Sony IER Z1R VS Thieaudio Valhalla
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Sony IER Z1R and Thieaudio Valhalla use 2DD+1BA and 19BA driver setups respectively. Sony IER Z1R costs $1,700 while Thieaudio Valhalla costs $2,000. Thieaudio Valhalla is $300 more expensive. Thieaudio Valhalla holds a clear 0.8-point edge in reviewer scores (8.2 vs 8.9). Sony IER Z1R has significantly better bass with a 1-point edge, Thieaudio Valhalla has significantly better mids with a 1.7-point edge, Thieaudio Valhalla has significantly better dynamics with a 1.3-point edge, Thieaudio Valhalla has significantly better soundstage with a 1-point edge and Thieaudio Valhalla has significantly better details with a 1.1-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Sony IER Z1R | Thieaudio Valhalla |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 9.5 | 8.5 |
| Mids | 6.8 | 8.5 |
| Treble | 7.8 | 8 |
| Details | 7.4 | 8.5 |
| Soundstage | 8 | 9 |
| Imaging | 8.6 | 8.8 |
| Dynamics | 7.3 | 8.5 |
| Gaming capabilities | 6.6 | 8.2 |
Sony IER Z1R Aggregated Review Score
Sony IER Z1R Average Reviewer Scores
Thieaudio Valhalla Aggregated Review Score
Thieaudio Valhalla Average Reviewer Scores
Sony IER Z1R Details
Driver Configuration: 2DD+1BA
Tuning Type: V-Shaped
Price (Msrp): $1,700
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Thieaudio Valhalla Details
Driver Configuration: 19BA
Tuning Type: V-Shaped
Price (Msrp): $2,000
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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 Valhalla User Review Score
Thieaudio Valhalla 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 Valhalla Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
8.2Gaming 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.
Thieaudio Valhalla Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
S-- Highly polished technical execution. Excellent frequency synergy creates an immersive experience. Enhances musical content.
Average Technical Grade
S-- Excellent clarity and detail. Precise imaging and expansive soundstage. Manages complex passages with minimal smearing and good transient speed.
Sony IER Z1R Reviews
Sony IER Z1R reviewed by: Smirk Audio
7.9
Reviewer Score
Visceral, hard-hitting bass, sparkly treble, and a large, spherical soundstage with impressive height. Fit may pose a challenge for many. Cons: Poor fit.
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
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
Incredible extensions on both ends Lower midrange Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Sony IER Z1R reviewed by: Precogvision
7.9
Reviewer Score
Top-tier bass, treble, and soundstage height and width. I don't approve of the midrange these days. Precogvision Youtube Channel
Sony IER Z1R reviewed by: Crin
8
Reviewer Score
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
Fun sounding without going overboard with the subbass, organic timbre The fit is atrocious, treble can get spicy on hi-hats
Sony IER Z1R reviewed by: Nymz
8
Reviewer Score
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.
Thieaudio Valhalla Reviews
Thieaudio Valhalla reviewed by: Super* Review
2025-08-19
9*
* score normalized
I'm really tempted to go out and buy one of this things for myself - if it fit me even better, I probably would.Super* Review original ranking
Super* Review Youtube Channel
Thieaudio’s Valhalla is a $2,000, all–balanced armature flagship packing 19 balanced armatures in new-for-the-brand metal shells. The look leans understated—gunmetal/pewter with a hint of rosiness—and the build feels solid, though the stock cable is thick and the swappable plugs rely on friction with no positive lock, which can pull loose. Fit is still large, but notably better than recent Monarch generations: once seated it’s stable and secure enough for long sessions, even if it won’t disappear in-ear.
Tonally, Valhalla targets a clean neutral with a meaty, sub-bass–focused boost, slightly warmer through the mids and less peaky up top than Monarch Mk IV. Despite being all-BA, the bass feels more dynamic and satisfying than the Monarch’s, and the big story is technical performance: imaging, separation, stage definition, and overall resolution are genuinely standout—“flagship-grade” in a way many kilobuck sets aren’t. Downsides are the sheer size and that cumbersome cable, but as a listen it’s special and compelling. Verdict: four stars out of five, and an easy pick over Monarch Mk IV on sonics if the fit works.
Thieaudio Valhalla reviewed by:
Fresh Reviews
7.5*
* The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming Score
S tier for COD, borders A- for other titlesFresh Reviews original ranking
Fresh Reviews Youtube Channel
Thieaudio Valhalla reviewed by: Smirk Audio
8.1
Reviewer Score
check links for more info:
Thieaudio Valhalla reviewed by: Jays Audio
9.5
Reviewer Score
TOTL all-rounder with "endgame" tech across the board, a better tuned U12T with better bass texture Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Thieaudio Valhalla lands as an “endgame” all-rounder with standout resolution, micro-detail, and imaging. Layering and separation are locked in, with vocals that aren’t scooped—mids stay present and natural. Sub-bass hits rumblier than the U12t and the treble avoids that sudden, sharp peak, making the overall presentation smoother yet still airy. Versus the Cadenza 12, Valhalla is less treble-heavy, a touch bassier, and not as bright-leaning; the Cadenza 12 may edge it on micro-detail by only a few percentage points, so it’s a straight tuning preference: go Cadenza 12 for leaner/brighter sparkle, go Valhalla for the better-balanced bassy all-rounder.
On value, this isn’t twice the performance of a Monarch Mk II/Mk III—think ~10% better with clear diminishing returns. For the “chase the very best” crowd, it’s absolutely worth a listen; for most, Monarchs/LTD/Crimson are already more than enough for a so-called endgame. Final call: Top Tier for tuning and sound refinement—not a value pick, but a legit endgame-grade set.
Thieaudio Valhalla reviewed by: Jaytiss
9.6
Reviewer Score
Big fan, but lack fantastic air like some other sets. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Thieaudio Valhalla lands as a 19-BA flagship around $2,000 that doubles down on build and ergonomics. The titanium shell is chunky but beautifully machined, skin-friendly, and the nozzle grips tips securely; faceplates are swappable for a premium if the stock look isn’t it. Accessories are basic—tips, foams, brush, the usual case—and the stock cable is comfy with a working chin slider, but the modular 3.5/4.4 plugs don’t lock and can pop off too easily. The slightly recessed 2-pin is fine, yet the ear-side barrel leaves a small gap that doesn’t sit flush; a simple aftermarket cable fixes the vibe. Taken as an object, this is world-class industrial design with a couple cable quirks.
On the ear, Valhalla hits a clean, incisive neutrality with just enough flavor. Sub-bass is surprisingly firm for BA, mid-bass stays tidy, and the mids are pristine—no glaze, no haze. There’s a tasteful dip through ~3–6 kHz that keeps the upper-mids from shouting, while a touch of 8 kHz sparkle adds air; treble extends smoothly without turning edgy. It’s a highly technical, high-resolution listen that can read “almost boring” if a colored signature is the goal—but for detail, separation, and coherence, it delivers. Unit variation appears minor (another sample showed a bit more 4–6 k energy), yet the core tuning stays intact.
Versus housemates: Origin swings bassier and “fun”; Valhalla feels cleaner, clearer, more resolute. Hype 2/4 don’t match the air and microdetail; Hype 10 gets closer up top but raises value questions. Oracle MK3 has more 4–5 k zing and lighter sub-bass; Fatfreq Grand Maestro hits similarly rich lows but brings fit hassles and module faff. Against the Elysian Annihilator, pick Annihilator for extra sub-bass and spectacle; pick Valhalla for comfort, longevity, and easy cable-swapping. Not perfect—the stock cable system is flimsy and the “air” isn’t the most crystalline—but this is a top-tier contender with a refined, broadly pleasing tuning and a shell that feels built to outlast the hype.
Thieaudio Valhalla reviewed by: Shuwa-T
8.3
Reviewer Score
Deep bass despite all BA set, techs carry this set more than the overall tone Treble is mushy for something with so many BAs, not for high frequency enjoyers
Sony IER Z1R User Reviews
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