Between the AONIC 3 and IER-Z1R, the AONIC 3 comes out ahead in impedance and sensitivity, while the IER-Z1R wins on driver count. Overall, the AONIC 3 scores 56.6 and the IER-Z1R scores 50.3 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The AONIC 3 edges ahead on the Mars Score (56.6 vs 50.3), but the 6.3-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
Pick the AONIC 3 if you care most about impedance and sensitivity. The biggest gaps in its favor are impedance, sensitivity.
Pick the IER-Z1R if you care most about driver count. Its strongest claims are driver count.
Both ship with comparable detachable cable, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the AONIC 3 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Shure - AONIC 3 wins
- ▲Impedance — 10.00 Ω less. 30 vs 40.
- ▲Sensitivity — 9.71% more. 113 dB vs 103 dB.
Why Sony - IER-Z1R wins
- ▲Driver count — 2.00 more. 3 vs 1.
Spec comparison
Drivers
| Spec | Shure - AONIC 3 | Sony - IER-Z1R |
|---|---|---|
| Driver count | 1 | 3lead |
| Driver types | Single Balanced Armature | 2 Dynamic + 1 Balanced Armature |
| Impedanceⓘ | 30 Ωlead | 40 Ω |
| Sensitivityⓘ | 113 dBlead | 103 dB |
Build
| Spec | Shure - AONIC 3 | Sony - IER-Z1R |
|---|---|---|
| Detachable cable | true | true |
| Connector | MMCX | MMCX |
Frequently asked
Spec-level deep dives
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