ZMF Atrium - new open-back co-flagship

[DougD]

So my ZMF Atrium Open arrived yesterday.

My first ZMFs. And in fact the first ZMFs I have ever had the chance to listen to. So ... as many of you will know & appreciate ... a highly-anticipated day.

Thoughts after 30 ownership hours and about 70 favorite/selected tracks:
(1) Wow, these things are massive. I did not appreciate that until they were in my hands. But the suspension system is excellent, I have no sensation of them being "heavy" when they're on my head.
(2) Wow-o-wow, these things are gorgeous. I got the "B-stock select" zebrawood with stainless steel. I just love that combo. No idea why they're labeled as B-stock. Did I mention gorgeous?
(3) Wow-o-wow-o-wow, do these sound fantastic. Just FUN.

How good are they?

For the past few years, I've been assuming that in due time, I would upgrade my e-stats game from vintage Lambdas and old (refurbished) Stax amps up to e-stats TOTL for an amp and headphones(s) ... and climbing to that plateau is very expensive.

Now I think there's no need to go there.

Thanks Zack & Team ZMF !!!

(today's primary chain: Qobuz --> Schiit Yggy --> Schiit Folkvangr --> ZMF Atrium Open)

 

[jsabini1]

So my ZMF Atrium Open arrived yesterday.

My first ZMFs. And in fact the first ZMFs I have ever had the chance to listen to. So ... as many of you will know & appreciate ... a highly-anticipated day.

Thoughts after 30 ownership hours and about 70 favorite/selected tracks:
(1) Wow, these things are massive. I did not appreciate that until they were in my hands. But the suspension system is excellent, I have no sensation of them being "heavy" when they're on my head.
(2) Wow-o-wow, these things are gorgeous. I got the "B-stock select" zebrawood with stainless steel. I just love that combo. No idea why they're labeled as B-stock. Did I mention gorgeous?
(3) Wow-o-wow-o-wow, do these sound fantastic. Just FUN.

How good are they?

For the past few years, I've been assuming that in due time, I would upgrade my e-stats game from vintage Lambdas and old (refurbished) Stax amps up to e-stats TOTL for an amp and headphones(s) ... and climbing to that plateau is very expensive.

Now I think there's no need to go there.

Thanks Zack & Team ZMF !!!

(today's primary chain: Qobuz --> Schiit Yggy --> Schiit Folkvangr --> ZMF Atrium Open)

Pics or it didn't happen!

Congrats though seriously. Aren't they a great listen? The Atrium is addictive to listen to.

I bet they sound great on your setup! I'd love to hear them on a FV. I find the Atrium to be the least amp picky of my ZMFs, it sounds great on most anything just 'cause it's such a great sounding headphone! I kind of split it between my Violectric V590 and Nitsch DSHA-3FN.

 

[MindBreak]

So my ZMF Atrium Open arrived yesterday.

My first ZMFs. And in fact the first ZMFs I have ever had the chance to listen to. So ... as many of you will know & appreciate ... a highly-anticipated day.

Thoughts after 30 ownership hours and about 70 favorite/selected tracks:
(1) Wow, these things are massive. I did not appreciate that until they were in my hands. But the suspension system is excellent, I have no sensation of them being "heavy" when they're on my head.
(2) Wow-o-wow, these things are gorgeous. I got the "B-stock select" zebrawood with stainless steel. I just love that combo. No idea why they're labeled as B-stock. Did I mention gorgeous?
(3) Wow-o-wow-o-wow, do these sound fantastic. Just FUN.

How good are they?

For the past few years, I've been assuming that in due time, I would upgrade my e-stats game from vintage Lambdas and old (refurbished) Stax amps up to e-stats TOTL for an amp and headphones(s) ... and climbing to that plateau is very expensive.

Now I think there's no need to go there.

Thanks Zack & Team ZMF !!!

(today's primary chain: Qobuz --> Schiit Yggy --> Schiit Folkvangr --> ZMF Atrium Open)

Congrats!

I can only imagine how good the Atrium Open sounds powered by the Folkvangr. Hopefully I will get a taste of that sound when Valhalla 3 releases.

Happy Listening!

 

[LeeJB1970]

Hi all. I have the AO on order. Looking for some cable advice. I currently have the FAW Hybrid Noir and Lavricables silver 8 core grand. I would have to re-terminate both for the AO. Should I bother, or sell and use the stock OFC?

 

[Majuto]

Hi all. I have the AO on order. Looking for some cable advice. I currently have the FAW Hybrid Noir and Lavricables silver 8 core grand. I would have to re-terminate both for the AO. Should I bother, or sell and use the stock OFC?

I think it might be a good idea to reterminate Forza noir and Lavri silver, because they sound different and if you are gonna fall into earpad changes, you have a greater palette of combinations of which to choose. I guess it's quite an important part of Atrium's charm anyhow.

 

[LeeJB1970]

I think it might be a good idea to reterminate Forza noir and Lavri silver, because they sound different and if you are gonna fall into earpad changes, you have a greater palette of combinations of which to choose. I guess it's quite an important part of Atrium's charm anyhow.

Thanks for your input. I don't think I'll pad roll with these. I was considering the BE2 but read that you lose bass with them. Same with the other pads?

 

[Honeypot]

Hi all. I have the AO on order. Looking for some cable advice. I currently have the FAW Hybrid Noir and Lavricables silver 8 core grand. I would have to re-terminate both for the AO. Should I bother, or sell and use the stock OFC?

The more choices the better. For AO I always used good copper until very recently when I started using the grand silver palladium. AO does change quite a bit amp to amp.

Thanks for your input. I don't think I'll pad roll with these. I was considering the BE2 but read that you lose bass with them. Same with the other pads?

Pad rolling it's definitely more noticeable than cables of course. I put auteur lambskin perforated and couldn't take them off. (I tried like 12 different pads and these were my favorite). It's warm, detailed and very 3D like.

 

[LeeJB1970]

The more choices the better. For AO I always used good copper until very recently when I started using the grand silver palladium. AO does change quite a bit amp to amp.

Pad rolling it's definitely more noticeable than cables of course. I put auteur lambskin perforated and couldn't take them off. (I tried like 12 different pads and these were my favorite). It's warm, detailed and very 3D like.

This is why I'm thinking of selling my cables. Really not sure if any differences are noticeable compared to the chain, or pads.

 

[Majuto]

Thanks for your input. I don't think I'll pad roll with these. I was considering the BE2 but read that you lose bass with them. Same with the other pads?

Quite a coincidence, I just changed Universe pads to BE2 earlier today. Certainly BE2 bass is imo somewhat lesser in quantity, but it's quality and cohesion are also different. If you want more bass, the Forza noir imo helps with this. As I said earlier, more possibilities which usually ain't a bad thing at all.

 

[Honeypot]

This is why I'm thinking of selling my cables. Really not sure if any differences are noticeable compared to the chain, or pads.

You can always wait a bit and check by yourself. It's how I ended up... No matter how much I research or ask for opinions. After all, everyone will say one thing or another... Good luck

 

[vsrrr]

Yeah I say pad rolling will have more impact (and far greater ROI) than cable rolling, and once you find your preferred pads, then you can choose an ideal cable for those final tweaks.

For this reason, I've been using a super-neutral WyWires Platinum HP cable while pad (and tube) rolling.
Then, whenever I reach the end of the road on the pad and tube rolling, I miiiight get a cable that actually alters the tonality a little bit, one way or the other.

 

[Traiguen]

Atrium Open in beautiful Blackwood has finally arrived!!!! - Blackwood is really gorgeous.. pictures do not give it enough credit.
The ZMF Trilogy: Caldera Open + Atrium Open + Bokeh Closed is now complete and they accompany & complement each other in a great way. I now have the problem to decide which one I want to play!!!! - not a bad problem to have.

Atrium is

 

[BeelzAlBob]

Atrium Open in beautiful Blackwood has finally arrived!!!! - Blackwood is really gorgeous.. pictures do not give it enough credit.
The ZMF Trilogy: Caldera Open + Atrium Open + Bokeh Closed is now complete and they accompany & complement each other in a great way. I now have the problem to decide which one I want to play!!!! - not a bad problem to have.
Atrium is

Perfect lineup IMO

 

[erics75]

Atrium Open in beautiful Blackwood has finally arrived!!!! - Blackwood is really gorgeous.. pictures do not give it enough credit.
The ZMF Trilogy: Caldera Open + Atrium Open + Bokeh Closed is now complete and they accompany & complement each other in a great way. I now have the problem to decide which one I want to play!!!! - not a bad problem to have.
Atrium is

Oh man you got a killer lineup! Those are some of the best looking of their respective models. That Bokeh....ME WANTS!

 

[jsabini1]

Atrium Open in beautiful Blackwood has finally arrived!!!! - Blackwood is really gorgeous.. pictures do not give it enough credit.
The ZMF Trilogy: Caldera Open + Atrium Open + Bokeh Closed is now complete and they accompany & complement each other in a great way. I now have the problem to decide which one I want to play!!!! - not a bad problem to have.
Atrium is

Killer setup, just beautiful! I bet the Blackwood really complements the qualities of the Atrium, and it looks fabulous.

As an aside, what characteristics of each of your amps do you especially enjoy compared to the other one? Both amps are fantastic, it must be a difficult choice which probably gets down to mood and preference at that moment.

I have a V550 and DSHA-3FN, so I am somewhat familiar with making a choice between 2 great amps! Atrium sounds awesome on both!