Sony - XBA-Z5

These are classics. Had the EX600, EX800ST and MDR-7550. Recommend the MDR XBA-Z5 - it is the culmination of that driver technology along with very high quality Sony BAs. My friend now has it and I miss them. Maybe will get a Sony again one day like the XBA-N3

A bit of a Sony fan here, but I like my XBA-Z5s for digital sources. They’re good for classical music, pop, and everything in between. I use a pair of Grado RS1s for analogue sources like vinyl and reel to reel tape. They’re my cans for jazz, especially mono. They’re paired with my Sony TA-A1ES integrated amplifier which has a dedicated output with impedance matching. I use a pair of Sennheiser HD-25s for casual listening. Went from MDR-7506s to those purely as the Sennheiser mids are less dry and slightly more resolving. I do miss the comfort of the 7506s though!

Oh yeah, without a doubt. The thing about the z1r is that it has been the best for so long, and in the conversation even till this day(especially desirable 2nd hand), also it is a Sony - they have a tendency of either making terribly unforgettable product or industry changing hallmark. Example of this would be xba z5, and the legendary mdr r10 (because of this brand reputation, it also effect their future product)