Knocking On Musical Heaven's Door

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For a pioneer like Sony, innovation was the de facto standard by which the company operated and while they seemed to have a minor blip in the recent past, this line-up shows they’re back. Hi-resolution audio is being fanned by audiophiles since a few years now but it’s only since 2016 that we saw any real marketing muscle being put behind the concept. Sony, with this launch in India, is pulling out all the stops and one look at the price tag for the whole system indicates that they’re not going after numbers, but wanting to prove their authority in the Hi-res audio ecosystem. The triumvirate of the MDR-Z7 headphones, PHA-3 DAC/headphone amplifier and the NWA-35 Hi-res audio player is a statement system that is designed to show what a healthy budget can get you these days. It may not be a cost-no-object system but it certainly isn’t something you would buy at the airport either. All the components feel appropriately well screwed together and solid, emblazoned with the ‘HiRes Audio’ logo that announces your arrival into the next generation of audiophilia. All three components are purposeful in their design and execution. Starting with the MDR-Z7, its magnesium metal ear cups and the leather headband give it a robust yet premium look and it also proudly wears the increasingly rare ‘Made in Japan’ badge. The oversized 70mm drivers are made of aluminium-coated liquid crystal polymer and are housed in a complex enclosure that is vented through two ports on each ear cup! This, being a closed back design, offers some amount of passive noise suppression but due to the ports, you definitely may need to consider your neighbour’s privacy. While it’s not the softest or plushest headphone we’ve ever adorned on our heads, it’s extremely high on comfort and fit, good enough for extended listening sessions.