[nanaholic]

Does any of that matter? I remember so many products in this realm that people screamed loudly about any headphone over $600 saying it was crazy and stupid and here we are crossing over to the $6000.00 price point. My knee jerk is "Who cares!"

It matters here because I'm an owner of the Z1R and is actively participating in this thread and he came in to make a strong comment on these headphones, so I responded in good faith and rationally breaks down his claims. What doesn't matter is the other products in the other threads, because I'm not in those threads and probably don't own those products to make any reasonable comments on those products.

You're comparison is pretty bizarre to be honest.

 

[nordkapp]

I don't know when Tyll released his findings. I can say that in the last 4 weeks the sales have been steadily climbing. It doesn't appear my customers are affected by Tyll or Jude's reviews. In December during the launch the Sony was flying off the shelf. It then slowed as a result of deal hunters buying from Amazon UK for crazy prices that we couldn't match unless we dealers were will to simply trade dollars and derive literally ZERO profit. Now it's almost totally back to the launch numbers and not showing any slow down. I have had 1 Sony Z1R with an issue about comfort and I believe Sony is stepping up to take care of that customer. 1 thing I have noticed is that a large portion like over 60% also purchased the Focal Utopia before they purchased the Z1R. Sorry I couldn't offer anything that indicates Tyll had any affect on sales or customer satisfaction.

Thanks, just curious. Interesting point regarding the Utopia owners following up with the Z1R though.

 

[TSAVJason]

It matters here because I'm an owner of the Z1R and is actively participating in this thread and he came in to make a strong comment on these headphones, so I responded in good faith and rationally breaks down his claims. What doesn't matter is the other products in the other threads, because I'm not in those threads and probably don't own those products to make any reasonable comments on those products.

You're comparison is pretty bizarre to be honest.

I didn't make a comparison other than to express my concern with your considerable chastising of a persons post. I know it's easy to misread these posts and that often people don't mean exactly what you interpret their post to say or mean. So to beat it to death seems so unfriendly. I've been on both ends of that kind of thing. As I see things being taken differently than intended I try to change my posts to be realized as friendly comments or informative in a friendly information sharing way. So if your fire alarm post has a purpose go ahead and explain but don't pick on people for their thoughts. So what if they don't match yours or mine or anyone else's. As long as their posts aren't abusive let people say what they think right or wrong. Just my opinion on how to treat others.

 

[grizzlybeast]

If I understand you correctly, the Z1R has wooly bass? Could you define that?

I read your review of the B&W P9, could you make a short comparison between the P9 and Z1R ? I have both at the moment and for me they are very different. The bass on the P9 is, even for me, often too much, kind of boomy and often out of control. I have never had that feeling with the Z1R. For me it's perfect. But I do understand that we all hear different and for some/many people the Z1R will come across as bass heavy.

And regarding price. I agree that the Z1R is overpriced, but how many did actually paid full price for these? I didn't.

To honestly relay my sentiments about the Z1R's bass, I find it to have a solid fundamental core but to be a bit fuzzy and wooly. Meaning It can have soft leading edges and audible distortion. My Atticus bass is a little more fat sounding and just as loose but more visceral from my tube amps. The thing is that my Atticus and Eikon, even with the distortion spike have more inner clarity and the timbre is more realistic. They are also more dynamic and snappy. The Z1R has a papery timbre to my ears that takes away from its ability to convey realism as naturally as most of the high end closed backs I have heard. It is slightly lacking in weight but airy and wispy to me with a slight veil and tint. It's bass is relatively enjoyable to me but I have to agree with the critics of it. Were people to criticize The Atticus and Eikon bass in comparison to the Z1R I would not object but they do not cost 2.5K MSRP and sound more realistic to me, with better treble extension on the Eikon, better soundstage on the Atticus, better dynamics on both, better timbre on both, better mids on both, better balance on both.

I am calling the Z1R overpriced compared to what is already out there, but I think it's not a horrible headphone. I kinda liked it but would only pay 1k for it.


The P9 is possibly one of the worst headphones I have heard above 500 dollars. The Z1R is a decent headphone in my opinion, just worthy of criticism at 2.5k. The P9 bass has no weight or solidity at its fundamental core and it sounds pretty bloated with no compensating rise of the treble. The Z1R treble peak actually makes a little sense due to its accentuated bass and it is tolerable. However, the intolerable TH900 (to my ears) is easily the more technically proficient than either. The P9 is missing a developed midrange and treble. The P9 has decent resolution but its frequency balance is so messed up that you can't even tell. The Z1R is no where near as bad as the P9. Id purchase the Z1R at full MSRP before buying another P9. The P9 bass is almost as bad in quality as the Dharma but boosted too high. The Z1R bass is not nearly as bad as the Dharma. The Z1R bass reminds me of the 800S bass but a little more fuzzy in its overtones and the midbass is less clean as the 800S.

 

[thatonenoob]

Does any of that matter? I remember so many products in this realm that people screamed loudly about any headphone over $600 saying it was crazy and stupid and here we are crossing over to the $6000.00 price point. My knee jerk is "Who cares!"

It's important, because the price just went up one order of magnitude.

Say, if sales tax went from 10% to 100%, I'd be pretty concerned eh.

 

[TSAVJason]

It's important, because the price just went up one order of magnitude.

Say, if sales tax went from 10% to 100%, I'd be pretty concerned eh.

I think I understand your thought here. It's a little confusing. Maybe consider tech & materials being a significant cause of that anomaly. It's my belief that it's a perception thing more than anything else but I'm an engineer not a retail sales expert so take it for what it's worth

 

[Imperfectionist]

First of all, it's not 2.4 K around the world. Singapore is 1.9 K USD, Indonesia was even cheaper - point is, it costs way less in Asia.

I bought mine from Sony Singapore for $2599 retail.

 

[TSAVJason]

I bought mine from Sony Singapore for $2599 retail.

Sounds about right when buying direct from the manufacturer. Often you'll get better prices on product by not buying direct from the manufacturer. In fact while I know it seems counter intuitive most manufacturers deliberately try to cause your purchase to happen with an authorized dealer. This is in part for customer service reasons. Often its much more difficult for manufacturers to handle these things when dealers can support the sale easier and faster

 

[echineko]

I bought mine from Sony Singapore for $2599 retail.

As he said, USD la, not SGD, it comes to about $1.9k when converted.

 

[thatonenoob]

@Imperfectionist

2.6 k USD?! It's 2.6 K sgd msrp iirc.

 

[Imperfectionist]

Sounds about right when buying direct from the manufacturer. Often you'll get better prices on product by not buying direct from the manufacturer. In fact while I know it seems counter intuitive most manufacturers deliberately try to cause your purchase to happen with an authorized dealer. This is in part for customer service reasons. Often its much more difficult for manufacturers to handle these things when dealers can support the sale easier and faster

Well, the z1r is something that I would like to keep for a long time. Buying from a reliable source gives me peace of mind knowing that customer service and rma issues will be handled well.
I could go for cheaper sources, but just like your customers, I am not someone who likes to gambles with the odds.

 

[Imperfectionist]

Please. I apologize or not being specific. It's sgd $2599 retail, from Sony retail boutique.

 

[thatonenoob]

Please. I apologize or not being specific. It's sgd $2599 retail, from Sony retail boutique.

Hahah no offense meant. I was just really shocked and was worried you'd gotten ripped off. Then we must complain to the retailer!

 

[nc8000]

I'll do you one better, what I want to know is how does the MDR Z1R compare to the Audio Technica L3000? The MDR Z1R seems to have the same polarizing and oddly shifting impressions that I've read about the L3000, being a BIG EXPENSIVE bassy heavy and some what flawed flag ship... the people who have it seem to love it for what it is... which is fine... but for some one who's had the pleasure of hearing both how do the two compare?

I owned the L3000 for several years long ago but at that time had to sell it for economic reasons. By (possibly flawed) memory I would say that the Z1R is very close to the same kind og sound and comfort.

 

[Maelob]

Well I am excited, my family wants to go to Tokyo for vacation and Ive been allowed to visit E-Earphone for one day - this is a big deal for me, Ive never been in a meet or show. So I will definitely try as many headphones and compare to the Z1R. I am sure I will be overwhelmed - but I will try as much as I can. Cant wait.