ZMF Atrium - new open-back co-flagship

[LXMc]

Of course what I am about to say isn’t true for all those being sold, but ZMF November is right around the corner. So some people will sell their stock woods in order to finance the same headphone in a limited edition or stabilized resin.

ZMF makes such gorgeous headphones, that we like to buy them sometimes on looks alone

I have not experienced a ZMF November myself and I'm worried about the temptation already. Just the Summer of Burl was already too much to resist...

 

[cats4cans]

 

[Hifiearspeakers]

I have not experienced a ZMF November myself and I'm worried about the temptation already. Just the Summer of Burl was already too much to resist...

No need to resist. Join the club

 

[Mattyjm]

No need to resist. Join the club

resistance is futile haha

 

[heliosphann]

No need to resist. Join the club

 

[Bojinx]

November!!

 

[Schuie Driver]

Just purchased a pair used on the classifieds here and really am looking forward to comparing them to my Arya stealths. Been a bit since I've had a dynamic driver headphone so hopefully I like them. Plan to use them with a Burson soloist as it's what I currently have and am not sure I'll go tubes despite the many folks who say that's what really unlocks these ZMF's.

 

[goldwerger]

Just purchased a pair used on the classifieds here and really am looking forward to comparing them to my Arya stealths. Been a bit since I've had a dynamic driver headphone so hopefully I like them. Plan to use them with a Burson soloist as it's what I currently have and am not sure I'll go tubes despite the many folks who say that's what really unlocks these ZMF's.

Congrats! Very different presentation.. you’ll have a blast

 

[CFGamescape]

Just purchased a pair used on the classifieds here and really am looking forward to comparing them to my Arya stealths. Been a bit since I've had a dynamic driver headphone so hopefully I like them. Plan to use them with a Burson soloist as it's what I currently have and am not sure I'll go tubes despite the many folks who say that's what really unlocks these ZMF's.

I also have a Soloist (2023 3X GT to be exact) and I’ve had a lot of fun op amp rolling. You could get yours to a “tube-like” configuration with the right op amps.

 

[Nuge]

@erics75 did you receive the Verite pads yet? Curious about your thoughts. I have actually been appreciating the Universe Lambskin pads the past few days. The treble doesn't sound muted now, it just sounds neutral (neither bright nor dark). For music that requires more immediacy or vocal presence, I think I still prefer the Verite pads.

 

[g0ldl10n]

Oh my - just discovered a new artist and this song is heavenly with AO.. thought I would share - her voice amazingly unique!

 

[erics75]

@erics75 did you receive the Verite pads yet? Curious about your thoughts. I have actually been appreciating the Universe Lambskin pads the past few days. The treble doesn't sound muted now, it just sounds neutral (neither bright nor dark). For music that requires more immediacy or vocal presence, I think I still prefer the Verite pads.

I got them yesterday, just didn't have time to give them a listen yet. I'm hoping after work tonight to get some time in, I'm really eager to hear them.

 

[erics75]

@erics75 did you receive the Verite pads yet? Curious about your thoughts. I have actually been appreciating the Universe Lambskin pads the past few days. The treble doesn't sound muted now, it just sounds neutral (neither bright nor dark). For music that requires more immediacy or vocal presence, I think I still prefer the Verite pads.

Got about 2 hours logged so far. Honestly at first listen I had to reacclimate myself to my home system. I've been so busy all my listening has been work only. I have a decent system there but wow going back to the big dac/amp is eye opening how much better it performs. I also had to refresh myself on the Atrium's sound as I've mainly been doing closed headphones at work (Atrium Closed, Atticus, HD820). Such a nice reminder how good these are.

After a 30 minute refresh I'm feeling familiar again with everything. I started with the tried and true BE2 (B for short going forward). After another 30 minutes I swapped to the Verite pads (V going forward). First thing that stood out was the bass seemed stronger by a hair. I was expecting leaner bass with more treble and upper mids. But the bass still hits hard to my ears. The upper frequencies too increase in presence overall, but not by too large of a degree that I found them harsh in any way. And that's going no mesh. I just adore the Atrium's tuning. And the V and B pads really hit the sweet spot for me. I did a few back and forth pad swaps with each new track, and my findings seemed to hold each time.

For fun I spent the last 30 minutes revisiting the Auteur and Universe pads (all my pads are lambskin). They're good, but not as synergistic to my preferences. They make the Atrium sound a tad soft and muffled. Not outright muffled as in lacking detail. Just like a light filter has been put between the driver and my ear, and only in direct comparison to the V and B pads. Of the U and A pads, I really gravitated towards the A pads for the most warmth. The bass really hits hard, almost Atrium Closed heard, with the A pads. But I find myself wanting the air the V and B pads bring. I don't mind the A and U pads, but I just love the B and V pads.

Of the B and V pads I think it's going to be genre by genre for which I like most. Metal is the warmer B pad, Jazz/blues the V is getting the call.

Thanks for suggesting the V pads!!! Good call, they're excellent with the Atrium for me.

 

[Nuge]

Got about 2 hours logged so far. Honestly at first listen I had to reacclimate myself to my home system. I've been so busy all my listening has been work only. I have a decent system there but wow going back to the big dac/amp is eye opening how much better it performs. I also had to refresh myself on the Atrium's sound as I've mainly been doing closed headphones at work (Atrium Closed, Atticus, HD820). Such a nice reminder how good these are.

After a 30 minute refresh I'm feeling familiar again with everything. I started with the tried and true BE2 (B for short going forward). After another 30 minutes I swapped to the Verite pads (V going forward). First thing that stood out was the bass seemed stronger by a hair. I was expecting leaner bass with more treble and upper mids. But the bass still hits hard to my ears. The upper frequencies too increase in presence overall, but not by too large of a degree that I found them harsh in any way. And that's going no mesh. I just adore the Atrium's tuning. And the V and B pads really hit the sweet spot for me. I did a few back and forth pad swaps with each new track, and my findings seemed to hold each time.

For fun I spent the last 30 minutes revisiting the Auteur and Universe pads (all my pads are lambskin). They're good, but not as synergistic to my preferences. They make the Atrium sound a tad soft and muffled. Not outright muffled as in lacking detail. Just like a light filter has been put between the driver and my ear, and only in direct comparison to the V and B pads. Of the U and A pads, I really gravitated towards the A pads for the most warmth. The bass really hits hard, almost Atrium Closed heard, with the A pads. But I find myself wanting the air the V and B pads bring. I don't mind the A and U pads, but I just love the B and V pads.

Of the B and V pads I think it's going to be genre by genre for which I like most. Metal is the warmer B pad, Jazz/blues the V is getting the call.

Thanks for suggesting the V pads!!! Good call, they're excellent with the Atrium for me.

I had a feeling you would like them! I do feel like the BE2 and (especially) the Verite pads improve vocals, especially female ones. I like the Universe pads for when a song/album is on the bright side or when soundstage is more important. But otherwise, I love the increased air, treble and upper mids with the BE2 and Verite pads.

 

[JackarlTwo]

I just added the Lektric C cable and it feels so much better than the stock OFC cable. The stock cable sounds really good, but it was a bit too stiff and heavy for me. Well worth the money just in looks and feel alone, making the headphone feel a bit more premium too.