- Joined
- Jun 20, 2010
- Posts
- 2,777
- Likes
- 2,137
I just compared the HD800S with the MDR-Z1R and thought I'd put my impressions here.
Soundstage:
Nearly a tie. The HD800S has slightly more separation and width. The Z1R has slightly more height. The Z1R's soundstage is exceptional for being a closed-backed headphone.
Transparency:
The HD800S is the clear winner, but it is open-backed while the Z1R is closed-backed. The Z1R still sounds much more transparent than the typical closed-backed headphone.
Bass:
Nearly a tie. Both have good impact. The Z1R goes deeper and hits a little harder, but the midbass is slightly exaggerated and has a little bleed into the mids.
Mids:
The HD800S is slightly better. The Z1R makes some vocals sound slightly recessed. It has a frequency response peak at around 3.2 kHz, though I could not pick up on this in music.
Highs:
The HD800S is better. The Z1R exhibits some roll-off, but the details are still there. The Z1R has another peak around 10 kHz, but this is barely audible even with pure tones.
Comfort:
I find the Z1R to be more comfortable. The pads are large and soft, while the HD800S has a hard pad that doesn't conform to the head at all. The HD800S is comfortable, it just isn't *as* comfortable.
Sound Isolation:
The Z1R wins this by a mile due to being closed-backed. Moderately loud songs can still be heard for several feet however.
Build Quality:
The Z1R wins this one. I always feel like I'm about to break the HD800S. The Z1R is nice and solid and I like the cord a lot more. The rubber cord is thinner and much easier to manage than the large, stiff, cloth cable on the HD800S. The only thing I can say negative about the Z1R is that the underside of the headband feels a bit thin and I expect this part to degrade the fastest.
Conclusion:
The HD800S is TOTL as far as sound quality goes. It does everything well and is one of the best open-backed headphones available.
The Z1R while not quite as good overall in sound quality has more bass extension and a little more impact, making for fuller and more intimate (warmer) sound. I prefer its cable and build quality.
If I could keep only one, I would keep the Z1R since it is closed-backed and has the sound isolation that the HD800S completely lacks, while maintaining quite a respectable overall sound quality and excellent soundstage that rivals the HD800S.
Soundstage:
Nearly a tie. The HD800S has slightly more separation and width. The Z1R has slightly more height. The Z1R's soundstage is exceptional for being a closed-backed headphone.
Transparency:
The HD800S is the clear winner, but it is open-backed while the Z1R is closed-backed. The Z1R still sounds much more transparent than the typical closed-backed headphone.
Bass:
Nearly a tie. Both have good impact. The Z1R goes deeper and hits a little harder, but the midbass is slightly exaggerated and has a little bleed into the mids.
Mids:
The HD800S is slightly better. The Z1R makes some vocals sound slightly recessed. It has a frequency response peak at around 3.2 kHz, though I could not pick up on this in music.
Highs:
The HD800S is better. The Z1R exhibits some roll-off, but the details are still there. The Z1R has another peak around 10 kHz, but this is barely audible even with pure tones.
Comfort:
I find the Z1R to be more comfortable. The pads are large and soft, while the HD800S has a hard pad that doesn't conform to the head at all. The HD800S is comfortable, it just isn't *as* comfortable.
Sound Isolation:
The Z1R wins this by a mile due to being closed-backed. Moderately loud songs can still be heard for several feet however.
Build Quality:
The Z1R wins this one. I always feel like I'm about to break the HD800S. The Z1R is nice and solid and I like the cord a lot more. The rubber cord is thinner and much easier to manage than the large, stiff, cloth cable on the HD800S. The only thing I can say negative about the Z1R is that the underside of the headband feels a bit thin and I expect this part to degrade the fastest.
Conclusion:
The HD800S is TOTL as far as sound quality goes. It does everything well and is one of the best open-backed headphones available.
The Z1R while not quite as good overall in sound quality has more bass extension and a little more impact, making for fuller and more intimate (warmer) sound. I prefer its cable and build quality.
If I could keep only one, I would keep the Z1R since it is closed-backed and has the sound isolation that the HD800S completely lacks, while maintaining quite a respectable overall sound quality and excellent soundstage that rivals the HD800S.
Last edited: