Malaysia (6 October 2016) — This Signature Series showcases Sony’s engineering excellence in audio and has been specially made for the ultimate sound experience. It is the perfect range for you to sit back, relax and enjoy your favourite tracks. Designed to complement each other as a Signature Series, together the headphones, Walkman® and amplifier bring the ultimate sound quality to your ears.
Celebrating its 70 anniversary year, Sony has taken a look back at its prestigious audio heritage, like the world famous Walkman®. Using the very latest technology, the design and engineering teams have created this series to give you the highest quality, pure audio sound; this is Sony’s signature for sound quality. With High Resolution Audio capability and innovative convergence of superior analog and digital technologies, the best seat in the house is yours with the Signature Series.
This series of audio products faithfully conveys the heart and soul that artists pour into their music, from the sublime resonance of an orchestra to the overflowing passion of a live concert. Together they push sound to an entirely new realm – taking the headphone experience from “listening” to “feeling”.
All Signature Series products are based on the newly standardised φ4.4mm balanced connection. Sony has continued its pursuit of the ultimate materials and structures for reproducing the best sound possible, taking an unconventional approach to design. The organic shapes visible in every detail reflect a design based on the laws of physics for creating superior audio quality, and all materials have been selected based on the principles of acoustic design.
Atmosphere and musical detail
The MDR-Z1R Hi-Res Audio stereo headphones have a wide frequency range that gives the luxury of a natural and open soundstage with up to 120kHz playback in High Resolution Audio. The 70mm HD driver unit increases the sound space to create natural sounds with controlled airflow and flat plane waves.
This pair of headphones is exclusively engineered using the best materials and handcrafted by artisans for the ultimate sound experience in Japan. The new Fibonacci-patterned grill is inspired by the Fibonacci sequence in nature. Its equalised opening further ensures minimal sound colouration and faithful reproduction of High Resolution Audio sources. Owing to the Resonance-Free Housing for elimination of unnecessary resonance, the sound has real atmosphere and fine detail, making it perfect for late nights in the library.
From the genuine leather ergonomic ear pads and lightweight beta titanium headband, to the stainless steel wire mesh housing protector, this exquisite product exhibits high-class luxury in every component.
Sophisticated and iconic
The iconic Walkman® is revamped for the ultimate sound quality with the flagship WM1 series, including NW-WM1Z and NW-WM1A, Walkman® Hi-Res Audio player. A superb listening experience is possible with these digital music players that can handle any music file from the High Resolution Audio end of the scale to low quality mp3, including support for DSD Native format (11.2MHz). Also, thanks to new DSEE HX™, it has five modes that you can select based on the type of music you are listening to: Standard, Female Vocal, Male Vocal, Percussion, or Strings. This technology means it can carefully upscale lower bit rate files to near High Resolution Audio quality. The new Walkman® models can also deliver music with purity, precision and a natural acoustic balance.
Design is key while pursuing high quality sound, the WM1Z has a gold-plated oxygen-free copper chassis showcasing Sony’s excellence in engineering – each component is sourced with meticulous attention to detail.
With its own easy to use menu this music player has a variety of modes to bring out the best in your music. The optimised audio line and clock control are just a few more of the star features for laidback listening. Furthermore, the cable used inside the WM1Z from the amp to the headphone jack is a four wire braided cable engineered with Kimber Kable® that helps to achieve the richly expressive and refined audio quality.
This iconic product also has the much needed wireless features of Bluetooth® and LDAC™ so you can play your audio files from multiple sources without the worry of tangled cables.
A newly developed FT CAP (High polymer capacitor) has been built into the power supply of the amp section for approximately four times higher output power than the current NW-ZX2 to drive any headphones. Expansive transparency of vocals and instruments are also improved to achieve deep, powerful bass notes.
For those who prefer a sleek and aluminium finish on the chassis, there is also the NW-WM1A that gives low chassis resistance for clear and powerful bass notes. With its special oxygen-free copper cable used as the wiring material from the amp to the headphone jack for a powerful sound quality.
High quality amplification
The TA-ZH1ES Hi-Res Audio headphone amplifier, enables higher sound quality through your headphones. Offering a new standard for headphone amplifier listening, this product will deliver the superior sound of High Resolution Audio (Up to DSD 22.4MHz/PCM 768kHz/32bit) for a truly musical home listening experience.
The D.A. Hybrid Amplifier Circuit gives the combination of Sony’s full digital amplifier S-Master HXTM together with analog amplifier, and preserves the fine detail sound of S-Master HXTM and low distortion sound with the support of analog amplifier.
The newly developed Frame/Beam/Wall (FBW) chassis combines Wall structure with the familiar FB chassis that has been cultivated in the ES series. The Wall is created by shaving extruded aluminium and realises a rigid body that can suppress unnecessary vibration. Also the Acoustically Tuned Panel achieves the ideal sound while controlling vibration and resonance.
For preserving the feeling of original sound, the ZH1ES has new DSEE HX™ and DSD Remastering Engine which converts PCM source to DSD 11.2MHz.
Compatibility is key with the ZH1ES. Although this product is best enjoyed with a combination of the new Z1R headphones and WM1Z/WM1A, it is compatible with other models as well. With various inputs and a wide range of balanced outputs, plus unbalanced connections, you can be sure to enjoy music in superb high quality without any compromise.
A fusion of technological excellence
Complementing the Signature Series are three optional cable accessories, the product of the synergy between KIMBER KABLE®’s high-quality sound cable technology and Sony’s excellent audio technology. The cables MUC-B20SB1, MUC-S12SB1, and MUC-M12SB1 are able to connect various Sony Hi-Res Audio headphones with the latest 4.4mm Balanced Connection headphone amplifier TA-ZH1ES and Hi-Res Audio player NW-WM1.
With an 8-wire braided structure, the cables achieve excellent sound quality with higher clarity, lower external noise, minimised crosstalk and optimal electrical parameters. Gold-plated plugs with high corrosion resistance are used, and the aluminum alloy grips with better robustness and its acoustic characteristics reduce unwanted vibrations. The headphone-side plugs have screw-type lock rings, which enable stable and secure connections. The Balanced Standard Plug is a plug that is plated with a non-magnetic material, which prevents magnetically induced noise and is exceptionally durable.
The Signature Series headphones, Walkman® models, headphone amplifier, as well as the cable accessories will be available in Malaysia from October 2016 onwards. Pricing for the models are – MDR-Z1R (RM7,099.00), NW-WM1Z (RM9,999.00), NW-WM1A (RM4,999.00), TA-ZH1ES (RM8,999.00)
