Very different cups of tea. Obviously the Clear is open-backed, but it's a masterclass in transparency and detail compared to the more smooth and relaxed sounding Z1R. They Clear also does bass in an altogether different kind of way - it's tighter, quicker, but less pronounced in terms of its overall level.
Debating on 1 High End Pair... The Audeze LCD-X are on my list as with the Z1Rs... I have a Burson Amp and Dac coming soon, use mostly SonyNW-WM1A.
What sort of sound signature do you like? I found the LCD-X both too heavy and a bit too polite in the treble. I found the Z1R to be super opulent and very 'agreeable' sounding.Mightygrey: I take it you have multiple headphones, which I am leaning towards, hell I am already there! I have some Sony MDR-7506 (Better Pads), Sennheiser 660S and DT 770T Pros... I am a speaker guy, and with home office and kids home I have gravitated towards headphones now.
I loved the Z1R matched with the Sony amp but much prefer them now. I think my existing set up sounds more open than it did as before it was stereotype closed in sound. I like what the TT2/MSc gives me now ... but the Dave is different, finer I believe, not as warm as the TT2 ? I deliberately didn't try the Dave lol.
Like some have suggested elsewhere, try the Dave only if you’re prepared to buy it. I wanted to try the TT2 but there wasn’t one to test out at the time. It could have been an interesting listen. I’ve read many praising its headphone amp.
I could have bought it as had just retired ... but knew I would buy other stuff too so went with the 'cheaper' option
Well, considering that a revised NW-WM1Z might be launching soon, it'd make sense for Sony to update their entire "Signature" line, MDR-Z1R included.
What would you expect from a new flagship? Do you think they'll keep the base tuning and improve upon that with a new design and tech or do something different like an open or semi-open back?Well, considering that a revised NW-WM1Z might be launching soon, it'd make sense for Sony to update their entire "Signature" line, MDR-Z1R included.
Although, the IER-Z1R is still the youngest of the bunch, at about 2 years old; it'll be too early for a revision.
Well, I'm looking forward to a new flagship headphone!
It was a real disappointment to be sure. I was kind of sad to part ways with the Z1R. It was kind of a surprise that it paired far better with a much cheaper TA. I’m going to audition some closed back Focal headphones as I only have the Meze Empyrean and the Z7 left of the old collection. Stellia seems like an interesting option. Maybe Utopia later on.
Strangely, the Z7 sounds much better with the Dave than the Z1R. I think it has to do with the level of isolation. It’s much greater on the Z1R than the Z7, hence the rather claustrophobic overall presentation. That wasn’t a problem though when paired with its companion amp.
I hope they go with an open back and then keep the Z1R in production alongside it. That would provide both styles of high-end can.
