[BrutalLegend]

Just my 2 cents since I was able to test these out today. The closest headphone that has the same imaging, soundstage and sound quality to this is the Focal Elear. Pretty much everything is similar except for the bass. The Z1R is able to go lower though not by much. The Elear on the other hand is more dynamic. All in all, I'm somewhat disappointed by its performance. Going balanced on the Z1R definitely improves the sound however it still doesn't cut it for my musical tastes.
 
Test music genre: rock, metal, epic (modern orchestral) and anime/j-rock

 

[pietcux]

If these genres don't work, I don't mind. Metal seems to need rather neutral bass reproduction, as the mixes seem to have overblown basslines.

 

[purk]

  Just my 2 cents since I was able to test these out today. The closest headphone that has the same imaging, soundstage and sound quality to this is the Focal Elear. Pretty much everything is similar except for the bass. The Z1R is able to go lower though not by much. The Elear on the other hand is more dynamic. All in all, I'm somewhat disappointed by its performance. Going balanced on the Z1R definitely improves the sound however it still doesn't cut it for my musical tastes.
 
Test music genre: rock, metal, epic (modern orchestral) and anime/j-rock

I tried the Elear out for several days and it is quite an amazing headphones.  Definitely punch way above its price point.

 

[Kamil21]

Just my 2 cents since I was able to test these out today. The closest headphone that has the same imaging, soundstage and sound quality to this is the Focal Elear. Pretty much everything is similar except for the bass. The Z1R is able to go lower though not by much. The Elear on the other hand is more dynamic. All in all, I'm somewhat disappointed by its performance. Going balanced on the Z1R definitely improves the sound however it still doesn't cut it for my musical tastes.

Test music genre: rock, metal, epic (modern orchestral) and anime/j-rock

What amplifier/dac did you use on both headphones please?

And why have you put the Elear up for sale?

 

[BrutalLegend]

If these genres don't work, I don't mind. Metal seems to need rather neutral bass reproduction, as the mixes seem to have overblown basslines.

 
 
Quote:

  I tried the Elear out for several days and it is quite an amazing headphones.  Definitely punch way above its price point.

 
Yea, the Elear surprised me as well. I got so excited when I demo'ed it and bought a pair. I compared it to everything I could get my hands on; Ether, LCD-X, T5p, T1, HD650, HD800, etc. It seems to have the most appealing price to performance ratio. However I surprisingly miss the soundstage on my Ether C 1.1 even though it had no mid bass whatsoever. Just personal preference I suppose. My Elear is for sale at the moment so if anyone is interested, do let me know.
 
Back on the Z1R, the build is very much similar to the Z7. Almost identical except for the R10-like cups. The usage of 3.5mm plugs for the left and right channel is done very well and ought to be followed by other manufacturers. It'll make cable life a whole lot easier for the world.
 
Currently, I look forward to chance to compare the Ether Flow and Ether C Flow first hand. The hype train for the Z1R and Focal has finally reached its end destination for me.

 

[purk]

Yea, the Elear surprised me as well. I got so excited when I demo'ed it and bought a pair. I compared it to everything I could get my hands on; Ether, LCD-X, T5p, T1, HD650, HD800, etc. It seems to have the most appealing price to performance ratio. However I surprisingly miss the soundstage on my Ether C 1.1 even though it had no mid bass whatsoever. Just personal preference I suppose. My Elear is for sale at the moment so if anyone is interested, do let me know.

I am a sucker for soundstage hence the reason I didn't purchase the Elear. I sure wish they can muster a little more soundstage depth and width.

 

[BrutalLegend]

What amplifier/dac did you use on both headphones please?

And why have you put the Elear up for sale?

 
I used a few options and combinations:
 
- Ponoplayer only
- Ponoplayer + Audio-GD Master 9
- QP1R only
- QP1R + Audio-GD Master 9
- Mojo only
- Mojo + Audio-GD Master 9
 
I'm selling all my headphones actually. Just sold off my Ether C 1.1 last month and now my Elear. I wanted to properly demo the Elear and there weren't any around my area at the time hence the purchase and now release. In terms of price to performance ratio you literally can't go wrong with the Elear unless you don't like open headphones or the dynamics tire you. Though I prefer the Ether C 1.1 soundstage and mids over the Elear.

 

[BrutalLegend]

I am a sucker for soundstage hence the reason I didn't purchase the Elear. I sure wish they can muster a little more soundstage depth and width.

 
If the Elear had just a little more soundstage depth and width then Focal would be swimming in money and gold coins, hahaha.

 

[Kamil21]

I used a few options and combinations:

- Ponoplayer only
- Ponoplayer + Audio-GD Master 9
- QP1R only
- QP1R + Audio-GD Master 9
- Mojo only
- Mojo + Audio-GD Master 9

I'm selling all my headphones actually. Just sold off my Ether C 1.1 last month and now my Elear. I wanted to properly demo the Elear and there weren't any around my area at the time hence the purchase and now release. In terms of price to performance ratio you literally can't go wrong with the Elear unless you don't like open headphones or the dynamics tire you. Though I prefer the Ether C 1.1 soundstage and mids over the Elear.

Did you try the Z1R on the Mojo? I have the Mojo and am wondering if it can drive the Sony.

 

[echineko]

 
The hype train for the Z1R and Focal has finally reached its end destination for me.

What hype train? Unlike the Focals, a lot of the initial comments were basically fault-finding expeditions, even before anyone had heard these.

 

[thanatosguan]

  What hype train? Unlike the Focals, a lot of the initial comments were basically fault-finding expeditions, even before anyone had heard these.

Expectations are always high for Sony flagships since they used to be so legendary.
 
And also their low-end crap-tier headphones and earphones attract a lot of hate because they suck so much.
 
A perfect storm of hypers and nay-sayers often hype up Sony headphones and then crash it through the ground. Exhibit: MDR-Z7.

 

[BrutalLegend]

Did you try the Z1R on the Mojo? I have the Mojo and am wondering if it can drive the Sony.

 
Both the Mojo and the QP1R drive the Z1R easily. Although I must say if you could go balanced... GO BALANCED! The sound improvement is REAL!
 

  What hype train? Unlike the Focals, a lot of the initial comments were basically fault-finding expeditions, even before anyone had heard these.

 
Oh there was but hype thrusters weren't activated so it became overshadowed by the fault-finding expeditions.

 

[thanatosguan]

   
Both the Mojo and the QP1R drive the Z1R easily. Although I must say if you could go balanced... GO BALANCED! The sound improvement is REAL!
 

 
Yes it was a very sensitive headphone. You can run it out of the iPhone with decent loudness.

 

[echineko]

Oh there was but hype thrusters weren't activated so it became overshadowed by the fault-finding expeditions.

Nope, I've been following the new Sony signature launch threads, I have to disagree. In fact it seems the positive impressions for the Z1R are a more recent development, as people start getting these in hand.

Unless you're talking about your own personal hype, then it's very possible.

 

[thatonenoob]

Been on a long hiatus from this thread.  I'm happy to say I'll have the entire signature series on hand for three weeks starting next week (though the amp is slightly iffy atm, that may come slightly later).  Time to test all the synergies and good things like that.