ZMF Atrium - new open-back co-flagship

[g0ldl10n]

They do look that way, but the description is definitely targeting other full sized headphones, "Try them on ZMFs or your favorite headphone as our pads will fit most full sized cans, be it oval or round."

Really curious as to how these would sound on the Atrium.

Just got in the ZMF Suede Oval pads, and they fit, and hands down my favorite pads - so much so, I am completely done looking for any other pads now - these will be it for me to the end of time with my Atriums. Just in case anyone was curious how I liked them, as I see no other people mention them in this thread using them on the Atrium. Not sure how the other materials would sound, but after trying all the different materials, and hybrid pads from different lines, the consensus for me was personally I like suede the most, hence the reason why I chose those ones to try from the Oval line.

 

[ArkNerevar]

Just got in the ZMF Suede Oval pads, and they fit, and hands down my favorite pads

From what I can see online, this pad is only available in solid (non-perforated) so is it a solid pad your now using? Could you elaborate a little on its sound signature? What is it that you like so much its now your favourite, especially in comparison to other pads (regardless of the material, do you normally like solid pads on the Atrium and if yes how does it compare to other solid pads you’ve tried?
Sorry for such detailed questions, it's as you said, a non-mentioned choice of ear-pad so no other info on its sound before you brought it up.

 

[g0ldl10n]

From what I can see online, this pad is only available in solid (non-perforated) so is it a solid pad your now using? Could you elaborate a little on its sound signature? What is it that you like so much its now your favourite, especially in comparison to other pads (regardless of the material, do you normally like solid pads on the Atrium and if yes how does it compare to other solid pads you’ve tried?
Sorry for such detailed questions, it's as you said, a non-mentioned choice of ear-pad so no other info on its sound before you brought it up.

I think I will reserve most of the SQ aspects of what I personally hear to myself, as I think its apparent from the majority of peoples opinions on pads I hear things substantially different in most cases (and even different to what ZMF pad chart shows), and I would rather not be the reason someone spend money on something they ultimately do not like.

I know ZMFs website says solid pads "are only used for their closed backs".. honestly, I have no idea why this is stated like solid pads have absolutely no business being used on open backs - not trying to knock, just seems like a pretty shortsighted opinion to state as a fact, specially when dealing with something as subjective as SQ - I am glad I tried solid pads, that is for sure - my favorite pads to date have all been solid on the Atrium - also, the perforated pads I do have, the stock leather and Verite BE2 suede, I actually covered up the majority of the holes on the outside rim with leather, which imo made them sound a lot better for me. So its obvious for me personally (completely subjective) I like solid pads on the Atrium a whole lot more than perforated pads.

For me, the Oval shape is more comfortable, and from what I have tried these pads are the most comfortable I have tried on the Atrium, and they are much thicker which keeps the sound open and spacious. The sound is surprisingly very balanced, while bringing out the low end much more than the stock leather and BE2 pads - not as much as the Brainwavz XL suede, however, they are much more balanced than those, without the increased lows bleeding into the mids and highs much at all, as those do - the BW XL Suede required some eq adjustments, these barely need any at all - and actually, needed the opposite to the BW XL Suede - where those needed the mids/highs elevated, whereas these need Freq 1731, 2500 and 5500 slightly lowered by 0.5.

Here is a post detailing the different pads I have tried --> https://www.head-fi.org/threads/zmf-atrium-new-open-back-co-flagship.962609/post-17182382
And --> https://www.head-fi.org/threads/zmf-atrium-new-open-back-co-flagship.962609/post-17186572
And --> https://www.head-fi.org/threads/zmf-atrium-new-open-back-co-flagship.962609/post-17189955

I do wish there was some form of "pad sharing", so one could try out pads before buying them, as they aren't cheap, specially the ZMF pads, those are pretty expensive.

The absolute main difference I have noticed with solid pads, is they bring out the low end a lot more than perforated - some a bit too much, like the BW XL Suede, however, the ZMF Oval Suede do it in the exact way I was trying to achieve with the BE2 perf suede by covering the holes on the outside - doing that, almost got them there, but these do it perfectly - my pad rolling itch completely gone now, and I am super happy about that!

Basically this -->

However, they also tame the upper end, and if you are sensitive to that frequency range, you might find solid pads much more suited to your personal tastes.

 

[Somatic]

Anyone running their Atriums with the Feliks Envy? If so, how are you liking the pairing?

 

[robo24]

Anyone running their Atriums with the Feliks Envy? If so, how are you liking the pairing?

I spent some time with it and the VO and Caldera at CanJam. The best I've ever heard any ZMF and it didn't take long to decide it will be my end game amp eventually.It made them all more full sounding with amazing clarity. I didn't think the Verite could seem even more like it's completely surrounding you with sound, but indeed with the Envy it does. It was also my first time hearing a 300b amp, so take with a grain of salt. There were others but I only heard the Atrium on the Envy.

 

[henrix]

I’m recently came across ZMF brand and digged into all reviews on YT and web.. I leaning towards the atrium for my tube setup, what I wonder is if there’s a chance of release of a LTD stabilized version? Do ZMF do special versions from time to time or was the last one the only one? Really like some other wood then the cherry one…

/Henric

 

[Deceneu808]

I’m recently came across ZMF brand and digged into all reviews on YT and web.. I leaning towards the atrium for my tube setup, what I wonder is if there’s a chance of release of a LTD stabilized version? Do ZMF do special versions from time to time or was the last one the only one? Really like some other wood then the cherry one…

/Henric

ZMF November is coming up. Lots of stabilized woods, resin woods and LTD specials coming up.

 

[Tchoupitoulas]

I leaning towards the atrium for my tube setup, what I wonder is if there’s a chance of release of a LTD stabilized version? Do ZMF do special versions from time to time or was the last one the only one?

Your best opportunity to buy a stabilized pair of Atrium would be to purchase them directly from ZMF. ZMF has dealers in Europe, including in Sweden, and they may receive some limited versions of ZMF headphones. If you buy from ZMF directly, you'd have to pay any import duties in your country but you would have a wider selection of headphones to choose from.

Your timing is pretty good because ZMF holds a special sales event each November. "ZMF November," as it's called, includes the sale of ltd stabilized versions of some of its headphones as well as a selection of other limited wood releases and some b-stock headphones, i.e. those with minor imperfections that are sold at a discount.

ZMF has started to offer other sales events besides the one in November. There were two "Hot Cup Summer" sales this year, which more or less coincided with US holidays. I'd recommend signing up for email notifications from ZMF so you can find out when future events will take place.

ZMF typically creates a head-fi thread announcing its sales events and it also creates a page on its website that shows the specific, unique stabilized headphones that will go on sale. You can view the offerings for several days before the sale goes live. Be sure to note the specific date and time when the sales begin: some, if not most of the limited edition headphones sell very quickly. I'd recommend picking out two or three headphones that you'd most like to purchase. If one of them has sold by the time you try to buy it, you can then try again with the other ones. And if you miss out, don't worry, it won't be long before the next sales event. Good luck!

 

[henrix]

Thank you for the quick response, this sounds thrilling , I will keep my eyes open for announcements! It will make a perfect Christmas gift for me

 

[DougD]

Be sure to note the specific date and time when the sales begin: some, if not most of the limited edition headphones sell very quickly.

I'd recommend picking out two or three headphones that you'd most like to purchase. If one of them has sold by the time you try to buy it, you can then try again with the other ones. And if you miss out, don't worry, it won't be long before the next sales event. Good luck!

Excellent advice.

The stabilized resin-colorized versions are unique and each is given a specific name. I think those are only offered during the special events. For the ones that really catch people's eyes, Tchoupitoulas' "sell very quickly" OFTEN means "in less than 60 seconds after the sale begins." My impression from watching is that some transactions have closed in 20 seconds. If you REALLY LOVE and have your heart set on one specific particular color-combo ... be ready to move fast.

You don't have to move quite as quickly on the "just wood" special LTDs, but many of those are going to have limited quantities too.

Of course, the standard just-wood and "current LTD" offerings for the various models are available all the time from the ZMF website.

 

[YtseJamer]

Katatonia's new song (Atrium) sounds great on the Atrium \m/

 

[AcousticMatt]

Hey all - I wanted to get your input on something.

At CanJam SoCal, I had an "interesting" experience with one of the employees at the Audeze booth. I was carrying a couple of headphones with me (Susvara and Audeze LCD3).

I stopped by the ZMF booth first, met everyone there and, like everyone always says, they were kind and I felt welcomed. I then bought an Atrium. I asked if I could try my Susvara on one of the Cayin tube amps, and the ZMF employee said of course! So I did and it was fun trying out ZMF headphones and the Susvara on the amp.

I later made my way to the Audeze booth. As I start pulling out my Susvara, I begin to ask if I can try it on their Holo May/Burson Soloist GT setup. Before I can finish my sentence, he cuts me off and says "5 minutes!". Frustrating, considering I didn't even get to finish asking. I then begin to explain to him that I own 3 Audeze headphones LCD3 being my favorite, and I just heard the Holo May was a great DAC for the Susvara, and I had my LCD3 with me and wanted to try that on it, too and he cuts me off again and then brings over an LCD3 from their booth, ignoring that I had my own. He said "here, that way the boss won't kick you out" and then laughed, as if to soften the whole situation.

I'm not one to publicly complain and try to work out my issues with the people who I had them with, but there wasn't really time to in this case, and I was kind of shocked by his response to me. The guy made me feel like I was an idiot for bringing another companies headphone over to listen. I guess I wanted people's thoughts if there were any as to - was I in the wrong? Is that just an unspoken no-no with other companies?

My experience with ZMF was great and even watching the Abyss headphone guys saying in a video that they get people all the time wanting to try different companies' headphones on their setups at CanJams and they seemed totally cool with it. That seems to be to be usual at a show like that; it's not a store. The way I was treated really got to me and to be honest, I haven't really wanted to listen to my Audeze headphones since. Anyways, I debated whether or not to share, but it's still been on my mind since and wondered if I should just try to roll of my back.

 

[goldwerger]

Hey all - I wanted to get your input on something.

At CanJam SoCal, I had an "interesting" experience with one of the employees at the Audeze booth. I was carrying a couple of headphones with me (Susvara and Audeze LCD3).

I stopped by the ZMF booth first, met everyone there and, like everyone always says, they were kind and I felt welcomed. I then bought an Atrium. I asked if I could try my Susvara on one of the Cayin tube amps, and the ZMF employee said of course! So I did and it was fun trying out ZMF headphones and the Susvara on the amp.

I later made my way to the Audeze booth. As I start pulling out my Susvara, I begin to ask if I can try it on their Holo May/Burson Soloist GT setup. Before I can finish my sentence, he cuts me off and says "5 minutes!". Frustrating, considering I didn't even get to finish asking. I then begin to explain to him that I own 3 Audeze headphones LCD3 being my favorite, and I just heard the Holo May was a great DAC for the Susvara, and I had my LCD3 with me and wanted to try that on it, too and he cuts me off again and then brings over an LCD3 from their booth, ignoring that I had my own. He said "here, that way the boss won't kick you out" and then laughed, as if to soften the whole situation.

I'm not one to publicly complain and try to work out my issues with the people who I had them with, but there wasn't really time to in this case, and I was kind of shocked by his response to me. The guy made me feel like I was an idiot for bringing another companies headphone over to listen. I guess I wanted people's thoughts if there were any as to - was I in the wrong? Is that just an unspoken no-no with other companies?

My experience with ZMF was great and even watching the Abyss headphone guys saying in a video that they get people all the time wanting to try different companies' headphones on their setups at CanJams and they seemed totally cool with it. That seems to be to be usual at a show like that; it's not a store. The way I was treated really got to me and to be honest, I haven't really wanted to listen to my Audeze headphones since. Anyways, I debated whether or not to share, but it's still been on my mind since and wondered if I should just try to roll of my back.

As told, you are right and they are wrong. That’s all there is to it. ZMF represents the majority of folks in this community who are friendly, curious, and welcoming (and they are the best of the community in that regard). At SoCal Chicago, when they had the Lina stack for demo, I kindly asked to test my Susvara and even plug my AK dap directly to the amp to test it on its own (at a quiet time when doable) and it was “of course” (mind you, play your part, reconnect anything you disconnect with permission, and let anyone waiting take their reasonably quick turn). This is what most folks at CanJams exhibit - curiosity, openness, and a genuine shared passion for discovery.

 

[AcousticMatt]

As told, you are right and they are wrong. That’s all there is to it. ZMF represents the majority of folks in this community who are friendly, curious, and welcoming (and they are the best of the community in that regard). At SoCal Chicago, when they had the Lina stack for demo, I kindly asked to test my Susvara and even plug my AK dap directly to the amp to test it on its own (at a quiet time when doable) and it was “of course” (mind you, play your part, reconnect anything you disconnect with permission, and let anyone waiting take their reasonably quick turn). This is what most folks at CanJams exhibit - curiosity, openness, and a genuine shared passion for discovery.

Ok, thanks so much. And sure, in this case it would've been just me unplugging one of their headphones and plugging it back in when I was done, which I did. The way he reacted to me just made me second guess myself. And indeed, it made me appreciate ZMF even more! Different vibe entirely.

It was my second CanJam, so I was thinking maybe there was something with some of these companies that I missed somewhere of what not to do. But it seems not to be the case. Again, I appreciate your response! It helps to put my mind at ease a bit for sure.

 

[wolfstar76]

Excellent advice.

The stabilized resin-colorized versions are unique and each is given a specific name. I think those are only offered during the special events. For the ones that really catch people's eyes, Tchoupitoulas' "sell very quickly" OFTEN means "in less than 60 seconds after the sale begins." My impression from watching is that some transactions have closed in 20 seconds. If you REALLY LOVE and have your heart set on one specific particular color-combo ... be ready to move fast.

You don't have to move quite as quickly on the "just wood" special LTDs, but many of those are going to have limited quantities too.

Of course, the standard just-wood and "current LTD" offerings for the various models are available all the time from the ZMF website.

Given the life time driver warranty is not transferable, is it a good ideal to buy used ZMF headphone here in classified?