Sony IER Z1R VS Thieaudio Origin

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

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Sony IER Z1R and Thieaudio Origin use 2DD+1BA and 1DD+4BA+2EST+1BC driver setups respectively. Sony IER Z1R costs $1,700 while Thieaudio Origin costs $849. Sony IER Z1R is $851 more expensive. Sony IER Z1R holds a slight 0.3-point edge in reviewer scores (8.2 vs 7.8). Sony IER Z1R has better bass with a 0.5-point edge, Thieaudio Origin has significantly better mids with a 1.2-point edge, Sony IER Z1R has significantly better treble with a 1.3-point edge and Thieaudio Origin has significantly better dynamics with a 1.8-point edge.

Insights

Metric Sony IER Z1R Thieaudio Origin
Bass 9.5 9
Mids 6.8 8
Treble 7.8 6.5
Details 7.4 7.8
Soundstage 8 8
Imaging 8.6 7.8
Dynamics 7.3 9
Tonality 8.1 8.1
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


Thieaudio Origin Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Super* Review
Fresh Reviews Tim Tuned
Z-Reviews Jays Audio Jaytiss IEMRanking AI

Average Reviewer Score:

7.8

Strongly Favorable


Sony IER Z1R User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Thieaudio Origin 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+

Thieaudio Origin Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

7

Gaming Grade

A-

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

Thieaudio Origin 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-
  • Competent technical presentation. Handles separation and detail well in most tracks, with modest soundstage and acceptable imaging capabilities.
Bass S
World-class bass performance. Perfectly balanced between visceral impact, texture, and depth with zero bleed into mids.
Mids A+
Superb midrange that's rich and resolving. Exceptional transparency and micro-details with perfect vocal/instrument balance.
Treble B+
Good treble response - clear and detailed without fatigue. Well-extended with proper air and sparkle.
Dynamics S
Reference-class dynamics: perfect micro/macro contrast with lightning transients. Utterly realistic reproduction of musical energy.
Soundstage A+
Exceptional soundstage with holographic imaging. Creates a truly three-dimensional space where instruments float naturally around you.
Gaming A-
Good fundamental spatial awareness for most gaming scenarios. Handles basic positioning well but may lack nuance in complex situations. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Sony IER Z1R Reviews

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

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel
- Super* Review
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
- Jays Audio
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
- Crin
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

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

- Smirk Audio
Bass: S Mids: A Treble: A+ Dynamics: A Details: A- Imaging: S-
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
- Precogvision
Bass: S+ Mids: B Treble: A+ Dynamics: A- Details: A- Imaging: S
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

- Shuwa-T
Bass: S- Mids: A Treble: A- Soundstage: A+ Details: S- Imaging: A+
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
- Tim Tuned
Bass: S+ Mids: A- Treble: A+

Thieaudio Origin Reviews

Z-Reviews 8.5 * score normalized
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Price: $849

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Jays Audio 8.5 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
A+ Tech
Best bassy set under $1K. Bassy/thicker meta tuning. You can actually feel the reverb and vibration from the bone conduction drivers, great control and low-end texture. Mids and treble are also well extended with no major issues, although it can get sharp at times with the snares/electronic stuff ie, past 3:30 on Time by Hikaru Utada.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel
- Jays Audio
Jaytiss 8.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
C+ Tech
Great set, has a lot of positives and is amazing on bass tracks.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
- Jaytiss
Mids: A+ Treble: C+ Dynamics: S Soundstage: A+
Fresh Reviews 7* * The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming Score
Tim Tuned 7 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A- Tech
Mega bass additiveness Bass too much

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
- Tim Tuned
Bass: S Mids: A+ Treble: A+
Super* Review 6* * score normalized
Interesting sound. It becomes it's own thing. Fit is not great.

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel
- Super* Review
IEMRanking AI 8.5 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
A+ Tech

The Thieaudio Origin delivers a bass-forward signature with a substantial 12dB sub-bass boost that provides visceral rumble and slam, particularly effective for electronic or hip-hop genres. Despite this emphasis, the neutral midrange avoids bloat, preserving vocal clarity and instrument separation, while the electrostatic drivers contribute a smooth, airy treble free from harshness or sibilance. Its technical performance is strong, offering a wide, holographic stage and precise imaging, though micro-detail retrieval falls slightly short of some competitors in its price tier.

Comfort is divisive due to the large shells, which may cause fatigue or fit issues for those with smaller ears, necessitating careful tip selection for optimal seal. The package includes a high-quality modular cable with swappable terminations (3.5mm/4.4mm) and a distinctive round Alcantara case, though the included ear tips may not suit all users.

Buy Thieaudio Origin on Linsoul (affiliate)

- IEMRanking AI

Sony IER Z1R User Reviews

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Thieaudio Origin User Reviews

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