ZMF Atrium - new open-back co-flagship

[9bphillips]

Nice. Auteur Lamb, BE2 Suede and Universe Hybrids are on my short list.

So far I'm maining the Auteur Hybrids which I like. But bass could be tighter. Loving the vocals on this combo though.

The 3 pads you listed are the ones I have. I swap between then all. I think I like the Autuer Lambskin and Be2 Suede the best. They are different sounding to my ears and both do things differently so it all depends on the mood I'm in when it comes to which pad I have on my Atrium.

 

[g0ldl10n]

I like the Auteur hybrid as well. They are a nice change of pace. I'm really enjoying vocals with the Auteur lambskin pads also. Vocals are more forward in the mix vs the Universe pads. The bass is not as tight as the Universe lambskin pads but it is more prevalent and I actually like it that way. What really makes them great to my ears is the layering/staging and slight reduction in upper mids. Because of this I find them an easier listen for longer sessions.

How would you compare the Auteur lambskin pads to the stock leather perforated Atrium pads in regards to bass and highs? (if you received these with your order).

 

[gonintendo]

How would you compare the Auteur lambskin pads to the stock leather perforated Atrium pads in regards to bass and highs? (if you received these with your order).

I think this varies a lot by person but for me they have more bass, less 2-4k, and slightly more ~6-8k

 

[Monsterzero]

Zach mentioned way back that on the Atrium specifically there would be a lot of conflicting reports on how the various pads interact with each user.

How one person hears a specific pad might not align with what someone else is hearing on the same pad.

 

[gonintendo]

Zach mentioned way back that on the Atrium specifically there would be a lot of conflicting reports on how the various pads interact with each user.

How one person hears a specific pad might not align with what someone else is hearing on the same pad.

Yeah e.g. a lot of people hear the auteurs as darker but they’re definitely a bit brighter to me

 

[AnyDave]

Yeah e.g. a lot of people hear the auteurs as darker but they’re definitely a bit brighter to me

I think part of it depends on what frequencies people perceive as dark/bright, which seems to vary greatly from person to person.

 

[g0ldl10n]

Yeah e.g. a lot of people hear the auteurs as darker but they’re definitely a bit brighter to me

Ya, and I seem to have the opposite opinion on what the different pads sound per ZMF pad chart on their website.

 

[Dawgfish]

I think this varies a lot by person but for me they have more bass, less 2-4k, and slightly more ~6-8k

I hear it largely that way as well though I don't necessarily hear more from 6-8k. I definitely hear more bass and less upper mids.

They don't necessarily sound darker to me either but they definitely have more solidity and weight to the notes. Its a sound I very much enjoy.

 

[LCMusicLover]

This reminded me of a thread idea I had:

Tube Amps for ZMF headphones

Seems like the 'institutional knowledge' on this subject is scattered across (literally) dozens of threads. I imagine a fun thread featuring massive food fights between adherents of various amps seasoned with a bit of tube-rolling guerilla warfare

OK, so several folks have liked this idea. So, where should such a thread be placed?

Here, in the High-end forum?
In Equipment Forums/Headphone Amps (full-size)?
In Equipment Forums/Headphones (full-size)?

I mean there's really no 'perfect' place for it. Opinions?

 

[Dawgfish]

How would you compare the Auteur lambskin pads to the stock leather perforated Atrium pads in regards to bass and highs? (if you received these with your order).

Please see post #3443 above.

 

[Monsterzero]

OK, so several folks have liked this idea. So, where should such a thread be placed?

Here, in the High-end forum?
In Equipment Forums/Headphone Amps (full-size)?
In Equipment Forums/Headphones (full-size)?

I mean there's really no 'perfect' place for it. Opinions?

Amps ( full size) IMO

 

[gonintendo]

I’ve actually really been enjoying the lambskin be2s lately, on the atrium the be2s doesn’t collapse the stage like the do on other ZMFs, they just add a bit of intimacy. The added liveliness is nice and on a tube amp I appreciated the slightly elevated treble. The suede be2s are nice for an hd650 like sound but they lack a bit of air on my Mogwai, and the bass is more rolled off than I like. The lambskin be2s are perfect tonally for me on that amp.

 

[gonintendo]

I think others have made this point too but every pad roll on the atrium is enjoyable to me in some way. On other ZMFs I have a clear favorite, but I really find each one does something special on the atrium

 

[ColSaulTigh]

I’ve actually really been enjoying the lambskin be2s lately, on the atrium the be2s doesn’t collapse the stage like the do on other ZMFs, they just add a bit of intimacy. The added liveliness is nice and on a tube amp I appreciated the slightly elevated treble. The suede be2s are nice for an hd650 like sound but they lack a bit of air on my Mogwai, and the bass is more rolled off than I like. The lambskin be2s are perfect tonally for me on that amp.

These are my favorite pads as well and have been living on my Atriums for about a month straight now. In my ears, they just make the Atriums so much more lively and punchy (which I prefer).

 

[gonintendo]

These are my favorite pads as well and have been living on my Atriums for about a month straight now. In my ears, they just make the Atriums so much more lively and punchy (which I prefer).

They really balance out a high output impedance tube amp nicely, I found the taller pads to have a bit too much decay on the 300ohm tap of my amp but they be2s are perfect. I still prefer the universe pads on my solid state amp though.