Sony IER Z1R VS Lime Ears Incognita

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

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Sony IER Z1R and Lime Ears Incognita use 2DD+1BA and 5DD BA driver setups respectively. Sony IER Z1R costs $1,700 while Lime Ears Incognita costs $1,700. Lime Ears Incognita holds a slight 0.4-point edge in reviewer scores (8.2 vs 8.5). Sony IER Z1R has better treble with a 0.8-point edge and Lime Ears Incognita has better dynamics with a 0.8-point edge.

Insights

Metric Sony IER Z1R Lime Ears Incognita
Bass 9.5 8.5
Mids 6.8 7
Treble 7.8 7
Details 7.4 8.5
Soundstage 8 8
Imaging 8.6 8.5
Dynamics 7.3 8
Tonality 8.1 7.5
Technicalities 8.2 7

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


Lime Ears Incognita Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Jaytiss

Average Reviewer Score:

8.5

Excellent


Sony IER Z1R User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Lime Ears Incognita User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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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+

Lime Ears Incognita Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

5.7

Gaming Grade

B-

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

Lime Ears Incognita Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A
  • Well-executed tonal character. No major flaws with good technical control. Smooth presentation works with multiple genres.

Average Technical Grade

A-
  • Competent technical presentation. Handles separation and detail well in most tracks, with modest soundstage and acceptable imaging capabilities.
Mids A-
Excellent midrange with natural timbre and great detail retrieval. Vocals are forward and emotive with lifelike instrument reproduction.
Treble A-
Excellent treble: airy, extended and well-controlled. Great micro-detail retrieval without sibilance or harshness.
Dynamics A+
Superb dynamic range - powerful yet nuanced. Exceptional transient response with lifelike impact and subtle volume gradations.
Soundstage A+
Exceptional soundstage with holographic imaging. Creates a truly three-dimensional space where instruments float naturally around you.
Gaming B-
Moderate spatial presentation conveys general directionality. Suitable for casual play where precision 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+

Lime Ears Incognita Reviews

Reviewed by: Jaytiss

Jaytiss 8.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A- Tech
Bass for days, slightly too agressive, but fun and enjoyable.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: A- Treble: A- Dynamics: A+ Soundstage: A+

Sony IER Z1R User Reviews

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