Schwarzer Riese

The current high-end flagship MDR-Z 7 of the largest Japanese headphone manufacturer SONY. More than 15 years after the high-end trio SONY MDR-CD in 1700, 2000 and 3000 prepared people are back in the superclass.

The sound: all outstanding spaciousness, while tonally balanced. No fashionable Basslastigkeit despite Type closed, but he delivers when needed quite deep bass.

Solid smart finish with magnesium parts. Transport box made of cardboard with numbered plaque, see photos, a solid wood or Alukiste would be adequate to the high premium price. A carrying bag is missing, but for mobile use of the 340-gram and XL big headphones is not already thought.

Unfortunately downsides for me: the ear pads from squeaking leather. Here on my big ears unpleasant oppressive, because the ear pads do not have a big round recess, but only an oval sound hole (largest opening 4 x 7 cm), unnecessary in the unique huge 70mm membranes that are easily installed at an angle to the ear canal. The earcups have two barred openings in the metal shells, nearly half-open design.
This also sounds from the two massive screwed cable connections as soon as you turn your head. The interchangeable cables are very flexible. The Bügelverstellmechanik is expensive with measuring scale, but something smooth.
On one of his predecessors the MDR-CD in 1700 had already developed with SONY automatic headband mechanism and its velvet ear cushions fit perfectly to me.

The Z7 is one of the few models SONY Headphone Made in Japan, long so valuable and rare as Made in Germany.