The Closed-Back Headphone Thread (Plus Comparisons & Reviews)

[GREQ]

.....but also a truckload of janky products.

Sadly that's been my only (and very limited) experience with audio technica so far.
I've been itching to audition the high end ones for years, the woodies really do look gorgeous.

Nothing beats a wood cup for aesthetics.

 

[Gorillaphant]

I may have asked this question in a previous thread but how does the Sony MDR-Z1R compare to the ZMF Atticus for genres like pop/hip hop/rap/rock?

 

[silent-circuit]

I currently have the Elegia and, with EQ, they're my current favorite closed backs. Is that Is there anything closed that might be an improvement under $500? Their slam is nice, detail is great. With EQ the bass is good, but I would like even more. The WP900 sounds great to me but over the price range.

If talking used, I managed to get a pair of Denon AH-D7200 for $500 and prefer them to the Elegia for just about everything, but I'm treble sensitive, so that plays in to it. Really a question of what you're looking for. I'll probably return the Elegia, but the Denons are my current favorite by a large margin... And I'm normally an open-back guy.

 

[Malevolent]

I may have asked this question in a previous thread but how does the Sony MDR-Z1R compare to the ZMF Atticus for genres like pop/hip hop/rap/rock?

Both of these headphones have similar profiles, IMO. Both are lush, full-bodied, with a palpably weighty sound. I have never compared these 2 together, however, but I'd say that the Sony has better resolving capabilities, since I didn't think that the ZMF headphone was very good in this particular department during my auditions.

I don't listen to Rap and/or Hip Hop, since most of my music catalog consists of EDM (~70%). With that said, the MDR-Z1R fares very well with dance music, thanks to its prominent bass section that adds a lot of thump to its notes; texture and layring in the lower registers is also tastefully done. Coupled with its low-end prowess, the treble section has adequate sparkle and brilliance, without straying into the sibilant territory. The Atticus, on the other hand, has a low-end presence that can be described as a little too boomy, a little too loose. I definitely am a greater fan of the bass on the Sony.

 

[Gorillaphant]

Both of these headphones have similar profiles, IMO. Both are lush, full-bodied, with a palpably weighty sound. I have never compared these 2 together, however, but I'd say that the Sony has better resolving capabilities, since I didn't think that the ZMF headphone was very good in this particular department during my auditions.

I don't listen to Rap and/or Hip Hop, since most of my music catalog consists of EDM (~70%). With that said, the MDR-Z1R fares very well with dance music, thanks to its prominent bass section that adds a lot of thump to its notes; texture and layring in the lower registers is also tastefully done. Coupled with its low-end prowess, the treble section has adequate sparkle and brilliance, without straying into the sibilant territory. The Atticus, on the other hand, has a low-end presence that can be described as a little too boomy, a little too loose. I definitely am a greater fan of the bass on the Sony.

Thanks for that. Yeah, at the moment I am leaning towards the Sony but haven't been able to find any opportunities to demo them. I may end up springing for the Sony just for the visual contrast since the other closed back I will likely pick up is the Verite Closed.

 

[Malevolent]

Thanks for that. Yeah, at the moment I am leaning towards the Sony but haven't been able to find any opportunities to demo them. I may end up springing for the Sony just for the visual contrast since the other closed back I will likely pick up is the Verite Closed.

Along with the ATH-AWKT and the AH-D9200, the Vérité Closed is one of the best closed-back headphones on the market today, IMO. All 3 headphones are great at resolving fine detail, are relatively balanced yet retaining a deep musical streak, and have very well-textured and finely-layered bass that is truly impressive, even within the closed headphone realm, a traditional bastion for headphones that aspire to be maestros of the low-end region. The Sony is a great contender, too, but the aforementioned 3 splits it by a fine hair, owing to their natural and balanced tone.

With that said, if you are dead set on getting a Vérité Closed (a brilliant choice, by the way), the Sony will serve as a great counterpart. The MDR-Z1R's thick and luscious presentation is a good contrast to the ZMF's leaner and brighter signature.

 

[Nostoi]

Along with the ATH-AWKT and the AH-D9200, the Vérité Closed is one of the best closed-back headphones on the market today, IMO. All 3 headphones are great at resolving fine detail, are relatively balanced yet retaining a deep musical streak, and have very well-textured and finely-layered bass that is truly impressive, even within the closed headphone realm, a traditional bastion for headphones that aspire to be maestros of the low-end region. The Sony is a great contender, too, but the aforementioned 3 splits it by a fine hair, owing to their natural and balanced tone.

With that said, if you are dead set on getting a Vérité Closed (a brilliant choice, by the way), the Sony will serve as a great counterpart. The MDR-Z1R's thick and luscious presentation is a good contrast to the ZMF's leaner and brighter signature.

Have you received your Vérité Closed yet, @Malevolent ? I am half tinkering with the idea of trading my Eikons in for a pair. Would be fascinated to hear a comparison between VC and AWKT.

 

[Malevolent]

Have you received your Vérité Closed yet, @Malevolent ? I am half tinkering with the idea of trading my Eikons in for a pair. Would be fascinated to hear a comparison between VC and AWKT.

The good news is, Zach has finished my Vérité Closed (and the batch it belongs to), so I should be getting them sometime soon. When's that, your guess is as good as mine. Hopefully, sooner, rather than later.

 

[Nostoi]

The good news is, Zach has finished my Vérité Closed (and the batch it belongs to), so I should be getting them sometime soon. When's that, your guess is as good as mine. Hopefully, sooner, rather than later.

Fingers crossed won't be long. Yours will be in MonkeyPod?

 

[Malevolent]

Fingers crossed won't be long. Yours will be in MonkeyPod?

Yeah, Monkeypod was the only wood available when I placed my order. A month or so later, ZMF introduced the Camphor Burl limited edition, and I really, really wanted that. When I contacted Zach and my local dealer, I was told that no other Camphor Burl orders were placed with the store; hence, if I switched my order and paid the premium for the limited edition version, I'd be placed at the back of the queue. The waiting time provided was approximately 3 months! As I have been waiting for my Monkeypod Vérité Closed since early July, I wasn't so keen on counting down from another 3 months - it'll be past Christmas, or worse, New Year's, before I'm able to get my hands on them.

 

[audionewbi]

How did i misss thread, time to brew some tea

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Yeah, Monkeypod was the only wood available when I placed my order. A month or so later, ZMF introduced the Camphor Burl limited edition, and I really, really wanted that. When I contacted Zach and my local dealer, I was told that no other Camphor Burl orders were placed with the store; hence, if I switched my order and paid the premium for the limited edition version, I'd be placed at the back of the queue. The waiting time provided was approximately 3 months! As I have been waiting for my Monkeypod Vérité Closed since early July, I wasn't so keen on counting down from another 3 months - it'll be past Christmas, or worse, New Year's, before I'm able to get my hands on them.

Better late than never!

 

[Nostoi]

Yeah, Monkeypod was the only wood available when I placed my order. A month or so later, ZMF introduced the Camphor Burl limited edition, and I really, really wanted that. When I contacted Zach and my local dealer, I was told that no other Camphor Burl orders were placed with the store; hence, if I switched my order and paid the premium for the limited edition version, I'd be placed at the back of the queue. The waiting time provided was approximately 3 months! As I have been waiting for my Monkeypod Vérité Closed since early July, I wasn't so keen on counting down from another 3 months - it'll be past Christmas, or worse, New Year's, before I'm able to get my hands on them.

I've been eyeing up this pair maple burl in LTD ocean blue finish for a while. It seems the pair being sold are the actual pair in the photo, and they look sweet:

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Zach is doing unbelievable things.

 

[noplsestar]

I've been eyeing up this pair maple burl in LTD ocean blue finish for a while. It seems the pair being sold are the actual pair in the photo, and they look sweet:

They look stunning. If you have the money, grab them! And if you have them, let’s meet, then you can listen to my Stellia and I can listen to your VC, what do you think? (I am living near Vienna)

edit: this is the first VC that I really like from the looks and would also wear when walking outside the house!! Get em or someone else will very soon