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The Official Sony MDR-Z1R Flagship Headphone Thread (Live From IFA 2016)
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s82223
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Hello guys
Just bought a Z1R yesterday and want to find an upgrade cable for it.
And I mainly listen to pop/rock and heavy metal.(love sweet vocal)
Any suggestion? (TOXIC SW22 looks amazing!!)
Just bought a Z1R yesterday and want to find an upgrade cable for it.
And I mainly listen to pop/rock and heavy metal.(love sweet vocal)
Any suggestion? (TOXIC SW22 looks amazing!!)
Sonic Guild
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Naim.F.C
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Was going to post this in some mega comparison thread, but I'm not sure I can be bothered anymore lol. Anyway, here are some random ramblings (notes) from when I compared these headphones with a few tracks the other day. Please note all headphones were volume matched as best I could manage. I listened to each track multiple times on each headphone, back and forth, though mosty sticking to the order in which they appear below with each track.
Apologies for any bad use of language or grammar, I was literally typing as I was listening lol.
Beyerdynamic T1.1 vs Sennheiser HD800 vs Sennheiser HD800S vs Sony MDR-Z1R
----
The Weeknd - Rolling Stone
HD800 - Detailed and intricate, not hugely wide. But a tiny tiny bit sharp emphasised. Don't really feel any bass, or the faint drum oomph. Vocals a touch forward, but realistic. More studio mic than there with you. 7/10
HD800S - Still detailed, but more tonally balanced than above. Less treble emphasised. Roughly the same soundstage. Vocals a bit sweeter and more realistic, more like they're there with you, but still forward or prominent. Drums a touch more emphasised. 8.5/10
T1.1 - Detailed but more so subtly so. Maybe wider sounding than above. As above, balanced and realistic sounding, more so than HD800S due to slightly less emphasised vocals. Vocals still have a similar realism to them, maybe a hair less smooth (more sss). Drums even more emphasised than above. 9/10
Z1R - No loss of detail, maybe less sparkly than HD800, but like T1.1, has that bit more realism to it. About the same width as HD800S, but strings and drums both have more presence. A touch less air, but not dark per se, just a tiny bit warmer. Vocals similar to HD800S in emphasis, but a slight bit more weight or body. Still sound very realistic, as if the artist is there with you. 9/10
------
Radiohead - Burn the Witch
Z1R - Warm, good drum emphasis and dynamics, but a touch less air. Fairly wide sounding. Vocals realistic, but a touch too thick. Gets a tiny bit congested when it all kicks off, but very atmospheric sounding. 7.5/10
HD800S - Wider, airier than above. Symbols more emphasised. Loses some of the atmosphere and drama. Vocals still have a touch of thickness to them but better than above. Less dynamic overall than Z1R, but the sense of space does help with a different sense of occasion. Doesn't congest up when it kicks off. 8.5/10
T1.1 - A more realistic sense of intricacy than above. Symbols less emphasised or sharp. Vocals less forward, making a better overall tonal balance again. Sounds wider than HD800. Vocals still a touch thick, but blend in better to the rest of the instruments than either of the above. 9.5/10
HD800 - Similar to the HD800, but a little bit more treble emphasised. Just a touch sharper sounding, which gives separation a hair more clarity, and actually helps to keep vocals better balanced with the rest instead of being more emphasised. Perhaps a better sense of air and width. 9/10
------
Argatu' - Vinne Minerelle
T1.1 - Fairly warm, solid fairly impactful bass with some decay. Good but not amazing soundstage. Sparkle there but a tiny bit subdued and to the sides. Natural sounding, if a tiny bit congested. Good tonal balance. Vocals blend in to the rest, good realism. 8.5/10
HD800S - More sparkle and a teensy bit more transparency. Sharper sounding treble than above. Slightly larger soundstage too, plus a hair more air. Again, great tonal balance maintaining realism, though not quite as warm. Vocals blend in nicely and are not too forward. Only the bass is not quite as impactful. 8.5/10
HD800 - Sparkle is similar to T1.1's, still just a touch subdued at the sides, though symbols sharper and louder. Nice and wide. Good overall tonal balance, if a touch to the dry side. Bass not quite as present. Nice and airy. Maintains a sense of realism. Just a very small hint of sss 8/10
Z1R - Great realism of vocals and instrumental sparkle, just a hint subdued like T1.1. Notably more bass quantity and presence than others, but maintaining control and realistic decay. Fairly wide sounding. Symbols much less sharp or present. Good overall tonal balance, nothing too much or too little. Nice atmosphere and sense of drama. 9.5/10
------
Daft Punk - Recogniser
Z1R - Immense sense of occasion and atmosphere. Bold, slightly warm sound, with a bass like spread under everything that gives individual sounds a bit of additional poise, but just a hint of darkness. When the bass drops, you feel it. Almost threatening. Nice wide sounding stage, in both width and height. 9.5/10
HD800S - Still grand and dramatic, but with a greater sense of air and separation than above. Individual instruments just a hint more articulate. Really natural and honest sounding. Great sense of transparency, space and soundstage. 10/10
HD800 - As above, but just a hint leaner sounding. Not quite as natural, though still maintains excellent soundstage and separation. Micro details oddly not quite as defined or present as above. 9/10
T1.1 - Great sense of texture and micro detail. Mid bass really shines, tight, fast and responsive. Grand, and dynamic sounding. Slightly smoother than HD800S, with less sparkle and instead more liquid highs. Hint of congestion in places, but otherwise still fairly airy and wide. 9/10
------
Stateless - Matilda
HD800S - Really detailed, if just a tad too lean. Vocals realistic, just a sliver thin. Highs have a sense of sharpness and vividness to them, perhaps a tad over energised, though not sibilant. Relatively wide sounding, with strong instrumental separation. Strings, vocals etc, lack a tiny bit of additional weight or body. 7.5/10
HD800 - As above, overall too lean sounding with a tad too much sparkle or zing. Lacking a bit in bass quantity and punch, with bass drums that don't stand out enough. Leaning towards a cool or treble emphasised tonal balance that whilst detailed and with good separation, just comes off a hint overly busy. 7/10
T1.1 - A touch sweeter and more natural sounding than above, but maintaining a similar level of articulation and space. Tonally all instruments and vocals seem that little bit more honest, with treble that is not quite as lean or emphasised, but still somewhat focused on technicality over absolute liquidity. A more balanced overall presentation, with no particular frequency that is overbearing or overzealous. 9/10
Z1R - Warmer, more dynamic and more atmospheric than above. There's still a great balance and honesty to the overall signature with all instruments and vocals, but here they all have a hint of extra weight and realism. Soundstage is a little bit more intimate and spherical instead of wide, but instrumental separation and imaging is not compromised. Very natural sounding. 9.5/10
------
Bonobo - We Could Forever
T1.1 - Mids a hint recessed, plus there's a slight slant towards leanness, but overall still a great tonal balance, with nothing dominating or coming undone. Bass has decent quantity to it, but not a lot of impact. Good sense of instrumental separation with good imaging. Lots of air between sounds, and a fairly wide and open soundstage. 8/10
HD800 - Very detailed and transparent sounding. Excellent separation and individuality to instruments. Slight over sharpness and energy to highs. Mids a bit more present here, which for this track helps add dynamism. There's still a slant towards a slightly lean overall signature, which can in the build up make things seem a tad busy. Bass quantity is lacking, with little impact or presence. 7.5/10
HD800S - As above in most respects, but this time a hint warmer and less strident in the highs. Mids seem a bit more present as a result. There also seems to be just a touch more bass presence as well, which further smoothens things out. Overall tonal balance seems more accurate than above. Soundstage remains very wide and airy, and imaging notably precise. 8.5/10
Z1R - A smoother, more liquid presentation. Similar to the above, but with an even more balanced tonal representation, if a hair on the darker side. There's improved bass quantity, especially sub bass texture, which gives the overall presentation a bit more foundation, moodiness and background for added dynamics. Highs are more fluid, lacking in just a hint of energy, but instruments overall seem more true to life. 9.5/10
------
Nirvana - Come As You Are
Z1R - Beautiful, atmospheric and sumptuous with great dynamics and punchy bass presence. Vocals just a hair recessed, but very realistic sounding. Presents everything with a sense of honesty, including in the sense of staging and space that is not overly large, but believable in both width and depth, though not so much in height. 9.5/10
T1.1 - As above, but just a tiny bit leaner and airier, with just a splash of extra sparkle. Still very natural and honest sounding, with nothing that sticks out as too harsh or out of place. Bass is a bit tighter and more controlled. Vocals still a hint recessed. 9.5/10
HD800S - Similar to above, but this time vocals are a touch more prominent and sweet, but unfortunately with the rare instance of sibilance. Luckily it maintains a similar sense of honesty and naturalness throughout. If it weren't for the odd bit of annoying sibilance, I'd have given it a higher score. 8.5/10
HD800 - Very similar to the above. Slightly less bass quantity and impact, and a hint leaner overall. Sibilance less prominent than above, but highs and vocals still towing the line on being almost too hot or zingy. Vocals a touch thinner sounding. 8.5/10
------
David Bowie - Moonage Daydream
T1.1 - Really liquid, layered and dynamic sounding. Spacious, wide soundstage, with great instrumental separation and realism. Vocals also realistic, though a touch recessed, which actually allows the rest of the instruments and sounds to shine or be noticed. Great balance overall, and with good bass presence and detail too. 9.5/10
HD800 - As above, but highs are a bit more zingy and pronounced, especially at the sides. Vocals also remain ever so slightly recessed, perhaps part of the recording. Overall sound is just a hair leaner as is becoming typical of these headphones. 8.5/10
HD800S - An ever so slightly warmer version of the above. Vocals remain ever so slightly recessed (confirming it is intrinsic to the recording), but perhaps to a lesser extent than the T1.1's, and compared to the HD800 they also have a bit more body to them, adding to the sense of honesty. Soundstage also remains very wide, and details crisp and transparent. Still a tiny bit too much energy or spark in some of the highs. 9/10
Z1R - Similar to the T1.1's things sound layered and dynamic, but with even more body, punch and lushness. Vocals are a hint more forward, similar to the HD800S, but still very slightly recessed compared to the rest of the recording. Vocals however are thicker and have a more realistic weight to them. Essentially overall this is again a slightly warmer version of what is being offered by the HD800S or T1.1, but once again, surprisingly not sacrificing on separation or soundstage, only outright sparkle. What you lose in air and cleanliness, you gain in atmosphere, smoothness and addictive bass. 9.5/10
Apologies for any bad use of language or grammar, I was literally typing as I was listening lol.
Beyerdynamic T1.1 vs Sennheiser HD800 vs Sennheiser HD800S vs Sony MDR-Z1R
----
The Weeknd - Rolling Stone
HD800 - Detailed and intricate, not hugely wide. But a tiny tiny bit sharp emphasised. Don't really feel any bass, or the faint drum oomph. Vocals a touch forward, but realistic. More studio mic than there with you. 7/10
HD800S - Still detailed, but more tonally balanced than above. Less treble emphasised. Roughly the same soundstage. Vocals a bit sweeter and more realistic, more like they're there with you, but still forward or prominent. Drums a touch more emphasised. 8.5/10
T1.1 - Detailed but more so subtly so. Maybe wider sounding than above. As above, balanced and realistic sounding, more so than HD800S due to slightly less emphasised vocals. Vocals still have a similar realism to them, maybe a hair less smooth (more sss). Drums even more emphasised than above. 9/10
Z1R - No loss of detail, maybe less sparkly than HD800, but like T1.1, has that bit more realism to it. About the same width as HD800S, but strings and drums both have more presence. A touch less air, but not dark per se, just a tiny bit warmer. Vocals similar to HD800S in emphasis, but a slight bit more weight or body. Still sound very realistic, as if the artist is there with you. 9/10
------
Radiohead - Burn the Witch
Z1R - Warm, good drum emphasis and dynamics, but a touch less air. Fairly wide sounding. Vocals realistic, but a touch too thick. Gets a tiny bit congested when it all kicks off, but very atmospheric sounding. 7.5/10
HD800S - Wider, airier than above. Symbols more emphasised. Loses some of the atmosphere and drama. Vocals still have a touch of thickness to them but better than above. Less dynamic overall than Z1R, but the sense of space does help with a different sense of occasion. Doesn't congest up when it kicks off. 8.5/10
T1.1 - A more realistic sense of intricacy than above. Symbols less emphasised or sharp. Vocals less forward, making a better overall tonal balance again. Sounds wider than HD800. Vocals still a touch thick, but blend in better to the rest of the instruments than either of the above. 9.5/10
HD800 - Similar to the HD800, but a little bit more treble emphasised. Just a touch sharper sounding, which gives separation a hair more clarity, and actually helps to keep vocals better balanced with the rest instead of being more emphasised. Perhaps a better sense of air and width. 9/10
------
Argatu' - Vinne Minerelle
T1.1 - Fairly warm, solid fairly impactful bass with some decay. Good but not amazing soundstage. Sparkle there but a tiny bit subdued and to the sides. Natural sounding, if a tiny bit congested. Good tonal balance. Vocals blend in to the rest, good realism. 8.5/10
HD800S - More sparkle and a teensy bit more transparency. Sharper sounding treble than above. Slightly larger soundstage too, plus a hair more air. Again, great tonal balance maintaining realism, though not quite as warm. Vocals blend in nicely and are not too forward. Only the bass is not quite as impactful. 8.5/10
HD800 - Sparkle is similar to T1.1's, still just a touch subdued at the sides, though symbols sharper and louder. Nice and wide. Good overall tonal balance, if a touch to the dry side. Bass not quite as present. Nice and airy. Maintains a sense of realism. Just a very small hint of sss 8/10
Z1R - Great realism of vocals and instrumental sparkle, just a hint subdued like T1.1. Notably more bass quantity and presence than others, but maintaining control and realistic decay. Fairly wide sounding. Symbols much less sharp or present. Good overall tonal balance, nothing too much or too little. Nice atmosphere and sense of drama. 9.5/10
------
Daft Punk - Recogniser
Z1R - Immense sense of occasion and atmosphere. Bold, slightly warm sound, with a bass like spread under everything that gives individual sounds a bit of additional poise, but just a hint of darkness. When the bass drops, you feel it. Almost threatening. Nice wide sounding stage, in both width and height. 9.5/10
HD800S - Still grand and dramatic, but with a greater sense of air and separation than above. Individual instruments just a hint more articulate. Really natural and honest sounding. Great sense of transparency, space and soundstage. 10/10
HD800 - As above, but just a hint leaner sounding. Not quite as natural, though still maintains excellent soundstage and separation. Micro details oddly not quite as defined or present as above. 9/10
T1.1 - Great sense of texture and micro detail. Mid bass really shines, tight, fast and responsive. Grand, and dynamic sounding. Slightly smoother than HD800S, with less sparkle and instead more liquid highs. Hint of congestion in places, but otherwise still fairly airy and wide. 9/10
------
Stateless - Matilda
HD800S - Really detailed, if just a tad too lean. Vocals realistic, just a sliver thin. Highs have a sense of sharpness and vividness to them, perhaps a tad over energised, though not sibilant. Relatively wide sounding, with strong instrumental separation. Strings, vocals etc, lack a tiny bit of additional weight or body. 7.5/10
HD800 - As above, overall too lean sounding with a tad too much sparkle or zing. Lacking a bit in bass quantity and punch, with bass drums that don't stand out enough. Leaning towards a cool or treble emphasised tonal balance that whilst detailed and with good separation, just comes off a hint overly busy. 7/10
T1.1 - A touch sweeter and more natural sounding than above, but maintaining a similar level of articulation and space. Tonally all instruments and vocals seem that little bit more honest, with treble that is not quite as lean or emphasised, but still somewhat focused on technicality over absolute liquidity. A more balanced overall presentation, with no particular frequency that is overbearing or overzealous. 9/10
Z1R - Warmer, more dynamic and more atmospheric than above. There's still a great balance and honesty to the overall signature with all instruments and vocals, but here they all have a hint of extra weight and realism. Soundstage is a little bit more intimate and spherical instead of wide, but instrumental separation and imaging is not compromised. Very natural sounding. 9.5/10
------
Bonobo - We Could Forever
T1.1 - Mids a hint recessed, plus there's a slight slant towards leanness, but overall still a great tonal balance, with nothing dominating or coming undone. Bass has decent quantity to it, but not a lot of impact. Good sense of instrumental separation with good imaging. Lots of air between sounds, and a fairly wide and open soundstage. 8/10
HD800 - Very detailed and transparent sounding. Excellent separation and individuality to instruments. Slight over sharpness and energy to highs. Mids a bit more present here, which for this track helps add dynamism. There's still a slant towards a slightly lean overall signature, which can in the build up make things seem a tad busy. Bass quantity is lacking, with little impact or presence. 7.5/10
HD800S - As above in most respects, but this time a hint warmer and less strident in the highs. Mids seem a bit more present as a result. There also seems to be just a touch more bass presence as well, which further smoothens things out. Overall tonal balance seems more accurate than above. Soundstage remains very wide and airy, and imaging notably precise. 8.5/10
Z1R - A smoother, more liquid presentation. Similar to the above, but with an even more balanced tonal representation, if a hair on the darker side. There's improved bass quantity, especially sub bass texture, which gives the overall presentation a bit more foundation, moodiness and background for added dynamics. Highs are more fluid, lacking in just a hint of energy, but instruments overall seem more true to life. 9.5/10
------
Nirvana - Come As You Are
Z1R - Beautiful, atmospheric and sumptuous with great dynamics and punchy bass presence. Vocals just a hair recessed, but very realistic sounding. Presents everything with a sense of honesty, including in the sense of staging and space that is not overly large, but believable in both width and depth, though not so much in height. 9.5/10
T1.1 - As above, but just a tiny bit leaner and airier, with just a splash of extra sparkle. Still very natural and honest sounding, with nothing that sticks out as too harsh or out of place. Bass is a bit tighter and more controlled. Vocals still a hint recessed. 9.5/10
HD800S - Similar to above, but this time vocals are a touch more prominent and sweet, but unfortunately with the rare instance of sibilance. Luckily it maintains a similar sense of honesty and naturalness throughout. If it weren't for the odd bit of annoying sibilance, I'd have given it a higher score. 8.5/10
HD800 - Very similar to the above. Slightly less bass quantity and impact, and a hint leaner overall. Sibilance less prominent than above, but highs and vocals still towing the line on being almost too hot or zingy. Vocals a touch thinner sounding. 8.5/10
------
David Bowie - Moonage Daydream
T1.1 - Really liquid, layered and dynamic sounding. Spacious, wide soundstage, with great instrumental separation and realism. Vocals also realistic, though a touch recessed, which actually allows the rest of the instruments and sounds to shine or be noticed. Great balance overall, and with good bass presence and detail too. 9.5/10
HD800 - As above, but highs are a bit more zingy and pronounced, especially at the sides. Vocals also remain ever so slightly recessed, perhaps part of the recording. Overall sound is just a hair leaner as is becoming typical of these headphones. 8.5/10
HD800S - An ever so slightly warmer version of the above. Vocals remain ever so slightly recessed (confirming it is intrinsic to the recording), but perhaps to a lesser extent than the T1.1's, and compared to the HD800 they also have a bit more body to them, adding to the sense of honesty. Soundstage also remains very wide, and details crisp and transparent. Still a tiny bit too much energy or spark in some of the highs. 9/10
Z1R - Similar to the T1.1's things sound layered and dynamic, but with even more body, punch and lushness. Vocals are a hint more forward, similar to the HD800S, but still very slightly recessed compared to the rest of the recording. Vocals however are thicker and have a more realistic weight to them. Essentially overall this is again a slightly warmer version of what is being offered by the HD800S or T1.1, but once again, surprisingly not sacrificing on separation or soundstage, only outright sparkle. What you lose in air and cleanliness, you gain in atmosphere, smoothness and addictive bass. 9.5/10
Kukua
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I agree as i find the Kimber Kable upgrade spectacular compared to the stock cableIf so, go for pure Copper materials, whatever brand you choose
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Kimber/Sony collaboration cable?
@Naim.F.C Moonage Daydream is my favorite track from Bowie! Do you find the mastering of it to be up to par? I feel like the quality isn't that great and it disappoints me a little. like the mids are recessed or something.
Naim.F.C
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I'm with you on Moonage Daydream. The mids definitely seem a bit recessed, or at least the vocals anyway (as per my notes for each headphone), but in a way I think this adds its own quality to the track, giving the instruments a bit more presence, whilst the vocals have more of a sort of live performance esque appeal. Everything still sounds crisp and clean, just with a slightly atypical balance. With the instruments being closer to you and out to the sides, whilst the vocals are tiny bit more distant and positioned in front. At least that's how I'm perceiving things anyway.
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I agree about the shape of the sound like you described. When I listen to it my brain just wants bowie's voice to come forward and let me hear him! Ha but yes, it totally has a live performance feel to it and it lets you hear the instrumentation cleanly. I think its too easy to get caught up with "how it should sound" that i should try to take it for its strengths.
gto88
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I recently order a balanced cable, I sent email to toxic-cable and no reply, I have Forzawork cable, and Norne audio cable before.
Trevor is always responsive, so I get a Vanquish with bare wire option.
I like Norne Audio's cable, their choice of component is real high quality, and the workmanship is one of the tops.
I don't think I can hear musch difference with copper, silver or whatever, so I go with reasonable pricing and good looking one.
I like the cable with bare wire option, sleeve just cover the beauty of it.
Sonic Defender
Headphoneus Supremus
I have my Norne Solv X cable on the Z1R now. I can't say I ever notice sound quality changes with cables so I can only comment on the workmanship and quality both are very high. Trevor made my speaker tap cable for me. I very much enjoyed doing business with him.
gto88
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I have Norne Solv X cable too, for my HE1000-V2. But, I was greedy and ordered it 9 feet long, a little too long for my desk.
gto88
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