ZMF Atrium - new open-back co-flagship

[Schuie Driver]

You are an Ideal ZMF client. The pics are awesome. I do own Atrium and I must say it is in my top 3 open back headphones. Curious which tube amp are you pairing it with shown in the picture?

https://www.zmfheadphones.com/aegis-amp

 

[Traiguen]

I am usually using the ZMF Aegis but from time to time I go straight to the Violectric - which I like a lot. My normal setting is to use the Violectric as a Pre to the Aegis and listen from the Aegis. The V-281 is the most fun SS amp I have ever had and it actually sounds a bit like a tube amp - so it feels right at home here.
I have read excellent comments about the V550 but I have never had the change to try it. I am enjoying the Atrium very much in both amps.

 

[Traiguen]

You have a perfect setup buddy. I have Naim Unity Atom as my pre and Cayin HA-300 MK II as my tube amp. when I use Naim output it sounds very different than my tube amp. The tube amp just opens up everything so much so that I realized I had to get it way earlier. But never mind I have it now. I have not seen/read about a lot of folks using Naim Unity Atom though so I am not sure how it compares to other preamps.

Thank you! I am enjoying the sound I am getting on the Atrium + Aegis combo!
Using a preamp has been a very good discovery for me.

 

[Schuie Driver]

So on a whim this week I decided to throw my perf suede pads on my Atriums. (mainly because I just like the way they feel on my head) Anyway, my typical response when putting these pads on is, where did the bass go and things do sound a little "cleaner" than usual and it was no different this time. However, about a week later it surprises me how your brain adapts to the new sound and you realize that the bass is still there, but it just sounds "different". Guess what I love about Atrium is to me it's always a fun engaging headphone regardless of pad used and by having pad choices available it's like getting a different flavor of something whenever you like.

Really looking forward to trying it out on a DIY Aegis hopefully in a couple of weeks.

 

[eugene2]

Keep in mind that ZMF now has "Recommended with" and "Compatible with" recommendations on all the pad listings. None of the Caldera or Caldera-adjacent pads are "Recommended with" or even "Compatible with" the Atrium Open.

Caldera Top Perf Hybrids were "Recommended with" the Verite Closed, and the Caldera Top Perf Thin Proteins were "Compatible with" the Verite Closed... they were such poor, poor matches for my VC that I would not even attempt a pad that isn't on that list.

a while back Zach recommended the Caldera perf lambskin with ZMF Atrium

 

[acohen001]

a while back Zach recommended the Caldera perf lambskin with ZMF Atrium

I bought my Atriums at Canjam Dallas in 2023 and Zach recommended the Caldera Ultra Perf (lambskin), which I still have on them. Probably time to
pad roll.

 

[Drewligarchy]

I just joined the club. Someone bought these, but sold them to me before they shipped, so we transferred the sale and I got them new but with a little discount.

All stock pads / mesh, and listening on DNA Stellaris. First impression was I like these best on lower z (8 ohm), rather than higher z (120 ohm), and I know that’s opposite of most.

Soundstage is cavernous - I guess I know why they are called the atrium now. They are also bigger than I thought. Weight is completely fine, but I rock LCD-4s frequently. Looking forward to some more listening!

Edit: Head-fi finally let me post a pic!
Edit: Better light:

 

[Deleeh]

I just joined the club. Someone bought these, but sold them to me before they shipped, so we transferred the sale and I got them new but with a little discount.

All stock pads / mesh, and listening on DNA Stellaris. First impression was I like these best on lower z (8 ohm), rather than higher z (120 ohm), and I know that’s opposite of most.

Soundstage is cavernous - I guess I know why they are called the atrium now. They are also bigger than I thought. Weight is completely fine, but I rock LCD-4s frequently. Looking forward to some more listening!

Edit: Head-fi finally let me post a pic!
Edit: Better light:

Congratz,and looks nicely,A very good pic i find.Hope you enjoy more over the time,

 

[MindBreak]

I just joined the club. Someone bought these, but sold them to me before they shipped, so we transferred the sale and I got them new but with a little discount.

All stock pads / mesh, and listening on DNA Stellaris. First impression was I like these best on lower z (8 ohm), rather than higher z (120 ohm), and I know that’s opposite of most.

Soundstage is cavernous - I guess I know why they are called the atrium now. They are also bigger than I thought. Weight is completely fine, but I rock LCD-4s frequently. Looking forward to some more listening!

Edit: Head-fi finally let me post a pic!
Edit: Better light:

Congrats, I love the color scheme! I know they sound as good as they look.

 

[Honeypot]

I just joined the club.

Edit: Head-fi finally let me post a pic!
Edit: Better light:

Did I ever say...

Gosh these are beautiful
I'm in love with my AO too. They've resurrected with the GD team

 

[acohen001]

Keep in mind that ZMF now has "Recommended with" and "Compatible with" recommendations on all the pad listings. None of the Caldera or Caldera-adjacent pads are "Recommended with" or even "Compatible with" the Atrium Open.

Caldera Top Perf Hybrids were "Recommended with" the Verite Closed, and the Caldera Top Perf Thin Proteins were "Compatible with" the Verite Closed... they were such poor, poor matches for my VC that I would not even attempt a pad that isn't on that list.

Keep in mind that ZMF now has "Recommended with" and "Compatible with" recommendations on all the pad listings. None of the Caldera or Caldera-adjacent pads are "Recommended with" or even "Compatible with" the Atrium Open.

Caldera Top Perf Hybrids were "Recommended with" the Verite Closed, and the Caldera Top Perf Thin Proteins were "Compatible with" the Verite Closed... they were such poor, poor matches for my VC that I would not even attempt a pad that isn't on that list.

ZMF pad recommendations (zmfheadphones.com/pads) are still up on ZMF's site and the first pad recommended is the Caldera UP, which is what Zach recommended to me when I purchased my AO.

 

[Drewligarchy]

Hi all - I've spent a good night of listening with the Atrium Opens and would love some recommendations based on my experience.

- The Universe pads were very good; huge staging, big bass, and forgiving so I could listen to all types of rock recordings where they sound quite good and musical. Vocals were the star, textures and space on both male and female vocals were very unique and quite addicting.
- My secondary pads are the Auteur Lambskin Perforated. These changed the staging, and seemed to provide a bit more forward tonality, which I enjoyed, except for some sibilance which crept in, which made me stay with the Universe pads. Curious what recommendations there are based on what I've described. I've seen the Caldera ultra perforated recommended, and I think one of the BE variants.
- When I swapped pads, I was surprised to see that there was a vented mesh on there. I thought it was solid mesh by default. I'm not complaining as I like it quite a bit - but curious if anyone would recommend the radial mesh or any others to try with this headphone. Based on what I heard, I don't think I'd find a solid mesh an improvement based on my tastes.

 

[JackarlTwo]

Hi all - I've spent a good night of listening with the Atrium Opens and would love some recommendations based on my experience.

- The Universe pads were very good; huge staging, big bass, and forgiving so I could listen to all types of rock recordings where they sound quite good and musical. Vocals were the star, textures and space on both male and female vocals were very unique and quite addicting.
- My secondary pads are the Auteur Lambskin Perforated. These changed the staging, and seemed to provide a bit more forward tonality, which I enjoyed, except for some sibilance which crept in, which made me stay with the Universe pads. Curious what recommendations there are based on what I've described. I've seen the Caldera ultra perforated recommended, and I think one of the BE variants.
- When I swapped pads, I was surprised to see that there was a vented mesh on there. I thought it was solid mesh by default. I'm not complaining as I like it quite a bit - but curious if anyone would recommend the radial mesh or any others to try with this headphone. Based on what I heard, I don't think I'd find a solid mesh an improvement based on my tastes.

I've pad-rolled quite a bit and keep coming back to the Universe pads. It doesn't get much better than that when it comes to bass slam, euphony and so on. The Caldera ultra perforated pad is a great alternative. A bit brighter than the Universe pads, while also bringing down the mid-bass slightly, making the overall sound more linear. Interesting that you found the Auteur pads more sibilant. I definitely think they're warmer and more relaxed out of the bunch, but different ears/ HRTF and so on! The BE2 Suede is a great pad too but is unfortunately discontinued. I've really enjoyed the Eikon suede too, but it will definitely make them super warm and probably too gooey for most people.

The vented mesh is what comes stock. The radial mesh is even more open than the stock and will bring up the lower-treble area a bit. The solid mesh goes the other direction, making the headphone darker and a bit smoother and is excellent with both the Universe and the Caldera UP pads.

I'll also refer to this pad guide: https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/zmfheadphones-universe-pads.25839/reviews

 

[Drewligarchy]

I've pad-rolled quite a bit and keep coming back to the Universe pads. It doesn't get much better than that when it comes to bass slam, euphony and so on. The Caldera ultra perforated pad is a great alternative. A bit brighter than the Universe pads, while also bringing down the mid-bass slightly, making the overall sound more linear. Interesting that you found the Auteur pads more sibilant. I definitely think they're warmer and more relaxed out of the bunch, but different ears/ HRTF and so on! The BE2 Suede is a great pad too but is unfortunately discontinued. I've really enjoyed the Eikon suede too, but it will definitely make them super warm and probably too gooey for most people.

The vented mesh is what comes stock. The radial mesh is even more open than the stock and will bring up the lower-treble area a bit. The solid mesh goes the other direction, making the headphone darker and a bit smoother and is excellent with both the Universe and the Caldera UP pads.

I'll also refer to this pad guide: https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/zmfheadphones-universe-pads.25839/reviews

Thank you! With the Caldera Ultra Perf and the Atrium do you prefer the lambskin or suede?

Edit:

I'm listening on a Hugo 2 and while it sounds good, there was way more space and texure on the DNA Stellaris. I guess a high end tube amp will do that

Anyway, curious what amps people are running ZMF stuff on. I liked it out of the Low Z on the Stellaris with the Universe pads, but I could see myself liking High Z with different pads.

Excuse the multiple posts. Too many variables. I am having variable overflow

 

[jinxy245]

The Stellaris is legendary. I've heard a Stratus once and it was incredible. I'd let @zach915m and others chime in about synergy, but I'd bet you can do better than Hugo 2, depending on preferences ofc.

You'll find people using lots of different amps, though I don't find AO to be amp picky per se, there are impedance issues to be aware of. I'm using a Schiit Jotunheim 2, a ZMF Pendant, and an xDuoo TA66. The AO sounds phenomenal on all three IMO.