Z-series Japanese version - English language?

[cw2012]

Hi everyone (first time poster, long-time lurker)

I am seriously thinking about getting the Japanese version of the latest Z-series Walkman. Can anyone who has it please tell me if the language can be easily changed to English, or is it stuck on Japanese only?

Thanks to anyone who can reply

[CrowdAds]

[3602]

Yeah you can change it to English. Built-in.
Also where do you live? If you can get a proper local version (US/Canadian/British), do that. Just to avoid any warranty repairs (shipping back to Japan).

[cw2012]

Hi 3602

Thanks for the quick reply.

I live in Australia so I'm not too sure if the Sony Z will get a local release in any B&M or online shops. Even if it does, it will no doubt be for some laughably inflated price.

I'm specifically interested in the Japanese version as I believe it comes with features that are excluded from international versions (e.g. noise-canceling), though I'm more than happy to be corrected if I am mistaken.

As for the warranty repairs, I guess I'll just have to cross my fingers and chance it.

[3602]

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I never heard of Sony releasing an Aussie version. So you really might have to get an Int'l version.

You are right that the Japanese version has the NC function. If you have quality earphones, though, that might not be such huge feature.

About the warranty, my Canadian Z has 1 stuck pixel and 6 specks of dust under the glass. I can live with it since I use it mostly for music, but be warned if you get a bad one.

-Sent from my Z

[cw2012]

Yep, I doubt an Aussie release will ever be on the cards so it's really a question of which version to get. The Japanese one seems the logical choice.

Does the Japanese Z you got come with decent earphones? Does the NC function only work with a specific set of earphones?

[3602]

Originally Posted by cw2012

Yep, I doubt an Aussie release will ever be on the cards so it's really a question of which version to get. The Japanese one seems the logical choice.

Does the Japanese Z you got come with decent earphones? Does the NC function only work with a specific set of earphones?

Oh no, I got the Canadian Z, that is without the noise-canceling function. Same as the American and British versions of the Z, the bundled earphones are the MDR-EX0300. I figure they have a ton of bass, very loose and not well-defined. Mids and highs are quite dark so the whole thing is like a crushing ball.

That's compared to my MDR-EX1000. By themselves these EX0300 are already vastly superior than most of the bundled earphones out there.

The Japanese version, the only one with the NC function, comes with (I think) MDR-NC033 with a special five-connector jack. This is the same type of NC earphone bundled with the previous X-series. The built-in NC of the Japanese Z works with these NC033 and the (Japan-only) aftermarket MDR-NC200D, also with the special five-connector jack.

Do note that I have heard neither of those phones so I cannot comment.

[cw2012]

Hi again 3602

If the Japanese Z comes with a "special five-connector jack" are you still able to use any standard headphones with it or are you restricted to using only the special NC phones?

Thanks once again.

[3602]

Originally Posted by cw2012

Hi again 3602

If the Japanese Z comes with a "special five-connector jack" are you still able to use any standard headphones with it or are you restricted to using only the special NC phones?

Thanks once again.

Yeah, you can use any phone with a 1/8" jack you want. You'll just lose the NC functions.
For which I am grateful, really, I didn't dare to buy the X since I know I would lose the NC function anyway, but the Canadian Z doesn't come with the NC so there's no fear that I'd lose it. Thanks, Sony.