[Share2Care]

Hey @Share2Care! It's very nice to meet another music fan and I will be happy to answer your questions.

And I hope I will be forgiven for going slightly off-topic here, but after all we are talking about the XBA-N3's big brother...

The first thought that occurred to me when I finally put the IER-Z1R in my ears is, quite literally:
"Omg... they are great. Why haven't I tried them sooner?!?! [a minute later]... I could have saved so much money by just going straight for these. "

One caveat to make -- I do highly recommend you try to get to demo them and/or see if you can find a store where you could put them in your ears. My understanding is that they require someone to have deep-enough ear canal cavities, since deep-fit is the only way to go for them - both sonically (they sound their best when inserted deep) and physically (when they sit deep, the weight is unnoticeable and they don't fall out and just sit snug!).

I did not follow my own advice, but I was at a point where I have spent so much on IEMs that I was ready to take a loss.... but luckily for me it turned out to be a huge gain!

Ok, onto your questions now:

Do you use them out and about as a daily pair of IEMs?
Pretty much. At first I was trying to blow every single dust particle off them and keep them shiny...but then it dawned on me that I just want to enjoy my purchase for the purpose I bought it for, everywhere. So I use them both indoors and outdoors. They sit snug and I could wear them for a full work-day.

I have watched a couple of YouTube reviews and other than how stunning they are, they tend to work best with some form of amp to drive them. I have a balanced Jotunheim desktop amp at the moment.Would you have any suggestions for portable IEM and cans daily amp?
They do like power... relative to being an IEM of course. You can still listen to IER-Z1R off you Apple dongle and iPhone and enjoy them (I did!), but of course... they scale very noticeably with proper gear. I don't know what your budget is, but I would recommend a DAP. Or... a nice DAC/AMP dongle if you are planning on using your Phone as your source. No real need for desktop gear... In my case, I mainly drive them from my Shanling M8 DAP, but most recently I have gotten the new Cayin RU6 R2R Dongle and find the pairing is awesome (using it with my iPhone), makes for a very natural and organic combination with black background. The IER-Z1R also works very well with Qudelix 5K, which allows for bluetooth connectivity, but SQ is of course a step down from the DAP, as to be expected.
Overall, IER-Z1R has amazing treble extension, mids are somewhat recessed but it's a pleasant V shape (compared to some others) so voices are still clear but are a bit warmer... sub-bass kick, texture and clarity is out of this world. Did I mention it has amazing soundstage and 'grandeur'? It makes you feel like you actually 'feel' the music and gets you immersed.

What quality are the cables like? Do they come with a balanced option? Do you recommend upgrade the cables?
This one is easy! I am using everything "stock". Even the tips -- I am using the stock Sony Hybrid Silicons. I also tried the Azla Crystal Standard which work very well.
The IER-Z1R come with both 3.5mm and 4.4mm cables, which I find are very nice, non-microphonic. One of the nicest cables I have owned, and definitely the nicest stock cable that I have seen that comes with an IEM.
Speaking of IER-Z1R... make sure you check out the Official Sony IER-Z1R Thread

Oh, can you recommend £500 pair of headphones and then end game ones based on the same types of EDM genres?!
Ahem Ahem... you sure you want to go there?
I am a Sony fan, so I also have the Sony MDR-Z1R headphones and love them for what they are (i.e. super comfortable, laid back, warm, syrupy sound that makes even bad recordings sound good... with a proper sub bass kick and rumble when called for).
But I also have other headphones... Fostex TH900Mk2 (EDM TOTL, in my opinion) and Focal Stellia (universal-jack of all trades with rich midrange, very accurate and fast punch and amazing dynamics). They each have their strengths, and sometimes it's just about the mood.
The best way to characterize IER-Z1R, in my opinion, is ... it's a child of those 3 headphones I mentioned above. A very interesting mixture indeed. It has the depth and bass texture of TH900Mk2 (but not quite the slam), it has the fast dynamics of Stellia (but not quite the midrange), and it also has a hint of that warm rumbly sound that I like the MDR-Z1R for (but not quite the grandness of the air chamber that is afforded by the 70mm dynamic driver).

Hope this helps!

Massive thank you for youbto spend the time and walking me through it all and even to answer my questions! So kind and very much appreciated kind Sir!

Will pop you a PM as have just a couple more questions!

Thank you and I hope your reply gives the answers to some new or existing members about IEMs, Cans, Daps and Dongles!

Cheers

 

[BlueA]

This was a surprise for me but the N3 is a very under-rated product.
Very sensitive to cable and tip rolling is a pleasure to experiment.

If you can find a pair at a reasonable price, even second hand, it is a piece to add to a collection.

Also I found really interesting to see some senior audiophiles let go of more expensive in-ears but wisely kept this one.
Keep original signature close to you!

 

[Share2Care]

This was a surprise for me but the N3 is a very under-rated product.
Very sensitive to cable and tip rolling is a pleasure to experiment.

If you can find a pair at a reasonable price, even second hand, it is a piece to add to a collection.

Also I found really interesting to see some senior audiophiles let go of more expensive in-ears but wisely kept this one.
Keep original signature close to you!

Very wise words indeed!

Would you mind sharing what tip rolling success you may of had?

Which cables have you tried as I have a new pair of the XBA-N3AP which I have had waiting in the wings for a couple of years now as they were to replace my current IEMs which seem to made of granite! but will get a balanced cable for it and enjoy them whilst saving like crazy for God tier IEM to purchase next lol

Cheers!

 

[Prelim]

btw, how about the Sony XBA-N1AP vs a TFZ no.3? (for a basshead I mean)
I know Sony is twice the price, but I want to know if the differences are huge or not.

 

[vietzerg]

On Amazon JP, the price for a new one is at about $USD 295.17, while a used - very good is at about $USD 234.39.

Is the new one worth the $60 difference? I've only bought a used EX1000 via eBay from Japan, not sure how "good" the products on Amazon JP are.

 

[RikudouGoku]

On Amazon JP, the price for a new one is at about $USD 295.17, while a used - very good is at about $USD 234.39.

Is the new one worth the $60 difference? I've only bought a used EX1000 via eBay from Japan, not sure how "good" the products on Amazon JP are.

The thing to worry about when buying used Sony iems, is that the tuning foams inside them can be in bad shape (which will affect the sound).

BUT, since you might actually be able to get the exact same tuning foams that they use here:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003707507573.html

You might be able to save some cash by getting a used unit and replacing the foam if needed.

 

[vietzerg]

The thing to worry about when buying used Sony iems, is that the tuning foams inside them can be in bad shape (which will affect the sound).

BUT, since you might actually be able to get the exact same tuning foams that they use here:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003707507573.html

You might be able to save some cash by getting a used unit and replacing the foam if needed.

Thanks for the link! The "general" version or the "import" version is closer to Sony's?

I might get one to use for my Ex1000 too

 

[RikudouGoku]

Thanks for the link! The "general" version or the "import" version is closer to Sony's?

I might get one to use for my Ex1000 too

I have no clue yet. But I have ordered both versions. So I will check and see if they look the same as the Sony´s (EX800ST EX1000, XBA-A2, XBA-N3, XBA-Z5, WF-XM3) I already got to see if they are the same.

My guess is that the "import" version is the Sony foam, while the general version might be some generic "copy" that have the same dimensions but is less dense.
Like these, but longer:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002711483821.html

 

[shampoosuicide]

Hi everyone, I love the sound of my XBA-N3, I've tried something else in these two years but I've always come back to them ... I think you understand me, I'm not looking for anything else because I'm dissatisfied, quite the contrary. As I understand to take the next step to the XBA-N3 I would have to buy the IER-Z1R, but unfortunately I don't have the budget. I wanted to ask you if I can take this step forward with a closed headphones. Do you know any models that sound like N3, but better? Thanks so much

IEMs and headphones are sometimes perceived differently by different people (some may perceive specific headphones as superior to specific IEMs while it can be the opposite for the same set of headphones and IEMs for other), so this is for sure highly subjective, but I'd recommend looking at the Fostex x Massdrop TH-X00; their tuning is quite similar to the XBA-N3 but with a little less upper treble brightness. As for technical performance (better/worse), I will not comment because I haven't really compared mine side-to-side and don't really intend to do so. But both are smooth and natural fun sounding headphones and I definitely like both; neither are the most technical in their class but very enjoyable indeed.

Second the suggestion on the Fostex TH-X00 / TR-X00 for a closed-back equivalent. Would also add the E-MU Teak to the list - a more refined and fluid take on the TH-X00 to my ears.

 

[Redcarmoose]

On Amazon JP, the price for a new one is at about $USD 295.17, while a used - very good is at about $USD 234.39.

Is the new one worth the $60 difference? I've only bought a used EX1000 via eBay from Japan, not sure how "good" the products on Amazon JP are.

The other issue of concern with used is the MMCX connects. Buying used your not guaranteed a limited amount on reconnects/disconnects. I have not had trouble with mine but we have witnessed a couple people on this thread with either a full on structural fail or a connection on one which was to become slightly temperamental due to either too the frequency of de-attachment/attachment or faulty technique. It must be posted again that it’s best with both the XBA-Z5 and XBA-N3, that buying new is one way to guarantee limited issue with that critical area. This is in addition to the foam issues.

Obviously to limit your personal cable change-out with the XBA-N3 is important in “getting lucky” with cable issues!

 

[biostik]

Ok, finally bought the N3 here in the Netherlands from another enthusiastic. I will receive it on Monday and am curious how it will fit in my ears and off course the SQ. I have a Fiio LC-D 4.4 silver cable lying around here, hope this will match.
Question: for commuting i use the Fiio btr3k. Are the Sony's hard to drive or will the Fiio be enough ?
Because am thinking to upgrade to the Ifi go Blue but if this is not bringing me an upgrade in SQ is will be lost money ...

 

[n00b]

XBA-N3 is quite low impedance, 16-32ohm, so it should be easy to drive.

 

[Sam L]

Took me awhile to get these and at one point I started to think they would become less relevant year after year. I was wrong. These are still phenomenal. @RikudouGoku does a great job of keeping these in the public consciousness from time to time.

 

[rockervungtau]

Yeah, I’ve got used to it but you’re right it’s definitely too heavy for the N3. I have to use the chin slider to keep them from falling out of my ears.

Haven’t tried the WM1A, but the WM1Z + Z1R combo is incredible. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed

That said, I still use my N3’s because I love their tone and bass with electronic music. They’re great especially for the price compared to Z1R.

Hello friend, Im a bass head and love electronic, and should I buy N3AP or N1AP for my Sony A55? Can you recommend, im afraid A55 has not enough power to drive N3AP ? Tks

 

[rlw6534]

Hello friend, Im a bass head and love electronic, and should I buy N3AP or N1AP for my Sony A55? Can you recommend, im afraid A55 has not enough power to drive N3AP ? Tks

My NW-A105 (same power specs as A55) drives my N3AP just fine with plenty of volume left...