Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Sony - IER-Z1R | Truthear - Nova |
|---|---|---|
| Impedance | 40 Ω | 15 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB | 123 dB |
| Driver count | 3 | 5 |
Between the IER-Z1R and Nova, the IER-Z1R comes out ahead in several specs, while the Nova wins on impedance / sensitivity. Overall, the IER-Z1R scores 50.3 and the Nova scores 73.9 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Nova is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 23.6 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
The IER-Z1R does not pull ahead on any single popular-comparison spec — its strengths sit in the spec-table groups rather than the headline advantages.
Pick the Nova if you care most about impedance / sensitivity. Its strongest claims are impedance, sensitivity, driver count. The single most decisive one: Impedance — 25.00 Ω less. 15 vs 40.
Both ship with comparable detachable cable, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Nova is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Which should you buy: Sony - IER-Z1R or Truthear - Nova?
Truthear - Nova leads the current Mars Score by 23.6 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare driver count, impedance, sensitivity against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Sony - IER-Z1R if…
Sony - IER-Z1R does not lead a decisive measured field here, so choose it for price, ecosystem, design, or availability when those matter more to you.
Choose Truthear - Nova if…
Truthear - Nova has the measurable edge on impedance ohm, sensitivity db, driver count.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Sony - IER-Z1R wins
- No decisive advantages.
Why Truthear - Nova wins
- ▲Impedance — 25.00 Ω less. 15 vs 40.
- ▲Sensitivity — 19.42% more. 123 dB vs 103 dB.
- ▲Driver count — 2.00 more. 5 vs 3.
Spec comparison
Drivers
| Spec | Sony - IER-Z1R | Truthear - Nova |
|---|---|---|
| Driver count | 3 | 5lead |
| Driver types | 2 Dynamic + 1 Balanced Armature | 1DD + 4BA Hybrid |
| Impedanceⓘ | 40 Ω | 15 Ωlead |
| Sensitivityⓘ | 103 dB | 123 dBlead |
Build
| Spec | Sony - IER-Z1R | Truthear - Nova |
|---|---|---|
| Detachable cable | true | true |
| Connector | MMCX | 0.78mm 2-pinlead |