Sony IER Z1R VS Thieaudio Prestige LTD
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
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Sony IER Z1R and Thieaudio Prestige LTD use 2DD+1BA and 1DD+4BA+4EST driver setups respectively. Sony IER Z1R costs $1,700 while Thieaudio Prestige LTD costs $1,300. Sony IER Z1R is $400 more expensive. Thieaudio Prestige LTD holds a slight 0.2-point edge in reviewer scores (8.2 vs 8.3). Sony IER Z1R has significantly better bass with a 1.8-point edge, Thieaudio Prestige LTD has significantly better mids with a 1-point edge, Sony IER Z1R has significantly better dynamics with a 1-point edge and Sony IER Z1R has significantly better imaging with a 1.1-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Sony IER Z1R | Thieaudio Prestige LTD |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 9.5 | 7.7 |
| Mids | 6.8 | 7.8 |
| Treble | 7.8 | 7.8 |
| Details | 7.4 | 7.3 |
| Soundstage | 8 | 8 |
| Imaging | 8.6 | 7.5 |
| Dynamics | 7.3 | 6.3 |
| Gaming capabilities | 6.6 | 6.9 |
Sony IER Z1R Aggregated Review Score
Sony IER Z1R Average Reviewer Scores
Thieaudio Prestige LTD Aggregated Review Score
Thieaudio Prestige LTD Average Reviewer Scores
Sony IER Z1R Details
Driver Configuration: 2DD+1BA
Tuning Type: V-Shaped
Price (Msrp): $1,700
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Thieaudio Prestige LTD Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+4BA+4EST
Tuning Type: n/a
Price (Msrp): $1,300
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Sony IER Z1R User Review Score
Sony IER Z1R Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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Thieaudio Prestige LTD User Review Score
Thieaudio Prestige LTD Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
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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
6.6Gaming Grade
B+Thieaudio Prestige LTD Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
6.9Gaming 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
Thieaudio Prestige LTD 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- Good technical performance. Clear separation and decent detail retrieval across various tracks. Soundstage shows reasonable width and depth.
Bass
A
Strong, well-defined bass with good texture. Delivers satisfying punch and rumble without overwhelming other frequencies.
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
B
Good dynamic expression with solid impact. Handles volume contrasts well while maintaining good transient snap.
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
A
Excellent imaging: precise and stable placement. Instruments occupy specific points in space with tangible positions.
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
Sony IER Z1R Reviews
Sony IER Z1R reviewed by: 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.
Bass: S
Mids: A
Treble: A+
Dynamics: A
Details: A-
Imaging: S-
Sony IER Z1R reviewed by: Super* Review
9*
* score normalized
check links for more info:Super* Review original ranking
Super* Review Youtube Channel
Sony IER Z1R reviewed by: 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 Youtube Channel
Sony IER Z1R reviewed by: Tim Tuned
7.5
Reviewer Score
A
Tuning
A+
Tech
Incredible extensions on both ends Lower midrange Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Bass: S+
Mids: A-
Treble: A+
Sony IER Z1R reviewed by: 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 Youtube Channel
Bass: S+
Mids: B
Treble: A+
Dynamics: A-
Details: A-
Imaging: S
Sony IER Z1R reviewed by: Crin
8
Reviewer Score
A+
Tuning
S-
Tech
Extended yet natural treble, realistic sub-bass focus and spacious imaging capabilities. Crin Youtube Channel
Sony IER Z1R reviewed by: 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
Bass: S-
Mids: A
Treble: A-
Soundstage: A+
Details: S-
Imaging: A+
Sony IER Z1R reviewed by: 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.
Bass: S+
Mids: B
Treble: A+
Details: A-
Imaging: S
Thieaudio Prestige LTD Reviews
Thieaudio Prestige LTD reviewed by: Z-Reviews
10
* score normalized
Thieaudio Prestige LTD reviewed by: Smirk Audio
7.6
Reviewer Score
A
Tuning
A
Tech
check links for more info:
Bass: A
Mids: A+
Treble: A
Dynamics: A
Details: A
Imaging: A
Thieaudio Prestige LTD reviewed by: Jays Audio
9
Reviewer Score
S
Tuning
S
Tech
Clean and natural signature with treble emphasis. LOTS of details with airy treble without going overboard (better treble extension vs MK2/MK3). Bass is not as impactful versus MK3 but has better separation. Overall a technical monster, but can be a bit dry due to less mid-bass. Vocals are further vs MK3 and MK2 (not as forward), giving it that open sense of space. MK2 still the best for vocals, but LTD is an endgame all-rounder. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Thieaudio Prestige LTD reviewed by: Jaytiss
8
Reviewer Score
A-
Tuning
A+
Tech
The unit I reviewed had wonky bass, expect this to change if I review a unit with proper bass. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: A+
Treble: A+
Dynamics: C+
Soundstage: A+
Thieaudio Prestige LTD reviewed by: Shuwa-T
7.9
Reviewer Score
A+
Tuning
A
Tech
A much better implementation than the Prestige OG
Bass: S-
Mids: A+
Treble: A
Soundstage: A+
Details: A
Imaging: A+
Thieaudio Prestige LTD reviewed by: Nymz
7.3
Reviewer Score
A-
Tuning
A-
Tech
The best Thieaudio I've heard to date. Very close tonality to the Mk3, but with better technical performance, especially in the dynamics and stage departments.
Bass: A-
Mids: A-
Treble: A+
Details: A-
Imaging: A-
Sony IER Z1R User Reviews
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