of the setting). I compared MX3 and J3 with the Z1R last night, and I think I finally preferred J3, for the same reasons I mentioned in my previous post.
The real question is perhaps that the signature of the Z1R no longer suits me perfectly today?
For now, I'm still amazed by the performance of the Z1R, their high resolution, and their high and wide soundstage like I've never encountered on any headphones. With live recordings, it's totally amazing (if you like the rock band The National, try listening to the album "Boxer Live in Brussels": you have the impression of being physically in the concert hall and feeling the vibrations in your whole body).
But from a sound signature standpoint alone, I ultimately think I prefer the tonal balance of the N3. But the N3 don't match the qualities of the Z1R when it comes to resolution, definition, transparency or the soundstage. What a dilemma!
Also MrWalkman’s firmwares brought out the midrange into resolution and focus. With all the “tuning” adjustments provided the N3 was a new animal. Finally after years brought out into the front of my collection. Still it fell to 2nd place with the IER-Z1R doing everything special it does 2X better. I will agree the N3 is a breeze to wear, getting fit easy and right off the bat.
Still the IER-Z1R brings more to the table (IMO). The trick, I think is to somehow not judge, but enjoy each for their similarities and differences?
Another that has joined the fold is the EarSonics ONYX. At 561.00 it does everything the N3 does but on a larger scale, even to challenge the IER-Z1R for ear-time in my collection.
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