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

[goldwerger]

This is a really fun discussion on headphone esthetics got me to reflect and consider: Which headphones esthetics do we like the most, and why?

It would be super fun to compare visual impressions (and see additional takes beyond the first great suggestions already offered above!)

Which are yours?

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For me...

This would change if I replied on any other day, and in any other mood, but for tonight I'll pick these top 3:

Sony MDR-R10

The Japanes Zelkova wood on these earcups is just exquisite. I don't know how far back wooden earcups go, but regardless of its antecedents I would probably crown the R10 as the grandaddy of high-end wooden headphones. Its unique earcup shape (which has since been copied by other brands with varying degrees of [lack of] success) makes for a memorable design that is to me, both bold and refined.

ZMF Atrium Closed in Black & White Ebony

There could be a wonderuflly dizzying array of ZMF headphones one could offer here, most owned by others and few by me. I vascillate between those, but at this moment I am smitten by all things ebony, and in particular black & white ebony. There is something about the feeling of picking up a beautiful pair of ZMF headphones in your hands before putting them on your head; a moment of visual and tacticle appreciation, and a connection with the product and its craftsmen, which I profoundly appreciate.

Audio-Technica ATH-L5000

Audio-Technica has exquisitely designed wooden headphones that go way back as well as onward (the AWKG made of Kurogaki wood jumps to mind!). But, for me, it's their stitched-leather-made models that are most estethically uniques. The L3000 was the original and most reknowned, but this later limtied edition L5000 headphones, paying homage to their progenitor in design (though not in sound profile), are the ones I love most. The L5000's yellow leather is, to me, stately with a subdued tan hue that makes it look luxurious. It certianly feels so.

 

[Aetherhole]

This is a really fun discussion on headphone esthetics got me to reflect and consider: Which headphones esthetics do we like the most, and why?

This is a great question, Eyal!

Aesthetics-wise, without consideration to sound in any form, I would have to likely choose something like a ZMFs stabilized Atrium Open, Atrium Closed, or Caldera Closed:

Like my former Atrium Open:

Or my current Caldera Closed:

I think the combination of natural wood, with the resin, splashes of colors, and unique patterns making each unit a true 1:1. To me it exudes both artistry and classiness.

The Atrium Open specifically has a great balance of wood to grill ratio, where I think the Caldera Open has a little bit too much grill and the Verite doesn’t have enough grill.

 

[Thomasr]

I had a Renault fuego in the 80’s bought it at a repossession auction, lol

The '80s gave us many things, including some truly strange wheel designs.

 

[Echo42987]

This is a really fun discussion on headphone esthetics got me to reflect and consider: Which headphones esthetics do we like the most, and why?

It would be super fun to compare visual impressions (and see additional takes beyond the first great suggestions already offered above!)

Which are yours?

This is a great question, Eyal!

Aesthetics-wise, without consideration to sound in any form, I would have to likely choose something like a ZMFs stabilized Atrium Open, Atrium Closed, or Caldera Closed:

Here come all of the ZMF's lol! They're truly done some amazing design in terms of headphone "art." I'll have to post a couple of mine. The only ones close to what ZMF has done, IMO, would be Meze or Kennerton. They're gorgeous and so well built.

 

[cwoo]

Here come all of the ZMF's lol! They're truly done some amazing design in terms of headphone "art." I'll have to post a couple of mine. The only ones close to what ZMF has done, IMO, would be Meze or Kennerton. They're gorgeous and so well built.

Lol, yeah... gonna be a lot of ZMF's in this poll. I just could never get into their sound signature unfortunately. They have always been catch and release for me even though they are gorgeous.

For me, I like all the headphones aesthetics that I own for the most part. The Grado RS1i is a little old looking, but was still something I drooled over as a teenager, so it has a special place in my heart.

To be honest, the HD650 still looks relevant to me. The HD800 is still one of my favorite looking headphones... so wild in design (original HD800 looks better than the HD800S to me).

I really don't love the look of the new RAAL headphones or the Susvara Unveiled. It seems that sound quality and aesthetics has begun to part.

Another crazy one is the RAAL CA-1a. I really actually think it is cool looking with its industrial design and bomb-proof construction. I might be out on a limb with that one.

Never loved the look of the HEDD phone, MySphere, anything from Spirit Torino, the Tungsten, the 1266, anything Kennerton, Sendy, SVJ, and many of the other cheaper offerings.

 

[MakeItWain]

This is a really fun discussion on headphone esthetics got me to reflect and consider: Which headphones esthetics do we like the most, and why?

It would be super fun to compare visual impressions (and see additional takes beyond the first great suggestions already offered above!)

Which are yours?

---

I've gotta say that the Audio Technica W2022 are some of my favorite looking headphones of all time.

 

[ThanatosVI]

This is a really fun discussion on headphone esthetics got me to reflect and consider: Which headphones esthetics do we like the most, and why?

It would be super fun to compare visual impressions (and see additional takes beyond the first great suggestions already offered above!)

Which are yours?

With regards to aesthetics nothing beats ZMF in my opinion.
My favorite of the ZMFs is the Atrium open, the perfect blend of wood and art. The grill shape is by far my favorite. (My own, in Walnut burl, should arrive this week, currently in transit)

The Atrium closed comes second. Here it's the earcup shape that let's it win against VC, CC and others.

Edit: Since it's so rare it also slipped my mind.
Place 3 would actually be the LCD-R with the Lichtenberg wood rings

Also very artistic and beautiful are the Meze Elite especially in the Dark Mystery version.

If it wasn't for the comment above I would have forgotten but Kennerton Thror Novel is also very pretty. The small shape difference at the connector on the novel sets it above the other Kennerton models imo

There are a lot of pretty headphones on the market nowadays

 

[jsabini1]

I love the aesthetic discussion here, and that you noted the “regional lens” that can be applied!

I can totally understand the “it looks American” (vintage furniture reference) comment. And it’s funny- initially I had no love for the ZMF aesthetic, either.

I was a Focal design fan (still am, many of their designs are great), but really didn’t see the appeal of the full wood cups/more semi-retro look that ZMF has.

It’s hard to pinpoint when that changed for me. I think it has to do with two things:

1. Buying my Wenge Auteurs (first ZMF purchase) and hearing them with suitable amplification and absolutely LOVING the sound/tuning.
2. Getting a closer in-person look at (and handling) the wood itself. There’s something that photos cannot convey, from my experience.

Somehow the organic nature of the wood combined with the incredible timbre (no sort-of pun intended) of the ZMF tuning shifted my view substantially.

Call it ownership bias if you will, but I honestly think it’s more than that. It ended up being a very instinctual change in how I react to photos of ZMF units, even.

Hopefully I’ve done a decent job of describing it- it’s still pretty strange to me.

I think you did a good job describing it, and my appreciation of the ZMF aesthetic has paralleled yours.

Before I ever owned any of them and just saw the pictures, I kind of felt like really, that's a bit much when I saw pictures of Atticus/Eikon, and even Aeolus. Similar reaction to the 1266 as well.

But now that I've owned a number of them and seen pictures of all the unique and special stabilized/resin ones, I think they're amazingly beautiful, especially the open back ones like Atrium, Verite, Auteur, and Caldera. And the sound quality of them just grows on you and deepens your appreciation of the music. I even think the Eikon is kind of cool looking now that I have one, because I love how it sounds!

I appreciate the design aesthetic of most of the Focal headphones too, they have a really pleasing and polished industrial look.

I'm sorry though those Sennheisers just don't do it for me.

To each their own.

 

[jsabini1]

I've gotta say that the Audio Technica W2022 are some of my favorite looking headphones of all time.

Those are truly a work of art! Seems like they could be in a museum display of Japanese art.

 

[betula]

This is a really fun discussion on headphone esthetics got me to reflect and consider: Which headphones esthetics do we like the most, and why?

It would be super fun to compare visual impressions (and see additional takes beyond the first great suggestions already offered above!)

Which are yours?

---

For me...

This would change if I replied on any other day, and in any other mood, but for tonight I'll pick these top 3:

Sony MDR-R10

The Japanes Zelkova wood on these earcups is just exquisite. I don't know how far back wooden earcups go, but regardless of its antecedents I would probably crown the R10 as the grandaddy of high-end wooden headphones. Its unique earcup shape (which has since been copied by other brands with varying degrees of [lack of] success) makes for a memorable design that is to me, both bold and refined.



ZMF Atrium Closed in Black & White Ebony

There could be a wonderuflly dizzying array of ZMF headphones one could offer here, most owned by others and few by me. I vascillate between those, but at this moment I am smitten by all things ebony, and in particular black & white ebony. There is something about the feeling of picking up a beautiful pair of ZMF headphones in your hands before putting them on your head; a moment of visual and tacticle appreciation, and a connection with the product and its craftsmen, which I profoundly appreciate.



Audio-Technica ATH-L5000

Audio-Technica has exquisitely designed wooden headphones that go way back as well as onward (the AWKG made of Kurogaki wood jumps to mind!). But, for me, it's their stitched-leather-made models that are most estethically uniques. The L3000 was the original and most reknowned, but this later limtied edition L5000 headphones, paying homage to their progenitor in design (though not in sound profile), are the ones I love most. The L5000's yellow leather is, to me, stately with a subdued tan hue that makes it look luxurious. It certianly feels so.

There are so many cool and/or nice designs! Here are some examples. I have been lucky to own all of these, except the LCD-R and Atrium open (for now). Apart from the Atrium open, white Elite and LCD-R these are my own photos. For the Atrium open photo credit goes to @vsg28.

ZMF Caldera/(Atrium)

All ZMF headphones look awesome and like a piece of art. I think, Zach's best design must be the Atrium open, that 'church window' grill with the correct wood IMO is just unbeatable. Very close second is Caldera open which also looks awesome in b&w ebony. I have been enjoying these beauties for more than a year.

Meze Elite

Completely different design approach, but equally stylish. I really dig the new white design, but my old classy aluminium version is pretty cool too.

Audeze classic LCD style

I just love this industrial design; it will never get old. My old 2C and X look cool in black, but 2, 3 and 4 look classier with their wooden rings. Still if I had to choose a favourite looking LCD that must be the R with the burnt Lichtenburg fractals.

Focal Clear

I am not a huge Focal fan myself, but the design of the old Clear is actually pretty cool.

AudioQuest NightHawk

The old NightHawk certainly stood out in every sense for the better or for the worse, depending on taste. I think it was a pretty cool design with one of the best comfort ever!

 

[ThanatosVI]

There are so many cool and/or nice designs! Here are some examples. I have been lucky to own all of these, except the LCD-R and Atrium open (for now). Apart from the Atrium open, white Elite and LCD-R these are my own photos. For the Atrium open photo credit goes to @vsg28.

ZMF Caldera/(Atrium)

All ZMF headphones look awesome and like a piece of art. I think, Zach's best design must be the Atrium open, that 'church window' grill with the correct wood IMO is just unbeatable. Very close second is Caldera open which also looks awesome in b&w ebony. I have been enjoying these beauties for more than a year.





Meze Elite

Completely different design approach, but equally stylish. I really dig the new white design, but my old classy aluminium version is pretty cool too.





Audeze classic LCD style

I just love this industrial design; it will never get old. My old 2C and X look cool in black, but 2, 3 and 4 look classier with their wooden rings. Still if I had to choose a favourite looking LCD that must be the R with the burnt Lichtenburg fractals.





Focal Clear

I am not a huge Focal fan myself, but the design of the old Clear is actually pretty cool.



Audeze NightHawk

The old NightHawk certainly stood out in every sense for the better or for the worse, depending on taste. I think it was a pretty cool design with one of the best comfort ever!

Interesting how not only our sonic taste but also aesthetic taste overlap quite a bit

 

[tfenton02]

Which headphones esthetics do we like the most, and why?

Two of my favorite colors are blue and purple, and when they’re combined, the result is absolutely stunning. One of my hobbies is racing and collecting exotic cars, and my all-time favorite is the Viola Pasifae Lamborghini Performante Spyder. Its pearlized purple-to-blue paint is a masterpiece in motion.

When ZMF released the Purple Burst Atrium Open, I knew it was the perfect match. Unfortunately, I missed out—just a few clicks too late. But fast forward to now, and karma worked its magic. I found this set in the classifieds, and the stars aligned.

A crazy reason to buy a headphone? Maybe. But for me, it’s all about the connection between the things I love.

 

[Conan1974]

Which headphones esthetics do we like the most, and why?

I have a weakness for Denon AHD9200, maybe a sentiment, but beside that, they are very well made and look good as well.
LCD 2 Padauk, beautiful cans. I am looking at them now, and even that they are a big headphone, they look so cute, gentle and small.
ZMF i do not need to mention again, i think

 

[Tanalasta]

Simple. But effective. From an aesthetic perspective, a hand-made ZMF was always going to feature highly. Absolutely stunning headphones.

Side by side with the Utopia 2022 and its soft leather but faux modern carbon fibre aesthetic.

Love the Amboyna Burl. ZMF’s first drop with this wood. I wonder if anyone would comment how Amboyna sounds compared to other woods, but I’m loving the sound, decay and presentation from these. “Head related transfer factor” is what @tfaduh calls it.

 

[up late]

form follows function in this classic industrial design created by a watchmaker