[Charlie Norwood]

Well, I will see if I can check them out in October. You going?

RMAF is in like 3 weeks. Weekend after labor day. Just didn't want you to miss it

 

[JoshG1217]

I had not even looked at dates yet. Thanks, man. I'll get my tickets.

 

[JoshG1217]

So, after a few more days, I sent the N3 back. It's a good backup pair, and not far behind the Z5, but I ultimately didn't need it, so I let it go. I would rank it above the Ex800, but below the Z5.

The Z5 is just a beast. I have owned UE 900, T04, Fearless s8F, RHA CL2, Aurisonics 2.5, KPE, DM6, EX800, Final E 5000, and the Z5 puts them all to shame. I don't know why people bother. The CL2 and S8F are especially overrated. S8F just have a treble spike for their incredible "detail" and cannot handle fast technical music well at wall. The CL2 are even worse, and maybe it's because I am not used to planar bass, but the bass hit on those sounded like a floppy speaker. No body at all. Aurisonics were the best runner up, but they didn't have the detail retrieval of the z5. My only beef with Z5 is isolation could be better and comfort could be better. Wondering what an actual upgrade could be to these that maintaints the same massive bass and super wide stage. Solaris maybe? At 3 times the price though, that doesn't strike as a great deal.

 

[mredmond]

So, after a few more days, I sent the N3 back. It's a good backup pair, and not far behind the Z5, but I ultimately didn't need it, so I let it go. I would rank it above the Ex800, but below the Z5.

The Z5 is just a beast. I have owned UE 900, T04, Fearless s8F, RHA CL2, Aurisonics 2.5, KPE, DM6, EX800, Final E 5000, and the Z5 puts them all to shame. I don't know why people bother. The CL2 and S8F are especially overrated. S8F just have a treble spike for their incredible "detail" and cannot handle fast technical music well at wall. The CL2 are even worse, and maybe it's because I am not used to planar bass, but the bass hit on those sounded like a floppy speaker. No body at all. Aurisonics were the best runner up, but they didn't have the detail retrieval of the z5. My only beef with Z5 is isolation could be better and comfort could be better. Wondering what an actual upgrade could be to these that maintaints the same massive bass and super wide stage. Solaris maybe? At 3 times the price though, that doesn't strike as a great deal.

I agree. If you do not need something more portable, comfortable, and isolating than the Z5, the N3 is very nice, especially with EQ, but it does not have that large soundstage and powerful bass like the Z5. I find it to be a little more open and energetic than the Z5 and I like vocals better on the N3, but they have fairly similar signatures and it can be somewhat repetitive to own both.

From what I have seen, it seems the only true upgrade with a similar signature to the Z5 is the Z1R. I have recently been trying the Xelento, which is incredible with powerful but very clean bass and excellent resolution and detail, but the soundstage is only average, nowhere close the Z5. The imaging and separation are fantastic, but the stage, though it does not feel narrow, is more intimate. It is more of an upgrade of the N3 with better bass and technicalities. If you want big soundstage as well, the Z1R seems to be one of the only options.

I really want to try the A8. I have heard the staging is superior to even the Z5 with better technicalities as well. I am just concerned about that BA bass and how well it can keep up with the DDs I am used to.

 

[redrol]

I have the A8 and yes its soundstage is incredible. Beats the z5 to my ear. As far as the bass goes, Im going to throw out a number.. %93 of the Z5 bass.

 

[JoshG1217]

Ugh. Fine. I'll try the A8

 

[redrol]

OK! Lol. Hopefully %93 percent is good enough. You can make up that last bit with some eq in the 30hz range.. maybe 4db ish.

 

[redrol]

Thanks @crinacle for the comparison tool!
See what I mean by the bass being good? The A8 is a hair learner down there, but not much. A8 has more midrange which I appreciate. And that bump around 8k gives it more detail, as well as a bit more air in the upper freq.

 

[JoshG1217]

Nice tool. I am curious. Wonder if they will have a booth at RMAF.

 

[mredmond]

Boy, now I really want to try the A8. I see everything else you have are DDs, the BA bass in the A8 is that good that it can keep up with those? 93% of Z5 with similar weight and texture?

 

[redrol]

I think so. The bass is very satisfying. Keep in mind I tend to eq some bass at 30hz, but they respond like crazy. To my ear it makes BAs have more of a DD slam.

 

[JoshG1217]

Headphonia a8 review is not kind to its bass, but I'm curious. I have a date with the moondrop booth!

 

[redrol]

That review is odd. Everyone else that has heard the A8 says the bass is sweet.

 

[JoshG1217]

Went to RMAF yesterday, mostly to listen to Z1R. Wasnt impressed. I think the Z5 is nearly as good, if not just equal. The Dekoni Blue (modded t50rp) are dope though. Never owned an over ear planar. Its impressive, especially for the price.

 

[redrol]

That's crazy! I take it you didn't hear the a8.