THE WATERCOOLER HEADPHONE EDITION – Headphones, Amps, DACs, and desktop/home audio related – a freewheeling discussion of gear, impressions, music, and musings.

Nov 3, 2024 at 4:35 AM Post #4,486 of 8,129
Atrium can't keep up with fast-paced music. Meze Elite comes to mind as a similar tone planar. I know you've had Elite for a long time. What do you think are the differences? Is switching a good step?
Although they share some tonal similarities, the Elite and Atrium are quite different headphones. Elite sounds a lot more spacious, also they have a 'lighter' planar presentation. Elite is the ultimate relax listen, laid back and pretty. Technically (especially with the angled earpads) they are more capable than the Atrium, but also a bit more neutral. Atrium has smaller space, but very good imaging. Resolves a little less, sounds thicker with more bass quantity. Also, timbre is better, more lifelike. A bit more energetic too. Dynamic drivers and wood cups have certain magic going on which many folks here love.
I personally prefer the Caldera to the Atrium. Caldera is unlike any planar in the sense that it sounds thick, weighty, but quick at the same time with the organic and natural timbre ZMF is known for. Caldera has technical advantage over Atrium in resolving capabilities and speed which I love. Caldera to me is best of both worlds.
I still think Elite is also a fantastic listen, but from the more laid-back type. Caldera has better texture and more energy than Elite, but Elite can sound a little more refined at times. Elite also has bigger space than Caldera, but Caldera's imaging and separation is a bit superior.
I really like all three of these headphones, all are in my subjective top category. Atrium portrays wooden instruments the best perhaps with a supremely natural tone, Elite has the largest space and Caldera the best dynamics. If I had to rank them to me it would be 1,Caldera; 2,Elite; 3,Atrium but they are close and all have slightly different strengths. Also, other people would rank them differently. It is pretty much impossible to tell if you would like the Elite more than the Atrium without trying them.
 
Nov 3, 2024 at 7:28 AM Post #4,487 of 8,129
Nov 3, 2024 at 7:32 AM Post #4,488 of 8,129
Took the HD800S and HD800 out for a spin with the SAEQ Armageddon today. Fed by the Bricasti M1SeriesII DAC. Gorgeous and full sounding. :)

IMG_8494.jpeg
IMG_8499.jpeg
 
Nov 3, 2024 at 8:33 AM Post #4,489 of 8,129
Took the HD800S and HD800 out for a spin with the SAEQ Armageddon today. Fed by the Bricasti M1SeriesII DAC. Gorgeous and full sounding. :)

IMG_8494.jpegIMG_8499.jpeg

I wish they had the same here at CanJam Dallas. Still on my To Demo list. It doesn’t seem like any US distributor is actively marketing it here.
 
Nov 3, 2024 at 10:13 AM Post #4,490 of 8,129
Composer eh… my woo got excited
 
Nov 3, 2024 at 10:51 AM Post #4,493 of 8,129
Nov 3, 2024 at 11:26 AM Post #4,494 of 8,129
I actually don’t think the new Hifiman closed sounds bad. I kinda like it. Could use more bass, but I’m a bass head.

It’s not absolutely amazing, but it’s not terrible either.
 
Nov 3, 2024 at 12:35 PM Post #4,495 of 8,129
listening to the Immanis again. It’s not blowing me away. I dunno. The hype is crazy and I had very high expectations. The aren’t living up to them
 
Nov 3, 2024 at 12:54 PM Post #4,497 of 8,129
Danny (@SageM) at Requisite Audio (Raal 1995 etc) is the man to contact if you’re interested in the SAEQ amps.

Thank you. I’ll see if he wants to bring any to demo at CanJam NYC..
 
Nov 3, 2024 at 12:59 PM Post #4,498 of 8,129
listening to the Immanis again. It’s not blowing me away. I dunno. The hype is crazy and I had very high expectations. The aren’t living up to them
I think this happens very often - too high expectations, caused by the hype and the fact, that we all think, that big money brings big sound improvement.
Above some level, it is not the case anymore.
 
Nov 3, 2024 at 1:13 PM Post #4,499 of 8,129
listening to the Immanis again. It’s not blowing me away. I dunno. The hype is crazy and I had very high expectations. The aren’t living up to them
Well at least you’ve made Cameron happy. The bass does fill out when you’ve put enough hours on them so maybe you just need to give them more time.
 
Nov 3, 2024 at 1:19 PM Post #4,500 of 8,129
listening to the Immanis again. It’s not blowing me away. I dunno. The hype is crazy and I had very high expectations. The aren’t living up to them
You will like them at home. The hype is silly as it always is for all that is new.

Nothing is better than the 1266TC especially once fed DHT -- they're as good and as complete as anything else.
 

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