RPKwan
500+ Head-Fier
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- Oct 17, 2015
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I appreciate the very thorough write up and comparison. I know many love the Z1R but it has never resonated with me due to fit and the intensity of the sound. It's hard to focus on anything for me when I tried them before.Sony sound has more of an analogue smoother tonality to it. That is always been the case with Sony tuned earphones and it has some of the most refined treble and bass I have ever heard in an IEM the reason why I mentioned these have similarities is that sound balancing is a bit similar both having some pronounced bass a wide mid bands for mids and some refined extended treble. That is where the similarities end however. Treble on the LAND due to the EST and BA implementation has a different tone and actually has a bit more airy quality and presence vs the Sony's more silky natural tonality. Both have an equal amount of extension but where I find the musical qualities of the IER Z1R treble presentation, the LAND has a bit more dimensional character to the trebles, I am thinking this has to do with the multi drivers the LAND uses for the treble region. Mids sounds a bit warmer on the Z1R vs more of a neutral tone in the LAND with a touch more vocal presence especially female vocals. Bass is where the Z1Rs have almost no equal. Z1Rs has a bit more mid bass impact LAND has a touch more lower bass emphasis. Texture on the Z1R bass note is again some of the best quality and here is where the bass dynamics are playing at a different level. LANDs 10mm dynamic I can tell is a good quality dynamic but Sonys bass presentation is some of the highest quality earphone bass in the industry. Overall Z1Rs are a higher level earphone but the LAND being almost 1/3rd the cost has its own presentation with a similar sound balancing and no way does the LAND sound like it is 1/3rd the earphone. Both sounds have a very nicely refined dimensional presentation with both having some excellent stage.
That makes the LAND a very good value imo. Its immediate difference is that it is more energetic in presentation and tone vs the smoother a bit more relaxed yet very refined speaker like presentation in the Z1Rs.
I have the Trailli and would be surprised if Land or Sparks comes anywhere near it despite the price. I'm definitely not looking for a Trailli replacement in the Land but interested in the DD/BA/ EST configuration. The Odin wasn't my cup of tea nor was Ely, and I thought the Sultan sounded a bit hollow and artificial especially against the Trailli - so I'm still searching for a decent IEM that utilizes a DD well with EST.
So, would the Land be considered to have a natural timbre, especially for live performances? For the price it sounds like a steal but I don't want to end up with an extra IEM sitting around for no reason... Thanks