[raybies]

Well there goes ~my theory.
But I'll elaborate on the basis for it... according to tests and averages, humans start to lose higher frequency hearing ~40yo.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presbycusis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearing_range#cite_note-17

From what I've read; since the average person loses the higher frequencies as they age by about 55 the Z1R should start to sound how Phronesis described them.
I would like to believe my hearing is still sharp, but I doubt it's as good as it was when I was 20. I can still hear the buzz of transformers/electronics (coil wine, etc) which my wife can't.
I know my eye sight sure isn't as good as it was just 5 years ago, specially night vision and close up... still no glasses though.

Obviously it doesn't preclude any older listener from liking a warm sound signature, but most want a brighter, more neutral sound.

 

[cpetrillo]

There is no doubt that my hearing is not what it use to be. I think that because it happens gradually and effects everything including live music it doesn't have the effect you would think it does.

 

[up late]

Well there goes ~my theory.
But I'll elaborate on the basis for it... according to tests and averages, humans start to lose higher frequency hearing ~40yo.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presbycusis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearing_range#cite_note-17

From what I've read; since the average person loses the higher frequencies as they age by about 55 the Z1R should start to sound how Phronesis described them.
I would like to believe my hearing is still sharp, but I doubt it's as good as it was when I was 20. I can still hear the buzz of transformers/electronics (coil wine, etc) which my wife can't.
I know my eye sight sure isn't as good as it was just 5 years ago, specially night vision and close up... still no glasses though.

Obviously it doesn't preclude any older listener from liking a warm sound signature, but most want a brighter, more neutral sound.

that's the problem with generalisations, there are always exceptions

 

[sarnhelen]

It's complicated. My ability to focus hearing on one voice in a group has certainly deteriorated, but I'm driven crazy by hums and buzzes and whines that my wife doesn't notice and finds it difficult to hear even when her attention is drawn to them. That said, my hearing was tested as normal for my age which means there must be some high-frequency deterioration in function – I can only assume that function (physiological) and attention (mental) are both involved in perception, and that to be sensitive to sound is not the same as having the most sensitive instrument.

 

[21qz]

Obviously you haven’t YouTube’d Sony Z1r Headphones Bert’s Review. Bert is alway right, so it’s you’re ears that are bugging out, DUHHH...lol

 

[cjfrbw]

I don't like the Senn 800 variants. If I want open and detailed, I'll listen to STAX. If I want rich and vibrant with good detail, I'll listen to Z1R.

Z1R also has a bit of reflectivity to create ambiance, which is a quality that I think some headphone listeners do NOT want, they just want detail.

 

[Redcarmoose]

Well there goes ~my theory.
But I'll elaborate on the basis for it... according to tests and averages, humans start to lose higher frequency hearing ~40yo.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presbycusis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearing_range#cite_note-17

From what I've read; since the average person loses the higher frequencies as they age by about 55 the Z1R should start to sound how Phronesis described them.
I would like to believe my hearing is still sharp, but I doubt it's as good as it was when I was 20. I can still hear the buzz of transformers/electronics (coil wine, etc) which my wife can't.
I know my eye sight sure isn't as good as it was just 5 years ago, specially night vision and close up... still no glasses though.

Obviously it doesn't preclude any older listener from liking a warm sound signature, but most want a brighter, more neutral sound.

I don’t hear my wife as well as when we were first married?

 

[Redcarmoose]

I don't like the Senn 800 variants. If I want open and detailed, I'll listen to STAX. If I want rich and vibrant with good detail, I'll listen to Z1R.

Z1R also has a bit of reflectivity to create ambiance, which is a quality that I think some headphone listeners do NOT want, they just want detail.

Right, that reflective property could emulate when speakers reverberate in a room causing a low frequency spike. The room response is what is left out of truly flat headphone responses. The Z1R reminds me of speakers in a room.

 

[Lookout57]

I hope this doesn't come across as ageist or offensive to anyone, but I wouldn't recommend this HP to an audience >55yo, bcos as much as I hate the Sennhisser HD800 sound signature, most people over 55 will dislike the Z1R; they just play to a younger type of hearing.
I remember my uncle being less than impressed w/ my impressions of his uber setup, but it just sounded flat, boring and tiny... for something that cost more than a car.
me: where's the sub uncle.
uncle: this is not a home theater system, leave now.

I'm 61 and love the Z1R with the TA. But not until I replaced the stock balanced cable with the Kimber AXIOS Cu.

I also burned in the Z1R for over 100 hours too.

 

[TSAVJason]

Right, that reflective property could emulate when speakers reverberate in a room causing a low frequency spike. The room response is what is left out of truly flat headphone responses. The Z1R reminds me of speakers in a room.

That was the designers intentions. A Signature system amp, player and headphone to give that live experience

 

[Phronesis]

The basic problem I'm hearing with the Z1R is that the zone of reduced highs requires turning the volume up to compensate, which causes the bass to be too much and the boosted highs around 10 kHz to be somewhat piercing. The problem isn't that the ZR1 is too bright or not bright enough overall, but rather that the treble response is very uneven. To my ears, this causes acoustic instruments like cymbals and horns to sound unnatural.

I'm now comparing the Z1R only with 99 Classics, and the 99 Classics keep winning by a good margin.

https://www.innerfidelity.com/content/head-fi-contradicts-innerfidelity-sony-mdr-z1r-measurements

 

[329161]

The basic problem I'm hearing with the Z1R is that the zone of reduced highs requires turning the volume up to compensate, which causes the bass to be too much and the boosted highs around 10 kHz to be somewhat piercing. The problem isn't that the ZR1 is too bright or not bright enough overall, but rather that the treble response is very uneven. To my ears, this causes acoustic instruments like cymbals and horns to sound unnatural.

I'm now comparing the Z1R only with 99 Classics, and the 99 Classics keep winning by a good margin.

https://www.innerfidelity.com/content/head-fi-contradicts-innerfidelity-sony-mdr-z1r-measurements

Horses for courses. The 99 sounds a little darker and less detailed. Sound is quite grainy for the price as well. FYI if you don't like the highs on the z1r, then you'll likely find the same on the hd700, and 800, most of the Beyers and Grados too. The good thing with the z1r is the bass and mids seem balanced with the highs so you don't feel the need to turn them up to compensate for those frequencies. If you like the Classics that much then stick with those.

 

[Phronesis]

Horses for courses. The 99 sounds a little darker and less detailed. Sound is quite grainy for the price as well. FYI if you don't like the highs on the z1r, then you'll likely find the same on the hd700, and 800. If you like the Classics that much then stick with those.

I haven't heard the HD800, but I have the HD800S and love it.

 

[up late]

the 6khz peak that is present in the hd800 has been ameliorated in the hd800s. the difference was apparent to my ears when i compared them and i preferred the hd800s' tuning - it made for a less fatiguing listen. while i respect the hd800/s, i could never love them.

 

[Redcarmoose]

The basic problem I'm hearing with the Z1R is that the zone of reduced highs requires turning the volume up to compensate, which causes the bass to be too much and the boosted highs around 10 kHz to be somewhat piercing. The problem isn't that the ZR1 is too bright or not bright enough overall, but rather that the treble response is very uneven. To my ears, this causes acoustic instruments like cymbals and horns to sound unnatural.

I'm now comparing the Z1R only with 99 Classics, and the 99 Classics keep winning by a good margin.

https://www.innerfidelity.com/content/head-fi-contradicts-innerfidelity-sony-mdr-z1r-measurements

I thought that way too but if you keep them for three weeks all of a sudden you will put them on and they magically become cohesive. It’s the strangest thing, and I figure it was my perception.

This arises due to the fact our judgment concerning right and wrong originates from what we are used to. So most of our listening is in reference to signatures not correct or wrong but just what we are used to. It’s not anything to do with the new headphone but simply what signature we are used to.