PenguinMusic
Addicted to Fun and Learning
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2019
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Hi,
As I said before, I own these headphones and others and as such I can do direct comparisons.
It is not "blind testing" or "double blind testing". I would not know how to do that properly. And, following SolderDude's advice, I do not pretend my ears are a measurement tool
It is just a totally SUBJECTIVE feeling after listening to the different headphones for several hours a day and several days in a row.
All I can say is that these headphones (I mean the MDR-Z1R) are those that sounds best to me in all my headphones.
They are even better than the Oppo PM-2 but of course, the latter being an open-back headphone, the comparison is not really accurate.
I have read a lot of "subjective" reviews and I found some reviewers stating that, with the tested device (headphone amp, or headphones, or amp or CD-player...) they could hear details and subtleties that they never heard before.
This is totally subjective of course...
But for the first time, that comment does reflect exactly my impressions on the Sony : it reveals A LOT of small details that I could not hear before, even on tracks heard like a zillion times.
But precision is not what would make me like something. I do not say it is not important, but it's not something to look for "alone".
And that is where the "magic" (no other word, it is magic as opposite to science) begins.
Because to MY EARS the MDR-Z1R manages to make the perfect alliance of precision, sound staging and "musicality".
In other words, the MDR-Z1R is probably not the headphone to master studio records.
But if you are looking for a headphone that you can wear for hours, that will provide goose bumps when listening to music and make you enjoy what you're listening to, then this is one to consider... with a little EQ. Without, it is too heavy on the "boom-boom" side.
But EQing headphones is natural... except (still to MY EARS) the Oppo PM-1/Oppo PM-2 that are the only phones I can really listen to with no EQ.
I am not trying to force my views upon any member of this group.
Each one can have his own tastes.
I am not saying that the MDR-Z1R is the best headphone that exists. I am just stating a PURELY PERSONAL OPINION.
Which is exactly what I am doing when I say that I have listened to and even own a couple of Focal headphones and liked none of them...
Mind you, I've also listened to other headphones that a lot of people in here are praising so much, namely the Sennheiser HD-800. And after having it at home for several weeks and really trying hard to like it (and It was a dream coming true when I could finally get it)... I simply did not achieve to to do it and sold them after a little less than 2 months.
You can call me stupid.
I probably am.
But personally, I do not think I would buy a set of headphones based on raw numbers.
Sure, I'll give them a look.
But I would not spend 150€ or more on headphones I could not listen to before I buy them.
So a HUGE THANK YOU TO CUCKOO.
Because he pointed out something that is really important for ME to know.
That I do not necessarily dislike things that do not comply with what SHOULD BE DONE.
And that I do not necessarily like things that comply with what should be done.
In other words : I liked flawed things as long as the flaws can give me some emotions.
That is why I like italian cars better than german ones in the end
Regards.
As I said before, I own these headphones and others and as such I can do direct comparisons.
It is not "blind testing" or "double blind testing". I would not know how to do that properly. And, following SolderDude's advice, I do not pretend my ears are a measurement tool
It is just a totally SUBJECTIVE feeling after listening to the different headphones for several hours a day and several days in a row.
All I can say is that these headphones (I mean the MDR-Z1R) are those that sounds best to me in all my headphones.
They are even better than the Oppo PM-2 but of course, the latter being an open-back headphone, the comparison is not really accurate.
I have read a lot of "subjective" reviews and I found some reviewers stating that, with the tested device (headphone amp, or headphones, or amp or CD-player...) they could hear details and subtleties that they never heard before.
This is totally subjective of course...
But for the first time, that comment does reflect exactly my impressions on the Sony : it reveals A LOT of small details that I could not hear before, even on tracks heard like a zillion times.
But precision is not what would make me like something. I do not say it is not important, but it's not something to look for "alone".
And that is where the "magic" (no other word, it is magic as opposite to science) begins.
Because to MY EARS the MDR-Z1R manages to make the perfect alliance of precision, sound staging and "musicality".
In other words, the MDR-Z1R is probably not the headphone to master studio records.
But if you are looking for a headphone that you can wear for hours, that will provide goose bumps when listening to music and make you enjoy what you're listening to, then this is one to consider... with a little EQ. Without, it is too heavy on the "boom-boom" side.
But EQing headphones is natural... except (still to MY EARS) the Oppo PM-1/Oppo PM-2 that are the only phones I can really listen to with no EQ.
I am not trying to force my views upon any member of this group.
Each one can have his own tastes.
I am not saying that the MDR-Z1R is the best headphone that exists. I am just stating a PURELY PERSONAL OPINION.
Which is exactly what I am doing when I say that I have listened to and even own a couple of Focal headphones and liked none of them...
Mind you, I've also listened to other headphones that a lot of people in here are praising so much, namely the Sennheiser HD-800. And after having it at home for several weeks and really trying hard to like it (and It was a dream coming true when I could finally get it)... I simply did not achieve to to do it and sold them after a little less than 2 months.
You can call me stupid.
I probably am.
But personally, I do not think I would buy a set of headphones based on raw numbers.
Sure, I'll give them a look.
But I would not spend 150€ or more on headphones I could not listen to before I buy them.
So a HUGE THANK YOU TO CUCKOO.
Because he pointed out something that is really important for ME to know.
That I do not necessarily dislike things that do not comply with what SHOULD BE DONE.
And that I do not necessarily like things that comply with what should be done.
In other words : I liked flawed things as long as the flaws can give me some emotions.
That is why I like italian cars better than german ones in the end
Regards.
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