[ckhirnigs113]

Man…so many sexy auteur options coming up, it makes me want to get a second pair to try a completely different wood.

You wouldn't be the first to do this!

 

[Pharmaboy]

I doubt I would have been so lucky in getting this set if @heliosphann had posted a picture of his Auteur alongside his post. It was all over for me once I saw them.

I think it's all over for me, too--and I'm only looking at this picture!

 

[headpower]

How much of an upgrade is the ZMF Auteur for the HD650, I know there is diminishing return for more expensive headphone, I just want to know what should be my expectation? Also should I get the verite open or auteur if I like the HD650? Also I am planning to drive it with a WA2 amp.

 

[jonathan c]

How much of an upgrade is the ZMF Auteur for the HD650, I know there is diminishing return for more expensive headphone, I just want to know what should be my expectation? Also should I get the verite open or auteur if I like the HD650? Also I am planning to drive it with a WA2 amp.

First, the Auteur/WA2 pairing is absolutely synergistic. There is nothing like a great high output impedance OTL hpa driving a great high input impedance hp! If you swear by the HD650, the ZMF Atticus might be a more ‘in line’ choice. Others have smartly likened the Auteur to HD600 and the Atticus to HD650. With either ZMF choice, you will be in the music ‘land of plenty’!

 

[haasaaroni]

How much of an upgrade is the ZMF Auteur for the HD650, I know there is diminishing return for more expensive headphone, I just want to know what should be my expectation? Also should I get the verite open or auteur if I like the HD650? Also I am planning to drive it with a WA2 amp.

I still have my HD6XX. I don't think anything will ever replace or "improve" on it. Just such a perfect blend of cohesion, detail, and engagement.

That said, I almost never pick it up. For me, the Auteur takes the vocal presentation up a few notches in detail and isolation from the rest of the mix, soundstage becomes wider and much deeper, with better imaging, and the bass impact, detail, and extension are on a whole 'nother level. The tonality is also different, more in line with the HD600 tuning, as jonathan c says above.

I don't know how to guage price differences with respect to diminishing returns, but I think if you love music and care about these things, the Auteur will definitely be worth it.

 

[jonathan c]

I don't know how to guage price differences with respect to diminishing returns, but I think if you love music and care about these things, the Auteur will definitely be worth it.

Ex ante, the Auteur (Eikon, Atticus) ‘seemed’ to me to promise better yet diminishing sonic returns. Ex post, the Auteur (Eikon, Atticus) widened my musical appreciation and understanding: a dimension not considered when the ‘diminishing returns’ assessment was made. Moral to me: any indicator of sonic ‘diminishing returns’ has to incorporate any potential source of musical enrichment.

 

[DenverW]

Does anyone have a link or picture of the wood density page that Zach had up on the ZMF website? I can't seem to find it when clicking through.

 

[ckhirnigs113]

Is this the one you’re talking about?
https://i.redd.it/nw08lpksj8o41.jpg

 

[DenverW]

Is this the one you’re talking about?
https://i.redd.it/nw08lpksj8o41.jpg

There was a different one up on the zmf website. I saw that one online and thought something was off about it; for example the cocobolo and teak ratings seem really low.

 

[haasaaroni]

Does anyone have a link or picture of the wood density page that Zach had up on the ZMF website? I can't seem to find it when clicking through.

They changed the page a little while ago. Now he just recommends going on the wood database and looking for the janka ratings there: https://www.wood-database.com/

 

[DenverW]

They changed the page a little while ago. Now he just recommends going on the wood database and looking for the janka ratings there: https://www.wood-database.com/

Bummer, it was a nice little resource to have.

 

[haasaaroni]

Bummer, it was a nice little resource to have.

Yeah I thought so too

 

[zach915m]

Bummer, it was a nice little resource to have.

The wood-database is great for the minutiae of wood density for sure. I mostly made the decision to get rid of the chart on the site because it led to the idea that we believed even a minute change in Janka or specific gravity meant a change in sound or even the frequency response. Since this isn't how I feel, and that I more-so think woods should be thought of as in , Harder, Harder and Hardest in terms of how they relate to our headphones and the timbre, we just went with more general descriptions.

 

[DenverW]

The wood-database is great for the minutiae of wood density for sure. I mostly made the decision to get rid of the chart on the site because it led to the idea that we believed even a minute change in Janka or specific gravity meant a change in sound or even the frequency response. Since this isn't how I feel, and that I more-so think woods should be thought of as in , Harder, Harder and Hardest in terms of how they relate to our headphones and the timbre, we just went with more general descriptions.

Harder, Harder, and Hardest. It's headphone porn!

I find some of the darker woods visually appealing, as I have an ambrosia maple currently with a lighter tone. As the maple is lower on the Janka scale, I'm considering getting a 2nd auteur with a denser wood and darker tone. Variety is the spice of life!

 

[jonathan c]

Harder, Harder, and Hardest. It's headphone porn!

Coming (!) soon: Debbie Does DarkVoice; You’ve Got Male (RCA Connectors)…