Can anyone tell me how much sound difference there is between the MDR-Z1R and the MDR-Z7m2 ? is it worth the huge cost to buy the
MDR-Z1R?
I can tell you that the Z7M2 is a fantastic headphone, and for it's price it punches above it's weight. That being said, it just isn't in the same class as the Z1R (which makes sense, given the price difference).
Here are what I consider the biggest differences between the two, and please bear in mind my point of reference is that the Z7M2 is a phenomenal baseline to begin with. If I sound negative about it at all, it's only
in comparison to the Z1R, which is a totally different animal.
Bass
A lot of people refer to the Z1R as a "bass monster" and before getting one, I didn't really know what that meant: Did it have a
lot of bass? Would it bring more bass to every track? Turns out what I think people mean by "monster" is that it will forever change your appreciation for the different
kinds of bass. With the Z7M2 the bass is quite one-dimensional, really it all sounds the same. That is to say, really good, but very similar. The Z1R renders bass in ways I've never heard before and you can
feel it much more than in the 7.
Clarity
The Z1R is able to render details a lot better than the Z7M2, even when the stage is "full". By that I mean when there is a lot going on, lots of instruments competing in the same space. The Z7M2 starts to get muddy at this point and the Z1R fairs better. I partially believe this is down to the Z7M2 being a proper closed back, whereas the Z1R is designed and built in a way that makes internal resonance a non-issue. I tried the "tape mod" on the Z7M2 and while this does make it appreciably better, it's still not at the same level as the Z1R.
Tonal Differences
The Z7M2, while being an incredible all-rounder, does suffer from a slightly weak midrange. Vocals, especially male vocals, feel "pushed back" on the Z7M2s which isn't a problem on the Z1R, everything sounds as it should be (though coloured).
Dynamics
When I talk about dynamics I mean the variance in feeling and texture in recordings. How hard things "slap" and how real they feel. The Z1R pulls away again in this regard by making instruments feel lifelike and moving the air from the driver in a more pleasing way. Movies in particular sound great in the Z7M2, but the Z1R feels more like being in the cinema. I hope that makes sense.
There are areas where they're quite similar though:
Comfort
Both are really comfortable headphones for extended duration listening.
Soundstage
I'd say they're about equal in this regard, both pushing the absolute limits of what a closed headphone can do. Sure, the Z1R pulls a few tricks to edge ahead, but it's more ahead in the quality
within the soundstage, rather than the sizing. For both headphones, though: Upgrade from the stock cable. That will make the biggest difference.
Hope this helps anyone else out there, I know I struggled during the buying process and ended up getting both! You only live once, right?