Sony Mdr-Z1r

The reviewer finds the Sony MDR-Z1R to be a beautifully designed and comfortable flagship headphone, but is ultimately disappointed by its sound quality. He describes the tuning as disjointed, with a bloated bass, recessed mids, and a harsh treble peak that makes music sound incoherent and tiring. Despite the innovative technology and premium build, he cannot recommend it at its $2,299 price point, preferring even a much cheaper headphone for listening.

The reviewer finds the Sony MDR-Z1R to be a highly enjoyable, entertaining headphone with a warm, dark tuning that prioritizes listening pleasure over neutrality. It offers excellent detail retrieval, a strong bass presence, and a flexible soundstage that adapts to the music, though it can sound slightly harsh in the mids and treble and may feel muffled compared to more neutral rivals. Overall, the reviewer gives a big yes, noting it has grown on them and works well across genres.

The reviewer finds the Sony MDR-Z1R to be a well-built, comfortable flagship closed-back headphone with a prominent, deep bass and sweet upper mids, though it has weaknesses in the lower mids and occasional bass softness. It is praised for its innovative design and refined treble, and is considered a significant improvement over the MDR-Z7, though it may not suit all listeners due to its tonal balance.

The reviewer finds the Sony MDR-Z1R, despite being older, still a premium and excellent closed-back headphone. They note it requires a short adaptation period due to a slight midrange coloration, but after that, it delivers a natural, detailed, and well-balanced sound with superb imaging and separation. They conclude it is the best closed-back headphone they have tried, even surpassing newer models like the Meze Liric 2.

The reviewer considers the Sony MDR-Z1R the best-sounding closed-back headphone they've ever heard, praising its powerful, detailed bass and overall well-rounded, polite sound signature. They highlight the luxurious build and excellent isolation, though they note the bass can initially overwhelm and the cables feel cheaper than the rest of the package.

The reviewer sold the Sony MDR-Z1R because, after comparing them to the Hifiman Arya, he found the Z1R's highs slightly harsh and its bass overly boosted, making it less accurate. He still considers them excellent closed-back headphones with great comfort and build, but they were no longer his preferred choice.