ZMF x Vibro & ZMF Blackwood Discussion Thread.

[Drsparis]

No, haven't heard those. And I should have my full review up in the next few days. I just got a Paradox Slant loaner in from a fellow poster to compare with the ZxV, though.

So how do the slants compare?

 

[hans030390]

Sorry, got caught up with other things. Hoping to get my review done Monday or Tuesday, might have more ZxV/Slant comparisons. They don't target a super similar sound sig, from what I've found. ZxV is pretty balanced (in terms of neutrality) with some extra sub-bass and a slightly lush, slightly dark response. Closer to the Alpha Dog than the Slants. The Slants, as I hear them, have a fairly noticeable boost in the 100-300Hz region (more of a "woof" sound to everything), and perhaps ever so slightly depressed mids/lower treble relative to upper treble. Slants have a larger soundstage and are a bit smoother sounding, IIRC. Slants do better with channel matching and might be slightly cleaner sounding, though the bass emphasis I mentioned occasionally clouds things relative to the ZxV. Slants are super comfy thanks to the pads and suspension headband. ZxV is comfy too, but the wood cups offer a stiffer construction and fit that required me to bend the headband to get a good fit and seal. Pilot pad is nice, and I do like it, but the suspension headband is perhaps a bit better.
 
If you're looking at Paradox headphones and want something neutral, just get the regular ol' Paradox. If you want something that's still fairly neutral but a bit on the lush and slightly dark side, with some extra bass below 100Hz, go with the ZxV. If you want more response around 100-300Hz and a larger soundstage, go with the Slants. ZxV and AD have some similarities, but I preferred the ZxV in the end due to its tone and clarity. I guess the AD was more neutral (except the bass) and had a larger soundstage, but it lacked a bit of cohesiveness, clarity, and refinement relative to these others. Had a sort of artificial, hard glare to the sound that I suspect most won't notice or mind. I'd recommend trying both to decide which of those two works best for your ears, though, if considering those two.
 
I also got a ZMF V1 in from Zach to test. Initial impressions are quite positive. More on that later, perhaps.

 

[GettingBuckets]

Nice comparisons. So in other words, you can't go wrong with the AD, ZxV, or Paradox and it all ends up being personal preference on which one is better.

 

[hans030390]

In a sense, yes. The Paradox headphones will be the most well-rounded and simply have a LOT of love and care put into them (tighter channel matching, less unit-to-unit variance, likely lower THD, etc.). I'd give the edge to the ZxV over the AD in terms of tone and some technical competencies (namely clarity and cohesiveness), but the AD does have some advantages, such as soundstage, and certainly has a sound a lot of people like.

 

[WhiskeyJacks]

  In a sense, yes. The Paradox headphones will be the most well-rounded and simply have a LOT of love and care put into them (tighter channel matching, less unit-to-unit variance, likely lower THD, etc.). I'd give the edge to the ZxV over the AD in terms of tone and some technical competencies (namely clarity and cohesiveness), but the AD does have some advantages, such as soundstage, and certainly has a sound a lot of people like.

thanks alot hans for the write up on the 3. I ended up selling my other phones to repair car but kept the ZMF X Vibros, because of the overall tonality, lush mids, and nice oomf with bass that gives me a bit of that excitement for alternative and prog rock. I will hopefully get the HE-560 to compare tomorrow. I am looking forward and from what I know about the X vibros and what I have read about the HE-560, it should make a nice match to the different things I love in a headphone. Will post with some impressions once I have spend some time with them

 

[Kamakahah]

hans030390

Thanks for the comparison. Looking forward to the review.

Still trying to decide between the Paradox, the HE560, and perhaps the ZMF X VIBRO. I'm a sucker for lush Mids and that puts these on my radar.

 

[WhiskeyJacks]

The ZMF X Vibro is one of the best headphones I have had the pleasure of hearing, in comparison between the HD650 and the T70p I preferred these. They are fantastic paired with the right amp even better. I really like my pair, and was surprised that I would keep them over a open phone, but the musicality and tonality is really good, the midrange catches me every time, and the bass sounds rich and gives a good entrance for the mids to just stroll on through. Will write my comparisons with teh HE-560, since they have a been burned in already(some people believe this is essential)

 

[Kamakahah]

The dryish midrange of the 560s is the only real factor that stopped me from swooping them up.

Hopefully I can get my hands on a pair of the ZMF X VIBRO in the near future for comparison.

 

[GettingBuckets]

How is the treble? I know ZMFs are darker in general, and my V2s are definitely pretty dark.

 

[Saoshyant]

After following the Sony Z7 thread, I've pretty much come to the conclusion that these will be preferable for me, so unless I see an amazing deal on something like the 2 upper Fostex cans or the LCD-XC, these will be what I pick up for a nice closed can.  I'll probably wait a bit for now just due to being within 2 months of Black Friday, and I'm still getting to know my IE800 that I picked up recently.  Honestly, this was always the can I knew I secretly wanted, even if one of the main reasons was the aesthetics of the headphone.  So baring any sales that are too good to pass up, probably around mid-Dec I should be getting a Vibro.

 

[WhiskeyJacks]

  After following the Sony Z7 thread, I've pretty much come to the conclusion that these will be preferable for me, so unless I see an amazing deal on something like the 2 upper Fostex cans or the LCD-XC, these will be what I pick up for a nice closed can.  I'll probably wait a bit for now just due to being within 2 months of Black Friday, and I'm still getting to know my IE800 that I picked up recently.  Honestly, this was always the can I knew I secretly wanted, even if one of the main reasons was the aesthetics of the headphone.  So baring any sales that are too good to pass up, probably around mid-Dec I should be getting a Vibro.

Honestly, if you like musical, along with detail and intimacy you should like these. It is great in comparison to something like the Hd700 you own and use. Musical with a nice bass boost but not boomy in my opinion. The treble is smooth but still good. It is not as dark as the the V2, darker than neutral up top but still nice and not too dark. I really think it is an easy listening can that just makes you love music. Especially intense guitar solos with that emotion in the music and those details you may not of noticed before but that was because you never were listening so closely. that is what it does for me for a lot of my genres...enough said.

 

[hans030390]

How is the treble? I know ZMFs are darker in general, and my V2s are definitely pretty dark.

 
Ever so slightly on the dark or laid-back side in the upper treble, but still not laid back like an HD650 or OPPO PM-1/2. Really good balance, IMO, closer to neutral if anything, and a pretty good sense of detail.
 
If you find treble lacking, just take off the front damping under the ear pads.

 

[grizzlybeast]

 

How is the treble? I know ZMFs are darker in general, and my V2s are definitely pretty dark.

 
Ever so slightly on the dark or laid-back side in the upper treble, but still not laid back like an HD650 or OPPO PM-1/2. Really good balance, IMO, closer to neutral if anything, and a pretty good sense of detail.
 
If you find treble lacking, just take off the front damping under the ear pads.

+1 I have done that before on occasion. 
 
Thanks for all of the impressions hans. Really looking forward to the review!

 

[Drsparis]

Thanks for the comparison !!!

 

[WhiskeyJacks]

Quick impressions of this already burned in HE-560(grill modded) Sound is fantastic, similar to hd 600s in some ways but just doing everything better, words used to describe the sound is fast, detailed from top to bottom, control and precision but still has a nice musical sound to some degree, drier than the Vibro but not too dry imo, this could be from the drivers already being burned in if you believe in that kind of thing. It is a very good counter part to the Vibro's imo. I am still getting impressions and still listening to tracks from different types of genres. It does everything well so far some of it extremely well. Really like the comfort too, and I have a larger head so I though clamp would be too much or was worried. But no, so far good. Will update in comparing them to Vibros, have been using them with the Geekout1000 and GO1000 via PanAm amp with Ciftes, RTC French Tubes, and Siemens. All 96khz flac.