Sony · Updated July 2026
Sony IER-Z1R: price, specs & release date
The Sony IER-Z1R costs $1999.99, #9 cheapest of 10 in ear monitors (median $529). It earns a Bronze Deskmark — 2/100 pay-blind standing, #3 of 3 in class.
Verified Jul 11, 2026 · figures linked to their source in the table below
Sony IER-Z1R, released 2018. Every price and spec below is linked to its source and dated — no guesses.
Source: sony.co.in verified ✓ corroborated verify in ledger
Is the Sony IER-Z1R a good buy?
At $2000, the Sony IER-Z1R is #9 cheapest of the 10 in ear monitors we track, where the median is $529. On the spec sheet, its impedance ohms of 40 is above the median of the 10, its sensitivity db mw of 103 is below the median of the 6, and its plug termination of 3.5mm is at the median of the 8.
Specifications
| Price (US) | $1999.99 US launch MSRP $1,999.99, sourced verbatim from the Headfonics review (Ruji Abat, June 16 2019): "It retails for $1,999.99." (also shown as "$1999.99"). Sony's official page lists only MRP Rs. 169,990 (INR), so the USD figure is taken from the dated review. Current street price is lower (~$1,699–1,700 per OHHIFI/Headphones.com), but the formal launch MSRP is used per the category methodology. |
|---|---|
| Brand | Sony |
| Released | 2018 |
| Driver type | hybrid |
| Driver config | — |
| Impedance ohms | 40 |
| Sensitivity db mw | 103 |
| Frequency response (Hz) | 3-100000 |
| Connector type | mmcx |
| Cable detachable | Yes |
| Plug termination | 3.5mm |
| Shell material | zirconium-alloy |
| Weight grams | 26 |
Source: sony.co.in (verified 2026-07-11) · corroborated by headfonics.com. The Sony official specifications page (sony.co.in) confirms the exact model "IER-Z1R Signature Series In-Ear Headphones" and supplies the verbatim specs used here: Hybrid type, 40 ohms impedance (1 kHz), 103 dB/mW sensitivity, 3–100,000 Hz frequency response, Detachable Y-type cord, approx. 26 g weight without cable, and included stereo-mini (3.5mm) + 4.4mm balanced plugs. The Headfonics dated review (June 16 2019) independently confirms the same IER-Z1R and states the US retail price verbatim ("It retails for $1,999.99."), plus the MMCX connectors, zirconium-alloy shell, and 3.5mm single-ended / 4.4mm balanced terminations, and situates the model in Sony's 2018 One Sound Signature Series launch. driverConfig is left null because neither cited page states the driver complement in the catalog's DD/BA digit form (Sony describes the three drivers in prose; Headfonics writes "dual DD and single BA"), though driverType="hybrid" is explicit on the Sony page.
Is the Sony IER-Z1R worth it vs cheaper in ear monitors?
Sony IER-Z1R against its closest cheaper and pricier in ear monitors on the specs that matter — every value sourced. See all 10 ranked →
| Product | Price | Driver type | Impedance ohms | Sensitivity db mw | Frequency response (Hz) | Connector type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony IER-Z1R this | $1999.99 | hybrid | 40 | 103 | 3-100000 | mmcx |
| 64 Audio U12t | $1999 | balanced-armature | 12.6 | 108 | 10-20000 | 2pin-0.78mm |
| HIFIMAN RE2000 Pro | $2000 | dynamic | 60 | 103 | 5-20000 | — |
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Sony IER-Z1R cost?
The Sony IER-Z1R has a US price of $1999.99 (US launch MSRP $1,999.99, sourced verbatim from the Headfonics review (Ruji Abat, June 16 2019): "It retails for $1,999.99." (also shown as "$1999.99"). Sony's official page lists only MRP Rs. 169,990 (INR), so the USD figure is taken from the dated review. Current street price is lower (~$1,699–1,700 per OHHIFI/Headphones.com), but the formal launch MSRP is used per the category methodology.), as of 2026-07-11.
How does the Sony IER-Z1R compare on price?
At $2000, the Sony IER-Z1R is #9 cheapest of the 10 in ear monitors we track, where the median is $529.
When was the Sony IER-Z1R released?
The Sony IER-Z1R was released 2018.
What are the Sony IER-Z1R's key specs?
Sony IER-Z1R (Sony): driverType hybrid, impedanceOhms 40, sensitivityDbMw 103, frequencyResponseHz 3-100000, connectorType mmcx. Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-07-11.
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Step up
- HIFIMAN RE2000 Pro $2000