Spot on analysis without the typical audio jargon that plagues iem reviews. Couldn’t agree more. I got this in 2018 and nothing I’ve heard since touches it. One of a kind. Look forward to more of your reviews.
Thank you Bobby but I think I'm guilty of using some of those terms in other reviews as well 😅 However thank you for tuning in and yeah this IEM has holding power and there is not many IEM's that can beat this IEM in terms of bass let alone match it. Time will tell~ Hopefully they'll make another revision but with better fitting
Best RNRexperience, I have a question regarding these wonderfull lEMS. I am trying to find someone who has been using these lEMs for a longer time, I hope you can respond to my question. 🙏 So, I've done my reasearch on these and from what people say, they are exactly what I'm looking for. I am only worried about one thing. The carrying case of these lEMs make it so you have to unplug the lEMs from their cables. I've read that MMCX connecters tend to worsen overtime if plugged/unplugged a ton. So now my question is, do they still hold up after a longer time of unplugging/plugging? Is it just as easy as getting a new cable? Have you been putting them back in their case after every listening session, and how have the connectors been holding up? I hope you can understand my concern, they aren't quite cheap after all. But I'm willing to go buy them because of their amazing sound. I hope to see a reaction from you. Have a great day!
These are such a good reference to have when it comes to comparing base with other sets. Looking forward to the future when you compare other IEMs and their bass to these!
I demo'd the IER many many times in local Sony stores and headphones stores before buying them. The stock tips seal great in my ears, but the shape and heft of the IER always causes some pain after like 30 mins of using. I eventually still pulled the trigger because the sound is just impossible to forget. After purchase, I spent like 2 weeks jamming the IER as deep as possible into my ears for several hours per day, embracing the soreness until my ears adjusted. Now I can wear like 2 hours before starting to feel any minor discomfort. Not saying you should try the same though. If you love the IER's bass, maybe you should give a try to the headphone version MDR-Z1R. I owned that for 3 years before selling it to get the IER. The MDR has many flaws, but IMO its bass competes with the IER's and even excels in certain genres. Like the IER, the MDR's bass has extremely good resolution and definition, but the huge diaphram gives it way more power when required. I still remember its rumble after all these years. The rumbling doesn't just shake your eardrums, you feel it in your head and body, in your entire existence. That's something the IER is unable to replicate. But at the same time, the MDR's bass could be overpowering and bleed into the mids in many situations. It also doesn't quite give the same "enjoyment factor", which is something I associate with bass quality. As for the IER's recessed mids, it definitely is more oriented towards female vocals. I've never used headphones with super prominent mids, but the way IER lays out instruments to be at the same level as vocals (while maintaining excellent separation) allows me to dive into the thick of the music. You can hear every instrument's own identity, but they're all orchestrating together with the vocals to create an incredibly engaging listening experience. I think that's part of the charm of the IER.
Made me laugh out loud when you compared the design to that certain table coz I have dined on those on a local supermarket food court! Nice review/impressions! Will watch your career with great interest! Speaking of Sony's try the XBA N1ap! It's even more of a bass monster than oh10!
Haha glad you enjoyed the video and I'm glad to hear someone understands that reference. Those tables bring back memories hahaha. I appreciate you watching the video and thank you for your suggestion! I haven't heard of those iems but i'll see if i could find them
@@ice_and_fire_audio Yep I guess it’s a personal fit thing..I think my ears are pretty accommodating...OG Tin P1 are ok small just, OG Andro’s good...the only set that gave me a fit issue was Blon 03’s so 🤷♂
I tried a few eartips and find only the memory foam types can secure the z1r. I am using the comply truegrip. the trick is pinch then quickly squeeze into the canal. and give it some rotation it will snug more foam into the canal then expand. I find once secured the memory foam will even enhance the bass more and reduce the harshness at the top end. BTW I have been paring this to the mojo 2 for a while. recently bought a fiio K9 and found the balanced really helps, more power (have to dial the volume back a little compared to single end) and cleaner sound overall.
Another great review, thank you. I am lucky enough to have the IER-Z1R, it sounds as you describe, amazing, though I can't do long sessions with it as it is not that comfortable for me. Can I ask if you think it is worth purchasing the Maestro SE given I have the Z1R? Happy to hear the Maestro is a significantly different / better sound that it is worth the purchase also happy to put the money towards something else if it brings nothing new to the table. I see where HBB now has the Maestro SE as his number one favourite IEM he has ever heard, a walk away from the hobby IEM, what are your thoughts?
Hey Jason, thanks for your kind comment! My biggest concern for you regarding the Maestro SE would be fit as well if you're having issues with Z1R for fit/comfort. Just wondering if you've tried the Thieaudio Monarch Mk2? It would be about the same feeling for fit/comfort. If there's no problems fitting the Monarch into your ears then you should be okay with MSE. As for the sound it's really subjective and it would be difficult for me or anyone to justify spending another $2000 on anything especially when our musical preference may be different but for me personally, I'd say the bass presentation and imaging on the MSE is quite an amazing experience but the treble is not as open as the Z1R. As for my comparison video between the MSE and Z1R, I personally picked the Maestro SE because of the fit and also the sound presentation is unlike any other I've tried (so far). I really like my bass and I can't get enough of the MSE till this day. I've also spoken to other people in forums and they have had similar experiences as mine when it comes to bass presentation. Few question you have to ask yourself for the Z1R for sound only, ie, 1) Is the treble on the Z1R too sharp for you? 2) Is the sub bass not present enough for you? 3) Are the mids too recessed. If all of the above is a conclusive "YES", then perhaps the MSE might be a better alternative as it's opposite to the above, and vice versa. Sorry for the long reply. I wish I could type more but I think I'm already writing a thesis. Hope the above helps and all the best =)
Got these recently. The fit was initially quite poor...a mistake on my part. Let me explain. On all my IEMs, I'm typically a medium when it comes to Comply foam tips. So, when these arrived, I gave the medium-small silicon tips a go...and they fit, sealed well. Sounded really good. But they sticks out, and I thought that was the norm, so I stuck with that for a week or so. In that week, the IER-Z1R didn't come across as loose, nor would they fall out unintentionally. But something keep on bugging me: They do stick out a bit, I thought. And they were causing a bit of pain when wearing them. Long story short, I went with the smallest tips, and man, now that's a good fit. The IEMs can fit / rest in my ears, and still has a good seal. These go deep in my ears. Deeper than my older SE846.
That's good to hear, unfortunately I've tried and tested all that but somehow the contours of that iem just doesn't fit with the contours of my ears. I'm still crying to this day 😭 hope you'll have an awesome long term experience with the legendary Z1R!
Treble is very dependent on the fit. If it doesn’t go deep it becomes piercing, which is also documented on the graphs. There is a big treble elevation and peaks when breaking the seal a bit
Hi there, yes I've heard of people saying that, unfortunately due to fit there's only so much I can push the Z1R's in so I guess it also comes down to your ear anatomy and it's willingness to insert chonky IEMs with elevated treble.
@@rnarexperience how do you know I play it? haha I was a fan of Z1R, but was afraid of the fit. Ended up with 64 audio tia Trio, which also has one of the best basses, but with a better midrange than z1r;)
@@kajetan9550 Your profile picture looked like someone's in a badminton court. Anyway yeah I wanted to go with the Trio but i already had the Z1R so i hunted the U12T instead. I'm curious to hear the Trio now
Im pretty sure Fatfreq Scarlet Mini beats this on bass. And the OH10 didnt even have that much bass for my taste... Kinda suprised that you said it beats the Z1R on bass
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the Empire Ears Legend EVO, it's double the price of the IER-Z1R and people said it has better bass. Hope you can try that one to give us a comparison.
@@xsparik Odin is pricier than EVO. I think they have better details and clarity. But not going to say it's better than EVO. EVO goes for a different feeling.
FIt improves over days and weeks of use. After 4 to 6 months and fit issue is gone, pain and discomfort is gone. Then you start not noticing it because the ear canal gets the shape and the skin perhaps also gets used to it like new shoes.
Glad to hear you're having that experience where it suits you now, but unfortunately I tried it for a few months and it just wasn't fitting right and there are other IEMs that just fit me better so the Z1R got kept away and not used as often. Maybe one day my ears will be worthy~ Hopefully~
The design is too large and heavy. I tried it and it was tiring listening to it for long durations. The XBA-Z5 is a better option. In terms of bass, it has the same spec as the Z1R at 3Hz. They are both based on aluminium coated Liquid Polymer diaphragm. Actually the Z5 has a slighter edge with its larger 16mm vs the 11.9mm on the Z1R. The highs on the Z5 is the smoothest i have heard, including the Qualia 010 i own. 40,000Hz is pretty sufficient. My Qualia 010 will do 120khz, which is even higher than the Z1R 100kHz. But IMO, this doesn't really make much impact in IEM listening. I prefer the 40,000Hz extension more, it is less fatiguing. On speakers though, i deploy TAD PT-R9 Beryllium Ribbons. It's 120khz does make a very noticeable difference to even Flagship speakers like the JBL Project K2 and the JBL M2 Master Reference Monitors i have in my setup. The Z5 has a full magnesium housing that is not only more compact but much lighter. I can wear that full day. It is a perfect combo to use with my Astell and Kern DAP. I have also upgraded the cables to a high purity 4N pure silver Litz balanced cable with a 4.4mm connector. The cable provides much better high frequency extension and a bit more 'air'. 😊👌 I highly recommend the XBA-Z5 over the Z1R 😊👍
I have just got this and am now comparing this to the Senheiser IE900. In terms of bass, the IE900 is definitely much better - more powerful, more compact.
I'll have a review of the Maestro Mini and the SE coming soon, but in summary I'd say the Mini's are about the same level as the Variations but with more mid bass, but less resolving, but like the Variations, it rumbles DEEP~~~~ way deeper than the Z1R but the Z1r's mid bass is punchier and meatier. Hype is.... semi-real depending on which IEM's you're comparing it with. Video coming soon hope you'll stay tuned for that
@@rnarexperience I look forward to seeing your reviews of those. I think they will be a nice compliment to my recent splurge Dunu SA6 Ultra. Between the two I should cover my needs.
@@woodywoodman4309 Oohhh congratulations on obtaining that set! I've heard nothing but high praises for those, unfortunately I waited too long and it sold out 🥲but yeah, the mini will cover simply the bass thirst you have from time to time but the SA6 Ultra will probably cover your daily needs in general
I wonder what’s the alternative to this. I’m a bass head. This IEM is just super expensive. Fatfreq mini maestro is kind of expensive for me too. I wonder what’s the alternative for bass head below the price of fatfreq mm.
Hey Darren, I'd say the OH10 would fit in that category. It's cheaper than the fatfreq mm, and while it doesn't reach as deep, it's deep enough and it slams pretty hard, however the overall presentation may sound a touch too forward, at least it was for me. Tangzu Wuzetian would be the other option. Hope the above helps
The" DAR dsd filter on an aksp3000 brings the vocals forward on the ierz1r, not sure how, maybe smooths the treble so the volume can go up . Linsoul lc08 cable also smooths the treble a bit over sony cables. Large deconi foam tips and my elephant ears ,audio bliss.
interesting, I hope to get that and test it out, just curious does the dekoni tips reduce the bass for you? From my experience, typically foam tips reduces the bass impact for me but curious to know if it affects yours the same as well?
@reallynotareview the firm fitting deconi bullet foam tips reduces the treble and any siblance, so I usually up the volume, that indirectly increases the bass, great for edm ,modern rap and female soul where the vocals come forward as the treble reduces ,on some tracks the contrast between the dominant bass on the ierz1r and female vocals is fantastic.
@@christopherbaxter1691 Thanks for sharing! I might try that and see if my experience changes with having foam tips instead, maybe after releasing my Maestro SE review
I want IEM can rival Audeze bass rich texture full and big , is sony Ier z1r sound so big like full size headphones or just like regular IEm? I use Senn. ie 300 right now
Hi there, that's a tough question to answer. I have not personaly listened to any Audeze headphones to compare. Imagine the Sennheiser ie300's slam and impact but more controlled. The Z1R slams harder than my He1000v2 and about the same level of impact if not fuller than my focal clears but it's probably because Z1R is in ear so you hear a lot more of that bass fullness whereas Focal Clear is an open back headphone so it slams but it's also got air. Hope the above helps.
@@yooanto9465 Depending on what you're comparing it to, with say like the Hifiman Arya or HD800S, probably not, but compared to an IEM, it's still sounds big.
If you like bass, never try out the Goldplanar GL-AMT16 :D I love it a lot, it's the only full range AMT driver IEM on the market, but it really is not good for Bassheads 😅
@@rnarexperience it's really great for classical and jazz, orchestral and small scale acoustic music, with and without vocalists. It can do fusion pretty well, too. But it's not that great for modern pop and edm music. I also have the VE EXT for a U shaped tuning and the SE846 GEN2, for drumming and more of a lower mid focus, so with all these three, I think I have a good balanced set. I really wanna try the Shure KSE-1200 one day though... Cool channel you got there by the way :)
@@maegnificant Id imagine that be the case since having less bass clears the way to have all those instruments come through and take the spotlight. Thanks for your compliment =) you've got a nice collection there! I recently tested the vision ears EXT and the bass there is so good however it sounded quite dark
@@rnarexperience yes and the AMT driver does feel like it has something unique in it's sound that I have not heard before. The high-mid to lower treble section sounds very "tactile"? It's hard to explain, maybe it's just the tuning, but it's unlike any IEM I have ever heard anyway. Yes, EXTs focus is very much on sub-bass and ultra highs, but I really enjoy the EST highs and paired with the darker sound makes this IEM very relaxing to me. The OG Elysium is more of a W-Shape and sounds pretty awesome as well, although a lot different from the EXT. It reminded me more of the MEST Indigo, which I had at one point. The Z1R I would also love to hear at one point, just to know what's up. The Maestro SE was not for me, the treble hurt my ears. Sorry for rambling so much, thanks for the Videos! :)
@@maegnificant haha you got me curious now with that AMT driver. Ahhh I can understand why you'd like the EXT. Personally for me the treble wasn't high enough on the Maestro SE so I think the Z1R might sound a little bit too thin or piercing to you as it had a much more elevated treble and extension compared to the SE and considering you prefer the darker presentation of the EXT however curious to know more after you've demoed it somewhere. Not rambling at all man keep em coming it's always great to hear experiences from both sides of the price spectrum so keep em coming. In the meantime, hope you'll have a good day!
I bought these and then returned them. While the bass was great the treble was absolutely horrible, and that was a deal breaker for me. Hi-hats and cymbals on these IEMs were not recognizable as such. It sounded like drum sticks striking a tin can.
Not that I have the $$$ but if I did I'd be wary about the size, anyone with smaller ears imagine dropping 2 grand just to find out if doesn't fit, and is extremely uncomfortable... it can be the best sounding iem ever but without a good fit you won't hear it
Yeah for sure, it is something to be aware of, similar to the Z1R as well. A lot of amazing IEM's out there but not necessarily a good fit for everyone
But price to performance among all of them, Z1R is still significantly cheaper and sounds really good for its price point, of course all that you mentioned have better aspects in their presentation but their prices are also doubled (or tripled)
No I haven't, but I'd like to as I've heard pretty great experiences from that IEM, but it is a lot pricier than the Z1R so I might demo in an audio store
Spot on analysis without the typical audio jargon that plagues iem reviews. Couldn’t agree more. I got this in 2018 and nothing I’ve heard since touches it. One of a kind. Look forward to more of your reviews.
Thank you Bobby but I think I'm guilty of using some of those terms in other reviews as well 😅 However thank you for tuning in and yeah this IEM has holding power and there is not many IEM's that can beat this IEM in terms of bass let alone match it. Time will tell~ Hopefully they'll make another revision but with better fitting
Best RNRexperience,
I have a question regarding these wonderfull lEMS.
I am trying to find someone who has been using these lEMs for a longer time, I hope you can respond to my question. 🙏
So, I've done my reasearch on these and from what people say, they are exactly what I'm looking for.
I am only worried about one thing.
The carrying case of these lEMs make it so you have to unplug the lEMs from their cables.
I've read that MMCX connecters tend to worsen overtime if plugged/unplugged a ton.
So now my question is, do they still hold up after a longer time of unplugging/plugging?
Is it just as easy as getting a new cable?
Have you been putting them back in their case after every listening session, and how have the connectors been holding up?
I hope you can understand my concern, they aren't quite cheap after all. But I'm willing to go buy them because of their amazing sound.
I hope to see a reaction from you.
Have a great day!
Considering how much you need to pay to get top of the line quality, the Z1R is actually a good deal, if they fit you of course.
These are such a good reference to have when it comes to comparing base with other sets. Looking forward to the future when you compare other IEMs and their bass to these!
I've already got one in the pipeline that actually competes with this IEM for its bass. Yeah, that escalated quick 😅 Thank you for watching!
@@rnarexperience sick! Looking forward to the impression, brother!
@@MrDomq22 Thank you Domenic!
@@rnarexperience , try fat freq maestro mini deepest bass on the planet 🌎
@@STAYCBias Yeap - I have the mini as well, it's deep, but SE is a touch deeper for me
I demo'd the IER many many times in local Sony stores and headphones stores before buying them. The stock tips seal great in my ears, but the shape and heft of the IER always causes some pain after like 30 mins of using. I eventually still pulled the trigger because the sound is just impossible to forget. After purchase, I spent like 2 weeks jamming the IER as deep as possible into my ears for several hours per day, embracing the soreness until my ears adjusted. Now I can wear like 2 hours before starting to feel any minor discomfort. Not saying you should try the same though.
If you love the IER's bass, maybe you should give a try to the headphone version MDR-Z1R. I owned that for 3 years before selling it to get the IER. The MDR has many flaws, but IMO its bass competes with the IER's and even excels in certain genres. Like the IER, the MDR's bass has extremely good resolution and definition, but the huge diaphram gives it way more power when required. I still remember its rumble after all these years. The rumbling doesn't just shake your eardrums, you feel it in your head and body, in your entire existence. That's something the IER is unable to replicate. But at the same time, the MDR's bass could be overpowering and bleed into the mids in many situations. It also doesn't quite give the same "enjoyment factor", which is something I associate with bass quality.
As for the IER's recessed mids, it definitely is more oriented towards female vocals. I've never used headphones with super prominent mids, but the way IER lays out instruments to be at the same level as vocals (while maintaining excellent separation) allows me to dive into the thick of the music. You can hear every instrument's own identity, but they're all orchestrating together with the vocals to create an incredibly engaging listening experience. I think that's part of the charm of the IER.
Made me laugh out loud when you compared the design to that certain table coz I have dined on those on a local supermarket food court! Nice review/impressions! Will watch your career with great interest! Speaking of Sony's try the XBA N1ap! It's even more of a bass monster than oh10!
Haha glad you enjoyed the video and I'm glad to hear someone understands that reference. Those tables bring back memories hahaha. I appreciate you watching the video and thank you for your suggestion! I haven't heard of those iems but i'll see if i could find them
I love my Z1R and funnily enough my most comfortable one too...by the way the finish on the faceplate is called perlage often used in watch making.
What type of big ears do you have?
@sporifesporif8182 just normal ears I use it too fits well also the Thieaudio audio IEMs which are pretty big fit well also
@@ice_and_fire_audio Yep I guess it’s a personal fit thing..I think my ears are pretty accommodating...OG Tin P1 are ok small just, OG Andro’s good...the only set that gave me a fit issue was Blon 03’s so 🤷♂
I agree with everything you said but the bass. The sub bass is crazy well extended and textured.
Hmmm that wasn't my experience but maybe it's my fit issues as well that may have impacted my experience with the sub bass
Sony ier z1r or the Sennheiser IE 900. What is everyone's opinion
I tried a few eartips and find only the memory foam types can secure the z1r. I am using the comply truegrip. the trick is pinch then quickly squeeze into the canal. and give it some rotation it will snug more foam into the canal then expand. I find once secured the memory foam will even enhance the bass more and reduce the harshness at the top end.
BTW I have been paring this to the mojo 2 for a while. recently bought a fiio K9 and found the balanced really helps, more power (have to dial the volume back a little compared to single end) and cleaner sound overall.
Another great review, thank you. I am lucky enough to have the IER-Z1R, it sounds as you describe, amazing, though I can't do long sessions with it as it is not that comfortable for me. Can I ask if you think it is worth purchasing the Maestro SE given I have the Z1R? Happy to hear the Maestro is a significantly different / better sound that it is worth the purchase also happy to put the money towards something else if it brings nothing new to the table. I see where HBB now has the Maestro SE as his number one favourite IEM he has ever heard, a walk away from the hobby IEM, what are your thoughts?
Hey Jason, thanks for your kind comment! My biggest concern for you regarding the Maestro SE would be fit as well if you're having issues with Z1R for fit/comfort. Just wondering if you've tried the Thieaudio Monarch Mk2? It would be about the same feeling for fit/comfort. If there's no problems fitting the Monarch into your ears then you should be okay with MSE. As for the sound it's really subjective and it would be difficult for me or anyone to justify spending another $2000 on anything especially when our musical preference may be different but for me personally, I'd say the bass presentation and imaging on the MSE is quite an amazing experience but the treble is not as open as the Z1R. As for my comparison video between the MSE and Z1R, I personally picked the Maestro SE because of the fit and also the sound presentation is unlike any other I've tried (so far). I really like my bass and I can't get enough of the MSE till this day. I've also spoken to other people in forums and they have had similar experiences as mine when it comes to bass presentation. Few question you have to ask yourself for the Z1R for sound only, ie, 1) Is the treble on the Z1R too sharp for you? 2) Is the sub bass not present enough for you? 3) Are the mids too recessed. If all of the above is a conclusive "YES", then perhaps the MSE might be a better alternative as it's opposite to the above, and vice versa. Sorry for the long reply. I wish I could type more but I think I'm already writing a thesis. Hope the above helps and all the best =)
it has stage monitor quality bass so yeah you can say that, in terms of bass accuracy
Got these recently. The fit was initially quite poor...a mistake on my part. Let me explain. On all my IEMs, I'm typically a medium when it comes to Comply foam tips. So, when these arrived, I gave the medium-small silicon tips a go...and they fit, sealed well. Sounded really good. But they sticks out, and I thought that was the norm, so I stuck with that for a week or so. In that week, the IER-Z1R didn't come across as loose, nor would they fall out unintentionally. But something keep on bugging me: They do stick out a bit, I thought. And they were causing a bit of pain when wearing them.
Long story short, I went with the smallest tips, and man, now that's a good fit. The IEMs can fit / rest in my ears, and still has a good seal. These go deep in my ears. Deeper than my older SE846.
That's good to hear, unfortunately I've tried and tested all that but somehow the contours of that iem just doesn't fit with the contours of my ears. I'm still crying to this day 😭 hope you'll have an awesome long term experience with the legendary Z1R!
Between these and the SE846 which will you recommend? Not only about bass but the whole range
@@rnarexperience why not get eartune fidelity tips?
Treble is very dependent on the fit. If it doesn’t go deep it becomes piercing, which is also documented on the graphs. There is a big treble elevation and peaks when breaking the seal a bit
Hi there, yes I've heard of people saying that, unfortunately due to fit there's only so much I can push the Z1R's in so I guess it also comes down to your ear anatomy and it's willingness to insert chonky IEMs with elevated treble.
@@rnarexperience yup, that’s why this iem is not for everyone, physically
@@kajetan9550 If only you could wear the Z1R while playing badminton. 😁 Not teasing or anything, I'm a big fan of the sport as well.
@@rnarexperience how do you know I play it? haha
I was a fan of Z1R, but was afraid of the fit. Ended up with 64 audio tia Trio, which also has one of the best basses, but with a better midrange than z1r;)
@@kajetan9550 Your profile picture looked like someone's in a badminton court. Anyway yeah I wanted to go with the Trio but i already had the Z1R so i hunted the U12T instead. I'm curious to hear the Trio now
I wonder if they are going to update this IEM soon; would love a new form factor as you’ve said.
Z2R haha - that'll be amazing if they can make the fit more friendly for general ears
I can't wait for sony to come out with new iem.
@@nellatl yeah me too, it'll be great if they made a revision of this
And ask $4000 for them
@@JoelHernandez-tz3vk ?
Im pretty sure Fatfreq Scarlet Mini beats this on bass. And the OH10 didnt even have that much bass for my taste... Kinda suprised that you said it beats the Z1R on bass
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the Empire Ears Legend EVO, it's double the price of the IER-Z1R and people said it has better bass. Hope you can try that one to give us a comparison.
Isn’t Odin better than Evo?
@@xsparik Odin is pricier than EVO. I think they have better details and clarity.
But not going to say it's better than EVO. EVO goes for a different feeling.
Am saving to buy this... god bless
its a great pick
FIt improves over days and weeks of use. After 4 to 6 months and fit issue is gone, pain and discomfort is gone. Then you start not noticing it because the ear canal gets the shape and the skin perhaps also gets used to it like new shoes.
Glad to hear you're having that experience where it suits you now, but unfortunately I tried it for a few months and it just wasn't fitting right and there are other IEMs that just fit me better so the Z1R got kept away and not used as often. Maybe one day my ears will be worthy~ Hopefully~
Is it worth upgrade this iem over moondrop variation?
The fatfreq might have a ungodly amount of bass..the extension, texture and resolution in the bass..my gawd
Oh yes indeed.... video coming soon =)
Dizem que o FAt Maestro SE tem um bass maior , mais punch que o Z1r , que acha ?
The design is too large and heavy. I tried it and it was tiring listening to it for long durations.
The XBA-Z5 is a better option. In terms of bass, it has the same spec as the Z1R at 3Hz. They are both based on aluminium coated Liquid Polymer diaphragm. Actually the Z5 has a slighter edge with its larger 16mm vs the 11.9mm on the Z1R. The highs on the Z5 is the smoothest i have heard, including the Qualia 010 i own. 40,000Hz is pretty sufficient. My Qualia 010 will do 120khz, which is even higher than the Z1R 100kHz. But IMO, this doesn't really make much impact in IEM listening. I prefer the 40,000Hz extension more, it is less fatiguing.
On speakers though, i deploy TAD PT-R9 Beryllium Ribbons. It's 120khz does make a very noticeable difference to even Flagship speakers like the JBL Project K2 and the JBL M2 Master Reference Monitors i have in my setup.
The Z5 has a full magnesium housing that is not only more compact but much lighter. I can wear that full day. It is a perfect combo to use with my Astell and Kern DAP. I have also upgraded the cables to a high purity 4N pure silver Litz balanced cable with a 4.4mm connector. The cable provides much better high frequency extension and a bit more 'air'. 😊👌
I highly recommend the XBA-Z5 over the Z1R 😊👍
I have just got this and am now comparing this to the Senheiser IE900. In terms of bass, the IE900 is definitely much better - more powerful, more compact.
i only see those designs on the back of my luxury watches, not stainless steel table at food court xD
Can't afford these so I just oredered a set of the FATfreq Maestro Mini Bass Canon...really looking forward to hearing if the hype is real.
I'll have a review of the Maestro Mini and the SE coming soon, but in summary I'd say the Mini's are about the same level as the Variations but with more mid bass, but less resolving, but like the Variations, it rumbles DEEP~~~~ way deeper than the Z1R but the Z1r's mid bass is punchier and meatier. Hype is.... semi-real depending on which IEM's you're comparing it with. Video coming soon hope you'll stay tuned for that
@@rnarexperience I look forward to seeing your reviews of those. I think they will be a nice compliment to my recent splurge Dunu SA6 Ultra. Between the two I should cover my needs.
@@woodywoodman4309 Oohhh congratulations on obtaining that set! I've heard nothing but high praises for those, unfortunately I waited too long and it sold out 🥲but yeah, the mini will cover simply the bass thirst you have from time to time but the SA6 Ultra will probably cover your daily needs in general
what tips are the best for these
I wanted these, but I am very happy with my Variations.....
Thats good to hear man, at the end of the day it's what you're happy with that matters most
I wonder what’s the alternative to this. I’m a bass head. This IEM is just super expensive. Fatfreq mini maestro is kind of expensive for me too. I wonder what’s the alternative for bass head below the price of fatfreq mm.
Hey Darren, I'd say the OH10 would fit in that category. It's cheaper than the fatfreq mm, and while it doesn't reach as deep, it's deep enough and it slams pretty hard, however the overall presentation may sound a touch too forward, at least it was for me. Tangzu Wuzetian would be the other option. Hope the above helps
The" DAR dsd filter on an aksp3000 brings the vocals forward on the ierz1r, not sure how, maybe smooths the treble so the volume can go up . Linsoul lc08 cable also smooths the treble a bit over sony cables. Large deconi foam tips and my elephant ears ,audio bliss.
interesting, I hope to get that and test it out, just curious does the dekoni tips reduce the bass for you? From my experience, typically foam tips reduces the bass impact for me but curious to know if it affects yours the same as well?
@reallynotareview the firm fitting deconi bullet foam tips reduces the treble and any siblance, so I usually up the volume, that indirectly increases the bass, great for edm ,modern rap and female soul where the vocals come forward as the treble reduces ,on some tracks the contrast between the dominant bass on the ierz1r and female vocals is fantastic.
@@christopherbaxter1691 Thanks for sharing! I might try that and see if my experience changes with having foam tips instead, maybe after releasing my Maestro SE review
sounds like the Z1R may be a great option for gaming.
If you could get it to fit... are you worthy sir?
Beutiful and very fantastc review❤
Thank you!
I want IEM can rival Audeze bass rich texture full and big , is sony Ier z1r sound so big like full size headphones or just like regular IEm?
I use Senn. ie 300 right now
Hi there, that's a tough question to answer. I have not personaly listened to any Audeze headphones to compare. Imagine the Sennheiser ie300's slam and impact but more controlled. The Z1R slams harder than my He1000v2 and about the same level of impact if not fuller than my focal clears but it's probably because Z1R is in ear so you hear a lot more of that bass fullness whereas Focal Clear is an open back headphone so it slams but it's also got air. Hope the above helps.
@@rnarexperience which one sound bigger as whole sound focal clear or sony?
@@yooanto9465 Hi there, have to give it to the focal clear of course being a full sized open back headphone, at least for me anyways
@@rnarexperience haha clear soundstage is not that big so sad
@@yooanto9465 Depending on what you're comparing it to, with say like the Hifiman Arya or HD800S, probably not, but compared to an IEM, it's still sounds big.
If you like bass, never try out the Goldplanar GL-AMT16 :D I love it a lot, it's the only full range AMT driver IEM on the market, but it really is not good for Bassheads 😅
Thanks for the feedback - haha though it doesnt sound like it suits my preference, i'm still a little curious about it
@@rnarexperience it's really great for classical and jazz, orchestral and small scale acoustic music, with and without vocalists. It can do fusion pretty well, too. But it's not that great for modern pop and edm music.
I also have the VE EXT for a U shaped tuning and the SE846 GEN2, for drumming and more of a lower mid focus, so with all these three, I think I have a good balanced set. I really wanna try the Shure KSE-1200 one day though...
Cool channel you got there by the way :)
@@maegnificant Id imagine that be the case since having less bass clears the way to have all those instruments come through and take the spotlight. Thanks for your compliment =) you've got a nice collection there! I recently tested the vision ears EXT and the bass there is so good however it sounded quite dark
@@rnarexperience yes and the AMT driver does feel like it has something unique in it's sound that I have not heard before. The high-mid to lower treble section sounds very "tactile"? It's hard to explain, maybe it's just the tuning, but it's unlike any IEM I have ever heard anyway.
Yes, EXTs focus is very much on sub-bass and ultra highs, but I really enjoy the EST highs and paired with the darker sound makes this IEM very relaxing to me. The OG Elysium is more of a W-Shape and sounds pretty awesome as well, although a lot different from the EXT. It reminded me more of the MEST Indigo, which I had at one point.
The Z1R I would also love to hear at one point, just to know what's up. The Maestro SE was not for me, the treble hurt my ears.
Sorry for rambling so much, thanks for the Videos! :)
@@maegnificant haha you got me curious now with that AMT driver. Ahhh I can understand why you'd like the EXT. Personally for me the treble wasn't high enough on the Maestro SE so I think the Z1R might sound a little bit too thin or piercing to you as it had a much more elevated treble and extension compared to the SE and considering you prefer the darker presentation of the EXT however curious to know more after you've demoed it somewhere. Not rambling at all man keep em coming it's always great to hear experiences from both sides of the price spectrum so keep em coming. In the meantime, hope you'll have a good day!
So they do accept aftermarket cables? Interesting. 😏
hahaha it was really, really tight but yeah, i got it to fit ;)
I bought these and then returned them. While the bass was great the treble was absolutely horrible, and that was a deal breaker for me. Hi-hats and cymbals on these IEMs were not recognizable as such. It sounded like drum sticks striking a tin can.
2023 fatfreq produced maestro, great low without raping your ear canals
The Grand Maestro?
@@rnarexperience SE
Noble XM1 actually beats the bass but not the clarity
Not that I have the $$$ but if I did I'd be wary about the size, anyone with smaller ears imagine dropping 2 grand just to find out if doesn't fit, and is extremely uncomfortable... it can be the best sounding iem ever but without a good fit you won't hear it
Yeah for sure, it is something to be aware of, similar to the Z1R as well. A lot of amazing IEM's out there but not necessarily a good fit for everyone
Empire Ears EVO, Fir Audio XE6, to name a few with same or better bass. XE6 IMO is overall better than Z1R, almost a direct upgrade.
But price to performance among all of them, Z1R is still significantly cheaper and sounds really good for its price point, of course all that you mentioned have better aspects in their presentation but their prices are also doubled (or tripled)
Probably the Subtonic Storm's bass beats it
For $5000, it better...
U haven't heard the empire ear legend.
No I haven't, but I'd like to as I've heard pretty great experiences from that IEM, but it is a lot pricier than the Z1R so I might demo in an audio store
Is that new? Must be a recently released IEM
Yup a long time ago..'legend x'..to be complete
Annoying when all the apparent best bass IEMs are above a grand. It's clearly not the case
First
Nah bro! Get fat freq maestro mini deepest bass on the planet 🌎
Legitimately cant even get these to stay in my ear no matter what. Even though I hate returning things, I had to instantly so bummed
I feel you man.... I feel you. Our ears were not worthy~