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Author Topic: Sony MDR-Z7 Measurements and Succinct Review  (Read 22338 times)

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Byrnie

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Re: Sony MDR-Z7 Measurements and Succinct Review
« Reply #30 on: October 20, 2014, 12:07:18 AM »

Well they sure look neat though!
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Headphones: TH900, HE-560, HD700, SRH1540, X2, HD590, AH-D600, X10, Bridge MS500
Amp/Sources: Schiit Modi, Schiit Bifrost Uber USB, Schiit Asgard 2, Emotiva XDA-2, Sansa Fuze 8GB, Samsung Note 3

munch

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Re: Sony MDR-Z7 Measurements and Succinct Review
« Reply #31 on: October 20, 2014, 03:36:55 AM »

hnnng now I'm even more curious about trying these with the mods. I really hope they'll drop in price some time :p
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Marvey

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Re: Sony MDR-Z7 Measurements and Succinct Review
« Reply #32 on: October 20, 2014, 03:47:07 AM »

So, pre modded and post modded, what is the Chang approved price?


Still trying to sort my thoughts out. I'm without my main DAC for a while, so everything, including the HD800, doesn't quite sound up to snuff. I will say that the effect of mods is significant (-4db drop across the bass should be after all, and as you can see, there is nothing inside those cups to prevent that hollow or cupped hands coloration).

With mods, the Z7 is solid upper mid-fi vying for the next level. What prevents the jump to "Summit-Fi" is lack of ultimate clarity and transient response. The FR with the mods is top-notch - not totally neutral, but a warm relaxed sound. There's the argument that with mods, this may better than TH900 because we already know more than a few people go eventually got sick of that TH900's treble spike and sold theirs.

I can see myself using this at work because it looks like a normal headphone and doesn't look retarded from a layman's POV. As munch said above, the Z7 will be more compelling once the price goes down.
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Maxvla

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Re: Sony MDR-Z7 Measurements and Succinct Review
« Reply #33 on: October 20, 2014, 04:25:20 AM »

I think I will have to let myself buy one when I see them used. Selling my K550 and thinking about selling the HD600 to free up cash and space in the stables. It's not really a question of affording it, rather I shouldn't buy one. I know the HD800 sounds 'better' with significant gear behind it, but I did enjoy the Z7s even just on my tablet. After all this time it took Sony to come out with the angled driver 'fun' phones to make something less able than HD800s worth listening to. I never understood 'fun' phones before, but with the MA900s and now Z7s I do.
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Anaxilus

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Re: Sony MDR-Z7 Measurements and Succinct Review
« Reply #34 on: October 20, 2014, 04:33:36 AM »

Based on impressions here so far, seems like a $300-$400 value proposition once modded?  I get the feeling that the TH900 still has better clarity than the Z7?  Would be a shame since the SA5000 has excellent overall clarity.
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chetlanin

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Re: Sony MDR-Z7 Measurements and Succinct Review
« Reply #35 on: October 20, 2014, 04:46:31 AM »

Good work!
(What on earth is the white stuff covering most of the area behind the driver?)
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Maxvla

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Re: Sony MDR-Z7 Measurements and Succinct Review
« Reply #36 on: October 20, 2014, 05:23:24 AM »

Based on impressions here so far, seems like a $300-$400 value proposition once modded?  I get the feeling that the TH900 still has better clarity than the Z7?  Would be a shame since the SA5000 has excellent overall clarity.
Half the retail value? I think that might be a record. TH900 has more bass, more wubwub going on. Couldn't stand it.
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Marvey

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Re: Sony MDR-Z7 Measurements and Succinct Review
« Reply #37 on: October 20, 2014, 05:24:22 AM »

Based on impressions here so far, seems like a $300-$400 value proposition once modded?  I get the feeling that the TH900 still has better clarity than the Z7?  Would be a shame since the SA5000 has excellent overall clarity.

Seems about right. More plankton than SA5000, but a bit grey. Slower than SA5000, which was snappy.

Good work!
(What on earth is the white stuff covering most of the area behind the driver?)

Paper/weave, etc. It's typical for the back of headphone drivers to be covered with paper/felt-like material.
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Marvey

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Re: Sony MDR-Z7 Measurements and Succinct Review
« Reply #38 on: October 21, 2014, 01:39:16 AM »

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Tyll Hertsens

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Re: Sony MDR-Z7 Measurements and Succinct Review
« Reply #39 on: October 24, 2014, 01:45:11 PM »

Good stuff, Marv, thanks. Mine are on the way.
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Cheers,

Tyll (like on the floor only spelled different)
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