ATTICUS and EIKON, the new dynamic driver headphones from ZMF | Page 214 | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org

ProfFalkin · Apr 10, 2017 at 10:46 AM

grizzlybeast said:
The ZMF phones lack the glossy finish on the cups that I like from Audeze, Fostex, Lawton etc but the build is better, more robust and solid than all of those and yes it has that feel in your hands.

Pretty sure that if you want gloss, have Zach finish with the lacquer instead of varnish. If you want to feel the wood, see it's beauty, and have a more natural feel stick with the varnish.

Rather defeats the point of having wood cups just to slather plastic over it, ya?

jinxy245 · Apr 10, 2017 at 10:54 AM

kranebrain said:
Thanks for the info. I'm excited for the headphones. How is the clamping force?
In sure the XC is heavier but does the Eikon & Atticus feel solid in your hand? When you hold them do they give a quality vibe?

I find the clamping force to be quite mild on my small-ish head....very comfortable. I've heard similar comments from those with larger noggins as well. I have no problem at all with heavier headphones, but the weight is extremely well distributed and balanced comfortably. IMO the Eikon also exudes quality...feel incredibly solid and well built.

Of course YMMV, but I'd be really surprised if you were disappointed.

grizzlybeast · Apr 10, 2017 at 12:21 PM

proffalkin said:
grizzlybeast said:

The ZMF phones lack the glossy finish on the cups that I like from Audeze, Fostex, Lawton etc but the build is better, more robust and solid than all of those and yes it has that feel in your hands.

Click to expand...

Pretty sure that if you want gloss, have Zach finish with the lacquer instead of varnish. If you want to feel the wood, see it's beauty, and have a more natural feel stick with the varnish.

Rather defeats the point of having wood cups just to slather plastic over it, ya?

I do like the feel of the wood and didn't look at it that way but I do prefer the shiny stuff that's just me. I have no real complaints though. Just trying to help the guy out.

Astral Abyss · Apr 10, 2017 at 12:22 PM

proffalkin said:
Pretty sure that if you want gloss, have Zach finish with the lacquer instead of varnish. If you want to feel the wood, see it's beauty, and have a more natural feel stick with the varnish.

Rather defeats the point of having wood cups just to slather plastic over it, ya?

The gloss finish isn't particularly glossy or smooth, and not especially uniform, at least on my cherry Eikon. I polished it with some furniture polish Zach recommended and it helped a bit. I'm satisfied with it, but it's nothing like an LCD-XC or Fostex finish. I don't think a gloss finish detracts from the wood at all.

It's too bad I couldn't have seen the two in person before going with the lacquer. If so, I'd have gone with the varnish.

Pharmaboy · Apr 10, 2017 at 12:30 PM

astral abyss said:
The gloss finish isn't particularly glossy or smooth, and not especially uniform, at least on my cherry Eikon. I polished it with some furniture polish Zach recommended and it helped a bit. I'm satisfied with it, but it's nothing like an LCD-XC or Fostex finish. I don't think a gloss finish detracts from the wood at all.

It's too bad I couldn't have seen the two in person before going with the lacquer. If so, I'd have gone with the varnish.

I have an Ori w/varnish finish--which apart from the wood not being padauk or cherry, would be pretty similar in appearance and "feel" to varnish finishes on A or E.

I've seen lacquer finishes done in high style (many applications--think black piano or speakers)--but IMO that looks best w/featureless, grainless wood. However, on woods w/real figure & pore structure, lacquer tends to obscure, rather than highlight, those qualities (and color, as clearly shown by Zach's lacquer vs varnish pix).

I think Zach's varnish finish is just about perfect. Wood is beautiful and imperfect. The visible/touchable presence of little bumps, swirls, and pits from pores give it character & life.

grizzlybeast · Apr 10, 2017 at 12:31 PM

there is no right or wrong. It's all a matter of preference.

ProfFalkin · Apr 10, 2017 at 12:56 PM

Agreed.

Also, great TOTL Closed Cans shootout Grizz!

Pharmaboy · Apr 10, 2017 at 1:02 PM

grizzlybeast said:
there is no right or wrong. It's all a matter of preference.

I really wish I'd been taught this as a child...

Arcamera · Apr 10, 2017 at 3:57 PM

proffalkin said:
Agreed.

Also, great TOTL Closed Cans shootout Grizz!

Indeed! Well done!

Khragon · Apr 10, 2017 at 4:29 PM

khragon said:
Very nice, looking forward to comparisons

My prediction:
1: Atticus
2<>3: Eikon/MDR-Z1R
4<>5: Ether Flow C/ Beyer
6<>7: LCD-XC / Fostex

Let wait and see

ZMF ATTICUS
ZMF EIKON
MODIFIED BEYER T5P
SONY MDR-Z1R
FOSTEX TH900
AUDEZE LCD-XC
MR. SPEAKERS ETHER FLOW

Guess I got it partially right. Surprise winner is modified Beyer T5P...

Pharmaboy · Apr 10, 2017 at 4:35 PM

khragon said:
ZMF ATTICUS

ZMF EIKON

MODIFIED BEYER T5P

SONY MDR-Z1R

FOSTEX TH900

AUDEZE LCD-XC

MR. SPEAKERS ETHER FLOW

Guess I got it partially right. Surprise winner is modified Beyer T5P...

Where did you get this screenshot? Is the comparison up live someplace?

Khragon · Apr 10, 2017 at 4:36 PM

@grizzlybeast signature:

TOTL CLOSED HEADPHONE SHOOT OUT

Sonic Defender · Apr 10, 2017 at 4:44 PM

grizzlybeast said:
there is no right or wrong. It's all a matter of preference.

Which of the headphones in the shootout do you own and which were borrowed for the review if any?

grizzlybeast · Apr 10, 2017 at 4:46 PM

khragon said:
khragon said:

Very nice, looking forward to comparisons

My prediction:
1: Atticus
2<>3: Eikon/MDR-Z1R
4<>5: Ether Flow C/ Beyer
6<>7: LCD-XC / Fostex

Let wait and see

Click to expand...

ZMF ATTICUS

ZMF EIKON

MODIFIED BEYER T5P

SONY MDR-Z1R

FOSTEX TH900

AUDEZE LCD-XC

MR. SPEAKERS ETHER FLOW

Guess I got it partially right. Surprise winner is modified Beyer T5P...

So the T5P mod is there in personal choices because I love bass so much I would (am going to) buy one, mod it and dampen the treble. The unit I had when plugged into the Mogwai was shockingly punchy. When plugged into solid state it was much less so.

The Sony MDR Z1R I actually like a lot but had to rank it by merit and its price. It came in 4th for preference because despite its shortcomings I still like it I was just surprised that it wasn't as clear and clean as the others. Very surprised actually.

grizzlybeast · Apr 10, 2017 at 4:50 PM

sonic defender said:
grizzlybeast said:

there is no right or wrong. It's all a matter of preference.

Click to expand...

Which of the headphones in the shootout do you own and which were borrowed for the review if any?

The intro shows which ones are borrowed and have a star behind them. At one point there were two Z1Rs in house. Much thanks to @humzebra. Without him it would have been a 4 way shoot out between the ZMFs TH900 and Z1R. I had also had background comparison notes with the Ether Flow C on other amps from having heard them previously in my home for a good time.

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