MDR-Z1000
3
5
1
1
Hard to justify
I've been flip-flopping about what to say about these since I got them but at the last, rather than present some clinical analysis, I just have to share my personal inclinations.
The strength of these cans is also their weakness, and that's a statement I need to qualify.
Let me begin by saying if you simply want to go straight to the top and cost is no object, these deserve consideration.
If however, like me, you already own an excellent set of headphones like the Sony MDR-V6 or Sennheiser HD595, these are simply not the step up in quality that their price tag would have you believe. Are they clear? Very. I have no doubt these will serve me excellently for mastering. I urge the casual reader to read over that sentence again. For people who simply want to listen to and enjoy music, I sincerely believe something like the V6's would be a better choice. These headphones are honest; too honest. The bass sometimes feels lean, and the treble took some getting used too also, it sounded harsh listening to tracks I've heard a million times through one of my dozen other headphones. At the end of the day, these are simply not FUN to listen to.
Though if you want to listen to and analyze music, these are an excellent choice.
I traded from the MDR-EX700 to the MDR-EX1000 earbuds recently and the quality increase was astounding. It may have been my mistake in assuming these MDR-Z1000 cans would be a headphone analogue. They're certainly high quality, but not for someone who listens for fun. I've already got studio headphones. I hate to do it, but at this price, these are going back.
September 19, 2011
