erics75
Headphoneus Supremus
i can only comment on the atticus and eikon, as i owned both (still have the atticus). i also listen mainly to rock/metal. first things first, both are exceptional for rock, and just plain exceptional in general. obviously i still have the atticus so that was my personal favorite, but i'll try to explain why, and my mindset, so you can see how my preferences compare to yours.
i'm slightly averse to peaks in the 4-5k frequency region. imo this range is what really separates the the atticus and eikon. the eikon has more extension here, whereas the atticus is very flat (but not recessed or boring). so when listening to rock, i found myself fatiguing more at my preferred volume levels with the eikon, especially on more poorly recorded material with lots of wailing guitars (megadeth is a good example, it's mastered too hot). it's by no means a big spike like the 6k spike on the hd800, but when going back and forth between the two, i just got tired faster or turned the volume down a touch with the eikons. also, i found the atticus liked my amps more than the eikon did. and both headphones are picky about amplification, and seem to differ in what they like.
as for the basic sonic differences beyond the midrange i specified above, the atticus is warmer and thicker sounding. the midbass punch is visceral. the eikons also have tremendous midbass punch as well, but in direct comparison, it's more linear and neutral. but it counters with more subbass rumble. if your music digs down into the super low frequencies, the eikon is more entertaining. the atticus also digs deep, but again, in direct comparison, its not as strong down super low. my personal preference was the atticus' midbass punch, as my favorite music tends to have the most bass in the midrange, not the subbass. i use david bowie - starman as a great example for comparison. as the track starts the drums kick in after a few seconds, and just slam with authority on the atticus. it's almost startling how hard they punch your eardums here. the eikon in contrast is slightly more reserved here. it's still impactful and satisfying, but it's more reserved, more neutral. keep in mind this is when comparing the atticus and eikon. if you compare the eikon's performance here vs many other totl headphones, it's going to outpunch them (ex hd800, clear, utopia, lcd3). zeplin has some epic drumming as well, and the atticus just makes it more realistic, imo. when you hear a live drummer, it's a visceral experience. you feel the soundwaves hitting you. headphones cant give you that exact experience, but the atticus is the closest i've heard so for to live rock drums. you dont feel it in your chest, but your eardrums sure do feel the pressure!
up top the eikon and atticus are more alike than different, imo. the atticus is softer, with slightly more rolloff, but it's not dramatic. the eikon has an airier presentation overall. it feels less congested or thick. they're both surprisingly detailed up top. not hd800 detailed, but imo that set is a bit TOO detailed. i still have one, but i only use it for very very specific circumstances. higher pitch male voices like robert plant, axl rose, bruce dickinson, dave mustaine have more extension and authority on the eikon. the atticus is softer, though fine detail seems to be about the same. you just have to focus a bit more with the atticus since it presents more softly/less forward.
all in all they're both really great headphones for rock, you just need to determine with signature suites you best. do you like a slightly more neutral sound with more balance from top to bottom (eikon), or do you like a more mid focused sound with extra warmth (atticus)?
as for amps, i became very frustrated that they seem to have opposite amp preferences. the atticus really liked the violectric v100 and rs-08 i was using that the time. those are very neutral solid state amps with incredible dynamic range. the neutrality of the amps complimented the warmer atticus quite nicely. the eikon was a touch shouty in comparison. but!.... using my friend's woo wa3 and other tube amp i'm currently drawing a gigantic blank on, the eikon shined far more than the atticus. the warmth of the tube amps (And both were of the warm/syrupy/tubey variety) seemed to compliment the more neutral eikon better. the atticus in comparison was just too thick sounding, it was way too much of a good thing for these ears.
that's my book, now i must work
i'll end with this though, both are excellent. i cant stress that enough. and they both carry the house zmf sound with aplomb. i honestly would buy based on best price and wood available, if i had to do it all over again. i'd just change amps depending on which model i chose.edit - i heard the elear, not the elex, but the elear was VERY different sounding from both the atticus and eikon. the elear was more strident and metallic sounding up top, and the mids were too far back for my tastes. both the atticus and eikon are a true upgrade, imo.
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