F700
Headphoneus Supremus
Welcome to the club. The N3 bass is faster so it suits music with faster, tighter beats. Z5 bass is a bit slower but have more presence. Maybe a difference between a new drum and a well broken in drum. The price difference is quite large for the gain as you said. I paid 26500 yen for the N3 (no AP) in Japan so that's less than half of the Z5 price. Is it worth it? Everyone will have to judge for themselves but if you can drive them in balanced mode (I'm using a PHA-2A at home) with the upgrade cable, the difference becomes much clearer between the 2. The Z5 does leak a bit more but at normal listening level, it's not noticeable beyond 2" (see my recording sample here)
Download the m4a file from this link. It a recording using my iPhone 6's voice memo feature with me playing back Parov Stelar - The Lonely Trumpet on my Z5 at 50% volume through the PHA-2A in balanced mode . The phone was being held within 2 inches of the IEM, first on the left and switched to the right.
https://www.hightail.com/download/dDZGVWRyTEQzS29LSk1UQw
Then this one was made between 1:10 -2:10 of the track with the phone about 20" from the left ear then move to the right ear at about 30 sec mark.
https://www.hightail.com/download/dDZGVWRyTEQzeUtjZDhUQw
I use the N3 on the go cause it's easier to drive and less noticeable by others while I use the Z5 just at home.
Thanks for your input and links, much appreciated. I'll check that. Aftermarket balanced cables are on my list and will be ordered in any case, but I am still hesitating between different brands at the moment. Could you give me an advice please? I have Effect Audio on top of my list... and it likely will be connected with a DAP balanced output. Maybe answer in PM if you don't mind, because I don't want to derail the thread. Thank you!
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