Sony IER Z1R VS Sennheiser IE900

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

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Sony IER Z1R and Sennheiser IE900 use 2DD+1BA and 1DD driver setups respectively. Sony IER Z1R costs $1,700 while Sennheiser IE900 costs $1,500. Sony IER Z1R is $200 more expensive. Sony IER Z1R holds a clear 0.5-point edge in reviewer scores (8.2 vs 7.6). Sennheiser IE900 has better bass with a 0.5-point edge, Sony IER Z1R has significantly better mids with a 1.3-point edge, Sony IER Z1R has significantly better treble with a 1.8-point edge, Sony IER Z1R has better dynamics with a 0.8-point edge, Sony IER Z1R has better soundstage with a 0.5-point edge, Sony IER Z1R has slightly better details with a 0.4-point edge and Sony IER Z1R has significantly better imaging with a 2.6-point edge.

Insights

Metric Sony IER Z1R Sennheiser IE900
Bass 9.5 10
Mids 6.8 5.5
Treble 7.8 6
Details 7.4 7
Soundstage 8 7.5
Imaging 8.6 6
Dynamics 7.3 6.5
Tonality 8.1 6.5
Technicalities 8.2 6.6

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

Sennheiser IE900 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Crin
Jaytiss Precogvision
Audionotions
Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

7.6

Strongly Favorable

Reviews Comparison

Sony IER Z1R reviewed by Super* Review

Super* Review 9* * score normalized
check links for more info:

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel

Sennheiser IE900 reviewed by Super* Review

Super* Review 9* * score normalized
check links for more info:

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel

Sony IER Z1R 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
YouTube video thumbnail

Sennheiser IE900 reviewed by Crin

Crin 6.5 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
A+ Tech
Well-resolving DD IEM with excellent treble control, though with somewhat weak mid-high harmonics.

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel
YouTube video thumbnail

Sony IER Z1R 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
YouTube video thumbnail

Sennheiser IE900 reviewed by Precogvision

Precogvision 7 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B+ Tech
Excelllent bass - simply excellent. Midrange could use some work, as could the generally average imaging chops.

Precogvision original ranking

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

Sony IER Z1R (more reviews)

Sony IER Z1R 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

Sony IER Z1R 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

Sony IER Z1R 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-

Sony IER Z1R 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+

Sony IER Z1R 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+

Sennheiser IE900 (more reviews)

Sennheiser IE900 reviewed by Audionotions

Audionotions 8.5 Reviewer Score
I usually don't like things that aren't all rounders but this might be the exception. Bass is incredible - best in class - great texture, fantastic physicality. Treble response is great too - pretty resolving. There is a noticeable recession in the upper mids, giving these a fairly U/V shaped sound signature - violins, for example, lack a bit of brightness/bite that I would hope for. But unlike other V-shaped IEMs, the mids aren't offensive. Incredibly fun to listen to. Probably the best single DD available. EQ highly recommended. Previously Owned

Audionotions original ranking

Website (Audionotions)

Sennheiser IE900 reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 7.1 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
C+ Tech
I don't get it, not even a little.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: B Treble: C+ Dynamics: B Soundstage: A

Sony IER Z1R User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

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Sennheiser IE900 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+

Sennheiser IE900 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

5.5

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

Sennheiser IE900 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 S+
World-class bass performance. Perfectly balanced between visceral impact, texture, and depth with zero bleed into mids.
Mids B-
Decent midrange performance - balanced but unremarkable. Adequate clarity for most genres without notable flaws.
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.
Soundstage A
Excellent spatial presentation - wide, deep and tall. Precise instrument placement with clear separation in all dimensions.
Details A-
Excellent detail retrieval: highly resolving without being clinical. Effortlessly reveals micro-details and textural subtleties.
Imaging B
Good imaging with precise instrument placement. Clear localization within the soundstage including front/back positioning.
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 User Reviews

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Sennheiser IE900 User Reviews

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