cfc7
500+ Head-Fier
Balanced or SE?Unfortunately the ZX507 Walkman is not a good match with the Z5 in my opinion. Mid bass sounds bloated, and the soundstage is quite a bit narrower than WM1Z & TA-ZH1ES. Disappointing.
Balanced or SE?Unfortunately the ZX507 Walkman is not a good match with the Z5 in my opinion. Mid bass sounds bloated, and the soundstage is quite a bit narrower than WM1Z & TA-ZH1ES. Disappointing.
BalancedBalanced or SE?
How many hours burn-in?Balanced
How many hours burn-in?
When I first got my ZX300 I went to e earphone and tried a secondhand Z5 balanced and the bass was horrid. I was really disappointed because I was intending to upgrade from my XBA-A3 and was expecting a nice step up. About 6 months later I saw a good price for a secondhand Z5 on here and decided to buy them anyway. They sounded really mpressive like I had expected them to be - I put this down to the fact that I had no burn-in time on my ZX300, and as Sony recommends, and seems to be regularly verified by many ZX300 owners they need up to 200 hours on them. Perhaps the ZX507 could be the same?
Yes, your ears do get used to a pairing. I haven't read about the ZX300 - ZX507 comparisons, but I didn't imagine it to be too different, I might be wrong. After replacing my Z5 with another iem I didn't want any regrets so I never listened to them for the few months until I sold them, then just before I boxed them up and sent them, I had a quick listen to them with the stock 3.5mm cable from my S10 phone and they still sounded half decent which surprised me. The TA and the 1Z are on another level though.I’m well past 200 hours, probably close to 300 now. I’m pretty sure it’s just the Z5 because other sets sound excellent with the ZX507 (M9 & Z1R)
Maybe I’ve just become accustomed to the TA & 1Z sound with the Z5. The mid bass sounds much more refined with them
Spent most of the day with the Z5 playing around with different sources. A surprising favourite was with the PHA-2A.
PHA-2A has a relatively neutral/bright signature in comparison to the rest of my gear and I think that compliments the Z5 well. Mids and treble get a nice elevation which makes the Z5 sound more balanced, while still maintaining that epic bass that comes naturally to the Z5. Mid bass gets toned down a notch which I like.
Does anyone else pair a PHA-2A with Z5? I’ve never heard the WM1A but I’ve read that its signature is somewhat similar to PHA-2A.
@Redcarmoose Agreed, they are very very good with WM1Z with 3.02fw. And like you, I feel like I'm constantly benchmarking the Z5 with the Z1R and for me it just falls short in every aspect, especially in the treble region. It's a similar story paired with DMP-Z1.
I feel like the PHA-2A gives the Z5 another flavour, bringing out something to differentiate it from the Z1R.
Yes I find the TA is a bit mellow in comparison to 1Z with the Z5's. Very smooth but maybe a little too smooth. Have you spent much time with the 1A and Z5?
@Redcarmoose Agreed, they are very very good with WM1Z with 3.02fw. And like you, I feel like I'm constantly benchmarking the Z5 with the Z1R and for me it just falls short in every aspect, especially in the treble region. It's a similar story paired with DMP-Z1.
I feel like the PHA-2A gives the Z5 another flavour, bringing out something to differentiate it from the Z1R.
Yes I find the TA is a bit mellow in comparison to 1Z with the Z5's. Very smooth but maybe a little too smooth. Have you spent much time with the 1A and Z5?
I was just going to reiterate before you just posted. I need to spend time with the 1A/XBA-Z5 combination? Though I’m not sure which firmware to explore?
With my use......the 1A normally performs better with 3.01. I use the Fearless S6Rui, Noble Encore and Sony IER-Z1R with 3.01 in use. Though from memory the XBA-Z5 has even more bass (than IER-Z1R IEM)........ which (may) end up a slight issue? For me and many the 3.02 update gave the 1A a style of steely bass that was thin and recessed?
Crazy too as the Walkman 1A is not known for having excessive bass issues with any IEM so maybe 3.01 will work? I will check it out and report back. As we all know, tone is important and can take precedence over other factors such as technicality. Though it’s always a balance and is the sum of all things involved. The 1A has always been referred to as a more reference DAP where the 1Z has a Hi/Fi character with it’s bass and treble boost. But maybe part of the 1A experience is to sit back and and let it just be what it is. I’ve actually taken the 1A on trips where it can kind of stand on it’s own merits alone. The 1A has a conservative and special character where if by itself provides an amazing experience. IMO In my use I feel the 1A.....may actually be the most underrated product Sony sells? It’s by far the best value! It walks the line between not being the most pricy but performs at such a level that you start to think it may be all you need. So.........now in 2020....to pair it up with an aging 2014....$399 flagship may be worth an investigation!
In my use the N3 has the most bass, XBA-Z5 second and IER-Z1R a third......but I’m not a bass head. Pretty much heaven is 3.02 with the 1Z and IER-Z1R?
In comparison to an IPhone or something.....the Walkman 1A does offer a subtle warmth yet not as warm as the 1Z. It’s benefits over a phone is an expanded soundstage and detail. Also before 3.02 came out with the 1Z ....the 1A was actually my preference with the IER-Z1R due to it’s bass curtailing with 3.01, where 3.01 and the IER-Z1R/1Z combo was almost too murky?
Maybe that thinned out low end on 3.02 fw with the 1A will work well with the Z5, possibly even better than PHA-2A because of the added technical abilities of the DAP. Will be interested to hear your findings. Who knows, you may enjoy it even more than the 1Z/Z1R combo?!
It’s funny how the Z5’s greatest strength can also be it’s greatest weakness. It’s bass can sound so great with the right source. But with slightly too much emphasis the mid bass gets thrown into a mess. And once that mid bass gets bloated, it’s really hard to ignore.