ATTICUS and EIKON, the new dynamic driver headphones from ZMF
Feb 21, 2018 at 7:57 AM Post #5,401 of 9,748
burn those babies in and the sound might change...my personal standard is 150 hrs, but YMMV.

Definitely used to the sound now - they grew on me quickly. They're incredibly punchy which can actually be a little overwhelming at times. I was thinking about getting the Suede Ori Pads which reduces the mid bass bump but I'm afraid it might reduce the mid-forwardness that I really enjoy. Have you had any experience with them? Also trying to figure out what's the best amp for these at $1k. I'm thinking of Mjolnir 2 but want something that can extract the most micro-detail as it can. Neutral/Lean sounding amps or tubes actually seem to sound the best with these as when I tried the Orange Globes etc. they sounded flat and boring and lacked dynamics.
 
Feb 21, 2018 at 12:48 PM Post #5,402 of 9,748
I was thinking about getting the Suede Ori Pads which reduces the mid bass bump but I'm afraid it might reduce the mid-forwardness that I really enjoy. Have you had any experience with them?

Universe pads are the only non Eikon pads recommended with the Eikon, they will make the headphone more linear/neutral without any nasties. I don't recommend suede pads on the Eikon, only on the atticus.
 
ZMFheadphones ZMF headphones hand-crafts wood headphones in Chicago, USA with special attention to exceptional sound and craftsmanship. Stay updated on ZMFheadphones at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
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Feb 21, 2018 at 12:53 PM Post #5,403 of 9,748
I was thinking about getting the Suede Ori Pads which reduces the mid bass bump but I'm afraid it might reduce the mid-forwardness that I really enjoy. Have you had any experience with them?

Whoops, I screwed up and assumed you had the Eikon, sorry!

The suede Eikon pads are actually my recommended pads for the atticus over the suede Ori althought the suede Ori sound really great. I prefer the suede Eikon because they keep the mids a little thicker which I like. If you like your mids more neutral, suede Ori would be the way to go with atticus. I don't recommend any other pads with the atticus aside from stock Ori.

Sorry for the confusion!
 
ZMFheadphones ZMF headphones hand-crafts wood headphones in Chicago, USA with special attention to exceptional sound and craftsmanship. Stay updated on ZMFheadphones at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/ZMFheadphones https://twitter.com/ZMFheadphones https://www.instagram.com/zmfheadphones/?hl=en http://www.zmfheadphones.com/zmf-originals/ contactzmf@gmail.com
Feb 21, 2018 at 1:49 PM Post #5,404 of 9,748
Whoops, I screwed up and assumed you had the Eikon, sorry!

The suede Eikon pads are actually my recommended pads for the atticus over the suede Ori althought the suede Ori sound really great. I prefer the suede Eikon because they keep the mids a little thicker which I like. If you like your mids more neutral, suede Ori would be the way to go with atticus. I don't recommend any other pads with the atticus aside from stock Ori.

Sorry for the confusion!

Thanks Zach, I'll post my impressions when I get them in. If I could reduce the mid bass on the Atticus a tad, bring up a little more micro-detail and keep the lush mids these cans would be flawless in my opinion!
 
Feb 21, 2018 at 2:04 PM Post #5,405 of 9,748
Thanks Zach, I'll post my impressions when I get them in. If I could reduce the mid bass on the Atticus a tad, bring up a little more micro-detail and keep the lush mids these cans would be flawless in my opinion!

I think you'll like the Eikon suede pads (on atticus). :smile_phones:
 
ZMFheadphones ZMF headphones hand-crafts wood headphones in Chicago, USA with special attention to exceptional sound and craftsmanship. Stay updated on ZMFheadphones at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/ZMFheadphones https://twitter.com/ZMFheadphones https://www.instagram.com/zmfheadphones/?hl=en http://www.zmfheadphones.com/zmf-originals/ contactzmf@gmail.com
Feb 22, 2018 at 1:27 PM Post #5,407 of 9,748
Very nice video. Love the slow pan/close-up.

That purple cable (described to me as an upcoming ZMF cable upgrade option) has my complete attention...as do the Eikon & Auteur.

Zebrawood Eikon? wow...more wood lust on the horizon.

Just saw an old picture of a Brazilian Rosewood Omni. Now that is wood to die for IMHO.
 
Feb 22, 2018 at 3:49 PM Post #5,409 of 9,748
Does anyone know what Ampsandsound Amp is in the video? And what is the power tube configuration?

Mogwai SE:

GEC KT8C adapted to KT66/77/88
RCA Red Base 5691
RCA 5u4gb black plate

Really loving the KT8C's in the power/driver tube spot.
 
ZMFheadphones ZMF headphones hand-crafts wood headphones in Chicago, USA with special attention to exceptional sound and craftsmanship. Stay updated on ZMFheadphones at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/ZMFheadphones https://twitter.com/ZMFheadphones https://www.instagram.com/zmfheadphones/?hl=en http://www.zmfheadphones.com/zmf-originals/ contactzmf@gmail.com
Feb 22, 2018 at 9:53 PM Post #5,410 of 9,748
Mogwai SE:

GEC KT8C adapted to KT66/77/88
RCA Red Base 5691
RCA 5u4gb black plate

Really loving the KT8C's in the power/driver tube spot.

This is the amp I fell in love with at CanJam. It drove the Eikons so beautifully - reminded me of my speaker rig at home (Audio Note amp and speakers), where everything just sounded "right" to the point that you forgot about analyzing the equipment and just got lost in the music. Just bursting with sweet, natural tone and texture, plus ass-kicking dynamics, and tight punchy bass. It really made the Eikons come to life - really showed how much other amps I've tried them with were holding them back. I'm not sure how long I sat there, listening to song after song, but Zach must've gotten a little annoyed... :p

Anyway, I bought one. :ksc75smile: Hopefully arriving next week... It's going on my desk at work - my colleagues will think I've gone off the deep end! :D

Will report back once I've had it a while...

Dunc
 

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Feb 22, 2018 at 9:59 PM Post #5,411 of 9,748
Pics from Zach's table at CanJam:

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Feb 22, 2018 at 10:54 PM Post #5,412 of 9,748
Just pulled the trigger on the Eikon. Originally intendes to get the Atticus and I bought the Valhalla 2 about a year ago to plan ahead. I heard the Atticus did great with the Valhalla 2, but any opinions on the Eikon? Any word on the pairing?
 
Feb 22, 2018 at 11:20 PM Post #5,413 of 9,748
Just pulled the trigger on the Eikon. Originally intendes to get the Atticus and I bought the Valhalla 2 about a year ago to plan ahead. I heard the Atticus did great with the Valhalla 2, but any opinions on the Eikon? Any word on the pairing?

That’s the amp I’m currently using with my Eikons. I think the synergy is fantastic, especially when warmed up a little with some Amperex Orange Globes. Really brings out the treble sparkle and airiness of the Eikons, which can sound a little grainy and closed-in on other amps I tried.

That said, it’s no TOTL amp, so it won’t bring the best out of the Eikons - but it’s a great starting point.

Dunc
 
Feb 23, 2018 at 7:51 AM Post #5,414 of 9,748
That’s the amp I’m currently using with my Eikons. I think the synergy is fantastic, especially when warmed up a little with some Amperex Orange Globes. Really brings out the treble sparkle and airiness of the Eikons, which can sound a little grainy and closed-in on other amps I tried.

That said, it’s no TOTL amp, so it won’t bring the best out of the Eikons - but it’s a great starting point.

Dunc

Is that copper cable you posted from CanJam one of Zach's own? I'm thinking of getting one for my Atticus. I just ordered the Eikon suede pads so I can't wait to hear what they sound like. I'm also thinking of getting a Dragon Inspire IVA as my TOTL amp to drive my Atticus. Don't know if the extra $400 for the Mogwai or Kenzie Encore would fair better.
 
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Feb 23, 2018 at 8:46 AM Post #5,415 of 9,748
Is that copper cable you posted from CanJam one of Zach's own? I'm thinking of getting one for my Atticus. I just ordered the Eikon suede pads so I can't wait to hear what they sound like. I'm also thinking of getting a Dragon Inspire IVA as my TOTL amp to drive my Atticus. Don't know if the extra $400 for the Mogwai or Kenzie Encore would fair better.

Well-spotted - yes, that’s a new model of OCC Zach is working on. I compared it to my older (thinner gauge) ZMF OCC cable and they sounded quite different. The new one was I think better, but also had a different tonal balance - brighter, and more airy. I’ll leave it to @zach915m to chime in further.

I can’t speak to the Dragon (or the Kenzie), but the reason I bit the bullet on the Mogwai SE is that it synergized so well with the Eikon. IME synergy is the holy grail of headphone components, and is far more important than outright performance. (But the performance of the Mogwai was outstanding anyway...)

Dunc
 

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