Redcarmoose
Headphoneus Supremus
I currently have the N3 and love it. I was wondering if the Z5 or the EX1000 would represent an upgrade or more of a side grade from the N3. The Z5 is around $500 with a balanced cable included with the 4.4mm jack. The EX1000 is around $400 but I would have to buy a balanced cable with the 4.4mm which puts it on par with the Z5. I like the N3 so far but have EQed it for added treble. I would like for them to be more analytical. Which of these two do you think would be better?
FYI. The Z5's included balance cable is not 4.4mm but of the older 2.5mm style. The Z5 does sound noticeably better than the N3 but does require a decent amount of power. What are you driving your N3 with. If you have a PHA-2A or ZX300, then you will seea noticeable improvement but you would have to buy a new set of balance cable for it.
It probably should be noted now about the two N3 models one is 3.5mm single ended and the other comes balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn.
https://www.sony.co.id/en/electronics/in-ear-headphones/xba-n3
Sony has named the product :
XBA-N3AP, XBA-N3AP//Q E, XBA-N3BP, XBA-N3BP//Q E
And yes, one of the issues with the Z5 is getting to balanced as they come with the double 3.5mm cable which is almost not supported.
With the Z5 you really have to change from the included cables as the stock cables are a little hard to control and don’t have a good way of connecting balanced. The Z5 comes with an over ear 3.5mm single ended and a balanced 2X 3.5mm big rubber cable.
You need something like this.
https://www.sony.com.my/electronics/headphone-extension-cables/muc-m12sb1
Though I use this $124 cable with my Z5 and love it.
https://m.ebay.com/itm/SONY-MUC-M12...Cable-for-XBA-Series-NEW-/202082771094?_ul=BO
The above cables may actually improve or degrade the N3 sound, though due to not wanting to stress the MMCX connectors, I haven’t tried the changeout.
The Z5 IEM is a pretty big upgrade but the cable issue is really something for them straight out of the box. You’re best ditching the included cables and using aftermarket cables with the new cables running straight down.
Also amazingly the Z5 IEM works really well with the N3 included Triple Comfert Tips. The Z5 simply comes with regular Sony Hybrid Tips. The main plus with the N3 is how they fit into your ears. The N3 is simply smaller and lighter and rest on the side of your ear. They are actually a miracle of ergonomics. Where the Z5 IEMs are big and were originally designed to be held with these giant rubber cables sticking directly out of your ear center, floating.
The N3 IEM kind of comes off as a little underwhelming at first but just keeps getting better at what it does as your ears/mind adjust to it. Where the Z5 takes more juice to get going and excels with all the juice to an amazing level. The Z5 holds more high end sparkle and detail, plus combine that with the extended low end and it’s pretty entertaining right from the start. The N3 comes off almost as a sleeper, being reserved and polite from the start, but still holding the new Sony signature sound.
It’s hard to judge the Z5 as analytical as there are way more detailed headphones out there. But what the Z5 does is offer a cohesive playback where everything seems natural and in place. There is also this amazing soundstage that some hear, where all the musical elements are isolated and become “viewable” around outside your head. It’s that single quality to maybe explain why the Z5 sound is sometimes interpreted as full-size headphone sound stage. But it has a very reserved V shape signature. It is detailed but maybe the term balanced and natural are a better term.
If someone could get the Z5 for $500 it’s a pretty good deal. Keep in mind though that many have had issues with the finish scratching and chipping when kept in a pocket or knocked around. Also keep in mind the cost of the cable upgrade......then Z5 does have a much more added cost than the N3 series.
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