I thought this could be an interesting discussion for this thread, if not a bit out-of-left-field....since, while it does involve the ZMF Auteur, the Audio-Technica ADX5000 isn't much discussed on here. I originally did this (somewhat upon request lol) for another thread that was a discussion of selection of headphones in the roughly $2k price point.
I did an in-depth comparison between the Audio-Technica ADX5000 and ZMF Auteur; two of the best neutral-presentation, open-back headphones on the market, regardless of price. The similarities continue, as both are in the $1,500-2,000 price range and both have dynamic drivers. In the case of the ZMF Auteur, I am comparing with the Zebrawood Limited Edition version (with stock perforated Auteur pads mounted), using the ZMF OFC Copper cable. The ADX5000 is stock cable, stock pads and serial number in the 300s (if my memory serves me correctly). I do not believe in (or, more aptly said, I'm skeptical of and haven't personally experienced) burn-in, but for those who do, both of these headphones have very similar amount of hours on them so this is also not a factor.
The audio chain for this specific comparison is as follows:
Purpose-built (streaming and server core only on Audio-Linux OS) PC → Roon (Tidal and Qobuz) → Chord Qutest DAC → ZMF Pendant Tube Amp (stock JJ tubes) → Custom DIY Headphone (1/4" SE) 4-way switcher (minimalistic passive design, high quality components such as UK-made rotary switch and 20awg Neotech UP-OCC Copper wire) → Headphones
The test tracks for this specific comparison were as follows:
Boz Skaggs - Lowdown (Unplugged) (mid-range, layering, instrument and vocal separation)
Steely Dan - Deacon Blues (incredibly well-produced song, but its particularly good for detail/resolution, mid-range tone and instrument separation)
Dire Straits - Money for Nothing (imaging and soundstage, detail retrieval, good demonstration of well-produced classic rock)
Opeth - Master's Apprentices (low-end/bass impact and slam, handling of highly-compressed Metal)
Portishead - Glory Box (female vocals, prominent bass)
Comparison is broken down by the following:
Bass/Low-End "Impact/Slam":
The ADX5000 brings surprisingly tight, punchy bass. There is enough sub-bass presence where I can literally feel the driver excursion on my ear. Based on expectations, this can come as a bit of a (pleasant) surprise. Auteur has a noticeably warmer presentation to the bass, looser, bloomier; however, bass is not over-done and texture is pleasant. ADX5000 has less bass quantity than Auteur; while bass presence is fuller with the Auteur, it doesn't really have that physical rumble that the ADX5000 has, which leads me to believe that the ADX5000 has deeper extension. Overall, Auteur is a little less punchy; it is a more warm, quantitative bass presence, while ADX5000 has more of a tight, concise, “punch-in-the-gut” bass attack.
Verdict: I prefer the ADX5000 bass attack/slam over the warmer, fuller Auteur presentation, but this is going to be a toss-up based on personal preferences.
Mid-Range/"Tone & Timbre":
Auteur has the male vocals pretty forward in the mix, however, my initial feelings are that the presentation is relaxed, non-fatiguing; perhaps musical in the ability to just lean back and enjoy the music. However, the Auteur presentation is missing some of the “sparkle” or “magic” that I’ve heard in some of these songs; the ADX5000, on the other, is almost immediately bringing a more impressive sound right off the bat that tends to demand your attention more. The ZMF house sound really takes shape here; touches of warmth and (sizeable) presence of additional cup reverb. The ADX5000 is a little dryer, on the surface. With the Auteur, vocals are more pronounced; Auteur really pushes the Mids. Female vocals sound great on both headphones, but they really pop and grab your attention with the ADX5000. Interestingly enough, however, the Auteur on some tracks also brought the vocals (and in some cases, saxophone) too forward in the mix, which actually brought upon some listening fatigue. The ADX5000 consistently presented a more balanced mid-range that I found not pushing anything to the point of nuisance.
Verdict: I preferred the more balanced approach of the ADX5000, particularly with vocals. The star of the show for the Auteur is indeed the Mids and their (most frequent) tendency to have that oft-sought musicality, but I was surprised that their forward-nature left me feeling it was a bit much.
Treble/"Brilliance or Sibilance?":
Treble on both headphones were never fatiguing with any hints of bothersome sibilance or hiss. While the Mids are a little less forward on the ADX5000 than Auteur, the Highs are more noticeable. Between Auteur and ADX5000, ADX5000 has the brighter high-end but not to the point where it screams bright. Elements of a more overtly brilliant treble presentation was noticeable with the ADX5000 that, once again, had it presenting as more impressive, more attention-grabbing than the Auteur. Treble is somewhat muted with the Auteur but not as much so as other models in the ZMF stable.
Verdict: ADX5000 has a heightened sense of air, ambiance, openness that is a result of a more brilliant, pronounced high-end. I don’t find either headphone to have overly bright treble. Overall, I am more impressed by ADX5000’s more showy treble style.
Resolution/Separation/Detail Retrieval:
ADX5000 can pull out some of the tiny details, like the vocalists' closing of lips after finishing a word or the guitarist's fingers first contact with the string. With ADX5000, the balance between guitars, vocals and drums is very well done; separation of instruments, vocals, and vocal layers is borderline elite. Ultimately, Auteur is just pulling out less of these micro-details and passages sound a little busier and more congested on the Auteur as opposed to the ADX5000. Clarity of layered vocal parts is greater on the ADX5000, making the presentation of (female) backing vocals quite nice. Everything is truly well-separated and enunciated in the mix with the ADX5000, slightly less so with the Auteur.
Verdict: ADX5000 handily wins with respect to these types of technicalities, bringing an excellent level of detail retrieval and overall resolution of sound that Auteur isn’t capable of.
Staging & Imaging:
ADX5000 has a slightly wider soundstage than Auteur, but the ADX5000 brings a “5-rows-from-the-stage” live feel, while the Auteur has a bit more decay, a bit more cup reverb that has it sounding more towards the back rows than 5-10 rows out from the stage. ADX5000 makes you really feel the panning inherit in a recording, more pronounced, perhaps for some this will reflect accurate imaging, but for others it might be a tad exaggerated. It is not up there with a well-positioned two-channel stereo system but it is closer to that standard than what the Auteur brings. At times, the Auteur’s imaging, particularly with center-stage voices and instrument solos, seemed to not have that dead-on accuracy that the ADX5000 was more capable of. The instrumental balance and separation helped lend a superior sense of stereo imaging with the ADX5000 over the Auteur.
Verdict: ADX5000 is bringing out the "live-in-the-room" feel that presents a very true-to-form staging experience. Auteur is no slouch, but certainly more intimate with less ambiance. ADX5000 wins here, for my preferences.
Conclusion:
As noted in the introduction, both headphones are cream-of-the-crop when it comes to open-back, neutral-tuned examples. I came into this comparison having a roughly equal preference for either, truly enjoying my time thus far with both. Ultimately, I am a tad surprised by how the ADX5000 bested the Auteur in almost every category, but at this time, that seems to be the only conclusion I can draw from my time with them over this comparison. Where the Auteur excels is in its ability to allow the listener an enjoyable, laid-back experience, a distinctly “headphone” experience in all of its intimacy and slight flourishes of warmth. Where the ADX5000 excels is in its near-absolute realism, it’s ability to present music in a way that’s closer to the “live” experience than perhaps any other I have heard; the air, ambiance, the fast attack that puts you a few rows from the stage of a well-produced, well-balanced show.
), but I really need to simply get rid of some gear first. I just have too much unused gear lying around since I'm so bad at reselling things since I don't need the funds for more purchases so I'm very unmotivated (and selling used gear is one of those things I simply don't like to do). But this is just stupid having all these extra amps laying around; much less having more come in that might just ultimately sit around unused too after I audition them for a bit.
