Sony IER Z1R VS Craft Ears Aurum

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

IEMRanking.com Home Compare IEMs

Sony IER Z1R and Craft Ears Aurum use 2DD+1BA and 1DD+4BA+2EST driver setups respectively. Sony IER Z1R costs $1,700 while Craft Ears Aurum costs $1,400. Sony IER Z1R is $300 more expensive. Sony IER Z1R holds a decisive 2.4-point edge in reviewer scores (8.2 vs 5.8). Sony IER Z1R has significantly better bass with a 3.5-point edge, Sony IER Z1R has significantly better treble with a 1.8-point edge, Sony IER Z1R has significantly better dynamics with a 1.3-point edge, Sony IER Z1R has significantly better details with a 1.4-point edge and Sony IER Z1R has significantly better imaging with a 2.6-point edge.

Insights

Metric Sony IER Z1R Craft Ears Aurum
Bass 9.5 6
Mids 6.8 7
Treble 7.8 6
Details 7.4 6
Soundstage 8 5.8
Imaging 8.6 6
Dynamics 7.3 6
Tonality 8.1 6.4
Technicalities 8.2 5.8

Sony IER Z1R Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Smirk Audio Precogvision Shuwa-T Tim Tuned
Crin Nymz
Super* Review Jays Audio

Average Reviewer Score:

8.2

Very Positive


Craft Ears Aurum Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Crin
Precogvision

Average Reviewer Score:

5.8

Mixed


Sony IER Z1R User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!

Craft Ears Aurum User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!

Sony IER Z1R Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

6.6

Gaming Grade

B+

Craft Ears Aurum Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

4.9

Gaming Grade

C

Sony IER Z1R Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A+
  • Refined execution with coherent frequency integration. Natural timbre reproduction and engaging presentation. Strong versatility.

Average Technical Grade

A+
  • Very competent with articulate presentation. Well-defined layers and precise imaging. Soundstage is immersive and handles dynamics well.
Bass S
World-class bass performance. Perfectly balanced between visceral impact, texture, and depth with zero bleed into mids.
Mids B+
Good midrange presence with solid clarity. Vocals are clear and instruments have reasonable texture and body.
Treble A
Excellent treble: airy, extended and well-controlled. Great micro-detail retrieval without sibilance or harshness.
Dynamics A-
Excellent dynamics with great contrast and speed. Transients are crisp and micro-details are clearly articulated.
Soundstage A+
Exceptional soundstage with holographic imaging. Creates a truly three-dimensional space where instruments float naturally around you.
Details A-
Excellent detail retrieval: highly resolving without being clinical. Effortlessly reveals micro-details and textural subtleties.
Imaging S-
Exceptional imaging with holographic precision. Creates a palpable sense of physical placement with perfect positional stability.
Gaming B+
Respectable environmental presentation favors atmosphere over precision. Detects obvious directional cues while conveying game world ambiance. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Craft Ears Aurum Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

B
  • Generally enjoyable tonal character with some noticeable unevenness. Maintains listenability while showing room for refinement in frequency balance.

Average Technical Grade

B-
  • Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
Bass B
Good bass foundation with decent impact. Maintains acceptable control while providing satisfying thump in most tracks.
Mids A-
Excellent midrange with natural timbre and great detail retrieval. Vocals are forward and emotive with lifelike instrument reproduction.
Treble B
Good treble response - clear and detailed without fatigue. Well-extended with proper air and sparkle.
Dynamics B
Good dynamic expression with solid impact. Handles volume contrasts well while maintaining good transient snap.
Details B
Good resolution with clear articulation of nuances. Reveals recording nuances and maintains clarity in complex passages.
Imaging B
Good imaging with precise instrument placement. Clear localization within the soundstage including front/back positioning.
Gaming C
Minimal environmental definition provides only general audio cues. Suitable for games where positioning isn't critical. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Sony IER Z1R Reviews

Reviewed by: Super* Review

Super* Review 9* * score normalized

Reviewed by: Jays Audio

Jays Audio 9 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S Tech
Best of the best in most areas, but vocals and mids can be thin due to fit issues. Insane bass texture/detail and HUGE soundstage. One of the best trebles I've heard.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel

Reviewed by: Crin

Crin 8 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
S- Tech
Extended yet natural treble, realistic sub-bass focus and spacious imaging capabilities.

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel

Reviewed by: Nymz

Nymz 8 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A+ Tech
Recessed mids I can't approved but best bass tactility I've heard. One of the best stage I've heard. Top of the class treble. Fit is a massive problem for most - one of those that needs to be demoed before pressing checkout.

Nymz original ranking

Nymz Website

Bass: S+ Mids: B Treble: A+ Details: A- Imaging: S

Reviewed by: Smirk Audio

Smirk Audio 7.9 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A Tech
Visceral, hard-hitting bass, sparkly treble, and a large, spherical soundstage with impressive height. Fit may pose a challenge for many. Cons: Poor fit.

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

Bass: S Mids: A Treble: A+ Dynamics: A Details: A- Imaging: S-

Reviewed by: Precogvision

Precogvision 7.9 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A Tech
Top-tier bass, treble, and soundstage height and width. I don't approve of the midrange these days.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
Bass: S+ Mids: B Treble: A+ Dynamics: A- Details: A- Imaging: S

Reviewed by: Shuwa-T

Shuwa-T 7.9 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A+ Tech
Fun sounding without going overboard with the subbass, organic timbre The fit is atrocious, treble can get spicy on hi-hats

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

Bass: S- Mids: A Treble: A- Soundstage: A+ Details: S- Imaging: A+

Reviewed by: Tim Tuned

Tim Tuned 7.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A+ Tech
Incredible extensions on both ends Lower midrange

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Bass: S+ Mids: A- Treble: A+

Craft Ears Aurum Reviews

Reviewed by: Precogvision

Precogvision 6.1 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
B Tech
Somewhat strange treble tonality and generally could use some improvements for technicalities.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
Bass: B Mids: A- Treble: B Dynamics: B Details: B Imaging: B

Reviewed by: Crin

Crin 5.5 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
B- Tech

Sony IER Z1R User Reviews

Example User Posted on ...
0.0

"This is an example review"

Pros
  • Example pro 1
  • Example pro 2
Cons
  • Example con 1
  • Example con 2
No User-Reviews Yet

Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.

You need to be signed in to write your own review

Craft Ears Aurum User Reviews

Example User Posted on ...
0.0

"This is an example review"

Pros
  • Example pro 1
  • Example pro 2
Cons
  • Example con 1
  • Example con 2
No User-Reviews Yet

Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.

You need to be signed in to write your own review

Find your next IEM:

IEM Finder Quiz

new
Use this quiz and answer a few questions to get your individual IEM recommendation list
(1/2) How much are you willing to spend on the IEM?
(2/2) Which sound characteristics are particularly important to you?

Footer