[Bill-P]

  Damn now I REALLY need a PreProduction unit! As I like aggressive, forward lol 

Oh, you.
 
Honestly, the new pair sounds very very good out of a dark-ish source. I'm pushing the volume knob pretty hard, and I'm rubbing off against the upper limits of the amp.
 

 
Very very good ambience with this track. The atmosphere is awesome at higher volumes!

 

[Zoide]

I'm pushing the volume knob pretty hard, and I'm rubbing off against the upper limits of the amp.

Careful with your ears!

 

[Bill-P]

Well, I never go over 75dB or so at the loudest.
 
I have had my listening level measured multiple times, and also by different people in different environment to confirm that.
 
But the more important point to me is that at that level, I'm expecting no spike in the treble range, because anything up there would stick out like a sore thumb at such high volume.

 

[gr8soundz]

My wallet says nay too hearing that they're already being sold for 450 when I just paid 600 and others paid 700

 
Mine just shipped via fromjapan.co. They refused to cancel my order and are not the easiest to deal with (wouldn't recommend anyone order from them) but I did get in on a 15% off deal. Z7s came to 487 after shipping and nickel/dime fees. Hope no issues with delivery or function.

 

[oaklandzoo]

Mine are coming in tomorrow.
 
Just curious though, what would happen if i plug these joints into the XLR/TRS outs on my mixer? Better/Worse? Explosion?

 

[Zoide]

Mine just shipped via fromjapan.co. They refused to cancel my order and are not the easiest to deal with (wouldn't recommend anyone order from them) but I did get in on a 15% off deal. Z7s came to 487 after shipping and nickel/dime fees. Hope no issues with delivery or function.

Let me know if you don't like them. We might be able to work out a win-win deal

 

[zhenya]

Well, I relented and placed an order to see how these compare to my CD3000's. Not expecting to keep them after the impressions posted here but I have to see for myself...

 

[Jodet]

Can someone answer a basic knucklehead question for me? 
 
These come with two cables, one for a standard jack and one for balanced.  
 
The balanced cable has two mini plugs on it.   I always thought the 'balanced' option looked like an XLR plug?  
 
What am I missing here?

 

[Saraguie]

Can someone answer a basic knucklehead question for me? 

These come with two cables, one for a standard jack and one for balanced.  

The balanced cable has two mini plugs on it.   I always thought the 'balanced' option looked like an XLR plug?  

What am I missing here?

There are different terminations into balanced. XLR probably is most popular and Sony's lest. Not knucklehead at all.

 

[marcswede]

Yeah, time for an International Standard Plug for balanced. TRRS 4-pole ftw. Except for studio gear and Über-High End stuff maybe.

 

[murrays]

Yeah, time for an International Standard Plug for balanced. TRRS 4-pole ftw. Except for studio gear and Über-High End stuff maybe.

 
XKCD has some comment on that ... http://xkcd.com/927/

 

[Zoide]

  Well, I relented and placed an order to see how these compare to my CD3000's. Not expecting to keep them after the impressions posted here but I have to see for myself...

 
That's exactly what I wanted! A CD3000 vs Z7 comparison... I used to love my CD3000s because of their awesome soundstage, beautiful crystalline highs, build quality, and comfort. Too bad they were a bit thin and bass-light for my tastes.
 
When do you expect yours to arrive? Did you order via PriceJapan or via Amazon?

 

[zhenya]

   
That's exactly what I wanted! A CD3000 vs Z7 comparison... I used to love my CD3000s because of their awesome soundstage, beautiful crystalline highs, build quality, and comfort. Too bad they were a bit thin and bass-light for my tastes.
 
When do you expect yours to arrive? Did you order via PriceJapan or via Amazon?

 
Ordered from Amazon and they should be here tomorrow. Your recollection is spot-on and why the CD3000's retain such a high place in my collection. I don't tend to value bass as much as other attributes so they fit my taste well. It will be interesting to see how the Z7's compare!

 

[ButtUglyJeff]

  Can someone answer a basic knucklehead question for me? 
 
These come with two cables, one for a standard jack and one for balanced.  
 
The balanced cable has two mini plugs on it.   I always thought the 'balanced' option looked like an XLR plug?  
 
What am I missing here?

 
The included balanced cable was made specifically made for Sony's new PHA-3 portable DAC/amp, which is dual 3.5mm plugs...

 

[marcswede]

Yeah, time for an International Standard Plug for balanced. TRRS 4-pole ftw. Except for studio gear and Über-High End stuff maybe.

XKCD has some comment on that ... http://xkcd.com/927/

Bulls Eye

In all seriousness, I just wanted to state my case here. I'm not really keen on forced standards.

However, I hope more and more companies will gear towards the balanced TRRS for the following reasons:

1) It's largely compatble with the normal 3-pole plug/socket. You can almost "sneak" it in without any major changes.

2) A 4-pole TRRS can easily work for non-balanced transmission (i.e. 3 poles, common ground), while the opposite isn't possible.

3) In the cases where an adapter is needed, these can be made maximally compact (think of that little cable Stumpf that comes in the box when you buy a headset).