I wanted to provide an update. I did not return the HD 630 as planned, as I became quite ill shortly after comparing them with the Bose QC Ultra 2. After fully recovering, I decided to give the Sennheisers another evaluation and am pleased to report that I have experienced no comfort issues since. Unbeknownst to me at the time, I was in the early stages of a severe sinus infection and respiratory flu. The discomfort I initially attributed to the clamp pressure of the HD 630 was likely due to heightened sensitivity caused by the illness before its full symptoms became apparent.
I plan to move the Bose headphones to my office to replace my old headset, while the HDB 630s will be utilized at home and during travel.
I am unfamiliar with that and I looked it up, that is a serious piece of kit at a serious price! I hope it lives up to your expectations, that would be an “endgame” portable candidate. I’ll be interested what you think of it.
I picked up a Cayin RU9 during a Black Friday sale, it’s an impressive little portable for the price. It will definitely drive ZMFs, though I haven’t tried Ori 3 yet. Sounds quite good for what it is, and it’s very compact.
Been wanting one of these for a long time. For whatever reason, never got around to pulling the trigger to get one.
Sony had a sale, so I decided to get one whilst they are still available. There are rumors that they ceased production, but this one has a October 2025 date. So, they haven’t stopped just yet. Extra 10% with Id.me.
These things are great! A closed back that does not sound like a closed back. Very light and comfortable to wear. The soundstage is wide and deep, with decent depth. With convolution EQ, this is the most enjoyable headphone I’ve ever owned to listen to. Even without EQ, they still deliver a very enjoyable listening experience. The tonal balance is a bit V shaped, but none the less provides a excellent illusion of balance with the overall playback. This is easily my favorite closed back headphone. I had the Ultrasone Edition 8, 15, and Focal Stellia. All very nice headphones, with a lot of good qualities. Having said that, you know right off the bat that they are closed back. The Sony MDR-Z1R does not sound like a closed back.
The Sony engineering team did an amazing job with this. The resonances one gets with most closed back headphones have been delt with here in a unique manner that largely works. The clarity/lack of distortion with the Z1R is outstanding.
Definitely worth an audition. This will get a lot of use for the foreseeable future.
A combination of the Audeze LCD-24 and the Dekoni Vegan Pads (which arrived more recently.) The pads really elevate this for me and fixed my quibbles with the upper-mids and treble. Stage and imaging on this is divine.
