ZMF Aeolus Impressions thread

[NeoArk90]

I tried the perforated suedes as well, I liked them the most as far as comfort but the sound was a touch brighter than I wanted and the perforated leather was more in line with my liking. I would like to try the hybrid perforated as well at some point.
Also another shot of the mystery wood.

I really like the suede pads, the comfort and the clean, clear sound, but sometimes I understand what you're saying, they can be a little too forward in the mid-high range, and they lose a bit in the slam (obviously it's my opinion)

 

[TheMiddleSky]

These somehow evaded my Radar until now, but not anymore.
I still have to read up on this thread but any comparisons to the other open ZMFs are welcome.

"Chocolaty" sounding headphone. Full body, warm, a bit intimate presentation (especially vocal area), decent width and depth of soundstage, with relax and butter smooth presentation. Atrium Open provide bigger bass and punchier as well, but from vocal to treble Aeolus will give you smoother presentation. I quite like it with BE2 perforated earpad (full leather), as the universe pad a bit too relax for me.

 

[ThanatosVI]

"Chocolaty" sounding headphone. Full body, warm, a bit intimate presentation (especially vocal area), decent width and depth of soundstage, with relax and butter smooth presentation. Atrium Open provide bigger bass and punchier as well, but from vocal to treble Aeolus will give you smoother presentation. I quite like it with BE2 perforated earpad (full leather), as the universe pad a bit too relax for me.

Thank you, much appreciated

 

[pk4425]

"Chocolaty" sounding headphone. Full body, warm, a bit intimate presentation (especially vocal area), decent width and depth of soundstage, with relax and butter smooth presentation. Atrium Open provide bigger bass and punchier as well, but from vocal to treble Aeolus will give you smoother presentation. I quite like it with BE2 perforated earpad (full leather), as the universe pad a bit too relax for me.

I need to try the perf leather pads. I had solid lambskin, which were OK, and eagerly switched to lauded Universe perf suede. Results were disappointing. Your description of "too relax" mirrored my experience.

 

[cats4cans]

I started with the Uni perf suede. The Uni perf lamb was a bit too thick and bassy for most of my music, the OG Aeolus pads even more so. I thought Caldera Ultra perf were both great. I left the UP Suede on for a long time, mostly because the UP lamb was a better match with my VO. Lately I’ve been liking the BE2 hybrid, especially on high Z amps like the A20. It’s weird how swapping pads every few months can be almost like getting a different headphone. In general I just like the feel of suede better.

 

[ThanatosVI]

It’s weird how swapping pads every few months can be almost like getting a different headphone

It's amazing isn't it.
Big bonus of ZMF headphones. Lots of options to fine tune and switch it up

 

[LittleJoe919]

I've recently joined the club bought used from another Headfier. Bought a new set of universal pads as the originals where peeling.
At first I wasn't so sure about them. I had them running foobar 2000> Yggy GS2> MJ3> TA-26s. Once I plugged the Yggy directly into the TA-26 was a game changer. I can only imagine what they would sound like with a better tube amp.
They go head to head with my HEK-2 (non stealth) and almost make them seem vailed. They are a greatly complement to each other when running the HEK through the MJ3. One of my best purchases.

 

[G8torbyte]

I've recently joined the club bought used from another Headfier. Bought a new set of universal pads as the originals where peeling.
At first I wasn't so sure about them. I had them running foobar 2000> Yggy GS2> MJ3> TA-26s. Once I plugged the Yggy directly into the TA-26 was a game changer. I can only imagine what they would sound like with a better tube amp.
They go head to head with my HEK-2 (non stealth) and almost make them seem vailed. They are a greatly complement to each other when running the HEK through the MJ3. One of my best purchases.

Congrats and yes, if you get a chance try them on a nice OTL tube amp that matches well with the 300 Ohm impedance, it is fantastic. On a Decware CSP3 the ZMF dynamic headphones all sound amazing. I did have the TA-26 for a short time and it was a good intro to tube amps.

 

[jonathan c]

 

[jinxy245]

That might be the most beautiful Aeolus I've seen...awesome.

 

[Kommando]

image

Beautiful, love the gold accents and headband.

 

[jonathan c]

That is Aeolus (LTD Flageolet, 2024).

 

[JerseyD]

@jonathan c , looks like you were set up for a Mass Kobo 433 vs Nitsch dsha-3fn shootout with those gorgeous Aeolus. What were your findings?

 

[jonathan c]

@jonathan c , looks like you were set up for a Mass Kobo 433 vs Nitsch dsha-3fn shootout with those gorgeous Aeolus. What were your findings?

• In short: to me, '433' and '3FN' have a beguiling, non-sterile purity that has no solid-state etch, glare, or other 'nasties'. Both have the merest hint of 'tubeness'. Both convey with sheer ease the essence of music.
• '3FN', to me, has a slightly lower noise floor, is a bit closer to a vantablack sound background, has slightly greater dynamic range & impact on transients.
• I fully intend to keep both '433' and '3FN'.

 

[Exekuhtor]

Hey, i want to buy a shiny Aeolus, if someone is interested in selling his unit, message me with photos. Stabilized / Resin versions only. And also EU only. Thanks.