3k for headphones is hilarious lol. I’ve heard everything above 1k and at that price you should just get speakers if you have enough space or are able to have a desktop set up. Or save some money and get some cans or iems under 2k, since the offerings at that price range are really good. Something like the z1r will shit on these at half the cost.
You’re getting downvoted a lot, but I mostly agree with you: the value proposition of stereo is much better, in my experience. Part of that is, there are better deals on great vintage gear that still sounds amazing, whereas most headphone gear is newer and sold close to retail.
I do think most headphones over $2K aren’t worth it just off the warranty reasons alone. Imagine dropping $4.5K for the LCD-5 to get a 3 year warranty, or $6K on the Susvara to get the same, SMH. That’s crazy to me.
At least ZMF offers a lifetime warranty on the drivers, and Abyss offers an extended 10 year warranty on their products. Those are the only ones I would consider “worth it”, but even then Abyss is still too high for me to consider.
I’m really not trying to insult anyone who owns these expensive headphones. If you like them and can afford them go for it. Just saying there are better options out there and I think they should at least explore a bit before making such an expensive purchase.
I miss when flagships were like 2k max. Some of these manufacturers are totally out of pocket asking for 3k plus. Just my .02.
Also, ZMF makes more sense to me since like you said, the warranty is good and they’re a boutique manufacturer who pretty much builds their headphones to order. That I can get behind.
“If you have enough space”
“If you’re able to have a desktop setup”
Those are big assumptions. Another big assumption is that you’re going to be able to lay out the room properly overall.
Another big thing not mentioned is that for those of us that have multiple headphones and source equipment because we like different styles of listen at different times - that would be next to impossible with speakers (I have 20 headphones for example).
Lastly, just like people can buy expensive headphone gear, floor standing gear can easily go into five figures.
Something like the z1r will shit on these at half the cost
The MDR-Z1R is very wonky tonally, it’s not an all round terrible headphone but it is decidedly wonky with boomy bass and a huge narrow spike around 3kHz. I ended up selling it, because it just wasn’t that great and I’d be very surprised, with the reception this is getting, if it wasn’t better than it.
The IER-Z1R is much better although it’s not flawless, it has great bass but the mids are quite wonky and the treble is only good if you get a deep insertion. It’s also very large and heavy and a very difficult fit for a lot of people. It’s also an IEM; while soundstage on it is very good for an IEM it’s nowhere near a good open back headphone.
3k for headphones is hilarious lol. I’ve heard everything above 1k and at that price you should just get speakers if you have enough space or are able to have a desktop set up. Or save some money and get some cans or iems under 2k, since the offerings at that price range are really good. Something like the z1r will shit on these at half the cost.
You’re getting downvoted a lot, but I mostly agree with you: the value proposition of stereo is much better, in my experience. Part of that is, there are better deals on great vintage gear that still sounds amazing, whereas most headphone gear is newer and sold close to retail.
I do think most headphones over $2K aren’t worth it just off the warranty reasons alone. Imagine dropping $4.5K for the LCD-5 to get a 3 year warranty, or $6K on the Susvara to get the same, SMH. That’s crazy to me.
At least ZMF offers a lifetime warranty on the drivers, and Abyss offers an extended 10 year warranty on their products. Those are the only ones I would consider “worth it”, but even then Abyss is still too high for me to consider.
I’m really not trying to insult anyone who owns these expensive headphones. If you like them and can afford them go for it. Just saying there are better options out there and I think they should at least explore a bit before making such an expensive purchase.
I miss when flagships were like 2k max. Some of these manufacturers are totally out of pocket asking for 3k plus. Just my .02.
Also, ZMF makes more sense to me since like you said, the warranty is good and they’re a boutique manufacturer who pretty much builds their headphones to order. That I can get behind.
You must have been laughing for decades
“If you have enough space” “If you’re able to have a desktop setup”
Those are big assumptions. Another big assumption is that you’re going to be able to lay out the room properly overall.
Another big thing not mentioned is that for those of us that have multiple headphones and source equipment because we like different styles of listen at different times - that would be next to impossible with speakers (I have 20 headphones for example).
Lastly, just like people can buy expensive headphone gear, floor standing gear can easily go into five figures.
We all love sound - can’t we just get along? lol
The MDR-Z1R is very wonky tonally, it’s not an all round terrible headphone but it is decidedly wonky with boomy bass and a huge narrow spike around 3kHz. I ended up selling it, because it just wasn’t that great and I’d be very surprised, with the reception this is getting, if it wasn’t better than it.
Graphs:
The IER-Z1R is much better although it’s not flawless, it has great bass but the mids are quite wonky and the treble is only good if you get a deep insertion. It’s also very large and heavy and a very difficult fit for a lot of people. It’s also an IEM; while soundstage on it is very good for an IEM it’s nowhere near a good open back headphone.