Sony's New 2014 flagship IEM - XBA Z5

[dweaver]

when it comes to portable audio I refuse to use anything that would overly compromise the portability due to size. It doesn't matter how good it sounds if I can't actually take it with me so I can enjoy it. PHA-3 probably sounds sublime so would be great for my home desktop setup but not for on the road. I say stick with the A1 or check into the Pono which would allow you to use your balanced cable on the Z5 and also doubles the wattage output so in effect is like have an added amp with you.
 
I may look at the PHA-3 more myself though but as a replacement for my desktop DAC.

 

[dipal]

when it comes to portable audio I refuse to use anything that would overly compromise the portability due to size. It doesn't matter how good it sounds if I can't actually take it with me so I can enjoy it. PHA-3 probably sounds sublime so would be great for my home desktop setup but not for on the road. I say stick with the A1 or check into the Pono which would allow you to use your balanced cable on the Z5 and also doubles the wattage output so in effect is like have an added amp with you.

I may look at the PHA-3 more myself though but as a replacement for my desktop DAC.

Thank you sir! I wouldn't go for the Pono as I already have the NW zx100. But as I thought and as you say, portability is one thing that goes hand in hand with convenience for me. And as far as playing on a mobile phone goes, the PHA 1A is sufficient for me. At least that's what I deduced from my time playing with it. Amazing how much difference it can make.

 

[rlukash]

Has anyone tried the Bluetooth attachment that Sony make for these....?

I tried z5 with the Sony Bluetooth adapter and found that although the convenience factor is awesome the sound is underwhelming. There is clearly not enough power to drive Z5 properly. Heck I even tried A3's with this bluetooth cable and found that it wasn't sufficient even for A3s, but when I tried them with A2s and H3s the bluetooth cable really shined and made those sound great with ample bass and great overall presence (for those iems)

 

[dougi555]

Th

I tried z5 with the Sony Bluetooth adapter and found that although the convenience factor is awesome the sound is underwhelming. There is clearly not enough power to drive Z5 properly. Heck I even tried A3's with this bluetooth cable and found that it wasn't sufficient even for A3s, but when I tried them with A2s and H3s the bluetooth cable really shined and made those sound great with ample bass and great overall presence (for those iems)

Thanks for the, I never even thought about power, I was more concerned re quality of signal. Ok, off the shopping list. Now, next is the PHA-3 haha

 

[rickyfernandez]

If anyone is interested I put my less than one month old pha-3 for sale, pm me.

 

[cuiter23]

  If anyone is interested I put my less than one month old pha-3 for sale, pm me.

 
Don't like it?

 

[rickyfernandez]

Don't get me wrong, I love the pha-3, my main reasons are I'm a phd student, so I spend all day in front of the computer programming and writing my dissertation. So portability is a non factor and I would like a dac/amp that I can just plug in without worrying about the battery. Second, I went on a sony binge buying sony xba 3, z5, z7, ex800 and pha-3. So I'm trying to cut down, I wish I could own everything hehe.

 

[dweaver]

Can you give a brief A/B comparison between the Z5 and EX800ST? I used to own the MDR 7550 and wrote some thoughts about the differences between the 2 but that was from memory only. An actual A/B comparison would be a much more accurate. I have several times almost repurchased the 7550 because I liked its sound a lot but am not sure I would use it enough. If I could find an Android/iPhone cable for one I think I would bite as I could then make it my go to IEM with my phone.

 

[cuiter23]

Can you give a brief A/B comparison between the Z5 and EX800ST? I used to own the MDR 7550 and wrote some thoughts about the differences between the 2 but that was from memory only. An actual A/B comparison would be a much more accurate. I have several times almost repurchased the 7550 because I liked its sound a lot but am not sure I would use it enough. If I could find an Android/iPhone cable for one I think I would bite as I could then make it my go to IEM with my phone.

 
I used to own the 7550 a month or so back. The Z5 is the more refined IEM with better imaging and instrumental separation and handles music much more effortlessly. The 7550/800st is a bit leaner sounding and out of the box does not have as much bass presence as the Z5, EQing will solve that but out of the box the 7550 is much more balanced and "thinner" sounding than the rich Z5. Overall, the Z5 is a more technically competent IEM. All of my friends who've heard the Z5 then the 7550 immediately put the Z5 back on. You can't beat the holographic imaging of the Z5. In fact, I have never heard an IEM that could.

 

[dweaver]

That was how I remembered the differences as well. The Z5 really is one of the most holographic sounding IEMs I have ever heard as well. I liked the 7550 but from memory not as much as the Z5 and I just don't think I would use it enough to justify buying a pair.

 

[rickyfernandez]

   
The 7550/800st is a bit leaner sounding and out of the box does not have as much bass presence

This is what I exactly what I remembered when I previously had the ex800 (I repurchased and it has not come in yet). At the time I also had the xba h3 and I remembered the 7550/800st had a more controlled and tight bass, although less pronounce than the h3. However, when I put my finger on the vent hole the bass was more pronounce and impactful. I never did the mod and forget about it entirely but now my curiosity has been rekindled going through the best bass iem forum. It will be interesting to hear the modded version against the z5 because to my ears the z5 has been such a large improvement over the h3.

 

[cuiter23]

  This is what I exactly what I remembered when I previously had the ex800 (I repurchased and it has not come in yet). At the time I also had the xba h3 and I remembered the 7550/800st had a more controlled and tight bass, although less pronounce than the h3. However, when I put my finger on the vent hole the bass was more pronounce and impactful. I never did the mod and forget about it entirely but now my curiosity has been rekindled going through the best bass iem forum. It will be interesting to hear the modded version against the z5 because to my ears the z5 has been such a large improvement over the h3.

 
You will need to mod the EX800ST/7550 and also EQ it HEAVILY in order to get a lot bass. Or else it is not a bassy IEM out of the box, it is very balanced. I modded it and also EQ'd it, it sounded good with plenty of good bass but it the isolation is abysmal and has a ringing treble which I'm allergic to. I wouldn't put it even near the class/sound refinement as the Z5. 

 

[rlukash]

One thing MDR 7550 has going for it is spaciousness, it sounds a lot more like an open headphones. Although my go to iems are Z5 and A3, I do occasionally put on 7550, especially in a quiet environment, to enjoy that non fatiguing natural sound with clean bass (although not even close to z5) and very prominent mids. I have to say that I do not find the treble to be peaky in 7550, but then I also don't mind it in ex1000 ☺

 

[gerelmx1986]

QUESTION
 
I've purchased a flight to Berlin to visit my German sweetie once again
 
This time i won't get bored on a 10hr flight, so i will bring my music and listen to it rather than see the typical in-flight movie
 
 
So question is I
 
1. IN which flight stage i shall NEVER use IEMs?
 
A)take-off
B)Landing
C)during turbulence
 
2. I Shall remove them carefully (slowly) during flight  or i can remove as i do on ground quickly and fast, "just pull the bud out"? *pop* *pop* voila that's how i remove them inground just quickly pull them out

 

[cuiter23]

QUESTION

I've purchased a flight to Berlin to visit my German sweetie once again

This time i won't get bored on a 10hr flight, so i will bring my music and listen to it rather than see the typical in-flight movie


So question is I

1. IN which flight stage i shall NEVER use IEMs?

A)take-off
B)Landing
C)during turbulence

2. I Shall remove them carefully (slowly) during flight  or i can remove as i do on ground quickly and fast, "just pull the bud out"? *pop* *pop* voila that's how i remove them inground just quickly pull them out

Avoid a and b. Turbulence is fine just make sure you're buckled.