I wouldn't say that the Z1R struggles to better the CD3000 in general. In a few areas like bass/sub-bass, it totally wipes the floor with it most of the time, except when the Z1R exaggerates, which happens. One of its strengths is also one of its weaknesses depending on the source material. And that's symmetrical since the CD3Ks weakness is perhaps the bass needing to be tighter and punchier sometimes.
This isn't surprising regarding the bass. In fact, I suspect that.
What the CD3K delivers nicely is a sense of speed and a grain on the higher midrange and beyond that I find enjoyable most time and tend to relate to detail (even if it isn't). Years ago it's what people used to call "a sibilant sound" while [foolishly] ignoring the CD3000. Midrange and presence is indeed similar in both, to my ears. Soundstage/separation/positioning is very similar in both but a bit better on the Z1R. They're both very nice and IMHO, none of the two requires a major investment in terms of amping to sound good.
Those impressions above are the reason why I questioned the Z1R. If it is more or less at the CD3000 level, then why would you expect the Z1R to measure up to the R10 and Qualia for that matter.
I hope you get that Z1R soon purk, it will be very interesting to hear your thoughts on a good comparison. You have to keep an open mind to the change and new traits tho...
I will get mine at some point but you really should get your CD3000 recable to smooth out those treble glare and improve soundstage/separation/positioning/bass and midrange. I know its an oldie but man it can sound so much nicer if you do.
Yes, I'm too open minded actually...hence the reason I have not called any headphones "perfect" and ending up owning several pairs of headphones.
Any Z1R owner here who also owns Philips Fidelio X2 ?
Very different price group, but the X2's also have a massive driver (50mm), so I'm interested in a comparison. Although considering how much my X2's have changed with a long burn-in, all the Z1R's here should also be given more time.
Any Z1R owner here who also owns Philips Fidelio X2 ?
Very different price group, but the X2's also have a massive driver (50mm), so I'm interested in a comparison. Although considering how much my X2's have changed with a long burn-in, all the Z1R's here should also be given more time.
Tried to get some but Amazon cancelled that batch of others. A friend of mine even for a 10 GBP freebie for it.
I'm not sure of the state of the X2 at this time, considering that Philips/Gibson/glued-pads mess.... but they did have a nice reputation in terms of value for money.
I'm still curious about them, so I'll surely grab a set for test if I have the chance.
That said, I don't think burn-in results in significant changes (regardless of driver size) but that's just me. I also don't care all that much about cabling, but am always happy to join A/B tests and check it out when someone is comparing.
My Z1R certainly got better since Friday night when I first plugged them in, so a week of burn-in definitely helps. But I think they were burning in my brain DSP, not me burning them in.
As a final off-topic, I just found an awesome XACD album forgotten in my stash. I have no idea what the lyrics are saying, but it sounds sounds so good from a mastering point of view. It's just brilliant. If you don't have it, get it.
The Gossamer Song
https://www.amazon.com/Gossamer-Song-Hui-Fen-Min/dp/B0007Y09IC"
That may be true, but I have seen many measurements where the left/right frequency response vary by quite a bit.. and this includes reputable brands .as well. I certainly hope that Sony's QC is better than others... The point is that ometimes the model we listen to is not exactly the same as what is delivered in a sealed box.
It would be interesting to note what really happens as the Sony breaks in.
I have only anecdotal experience but I believe most break in involves a smoothing of the treble and improvement in micro & macro dynamics. I haven't heard a lot about the tightening of bass unless it is a result of some psychoacoustic effect caused by other factors.
Spot on. Modern games are an absolute disaster, playability-wise. My GTX980 haven't seen other game than Quake 3, some levels I play are 15 years old. The new VR craze is an absolute and utter gimmick, and could be compared with surround vs. stereo of the audio world.
As for headphone world, where the real progress happens is in-ear monitors - these will overtake and obsolete the big headphone design soon, if they have not already. A radical idea to some, I'm sure.
That VR stuff reminds me of the new mag-lev TT. Very cool looking but I have a feeling my kewood will spank it in s.q. for the same price. I don't see the Z1R hitting R10 levels either.
Google Chinese-English translate of a "not so positive" 1st impression:
https://translate.google.com.hk/translate?sl=zh-CN&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=zh-TW&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.andaudio.com%2Fphpbb3%2Fviewtopic.php%3Ff%3D25%26t%3D115589%26start%3D5175%23p1171257&edit-text=
The reviewer thinks the Z1R should worth only Yen60,000 (slightly more expensive to the Z7). He thinks the Z1R bass response is its major weakness: slow and soft, with extension only comparable to "2nd tier" closed cans.
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