The product is returned in original condition (with brand’s/manufacturer's box, MRP tag intact, user Mid: Z1R has magical mid spectrum. The details into the lower mid, the fluidity of the spectrum as a hole, the so smooth, forward and yet non offensive vocal with every nano details in the vocals being called out, and still no harshness or sibilant. It is just magical. This is the most unique thing about Z1R in my opinion, giving the Z1R the musical attribute, details, and soul in the music. Tonal body and timbres is not exactly realistic, but is accurately detailed and soulful. It's a tribute to decades of commitment, a product designed not merely to please the ears but to captivate the soul. It almost feels like something Sony engineers did for themselves rather than the cold, methodical factory that pumps out thousands of similar products. This full-size flagship was introduced in 2014, two years before the Z1R. Sound-wise the Z7 offers a more focused, more robust and less refined signature than the full-size Z1R. We are gifted with a smaller soundstage though still amazingly expansive. Bass is all in one area as well as a lovely upper treble soundstage presentation. Build quality is through the roof as well as form factor being smaller of the two full-size flagships here. This headphone exudes excitement and fun in an almost wonderful expensive yet trashy but cool way.................. it’s the very definition of a guilty necessity.

Sony IER-Z1R Review — Headfonics

This will by my first review as I go through and finally review my collection. The IER-Z1R is one of my favorites and seemed like a great place to get started.So I broke my own rule of not comparing a new headphone with other headphones until I had listened to it by itself for a few days. I compared with my Sennheiser HD800S, Focal Clear, LCD-3, and Meze 99 Classics, and all four of these sounded a lot better to me than the Z1R. I then went and grabbed my relatively inexpensive M40X and M50X, and they too sounded better to me than the Z1R. What's going on here?

IER-Z1R Specifications | Sony UK

It has the same effect as the mids though, for every bit you hear, you hear from beginning till the end but it is not as effortless as the mids. The Bass is most likely what makes the show for most. Its as strong in terms of volume as the IER-M9, but the feeling of air, the impact, the physical sensation is much higher. The Sony IER-Z1R doesn’t just reproduce sound; it interprets it. It infuses the notes with emotion, texture, and vibrancy, making music more than sound. It makes it a journey, an exploration, and a celebration of what music can be.

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Vocals sound full bodied but vibration is still heard very clearly carrying the singers emotion in it. Rather similar from my recollection. The IER-M9 top end sounds a little rough and brittle compared to Andro. But it does pair decently well with their range of DAPs.

Sony IER-Z1R Review - Major HiFi Sony IER-Z1R Review - Major HiFi

Excellent pairing considering I'm comparing DAP with desktop set up, but for some reason it does not seem as powerfull as my other setup, the sound is not as impactfull and full in my mind.I find that the treble plays down on your taste the most, I listen to metal music, so bright treble is often not good for me as my metal recordings are bright and added brightness could be fatiguing, so I like The Z1R. I’ve already tried the IER-Z1R multiple times before I pulled the trigger. Most would already know what I feel about it, but here’s a short refresher. Both can expose sibilant in the music but moreso on The EF and even more on The Ether C due to its thin bright nature, The Z1R is so smooth in the vocals, sibilance is still there if its there in the recording but the tuning and smoothness definitely helps and it doesn't bother me at all (think the vocals in the CA andromeda, can be sibilant but somehow it's not bothersome at all) but at the expense of minute details I think. The C and EF are going for details so it will expose all those bad qualities straight up to you.