Sony IER-Z1R Signature Series in-Ear Headphones (IERZ1R),Black/Silver

This is one of the best purchases I ever made from Amazon. I have owned many high end iems like Campfire Andromeda, Shure SE846, 64 Audio Nio, 64 Audio u12t etc. This beats them all in terms of sound quality. The unboxing experience of the iem is one of the best I ever had. A beautiful high quality carry case, balanced cable, unbalanced cable and eartips with many different sizes to get a good fit.The best part of this iem is the bass and soundstage which is superb and with right sources feels like a full size can. Though it is pricey but outclasses many iems priced much higher than this. The build quality of z1r is impeccable. The only downside is the size. Getting a good fit might be difficult for some and it takes time to adjust and need to push deeper inside of ear to get the best bass and get a smooth treble without getting bright. I found the comply foam tip (TX 200) is most comfortable for longer listening sessions and it fits the best. The Azla sedna xelastec also does a good job. It also responds beautifully with the amps. Once the right fit is achieved using the correct eartip, with a good source and the right amp it sounds fantastic.It needs proper amping and good source to get the most out of it. Currently I'm using it with the luxury & precision W2 dongle DAC / Amp and as a source Apple Music lossless and Amazon Music HD and it sounds perfect.Ignore the negative reviews about the size, I faced the same fit issue at the beginning now I can listen for hours without any discomfort.Sony has done an outstanding job and this can be the engame iem for many, looking for the best of the best.

Where do I start?The Sony ier-z1r’s are fantastic in ear monitors.I’d been promising myself these for ages but the price had put me off. This Sony product is not available in all countries and so can be very difficult to get hold of. I have no idea why that should be.In practical terms these are quite heavy and so can cause some users fit issues.I have no problem in this area as I have fitted large size Shure memory foam tips which need to be squashed up and allowed to expand while gently being held in the ear. It means that fitting them can’t be rushed but the result is good sound isolation and extended bass notes. I’ve also used an aftermarket balanced cable which is quite chunky but it has an interchangeable tip with 3 options of 2.5, 3.5 and 4.4 connectors. It means less faffing about if you want to use these with an unbalanced source. I also fitted silicon covers to prevent any scratching of the metal case. My main music source for out and about is a shangling m0 pro with a balanced output and its size is absolutely tiny. The result is a very, very small lightweight music source making this setup so incredibly portable you can literally wear it anywhere and nobody’s any the wiser. It certainly doesn’t look like a couple of grands worth if kit but nobody else can guess the party that’s happening inside your head. I listened to these whilst doing the weekly shop at Tesco last week and the experience was slightly surreal. Expect to hear nuances and stereo imagery you never knew existed. I hear something new every time I pop these on. If you’re reading this don’t hesitate- life’s too short and if you get fed up the resale for these is really good. If I decide I don’t like them (which isn’t likely) I can sell them and with the money I might be able to buy back the kidney I had to sell to get them in the first place! (Only joking) Worth every penny-but ridiculously expensive!

Superb audio quality on par with high-end open-back headphones. Impressive soundstage (although slightly smaller than that of open-back headphones), textured bass, and detailed treble. Coming from mostly neutral tuning, the V-shaped tuning is easily noticeable and makes some genres (such as pop, EDM, and metal) more enjoyable.These zirconium alloy IEMs feel heavier and more robust than their acrylic counterparts. Outstanding craftsmanship and build quality. The design is much more subtle and tasteful than any other IEM I have seen. The look and feel of these are truly premium.The cables feel well-made. Annoyingly, the termination that connects to the source is at 90 degrees, causing it to snag in pockets much more readily than straight terminations.Overall, a fantastic audio experience at a premium price point.

Have several pair and these are the most uncomfortable.Not to mention. NO bass.I would have opted for a diff pair at this price point. I buy a lot of Sony stuff. These are not on the level.To TOP it off they stoped working after just 5 days.Bad news. Waste of money.

My main focus to get them was based on many reviews stating that these are very nice in their low frequency's.They are very decent but to get the full potential out of them you have to buy the Sony Portable AMP TAZH1ES which is another 2100 bucks and the Sony NWWM1Z Signature Series Hi-Res Walkman which is another 3200 bucks.Simply put my Astell and Kern Roxanne II/JH Audio Roxanne have a much better bass production straight out the box as compared to these.I have always been looking for a IEM which can produce the best bass straight out of the box without the need for me to carry another piece of brick (portable amp) for normal use.I mean I can put and sometimes do put portable amplifiers with the Roxanne II or many other IEMs to make them sound better but they are still relatively cheaper and comparable to this Signature Series setup.If you like more balanced sound and want a premium feel to your IEM and can afford the other signature series equipment then go for it. These are still a great piece of Japanese engineering.If you are BASS HEAD, do not bother or waste your time and get the Roxanne II [Best in my opinion] , UE Triple Fi , Aurisonics Kicker or Sony XBA Z5 instead.I bought all my own stuff and have nothing to do with these companies.