The suede is just a more compressed, closer intimate sound on the Caldera. There is no trace of harshness in my system. You also have to turn up the volume to just the right level or the details will be lost. But for some music, the suede sound better than the stock even though I know it’s...

I’ve taken a week away from head-fi just get a break. In the meantime I’ve gotten really good at pad rolling. Can change both pads in less than 2 minutes. This has greatly given me a better perspective of their differences. The thick lambskin is just not for me. Can’t listen for more than 10...

I’m just using my Caldera on the Naim Atom Uniti HE. It thought it paired well with the original Utopia and it seems to do nicely with the Caldera as well. It’s not the last thing in resolution but has that great fun PRaT sound and no loss of dynamics.

Yeah, I don’t remember the L3000 having the clarity of the Caldera with it’s stock pads. It was thick, booming sound with rich mids. The thick pads on the Caldera reminded more of this sound but something was off about the mids. But even with stock pads, it’s the nice groove the Caldera shares...

I’ve settled back with the stock pads. They just make for a much better technical headphone over the suede while staying fun. They are very detailed with plenty of layering and great 3D image. And they have better bass punch along with nicely textured deep bass. The suede losses some of the...

Glad you guys think the L3000 and Caldera are similar. It’s been a few years since I owned the L3000 but was listening to the Caldera the other day and was thinking this was the first time in a while the bass sounded this good. It’s also got this nice warm, textured bass, besides the impact...

Have you tried the Stealth? I had the Expanse for a little bit and while has a bit of fun in it, wasn’t enough for my taste. The Stealth was way too analytical for my tastes. Technically amazing but didn’t move me at all. Glad I joined team ZMF. I’d be prefer they keep making fun headphones...

I think I’m experiencing the same thing with pad swapping. The stock sound better in direct comparison but not sure for extending listening yet. I never came across any songs that I questioned with the suede. So think I need to leave the suede back on for a few days and see the overall effect...

I had an old usb to coaxial converter and decided to give it a try and since then have never had an issue. I can have the source start even before waking from sleep and the connection is already there. This still works great as a 2nd headphone setup. I have since moved on to Naim HE with no...

I guess on the Naim Atom HE, I didn’t consider the original Utopia analytical at all. Only felt that way with the Hugo 2. If there was any issue for me with the Utopia, it was that it wasn’t relaxing at all. But that’s what I also liked about it. I think the Caldera tones that down just a notch...

Thanks for clarifying on power. I briefly heard the new Utopia and it was very similar old one. I’m sure I could still be perfectly happy with the original Utopia or even the new one. But what makes the Caldera a better choice for me is the lifetime warranty on drivers, the amazing look, and...

I can at least respond that the Caldera sounds excellent out of the Naim Atom HE using about 50% power. Very dynamic, excellent bass punch and texture and great separation and layering out of the balanced outs. Also has no problem with the Expanse at around 60% power. I also have the Focal...

Somehow I thought the stock pads were like a stock cable, where peope don’t end up using it. The suede was getting talked about as being magical, so I wanted that. And then wanted to see what a warmer sound was like, so also got the thick. Didn’t even think of getting the stock until read more...

Even though I can now change the pads myself, I don’t see swapping back to the suede just for certain songs. I tend to just use one headphone and not fuss with it once I’m set. Sometimes having too many choices can be overwhelming. I know I’ve seen some people be scared off by all the ZMF has...

I just got my stock pads and what do you know, I got them on myself. It took a few tries. So as far the sound compared to the suede and thick. I’ve mentioned before but after bit of extended listening, the thick pads just don’t sound right, especially in the mids. Soundstage also has little...

So I sold my original Utopia but when would you use it over the Caldera? I still don’t have the feeling that I wish I still had the Utopia. I loved them when I owned them but the Caldera also does everything right but has a different presentation. The Utopia is as almost too in your face but...

Don’t get me wrong about the Caldera. It’s still very exciting and has amazing slam. I just think the Utopia has this tightness vs a slightly looser sound only in comparison. The Caldera is at its best with rock. Has that amazing pace, rhythm and timing. The thing I notice most with the Caldera...

It might be best to go to each thread to read about them but I’ll give a few impressions. I love my Caldera on the Naim HE. Just make sure to use the XLR or 4.4m balanced out for improved soundstage. Think I slightly prefer them to the original Utopia. Improved soundstage and can be a little...

But I meant that the Caldera design itself it like a volcano exploding or something along those lines. Very specific to the actual name of the headphones. Maybe Zach can chime in. I might be totally off the mark.

I believe the grill design has a direct relation to an actual Caldera - magma chamber in a volcano eruption. Zach mentions this in one of his videos. I think it looks great in person but yeah, personal favorite is the Atrium.

I made an edit to the other post but figure post follow up. After more listening, the thick pads just didn’t do it for me. Went back to try a few songs when I was trying different genres and got to Thin Lizzy - Boys are Back in Town. It just didn’t sound right, kind of dull and vocals recessed...

So, practice doesn’t help me. I always get about 3/4 of the way and notice a gap and then whole thing comes loose. And then as I get frustrated, I get worse. Luckily it’s easy for my wife. If I didn’t have help, then I’d have to just keep on trying. It bothers me more because it should be easy.

Oh so very interesting, I decided to try the OFC cable again after those comments. And yes, that same classical album wasn’t quite as good but then I went back to a test track for rock - PJ Harvey - Big Exit - Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea. It wasn’t quite as enjoyable on the...

Honestly between my last headphones, oak/magnesium Caldera, Expanse, Utopia, and L3000, I haven’t really noticed much difference in comfort level. Clamping and weight distribution all about the same feeling to me. The one weight issue was actually the cable on the Utopia. Quiet heavy and had...

Haha. I had a few Maine Coon posts in here but felt was getting off topic but why not post another pic or two of Theo.