Thank you. Now I wonder if I may have missed anything else as well...
Not sure if I will ever get to hear it, but definitely on my bucket list.
Toranku's Thoughts and Reviews (and target EQ filters!)
- Thread starter toranku
- Start date
Thank you. Now I wonder if I may have missed anything else as well...
Not sure if I will ever get to hear it, but definitely on my bucket list.
The 9038s itself is so damn clean. I love mine.
My thoughts on: Sony IER-Z1R
I'm no stranger to the Z1R as I've tried it many times. I've never really had my thoughts on it change over time. However I realized that I had always been trying the Z1R in noisier environments. Coupled with the rather poor isolation, I didn't get its true intended bass response. Last week I managed to try the Z1R in a much quieter environment and wow, that really changed how I perceived it since I was getting more bass response.
Z1R is moderately v-shaped. Not a slight v-shape and not a very v-shaped IEM either - it's right in the middle for me. However where it differs from typical v-shaped IEMs is at where the frequency groups are recessed. Most v-shape iems recess the lower mids, especially around 500-1000hz. The Z1R on the other hand, chooses the recession on the entire midrange from 300 to 3000hz. Now this recession isn't massive but it still impacts the overall tone of the IEM.
The midrange is usually broken down into 2 parts: lower mids and upper mids. If upper mids are not emphasised enough (relative to everything else) you get a thicker, typically hazier (lacking definition & forwardness) tone is what I'd describe. The Z1R's weakness is the upper mids - there's insufficient presence which can make instruments primarily in that range sound a bit dull at times. Yes, you get a big bass response and forward treble, but it's "dipped" there at the uppermids.
I'm also not a fan of the bass response. There's just too much of it for me. In quiet environments, the bass is a bit overwhelming. Suitable for bassheads definitely. I'd like a reduction in the overall bass response. Honestly, the treble is probably the best part about the Z1R. It's has some peaks/dips to add definition and shimmer to cymbals. Upon a deep fit, the highs are actually not fatiguing at all. It's just that it's mids are sandwiched by the bass and treble response which is not to my flavour.
Previously I had been trying it in noiser environments so the uppermid recession wasn't as obvious since the bass response didn't overwhelm it. If I had to tune it closer to my preference, I would create a greater lift in the 1-3k region and reduce the bass a little, then perhaps dail down the treble a bit.
This post might seem negative so far but I genuinely feel that the Z1R is a decent IEM overall. It's not a flavour I enjoy but it will work for others. I personally think the tuning is its main bottleneck that prevents me from fully embracing it. Great IEM but not excellent imo.
I'm no stranger to the Z1R as I've tried it many times. I've never really had my thoughts on it change over time. However I realized that I had always been trying the Z1R in noisier environments. Coupled with the rather poor isolation, I didn't get its true intended bass response. Last week I managed to try the Z1R in a much quieter environment and wow, that really changed how I perceived it since I was getting more bass response.
Z1R is moderately v-shaped. Not a slight v-shape and not a very v-shaped IEM either - it's right in the middle for me. However where it differs from typical v-shaped IEMs is at where the frequency groups are recessed. Most v-shape iems recess the lower mids, especially around 500-1000hz. The Z1R on the other hand, chooses the recession on the entire midrange from 300 to 3000hz. Now this recession isn't massive but it still impacts the overall tone of the IEM.
The midrange is usually broken down into 2 parts: lower mids and upper mids. If upper mids are not emphasised enough (relative to everything else) you get a thicker, typically hazier (lacking definition & forwardness) tone is what I'd describe. The Z1R's weakness is the upper mids - there's insufficient presence which can make instruments primarily in that range sound a bit dull at times. Yes, you get a big bass response and forward treble, but it's "dipped" there at the uppermids.
I'm also not a fan of the bass response. There's just too much of it for me. In quiet environments, the bass is a bit overwhelming. Suitable for bassheads definitely. I'd like a reduction in the overall bass response. Honestly, the treble is probably the best part about the Z1R. It's has some peaks/dips to add definition and shimmer to cymbals. Upon a deep fit, the highs are actually not fatiguing at all. It's just that it's mids are sandwiched by the bass and treble response which is not to my flavour.
Previously I had been trying it in noiser environments so the uppermid recession wasn't as obvious since the bass response didn't overwhelm it. If I had to tune it closer to my preference, I would create a greater lift in the 1-3k region and reduce the bass a little, then perhaps dail down the treble a bit.
This post might seem negative so far but I genuinely feel that the Z1R is a decent IEM overall. It's not a flavour I enjoy but it will work for others. I personally think the tuning is its main bottleneck that prevents me from fully embracing it. Great IEM but not excellent imo.
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@toranku So the M9 is still your No. 1? What do you pair them with these days since you just sold your Dtr1?
I've been thinking to knock M9 off actually. It's transients aren't as good as any of the other iems on my list. It's the biggest limitation since I am starting to value transients a lot. I think Erlkonig does something similar but faces the same problems as M9 albeit to a lesser degree and generally has tone closer to my preference.
I miss my DTR honestly. But it's not practical with the noise floor in conjunction with SH3. M5s isn't an amazing source but it's "good enough". I value the convenience and practicality.
Cool. I'm getting the M9 myself and really been thinking of source matching. If you value convenience and practicality, maybe you can try the M6 in the future and make a little comparison since these two offsprings from Shanling are basically priced the same, see if the M6 can move from good enough to amazing (soundwise).
I remember the erlkonig having a realistic transient speed to me, it was very revealing of instrument position in a stage, more so than other iems. It's been a while since I heard one properly though.
Not a fan of android daps tbh. I've no use for streaming. I prefer custom UIs like Sony's and well as shanling's own UI in M5s. Makes for less "bloat" and the dap is more battery efficient. The M6 should be available to demo though, will give it a shot when I've the time.
When it comes to transients, I want the attack to be defined and impactful and the decay to be fast. I find that a lot of DDs get the attack right but decay on the slower side of things. BAs decay faster but it can lack that impact and slam. The Erl struggles with impact like M9 imo, no matter which of the 4 settings.
Hey everyone, I'd like to announce that I am now writing for In-Ear Fidelity operated by crinacle. For transparency's sake, I am not compensated or paid in any way by writing for IEF. Crin just owes me coffee this weekend. I will be directing my higher quality content to IEF (will still link the posts in the first thread post).
Cheers
BananaOoyoo
1000+ Head-Fier
That better be some damn good coffee
ashleydoormat
New Head-Fier
I'm sorry I've always thought you and Crinacle are the same person! Glad to see more contents from you two!
Please we all know you are the same people
, nice work on the article tho
, nice work on the article tho
buonassi
Headphoneus Supremus
wait, what? These are two different head-fiers I thought for sure - based on their differing impressions (ok, well a lot of times they agree). Or are you guys saying that Toranku is a pseudonym for Crin?
This is what happens when memes get too real. To be precise, they are two separate individuals who were previously totally unaffiliated.
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