[PeteSTRADAMUS]

Z1R have arrived! Unfortunately I am not home till tomorrow lol

Congrats mr. 

 

[Drumonron]

Sonic defender is really hoping at least one person has the ability to compare the Z1R and the Ether C Flow and share their thoughts.
 
Just saying.

 

[Sonic Defender]

  Sonic defender is really hoping at least one person has the ability to compare the Z1R and the Ether C Flow and share their thoughts.
 
Just saying.

Thanks buddy, really am hoping to hear a perspective as the Ether C Flow is supposed to also be fantastic.

 

[bytor33]

I'm curious too, stop blue balling us gelocks I did see on a Spanish forum though someone who loves each well enough to keep both. They each have their strengths.

 

[TSAVJason]

Thanks buddy, really am hoping to hear a perspective as the Ether C Flow is supposed to also be fantastic.

The Ether Flow and Flow C are amazing planar cans. Probably the best in their price range depending on taste. Now since this is the Sony thread .......in its price range the Z1R is a contender!

 

[Sonic Defender]

The Ether Flow and Flow C are amazing planar cans. Probably the best in their price range depending on taste. Now since this is the Sony thread .......in its price range the Z1R is a contender!

Seeing as how you have likely had some time with both the Flow C and Z1R, how would you compare them, and if you could have just one, which one? I know as a dealer those are loaded questions, but I thought why not ask. No harm in asking right?

 

[Earbones]

Seeing as how you have likely had some time with both the Flow C and Z1R, how would you compare them, and if you could have just one, which one? I know as a dealer those are loaded questions, but I thought why not ask. No harm in asking right?

+1

 

[TSAVJason]

Seeing as how you have likely had some time with both the Flow C and Z1R, how would you compare them, and if you could have just one, which one? I know as a dealer those are loaded questions, but I thought why not ask. No harm in asking right?

It's a little difficult to answer being that 1) I've never given a thought before now and 2) because I'm not that kind of thinker.

So I listen to the Utopia in a regular basis. I use the new 1Z Walkman as my primary source. Lately I've been using the ZH1ZES amp/DAC quite a bit. The Z1R is a great dynamic, it's got punch, it's got control, mids are up front with a taste of sizzle, it's warm, it's got a little fun in its attitude, it's a very cool dynamic headphone.

Warren Chi and I decided we'd do coffee and a little headphone listening tomorrow morning. I'll see if I can pay closer attention to your comparison. Truth is I'd probably rather have both if those are the options. Now let me comment on the Ether Flow C, it's so linear and so MrSpeakers ...as a planar it's brilliant. What is bad about the Ether Flow C really. It's built very well, it's sounds accurate and linear, it's got amazing life in its voicing, it's light, it has very little leakage. I mean it's great really and it is $500 less than the Z1R. There is no doubt the Z1R is a performance statement from Sony and its good to see them reach for the bar. ......best I can do for the moment. These are my thoughts as Jason removing the TSAV part of me.

 

[Sonic Defender]

......best I can do for the moment. These are my thoughts as Jason removing the TSAV part of me.

Great answer, thanks for that. I'm kind of curious about the C Flow as I have heard the Ether headphones described as dry and brittle by some and also the bass response on the C being surprisingly tame for a closed. Cheers.

 

[Rowethren]

Having a play with my Z1Rs now, S/N 441 if anyone cares.
 
Very nice sound so far, a bit more bass than I am used to but the imaging seems a fair bit better than the Ether C Flows that I had on loan for a few weeks up until just before Christmas. Much more filled out mid range and an overall smoother sound the bass is very present but doesn't seem to bleed into the other frequencies. I think these will make a nice complimentary set to go with my Ether Flow (open) and Noble K10s

 
 
I also tried those plugs I bought and they fit well. Once tightened up you really have to twist hard to get any kind of movement from the solder tab section so I think they should be pretty secure, picture below for reference: 
 

 

[PeteSTRADAMUS]

I'm unsure what changes Sony made to the Z1R cables vs the Z7... Both are stated to be silver-coated copper on the Sony site. I assume that there are changes made to the construction of the cables, but the wire material is the same on both... Meaning the pure copper of the Kimber upgrade should slightly change the sound signature of either the Z1R or the Z7.

Not sure I like the idea of paying a good chunk of change to make the Z1R even darker and bassier... It appears to be colored enough in that direction, from what I've read.

Kimber has recently added hybrid and silver wire versions of it's Axios headphone cables to their lineup... Seems to me Sony should be constructing their cables out of the Kimber hybrid wire rather than the copper, if they want to preserve the voicing of their flagship headphone... One would assume they spent a great deal of time getting it just right, after all.

Aren't the Axios cables really expensive for the Z1R ? Together with the cable it comes close to the price of the Utopia.

 

[LaCuffia]

Rather buy another headphone than drop over $1K on a cable.

 

[Rowethren]

Aren't the Axios cables really expensive for the Z1R ? Together with the cable it comes close to the price of the Utopia.

 
They are indeed, around £1k for a decent length of the Axios which is just insane! The Toxic Cable Hydra 22 @ 2.5m I am getting is only around £470 for comparision which will put my total all in for these headphones at £1754 need my 4pin XLR cable though!

 

[Rowethren]

I forgot to mention one big thing that irritates me about the Ether Flows is the leather of the pads creaks really loudly against my glasses but the Z1Rs don't do this at all which is a big plus for glasses users!

 

[Sonic Defender]

@Rowethren, glad somebody can give at least a little perspective as compared to the Ether C Flow. If you had to chose just the Z1R or the C Flow what are your thoughts? It sounds like you found the C Flow a little lean and analytic in comparison to the Z1R.