[jonathan c]

 

[akelew]

Looking for amp suggestions pairing with Atticus for primarily EDM listening!

 

[jonathan c]

Looking for amp suggestions pairing with Atticus for primarily EDM listening!

Preference: hybrid / tube / solid-state?

Suggestion: Rogue RH-5 / Woo Audio WA2 / Flux Lab Acoustics FA-22.

 

[Malevolent]

I've just purchased my Atticus. I've auditioned it on several occasions, so I'm moderately familiar with its sound. It's just what I was looking for - a bass-slanted, lush, warm headphone that delivers an emotive and musical listening experience. Can't wait to get more head time with them.

 

[akelew]

LCD-X vs ZMF Atticus (considering Subpac bass transducer) for EDM, long post.

So I'm trying to find a pair of headphones to match up with the Subpac X1 that I have pre-ordered. The Subpac is an audiophile grade physical bass replicator. Many producers use it for making EDM allowing them to get a better grip on the bass frequencies and to help replicate that club feel at home to expand on their creativity, but many also use it just for listening to music. Due to Covid i am trying to get that festival experience at home. It's not a 'toy', for example it even has a built in SHARC DSP that you can offload Sonarworks EQ profile processing to. It does accurate bass representation from 1-250hz linearly into your back, much of which travels up into your ear drum. So I'm trying to find a set of headphones that would compliment this well and integrate together nicely. For example, in terms of creating a wholesome experience, I wonder things like would it be better to have more mid-bass impact from headphones like Atticus with less sub-bass and let the Subpac fill in those low frequencies, or would it be better to pair the LCD-X with its linear sub-bass response to match up with the linear sub-bass response of the Subpac, but with a little less mid-bass impact/kick?

This is primarily for EDM listening. I am trying to get close to that 'Funktion One' festival speaker stack sound. I am quite treble sensitive. I am trying to get a sound that is easy to listen to yet still very engaging, and really having that 'tangibility' to the sound like the Funktion One sound system. Where the sounds are like '3d objects' that have a presence in space. Like you can visualise them as distinct things with their own weight and presence. Combine that with the physical bass from the Subpac to really flesh out that tangibility and mixing of the senses.

At the moment I am demo'ing both the ZMF Atticus and pre-2021 LCD-X. I am listening to lossless Tidal through a PC, powered with a SMSL HO200 amp balanced connection. With a solid state ESS Sabre powered DAC. I am testing both with and without EQ. For EQ I am using APO/Peace on windows. I am EQ'ing to Harmon curve with Oratory1990 measurements and then adjusting bass/mid-bass to suit each song. Noting all this testing is without the Subpac as that won't be arriving for a few months.

Atticus:
More comfortable. Less weight
Wider soundstage (this really surprised me, how the soundstage is on the Atticus). It definitely has a more 3d presentation.
Due to wider soundstage, it seems to layer things a bit better(more separate)
Feels like I can play any song without fatigue, yet still has nice detail retrieval
Slight more weight and heft to mid-bass.
In terms of Bass all around I'd rate the sub-bass 4/10. It extends decently, but at a much lower amplitude. It doesn't really have much sub-bass impact whatsoever. Very little sub-bass rumble db. The mid-bass I'd rate 8/10, it has nice impact and heft to it. But honestly not as much as i was expecting. (this is using Ori leather pads). All around the bass has nice detail and texture (but no where near the level of the LCD-X)
It's warmer overall. But i do feel things are a bit too 'rounded' compared to the LCD-X. I feel like, while the Atticus has excellent separation and imaging, it just feels like the edges of notes are a bit too blurred and meld together a bit. The sound's warmness makes it overall feel a bit 'blunt'.
I found myself bobbing my head and tapping my feet a bit more to the Atticus over the LCD-X in more songs.
I feel the Atticus is easier to listen in the background when doing other things compared to the LCD-X.
I think the Atticus would be better for listening to before bed than the LCD-X. Easier to wind down to.

LCD-X:
Incredible sub-bass. Really, just amazing. The texture and extension is extremely satisfying. Only slightly less bloomy then the Atticus.
Oh so slight less impact in the mid-bass. MUCH more impact in the sub-bass.
Very fast transients across the entire frequency response. I was actually impressed with the transient speed on the Atticus being a dynamic driver, but it doesn't hold a candle to the LCD-X here.
I rate the sub-bass impact/rumble 8/10. I rate the mid-bass impact 6/10.
Some songs can get fatiguing on the LCD-X if they aren't mixed well. Where as on the Atticus i found this was almost never the case. This is a bit of a double edged sword however as that is because of how the Atticus blunts the sounds in comparison. It does detract a bit for EDM listening.
LCD-X feels like the soundstage is 'between the ears'. I mean within the ears it has great imaging and separation and layering and positioning. But i honestly prefer the Atticus here. I get much more of a feeling like the sounds are flying around me with the Atticus, which is quite enjoyable.
I found myself getting lost in the songs much more on the LCD-X compared to the Atticus.
I feel the LCD-X kind of demands your attention over the Atticus. Not because its overly forward or harsh or anything though. Maybe more so because of how detailed and sharp everything is combined with the 'in your head' soundstage'?
LCD-X has much more 'electronic' feel to me. Like it translates the nature of EDM on the whole better.

I feel like my 'perfect' would be, LCD-X with the physical weight of the Atticus headphones, the mid-bass impact of the Atticus, and somewhere in-between the two in terms of whatever causes it to fatigue my ears. Also i wouldn't mind stealing a bit of the Atticus sound-stage But i don't think such a headphone exists lol.

I think in terms of my goals with the matching to the Subpac, that I feel the LCD-X would be a better option. I just think that matching the linear sub-bass response of both the LCD-Xs and Subpacs would make for something special. I think they would meld nicely. And i also feel that the Subpac's physical impact could fill in the gaps on the LCD-X, knowing that some of that physicality does transfer through your body up to your ear drums. Also i really just love the whole planar sound of the LCD-X. In terms of matching to the 'Funktion One' stack type of sound, the LCD-X gets there in spades in every way except the mid-bass.

From my research, I just don't know if there's any other headphones that would be more suitable for this than the LCD-X. I hope this post is useful for some people who may be on a similar journey to me. And if anyone has any thoughts would love to hear them!

 

[Minkypou]

LCD-X vs ZMF Atticus (considering Subpac bass transducer) for EDM, long post.

So I'm trying to find a pair of headphones to match up with the Subpac X1 that I have pre-ordered. The Subpac is an audiophile grade physical bass replicator. Many producers use it for making EDM allowing them to get a better grip on the bass frequencies and to help replicate that club feel at home to expand on their creativity, but many also use it just for listening to music. Due to Covid i am trying to get that festival experience at home. It's not a 'toy', for example it even has a built in SHARC DSP that you can offload Sonarworks EQ profile processing to. It does accurate bass representation from 1-250hz linearly into your back, much of which travels up into your ear drum. So I'm trying to find a set of headphones that would compliment this well and integrate together nicely. For example, in terms of creating a wholesome experience, I wonder things like would it be better to have more mid-bass impact from headphones like Atticus with less sub-bass and let the Subpac fill in those low frequencies, or would it be better to pair the LCD-X with its linear sub-bass response to match up with the linear sub-bass response of the Subpac, but with a little less mid-bass impact/kick?

This is primarily for EDM listening. I am trying to get close to that 'Funktion One' festival speaker stack sound. I am quite treble sensitive. I am trying to get a sound that is easy to listen to yet still very engaging, and really having that 'tangibility' to the sound like the Funktion One sound system. Where the sounds are like '3d objects' that have a presence in space. Like you can visualise them as distinct things with their own weight and presence. Combine that with the physical bass from the Subpac to really flesh out that tangibility and mixing of the senses.

At the moment I am demo'ing both the ZMF Atticus and pre-2021 LCD-X. I am listening to lossless Tidal through a PC, powered with a SMSL HO200 amp balanced connection. With a solid state ESS Sabre powered DAC. I am testing both with and without EQ. For EQ I am using APO/Peace on windows. I am EQ'ing to Harmon curve with Oratory1990 measurements and then adjusting bass/mid-bass to suit each song. Noting all this testing is without the Subpac as that won't be arriving for a few months.



I feel like my 'perfect' would be, LCD-X with the physical weight of the Atticus headphones, the mid-bass impact of the Atticus, and somewhere in-between the two in terms of whatever causes it to fatigue my ears. Also i wouldn't mind stealing a bit of the Atticus sound-stage But i don't think such a headphone exists lol.

I think in terms of my goals with the matching to the Subpac, that I feel the LCD-X would be a better option. I just think that matching the linear sub-bass response of both the LCD-Xs and Subpacs would make for something special. I think they would meld nicely. And i also feel that the Subpac's physical impact could fill in the gaps on the LCD-X, knowing that some of that physicality does transfer through your body up to your ear drums. Also i really just love the whole planar sound of the LCD-X. In terms of matching to the 'Funktion One' stack type of sound, the LCD-X gets there in spades in every way except the mid-bass.

From my research, I just don't know if there's any other headphones that would be more suitable for this than the LCD-X. I hope this post is useful for some people who may be on a similar journey to me. And if anyone has any thoughts would love to hear them!

Nice battle here well done ! i just looked up the subpac thing , im really impress by that thing :O looks like alot of fun and something i would really love to experience !

 

[jmac1516]

I haven't used my Atticus in a while and forgot which way the Ori pads should be oriented. Thicker side towards the front of the ears or back of ears? Or does it not matter?

 

[Wes S]

I haven't used my Atticus in a while and forgot which way the Ori pads should be oriented. Thicker side towards the front of the ears or back of ears? Or does it not matter?

Thicker side towards the back and it makes a big difference.

 

[erics75]

I haven't used my Atticus in a while and forgot which way the Ori pads should be oriented. Thicker side towards the front of the ears or back of ears? Or does it not matter?

the thicker side goes behind your ear, in the back.

 

[jmac1516]

Thicker side towards the back and it makes a big difference.

Thanks. Is this true for all the pads—thicker in the back?

 

[jonathan c]

Thanks. Is this true for all the pads—thicker in the back?

Yes

 

[Malevolent]

Thanks. Is this true for all the pads—thicker in the back?

Yes, and this is also true for most (if not all) headphones on the market.

The reason is simply, anatomy. The area behind your ears curves inward. Thus, the thicker pads are there to "plug" the gaps between the surface of your head, and the edge of your pads; thus, ensuring a better seal.

 

[Minkypou]

I will let go my Atticus cocobolo , Amazing looking grain and color sheme ! i remember seeing someone wanted one in the thread here will try another zmf since the atticus is the only zmf ive tried yet ! time to explore it was a fun ride and will probably be back next year , i feel im gonna miss that thing.

 

[Wes S]

I will let go my Atticus cocobolo , Amazing looking grain and color sheme ! i remember seeing someone wanted one in the thread here will try another zmf since the atticus is the only zmf ive tried yet ! time to explore it was a fun ride and will probably be back next year , i feel im gonna miss that thing.

As a fellow Cocobolo Atticus owner, I can confirm that this wood type is stellar with this particular headphone. Cocobolo is quite a hard and heavy wood, which adds some extra speed, impact and immediacy to the sound, and works so well with the sound signature of the Atticus. If anyone is looking for an Atticus, I would get in touch with @Minkypou asap.

GLWS!

 

[Minkypou]

As a fellow Cocobolo Atticus owner, I can confirm that this wood type is stellar with this particular headphone. Cocobolo is quite a hard and heavy wood, which adds some extra speed, impact and immediacy to the sound, and works so well with the sound signature of the Atticus. If anyone is looking for an Atticus, I would get in touch with @Minkypou asap.

GLWS!

it really does... first time having this headphone was in camphor , i did not compared directly but it really feels different in the best way ! ive been thinking about it and will keep it , i just feel like im gonna regret this .. selling something i love to try something else is just a bad habbit ( dont do that guys !! unless you have no choice i guess .. , i can just be patient and wait 1-2 months tops to get another zmf ( was thinking about the auteur ) , and if i really think about it , they will compliment each other perfectly !