Huntersknoll
100+ Head-Fier
Here are some solid video reviews which contain comparisons. Hid them behind spoilers so they don't clog up the thread too much.
If you read though this thread there are some good comparisons as well
ZMF Atrium Closed
- Thread starter goldwerger
- Start date
If you read though this thread there are some good comparisons as well
hanumanbob
100+ Head-Fier
Thanks. I have the Open which I adore and have an opportunity to get a closed for office use but I didn't know how different they were. I had purchased a Meze Liric for that purpose but when I compare them to the Atrium open which probably isn't a fair comparison the difference is so vast and goes way beyond open and closed. 
Last edited:
Thanks. I have the Open which I adore and have an opportunity to get a closed for office use but I didn't know how different they were. I had purchased a Meze Liric for that purpose but when I compare them to the Atrium open which probably isn't a fair comparison the difference is so vast and goes way beyond open and closed.
TLDR;
AC shares much of the AO character, notably the ADS damping system which creates that lush decay and organic timbre.
The AC isn’t just a closed version though, it is a distinctly unique headphone. Where the AO is notable for its mid bass, the AC has a very deeply extended and elevated sub-bass and lower bass. They both offer a great soundstage presentation. The AO is a little bigger, but both feel open and very well made. The AC is slightly more elevated in the upper mids/presence region and slightly more recessed in the lower mids (to my ears!), which means that I find female vocals have an intimated presentation. The AC subjectively feel a touch faster (I don’t think they are objectively), especially with harder wood variants that have a slightly crisper bass articulation.. Softer wood will give you bit extra decay. Both are great.
I’ve had the Liric for a couple of weeks last year. They are well made, fun, and portable. But sonically, I found them not in the same league as the AC, which I absolutely adore.
My original first impressions hold true after many months of almost daily listening:
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/zmfheadphones-atrium-closed.26353/reviews#review-30248
Last edited:
erics75
Headphoneus Supremus
Without going into too much detail, they're similar but still uniquely different. You can tell they're using the same driver, and sound related. But they go about things a bit differently. On the Atrium Open (AO) I run lambskin BE2 pads and no mesh. My Atrium Closed (AC) runs the lambskin Caldera pads. Insert "in my opinion" to each of the following comments.
The (AO) is more mid forward and balanced sounding. Nothing really stands out to my ears, it's balanced, warm, and incredibly engaging. The AC is a bit less even sounding. The lower midbass and subbass have a clear elevation vs the AO. The treble is also a bit elevated compared to the AO. These elevations initially made me think the AC was V shaped with recessed mids. But after many hours adjusting, I've realized the mids aren't really recessed. I don't find myself struggling to hear the mids over the bass and treble as I do proper V shaped headphones like the M50x. The mids have plenty of presence and fit nicely between the highs and lows. They're just not as forward as they are on the AO. If you like mid forward signatures, try the suede pads. Those bring the mids much more forward while tempering the bass a bit. Treble is a bit spicy but not too hot.
The AC has my favorite bass response of any headphone. It's thick, percussive, dynamic, and hits like a truck. But it's not slow, resonate, or boomy. It's just fun, no other way I can describe it. The AO's bass is crazy good too, but I find myself enjoying the AC's more. At times I feel the frame of the AC vibrating from the bass, I love it! It's a bit more flamboyant in it's delivery vs the AO. If you are the type who prefers a more refined signature, the AO is probably the better option.
They both in general are warm and easy to listen to. They both have really large soundstages. The AC is especially impressive in it's ability to get so close to the AO in a closed set. No it's not quite as big and spacious, but it's not far off. I never feel penalized going to the AC.
If you like one, you'll likely like the other. With pad rolling and meshes, you can get them to sound very close to each other.
Huntersknoll
100+ Head-Fier
I don't listen to a lot of bass heavy music, but this happened to me the other day and it got a "whoa" out of me.
heliosphann
Headphoneus Supremus
Step up your game and run Verite pads on your AO with no mesh!
erics75
Headphoneus Supremus
I really want to try the Caldera pads everyone is raving about on the AO thread. I need to see what my secondary pads were. It comes with the universe pads mounted, but I cannot remember what my other set were. I want to say Auteur, but I can't remember. I just remember loving the BE2 pads and haven't done much rolling since. Have you tried the BE2 pads? Like the Verite pads more?Step up your game and run Verite pads on your AO with no mesh!
hanumanbob
100+ Head-Fier
Do you review professionally? That's pretty detailed.
heliosphann
Headphoneus Supremus
I love the BE2 pads on the VO, but wasn't a huge fan of them on the AO. I could see why some people would like them as they deliver a tighter, more technical sound out of the AO's. They're are definitely advantages to having your ears closer to the drivers.
The Verite Pad comment was more of a joke (thinnest ZMF pads to date). It's already pretty wild to me that you run BE2 pads on your AO without any mesh. But hey, that just demonstrates how we all have different hearing tolerances/preferences. Being able to tweak the sound so much with just pads/mesh is a huge advantage you have with ZMF's.
I've only tried the Ultra Perf Caldera pads on the Auteur Classic so far, and I really liked how they sounded. Great technically, along with bigger staging than the BE2 pads, but they pushed the upper mids right to my comfort zone. I'm thinking they'll pair really well with the VO's.
Last edited:
You should create some testing playlists.
Definitely have that for myself (for both testing and pleasure). Will be happy to share (playlist current in roon, but can easily be done wtih bit of attention).
hanumanbob
100+ Head-Fier
I was trained as a classical musician but enjoy all types just don't have the vocabulary with the other genres.
Huntersknoll
100+ Head-Fier
To all the new AC owners, let me say your cans look great! I suggest that at some point you put on the suede pads and try them out.
This is the headphone I've been searching and look for about the past 5 years. It nails it perfect what I want.
This is the headphone I've been searching and look for about the past 5 years. It nails it perfect what I want.
Users who are viewing this thread
