TaKo15
New Head-Fier
I have had two Eikons. The first was one was a few years ago and had the old style slide rods. I sold that one after I had bought a VC.
Then last year I bought an Eikon again, just before they got discontiued.
With both headphones I have tried the stock Eikon pads and the Auteur pads. In both cases I find that the Auteur pads make the Eikon sound less thick. There is also more space inside the pads, which I prefer comfort wise. I also think that the larger cavity increases the soundstage.
From ZMF website:
Auteur Pads: These pads have the exact same 11mm diameter as the Eikon pads, but a larger ear cavity. This creates a little less bass in general and less frequencies from 500 hz on down. This makes for a more neutral sound signature with less "boom."
I think this is a description of the pads effect on the Auteur headphones, but I think it also describes very well what I hear when I switch from Eikon pads to Auteur pads on the Eikon.
ZMF also have info about pad rolling on the Eikon:
Eikon: The Eikon pads are the stock and recommended pad. They feature a resounding sub-bass, linear mids, and impactful present treble. Gentle downslope response with heightened sub-bass.
Eikon Suede: Linearity without hash. Adding ZMF suede to the Eikon pads gives more linearity, while also flattening treble peaks. Sub-bass is still boosted, but the rumble less forward. A great pad for a change of pace.
auteur: Spatious with linearity. The auteur pads have a little more "dip" in the lower treble and more space for the ears making these more linear, spacious and present sounding.
Universe: Dry, fast, neutral. The flattest pad you can use on the Eikon, reduces treble and bass peaks, making for a brighter more flat response.
Well, went to the store today, explained my situation and trading them in on a Caldera for the same price I paid (was already an open box item when I bought m) was no problem. I did not try different pads on the Eikon after this offer...
The Eikons are fantastic headphones, but the low bass was just a bit much for my ears/HRTF and yeah, the Caldera's are simply endgame headphones for me, they have the typical ZMF warmth while still sounding quite analytical, something I dont think Ive ever heard in a single headphone.
Almost like a High end Stax and an Audioquest Nighthawk rolled into one. (I suck at these descriptions)
Bass is still ever so slightly north of neutral (for me), but with significantly better definition, and minus the "boom".
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