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Sony's New 2014 flagship IEM - XBA Z5
Dec 9, 2015 at 9:39 AM Post #2,686 of 5,810
If you like the bass quantity/quality + imaging on the Z5 I don't see anyway else to go but full size headphones e.g Hd650s 
 
I tried a ton of iems at the London canjam and no iem came close..hmm save the aurisonics model (forget which one but it's the new line-up's bassiest model) 
but that sounded like a cheaper iem but v v good for £250 
 
Dec 9, 2015 at 4:20 PM Post #2,687 of 5,810
In a previous post, I said that I thought the sony upgrade cable didn't feel like a upgrade and I said that the opinion might change after a few weeks with it.
 
So after using it for a month back and forth. (I really don't like pulling these connectors all the time..they don't give me the confidence that it should be done a hundred times for some reason.)
 
Anyway .. after a month with them. I like the new cable a lot especially comfort wise. I never used to take the sonys out for a walk but the new cables are much less cumbersome. Sound wise, it's a more solid sound all round. The bass is definitely more. Everything just feels to have more substance now.
 
gosh I love these Z5s. I reckon if you only want one pair of really good iems or headphones, these are the ones to get for sure. 
I like my shure 846 too but the Z5 have such an 360 degree wide sound it's just very addictive. 
 
Dec 12, 2015 at 5:20 PM Post #2,688 of 5,810
Hello folks
 
I've been using the Z5 for 2 weeks, with the MUC-M12SM1 cable. And i have serious doubts about them...
 
To be concrete, i´m not really satisfied with the highs or treble. I also have the Yamaha EPH-100 and the Sony MDR-1RNC. Those sond brighter than the Z5, at the same volume and EQ. Resuming, with the other two, i can hear some reverberances that i cant hear with the Z5...., is that possible?
 
 
Im really planning to sell them...
 
 
I use a Fiio X3.
 
Thanks
 
Dec 12, 2015 at 5:39 PM Post #2,689 of 5,810
rivermivida said:
  Hello folks
 
I've been using the Z5 for 2 weeks, with the MUC-M12SM1 cable. And i have serious doubts about them...
 
To be concrete, i´m not really satisfied with the highs or treble. I also have the Yamaha EPH-100 and the Sony MDR-1RNC. Those sond brighter than the Z5, at the same volume and EQ. Resuming, with the other two, i can hear some reverberances that i cant hear with the Z5...., is that possible?
 
 
Im really planning to sell them...
 
 
I use a Fiio X3.
 
Thanks
Click to expand...

 
You may not like the sound, they are not for everyone. The Z5 is technically far superior than the EPH-100 (won't talk about over ear because they are not comparable.) The imaging, soundstage, and airyness of the Z5 is it's strength, it does have a dark and bassy signature but I don't feel it lacks anything, in fact I feel the treble to be very well extended but controlled at the same time, making it sound realistic and not artificial like the Yamaha. I've listened to my friend's EPH-100 many times and they are thoroughly enjoyable for $100, but no where close to the Z5. If you like the EPH-100 you may enjoy the A3 even more, they are much superior than the EPH-100. 
 
The X3 is quite a warm sounding player as well that may contribute to the lack of sparkle but I don't imagine that's the underlying reason. If the EPH-100 is better in your opinion then might as well put another couple hundred bucks back in your pocket.
 
Dec 12, 2015 at 7:39 PM Post #2,690 of 5,810
cuiter23 said:
   
You may not like the sound, they are not for everyone. The Z5 is technically far superior than the EPH-100 (won't talk about over ear because they are not comparable.) The imaging, soundstage, and airyness of the Z5 is it's strength, it does have a dark and bassy signature but I don't feel it lacks anything, in fact I feel the treble to be very well extended but controlled at the same time, making it sound realistic and not artificial like the Yamaha. I've listened to my friend's EPH-100 many times and they are thoroughly enjoyable for $100, but no where close to the Z5. If you like the EPH-100 you may enjoy the A3 even more, they are much superior than the EPH-100. 
 
The X3 is quite a warm sounding player as well that may contribute to the lack of sparkle but I don't imagine that's the underlying reason. If the EPH-100 is better in your opinion then might as well put another couple hundred bucks back in your pocket.
Click to expand...

 
 
I understand what you say. And i agree: Bass is killer. Now im using a DAC Amp, the Sound Blaster E5, connected to my PC, testing both IEms.
 
And i hear the voices much more on the front when i use the Yamaha, and brighter. The Z5 sound more opaque...., but i don't know if this is good or bad...
 
:frowning2:
 
Dec 12, 2015 at 7:48 PM Post #2,691 of 5,810
rivermivida said:
Hello folks

I've been using the Z5 for 2 weeks, with the [COLOR=6A6A6A]MUC[/COLOR][COLOR=545454]-M12SM1 cable. And i have serious doubts about them...[/COLOR]

[COLOR=545454]To be concrete, i´m not really satisfied with the highs or treble. I also have the Yamaha EPH-100 and the Sony MDR-1RNC. Those sond brighter than the Z5, at the same volume and EQ. Resuming, with the other two, i can hear some reverberances that i cant hear with the Z5...., is that possible?[/COLOR]


[COLOR=545454]Im really planning to sell them...[/COLOR]


[COLOR=545454]I use a Fiio X3.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=545454]Thanks[/COLOR]
Click to expand...
Z5 needs an amp to get the highs and it needs 150 hrs to burn in.
 
Dec 12, 2015 at 8:00 PM Post #2,693 of 5,810
rivermivida said:
Everybody use an amp with the Z5??
Click to expand...
I have X3 and with the Z5 it will have bass but mids and treble are recessed but once I added an amp power the mids and treble were pushed forwards. The A3 doesnt need an amp.
 
Dec 12, 2015 at 8:46 PM Post #2,695 of 5,810
Dec 12, 2015 at 9:07 PM Post #2,697 of 5,810
Pono...

Balanced mode = nirvana

No amps needed just the Pono and the Z5 balanced cable.
 
Dec 12, 2015 at 9:47 PM Post #2,699 of 5,810
rivermivida said:
  Hello folks
 
I've been using the Z5 for 2 weeks, with the MUC-M12SM1 cable. And i have serious doubts about them...
 
To be concrete, i´m not really satisfied with the highs or treble. I also have the Yamaha EPH-100 and the Sony MDR-1RNC. Those sond brighter than the Z5, at the same volume and EQ. Resuming, with the other two, i can hear some reverberances that i cant hear with the Z5...., is that possible?
 
 
Im really planning to sell them...
 
 
I use a Fiio X3.
 
Thanks
Click to expand...

 
 
I have the MDR-1R and i find they sound pretty bright compared to the A3... i like more the sound of the A3, seems the same clarity and details of the 1R but being fuller in sound, (1R lacks some bass)
 
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