ZMF Aeolus Impressions thread

[Exekuhtor]

I did a big impression post comparing the Aeolus to the Auteur Classic!

Post in thread 'ZMF Auteur Thread'

Apr 3, 2025

---------- Aeolus versus Auteur Classic ----------
The two Whisky headphones.

Comparing the Auteur Classic and the Aeolus is super easy with my setup, my CFA3 has two XLR outputs and both headphones are within one db of sensitivity, which is barely noticable at all when swapping directly. I started with the solid state mode and then swapped over to zero feedback mode. DAC is my Dave with an MSCaler. Both headphones are equipped with perforated lamb skin pads.

Mids:
Aeolus has more density and is warmer, Auteur is thinner, cleaner, clearer, brighter. Auteur...

• Exekuhtor

• 

Edit because i can't double (triple) post:
The ZMF Aeolus has vocals that are extremely close to the vocals of the Susvara Unveiled. The Unveiled is brighter and has of course the way better separation, soundstage, details, speed and so on, but from a pure emotional and richness / timbre factor, the Aeolus is on the same level and they actually sound very close when it comes to the midrange. The Aeolus' vocals have the same tonality, intimacy and richness of the vocals of the Unveiled. Fascinating.

So, for everyone that has the cash and wants to upgrade to a headphone that delivers the same level of richness in the vocals but is technically superior in every way, the Susvara Unveiled is it. The Aeolus is darker, but aside from the technical aspect, these two headphones actually sound similiar, the Unveiled does sound way more open though too, with a bigger soundstage.

 

[Exekuhtor]

--------------------- Atrium Open versus Aeolus ---------------------
The search for the #1 whisky headphone continues.

A good friend sent me his Atrium Open for a comparison, i briefly heard it years ago (at home), but that was before i owned my Envy, i wasn't really interested in it at that time.

First: Aeolus on CFA3 with zero feedback mode and Atrium on Envy with Elrog TM's and Brimar CV1988.

Aeolus is more intimate, smaller soundstage.
Aeolus has richer vocals, Atrium is a bit thinner in the midrange.
Atrium is a good amount more detailed and better in seperation, allthough it's not a whole new world like versus a (TOTL) planar.

I still prefer the vocals of the Aeolus. Everyone seems to gush over them with the Atrium and here i am scratching my head. Is it the amp pairing? The Elrog TM's are my best 300B tubes, but they are not famous for their midrange, they're very good in this regard, but it's not as an emotional ride as others. But it's not like the CFA3 has a better standing here, even in ZF mode.
So, i'll tube roll to warmer ones, out go the TM's, in go the Western Electrics. Can't enrich the midrange anymore than with that combination.

Ok, holy moly.
This seems to be it. The vocals on the Atrium now really pop out and are crystal clear and are super rich and on top more detailed.
There is a kind of "sizzle" in vocals with the Atrium, which reminds me of the Valkyria, which does something similiar.
The problem is that vocals are now even more intimate than on the Aeolus.

I'll now also plug the Aeolus into the Envy and turn the CFA3 off. Even playing-field now.
The Aeolus gets more intimate than the Atrium. And even richer in the mids than it was before.
The Atrium still sounds a bit more neutral than the Aeolus.

The Atrium is a tiny bit brighter than the Aeolus. It's very snappy and has better dynamics than the Aeolus. But i'm searching for the best "lean back and sip whisky" headphone, not a crazy good dynamic slammer or a highly resolving allrounder.

It's a really hard decision. I'm having a really hard time right now which one i prefer. Both headphones are clearly S tier when it comes to vocals. The Aeolus is the super smooth king, while the Atrium has more details and texture and a bit more treble. Both have a highly enriched midrange, but the Atrium needs the better source for that.
Not only vocals, but guitars on the Atrium are also spectacular. But they are also really enjoyable on the Aeolus.

It comes down to which headphone i miss more when i swap.
All vocal tests up to this point were done with male vocals. That is were my struggle was. After listening to a few songs with female vocals, the choice is easy.
Female vocals are just better on the Aeolus. And it's not even close in my opinion. The Atrium sounds less intimate, sharper and flatter, and also more boring, while it also sounds more shouty to my ears. I don't quite understand it, but the Aeolus has that superior golden veil over everything which is just as musical as it gets, and that veil also prevents any form of sibilance or shout.
Especially with female singers which have a thinner voice - "Within Temptations - Stairway to the Skies", or "Kohmi Hirose - Promise" or "Ad Infinitum - Somewhere Better", the Aeolus is just clearly ahead. And it's a drastic gap and i feel disappointed when i switch to the Atrium. Those higher pitched female vocals are just so much richer, more intimate, thicker and just more enjoyable on the Aeolus that i don't want to swap back.
It is what it is.
The Aeolus takes the crown - again. Now i really want a resin stabilized one.

 

[mowgli-kun]

--------------------- Atrium Open versus Aeolus ---------------------
The search for the #1 whisky headphone continues.



A good friend sent me his Atrium Open for a comparison, i briefly heard it years ago (at home), but that was before i owned my Envy, i wasn't really interested in it at that time.

First: Aeolus on CFA3 with zero feedback mode and Atrium on Envy with Elrog TM's and Brimar CV1988.

Aeolus is more intimate, smaller soundstage.
Aeolus has richer vocals, Atrium is a bit thinner in the midrange.
Atrium is a good amount more detailed and better in seperation, allthough it's not a whole new world like versus a (TOTL) planar.

I still prefer the vocals of the Aeolus. Everyone seems to gush over them with the Atrium and here i am scratching my head. Is it the amp pairing? The Elrog TM's are my best 300B tubes, but they are not famous for their midrange, they're very good in this regard, but it's not as an emotional ride as others. But it's not like the CFA3 has a better standing here, even in ZF mode.
So, i'll tube roll to warmer ones, out go the TM's, in go the Western Electrics. Can't enrich the midrange anymore than with that combination.

Ok, holy moly.
This seems to be it. The vocals on the Atrium now really pop out and are crystal clear and are super rich and on top more detailed.
The problem is that vocals are now even more intimate than on the Aeolus.
There is a kind of "sizzle" in vocals, which reminds me of the Valkyria, which does something similiar.

I'll now also plug the Aeolus into the Envy and turn the CFA3 off. Even playing-field now.
The Aeolus gets more intimate than the Atrium. And even richer in the mids than it was before.
The Atrium still sounds a bit more neutral than the Aeolus.

The Atrium is a tiny bit brighter than the Aeolus. It's very snappy and has better dynamics than the Aeolus. But i'm searching for the best "lean back and sip whisky" headphone, not a crazy good dynamic slammer or a highly resolving allrounder.

It's a really hard decision. I'm having a really hard time right now which one i prefer. Both headphones are clearly S tier when it comes to vocals. The Aeolus is the super smooth king, while the Atrium has more details and texture and a bit more treble. Both have a highly enriched midrange, but the Atrium needs the better source for that.
Not only vocals, but guitars on the Atrium are also spectacular. But they are also really enjoyable on the Aeolus.

It comes down to which headphone i miss more when i swap.
All vocal tests up to this point were done with male vocals. That is were my struggle was. After listening to a few songs with female vocals, the choice is easy.
Female vocals are just better on the Aeolus. And it's not even close in my opinion. The Atrium sounds less intimate, sharper and flatter, and also more boring, while it sounds also more shouty to my ears. I don't quite understand it, but the Aeolus has that superior golden veil over everything which is just as musical as it gets, and that veil also prevents any form of sibilance or shout.
Especially with female singers which have a thinner voice - "Within Temptations - Stairway to the Skies", or "Kohmi Hirose - Promise" or "Ad Infinitum - Somewhere Better", the Aeolus is just clearly ahead. And it's a drastic gap and i feel disappointed when i switch to the Atrium. Those higher pitched female vocals are just so much richer, more intimate, thicker and just more enjoyable on the Aeolus that i don't want to swap back.
It is what it is.
The Aeolus takes the crown - again. Now i really want a resin stabilized one.

Great comparison! Curious what pads you had on each headphone.

I had (and loved) the Aeolus, and only sold them because I wanted a touch more soundstage and detail with the same warmth and euphony. That brought me to the VC, and then the Atrium, which has become my favorite ZMF (controversial opinion, I know /s ). Seems like Aeolus might be the perfect ZMF for you!

 

[CaptainFantastic]

--------------------- Atrium Open versus Aeolus ---------------------
The search for the #1 whisky headphone continues.



A good friend sent me his Atrium Open for a comparison, i briefly heard it years ago (at home), but that was before i owned my Envy, i wasn't really interested in it at that time.

First: Aeolus on CFA3 with zero feedback mode and Atrium on Envy with Elrog TM's and Brimar CV1988.

Aeolus is more intimate, smaller soundstage.
Aeolus has richer vocals, Atrium is a bit thinner in the midrange.
Atrium is a good amount more detailed and better in seperation, allthough it's not a whole new world like versus a (TOTL) planar.

I still prefer the vocals of the Aeolus. Everyone seems to gush over them with the Atrium and here i am scratching my head. Is it the amp pairing? The Elrog TM's are my best 300B tubes, but they are not famous for their midrange, they're very good in this regard, but it's not as an emotional ride as others. But it's not like the CFA3 has a better standing here, even in ZF mode.
So, i'll tube roll to warmer ones, out go the TM's, in go the Western Electrics. Can't enrich the midrange anymore than with that combination.

Ok, holy moly.
This seems to be it. The vocals on the Atrium now really pop out and are crystal clear and are super rich and on top more detailed.
There is a kind of "sizzle" in vocals with the Atrium, which reminds me of the Valkyria, which does something similiar.
The problem is that vocals are now even more intimate than on the Aeolus.

I'll now also plug the Aeolus into the Envy and turn the CFA3 off. Even playing-field now.
The Aeolus gets more intimate than the Atrium. And even richer in the mids than it was before.
The Atrium still sounds a bit more neutral than the Aeolus.

The Atrium is a tiny bit brighter than the Aeolus. It's very snappy and has better dynamics than the Aeolus. But i'm searching for the best "lean back and sip whisky" headphone, not a crazy good dynamic slammer or a highly resolving allrounder.

It's a really hard decision. I'm having a really hard time right now which one i prefer. Both headphones are clearly S tier when it comes to vocals. The Aeolus is the super smooth king, while the Atrium has more details and texture and a bit more treble. Both have a highly enriched midrange, but the Atrium needs the better source for that.
Not only vocals, but guitars on the Atrium are also spectacular. But they are also really enjoyable on the Aeolus.

It comes down to which headphone i miss more when i swap.
All vocal tests up to this point were done with male vocals. That is were my struggle was. After listening to a few songs with female vocals, the choice is easy.
Female vocals are just better on the Aeolus. And it's not even close in my opinion. The Atrium sounds less intimate, sharper and flatter, and also more boring, while it also sounds more shouty to my ears. I don't quite understand it, but the Aeolus has that superior golden veil over everything which is just as musical as it gets, and that veil also prevents any form of sibilance or shout.
Especially with female singers which have a thinner voice - "Within Temptations - Stairway to the Skies", or "Kohmi Hirose - Promise" or "Ad Infinitum - Somewhere Better", the Aeolus is just clearly ahead. And it's a drastic gap and i feel disappointed when i switch to the Atrium. Those higher pitched female vocals are just so much richer, more intimate, thicker and just more enjoyable on the Aeolus that i don't want to swap back.
It is what it is.
The Aeolus takes the crown - again. Now i really want a resin stabilized one.

You nailed it. These are the only two ZMFs I kept. And whenever I compare them, I think wow, the Aeolus is even more enjoyable than the AO. I would sell the AO, but never my Aeolus.

 

[jonathan c]

...... The Aeolus takes the crown - again. Now i really want a resin stabilized one.

The structural firmness from (i) a wood of a higher Janka hardness rating or (ii) a stabilised resin adds wonders to Aeolus' sonic presentation !!

[LTD Bocote]

[LTD Stabilised Flageolet]

 

[Orange5o]

The structural firmness from (i) a wood of a higher Janka hardness rating or (ii) a stabilised resin adds wonders to Aeolus' sonic presentation !! [LTD Bocote] [LTD Stabilised Flageolet]

Every time you show the Flageolet it haunts me that I sold it lol. I'm glad it's in a good home and frankly it's a beautiful match with the furniture and amp!

 

[jonathan c]

Every time you show the Flageolet it haunts me that I sold it lol. I'm glad it's in a good home and frankly it's a beautiful match with the furniture and amp!

... an even better match on my head!

 

[MellowGold]

This was the setup for last night's tube voyage across seas of dutch lager and spanish wine. First mate was a 'new to me' Redwood Burl Aelous that's reached it's final destination.

 

[jonathan c]

[Indian Almond]

 

[pk4425]

[Indian Almond]

Hey, I recognize those! They look great with your rig and that aftermarket cable, J. Glad they found such a quality home. Enjoy them!

 

[Kommando]

Forever my get down and boogie headphone

The B-52’s are magic!

 

[CaptainFantastic]

Four years into my ZMF exploration journey, having owned a total of four bought new (Aeolus, Verite, AO, AC) and one new but b-stock (Auteur), only one survives.

The first one. Aeolus. Stock. Bought in that fateful year of 2020 and received after a five month build.

It's just so good and has earned a permanent place in my collection. I wouldn't exclude keeping an eye on any special wood runs in the future. Do those still happen for the Aeolus or just stock and stabilized for a while now?

 

[MellowGold]

Four years into my ZMF exploration journey, having owned a total of four bought new (Aeolus, Verite, AO, AC) and one new but b-stock (Auteur), only one survives.

The first one. Aeolus. Stock. Bought in that fateful year of 2020 and received after a five month build.

It's just so good and has earned a permanent place in my collection. I wouldn't exclude keeping an eye on any special wood runs in the future. Do those still happen for the Aeolus or just stock and stabilized for a while now?

There's a LTD edition available now:
https://shop.zmfheadphones.com/collections/ltd-editions/products/aeolus-ash

 

[ch1525i]

There's a LTD edition available now:
https://shop.zmfheadphones.com/collections/ltd-editions/products/aeolus-ash

I, too, have been eyeing that LTD as I'm thinking of adding an Aeolus to my collection. I figured I would wait until Friday to see what the last "drop" looks like before making a final decision on how to spend this drop's money

 

[MellowGold]

IMO, that Aeolus Ash LTD is a good value considering it's the same price as stock. It's hard to find fault in the Aeolus, I love it all decked out in suede.