geoffalter11
Headphoneus Supremus
Spent my night playing with the Atrium and Classic. Mostly the Atrium as I just can't get enough. Nothing new today, I want to save some of the stuff I am thinking about for my actual reviews, but to reiterate some of my big takeaways at this time for those reading this thread and on the fence about this headphone. Most are proud Atrium owners and are loving it as much as I am. This is less for you and more for those who are deciding whether or not they want to own an Atrium. But, this isn't a sales pitch. Just what I hear and why I think the headphone is a worthy member of any headphone stable.
Biggest Takeaways:
1. Image Specificity/Soundstage - The Atrium is an imaging beast and after 30 hrs of burn in and 30 hrs of active listening I have come to the opinion that the major upgrade in staging and Imaging comes from the new damping system that enables forward and back sounds to become more acute, separated and delineated. This is a truly remarkable trait of which the Classic sharing the same damping also does.
2. Speed - The headphone has very nice pacing. It isn't overtly fast, but is fast enough that it doesn't get tripped up with the most complicated of musical passages. It sounds natural and plays to the pace of the band.
3. Tone/Timbre - Always a strength of ZMF headphones. They always have fantastic tone. Instruments sound like what they are. There are no plastic or overdone tones. If you like Orchestral, Jazz, Piano, or Acoustic music they shine. I listen to mostly live bluegrass and psychedelic rock. They make for a perfect bedfellow. Especially with poly rhythmic drumming, mandolin, banjo, dobro, electric guitar, bass and hammond organ.
4. Aesthetics - ZMF has unrivaled aesthetics with their headphones. Different types of woods, chassis, pad rolling, cable choices and much to decide on when ordering your unique once in a lifetime ZMF. I personally think the Atrium is the most beautiful of the stable. I love the window pane grills, and the aged cherry with copper is to die for. Then you see the Cocobolo or any of the other types and they are all equally as beautiful. While wood type will change flavor a bit, my advice is to buy based on what you like to look at and you will be just fine. They are all tuned the same, so the sounds are all very similar. Not exact, but similar enough to ensure you buy a headphone that you absolutely love to look at and wear. They are heirlooms and a point of pride for much of the community.
5. Resolution - Resolution is good, but not TOTL in my opinion. I don't think it needs to be as the imaging and tonality more than make up for it. Plus, it isn't exactly lacking and I don't find that anything is missing in my music. It is more about the integrated whole with the Atrium.
6. Bass - ZMF has always tuned bass very well. However, I have never much cared for the signature midbass hump which makes the music sound a little warm and slower to my ears. However, the Auteur Classic, OG and Atrium are not tuned this way. They are more linear with a greater emphasis on sub bass. This headphone hits hard and fast with near perfect bass solidity. I can hear the pick of the bass string, and the reverb of the sound through to the end of the note. It doesn't bleed and stands completely on its own still integrated exactly in its space within the stage. I love the Atrium's bass, especially if the bass player is playing lead bass and moving the melody and pace of the song.
This isn't meant to be a sales post for ZMF. More my thoughts and opinions on why someone should think hard about this headphone. I am not paid to say this, nor have I been asked to write this. I am writing it because I want folks to know that owning an Atrium should be a point of pride, an heirloom with top tier sound and aesthetics. It is so worth the time to write about it. I can't get enough of listening to it. Especially out of my Icon Audio HP8. This combo has me completely in awe of two designers in ZMF and Icon Audio. They are a match to reckon with. I know there are many incredible matches out there. Please share yours as well as your thoughts on what are your biggest takeaways. Let's help those on the fence get off the fence and join the club...
Biggest Takeaways:
1. Image Specificity/Soundstage - The Atrium is an imaging beast and after 30 hrs of burn in and 30 hrs of active listening I have come to the opinion that the major upgrade in staging and Imaging comes from the new damping system that enables forward and back sounds to become more acute, separated and delineated. This is a truly remarkable trait of which the Classic sharing the same damping also does.
2. Speed - The headphone has very nice pacing. It isn't overtly fast, but is fast enough that it doesn't get tripped up with the most complicated of musical passages. It sounds natural and plays to the pace of the band.
3. Tone/Timbre - Always a strength of ZMF headphones. They always have fantastic tone. Instruments sound like what they are. There are no plastic or overdone tones. If you like Orchestral, Jazz, Piano, or Acoustic music they shine. I listen to mostly live bluegrass and psychedelic rock. They make for a perfect bedfellow. Especially with poly rhythmic drumming, mandolin, banjo, dobro, electric guitar, bass and hammond organ.
4. Aesthetics - ZMF has unrivaled aesthetics with their headphones. Different types of woods, chassis, pad rolling, cable choices and much to decide on when ordering your unique once in a lifetime ZMF. I personally think the Atrium is the most beautiful of the stable. I love the window pane grills, and the aged cherry with copper is to die for. Then you see the Cocobolo or any of the other types and they are all equally as beautiful. While wood type will change flavor a bit, my advice is to buy based on what you like to look at and you will be just fine. They are all tuned the same, so the sounds are all very similar. Not exact, but similar enough to ensure you buy a headphone that you absolutely love to look at and wear. They are heirlooms and a point of pride for much of the community.
5. Resolution - Resolution is good, but not TOTL in my opinion. I don't think it needs to be as the imaging and tonality more than make up for it. Plus, it isn't exactly lacking and I don't find that anything is missing in my music. It is more about the integrated whole with the Atrium.
6. Bass - ZMF has always tuned bass very well. However, I have never much cared for the signature midbass hump which makes the music sound a little warm and slower to my ears. However, the Auteur Classic, OG and Atrium are not tuned this way. They are more linear with a greater emphasis on sub bass. This headphone hits hard and fast with near perfect bass solidity. I can hear the pick of the bass string, and the reverb of the sound through to the end of the note. It doesn't bleed and stands completely on its own still integrated exactly in its space within the stage. I love the Atrium's bass, especially if the bass player is playing lead bass and moving the melody and pace of the song.
This isn't meant to be a sales post for ZMF. More my thoughts and opinions on why someone should think hard about this headphone. I am not paid to say this, nor have I been asked to write this. I am writing it because I want folks to know that owning an Atrium should be a point of pride, an heirloom with top tier sound and aesthetics. It is so worth the time to write about it. I can't get enough of listening to it. Especially out of my Icon Audio HP8. This combo has me completely in awe of two designers in ZMF and Icon Audio. They are a match to reckon with. I know there are many incredible matches out there. Please share yours as well as your thoughts on what are your biggest takeaways. Let's help those on the fence get off the fence and join the club...
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