[beowulf]

Still nothing in my mailbox. Tesento's reviews on TrustPilot are horror stories, so I'm becoming less optimistic about it. Wonder if I'll ever receive the Z5. Going to give it a couple more weeks...

 

[gerelmx1986]

Still nothing in my mailbox. Tesento's reviews on TrustPilot are horror stories, so I'm becoming less optimistic about it. Wonder if I'll ever receive the Z5. Going to give it a couple more weeks...

I told you about accessory jack where I got mine from

 

[beowulf]

I told you about accessory jack where I got mine from

Indeed. Looks better but at that time it was too later. I had already ordered on Tesento

 

[thefitz]

Rocking XBA-Z5s with a Pono player in balanced mode - quite the combo! I'm surprised how similar they sound to how I remember the MDR-Z7 sounded.

 

[beowulf]

  Rocking XBA-Z5s with a Pono player in balanced mode - quite the combo! I'm surprised how similar they sound to how I remember the MDR-Z7 sounded.

 
So tired of waiting for mine. Now I got a 27-01 shipping date. Let's hope they fulfill it.
Z7 eh. Interesting. I'm very curious to see how they compare to the Z1R signature. Been looking for portable Z1Rs.

 

[thefitz]

   
So tired of waiting for mine. Now I got a 27-01 shipping date. Let's hope they fulfill it.
Z7 eh. Interesting. I'm very curious to see how they compare to the Z1R signature. Been looking for portable Z1Rs.

Considering how different the EX1000 and Z5 sound, I can imagine the next iteration is a sound unto itself

 

[Gosod]

Has anyone got the muc-m12sm2 upgrade cable? I have the older muc-m12sm1 cable and was wondering if the new upgraded design (smaller connectors) is better with the XBA-A3/Z5?

z5 batter!

 

[SeeSax]

Just ordered this for my Z5: 
 
http://penonaudio.com/DUNU-GZ-OCC2701-MMCX-Connector-Detachable-Earphone-Cable
 
Will report back with how it sounds in comparison to the stock cable and the Pinnacle P1 cable. 
 
-Collin-

 

[beowulf]

So how many of you guys got the XBA-Z5 via Tesento?
 
Seems I have joined the list of other buyers there who keep getting emails about "Your order has been delayed". Given the reputation they have regarding [not] refunding cancelled orders, I guess I'm stuck waiting.

 

[Land-O-The-Free]

So I would be willing to bet that it has been asked somewhere in here, but I don't quite have the time to dig so I will ask anyhow...How do the Z5's compare to Westone W40's and or Shure 535/846. Thanks all!

 

[beowulf]

  So I would be willing to bet that it has been asked somewhere in here, but I don't quite have the time to dig so I will ask anyhow...How do the Z5's compare to Westone W40's and or Shure 535/846. Thanks all!

 
If mine ever arrive, I can help you on a fresh SE846 vs XBA-Z5 comparison. If the Z5 arrive before I have to return the SE846, which will be in about one month

 

 

[thefitz]

So I would be willing to bet that it has been asked somewhere in here, but I don't quite have the time to dig so I will ask anyhow...How do the Z5's compare to Westone W40's and or Shure 535/846. Thanks all!

The Z5 definitely has more of a treble presence than either. The Z5's bass eclipses the SE535 and might even have more quantity than the SE846. The SE846 extends much deeper, however. I do find that the Z5's bass can fog up the signal considerably, so even though the SE846 is darker, detail retrieval is better.

The SE535 can be a bit boring sounding, whereas the Z5 is exciting.

I will say, with a very low impedance, the SE846 isn't very practical. You need almost a specific setup with less than half an ohm output impedance - they'll sound terrible on a phone.

 

[fsrkewd]

are there any dap that work with the stock balanced cable for z5?

 

[barondla]

The Pono Player uses the same twin 3.5mm trs connectors for balanced playback. You won't find a DAP that sounds more real . Lots of Pono owners use Sony balanced earphones.

 

[dweaver]

Pono plus Z5 simply kicks @$$. It is still the best sounding combination I have ever heard in an IEM.