ZMF BOKEH - Closed Back (Semi-Portable)

[Conan1974]

Is there a mesh in the Auteur Classic?

 

[betula]

Cannot have open back because all my family have a better hearing than me. They all can hear what I am listening to from like two rooms away when I am in open-backs

I see. That's a tough one then. I would direct you to Meze Liric perhaps. The first version has brighter treble which you might like (I prefer the 2nd edition). First version can be found under 1K these days.
I would mention Denon D9200 too, but IMO Bokeh is a better headphone overall.

 

[erics75]

Anyone have any opinion on VC vs Bokeh?

I have both. They're very different sounding. The Bokeh is often referred to as a baby Atrium Closed and I totally agree. It has a very warm, bassy signature with linear mids and tremendous bass punch/slam. The highs are more forward than the AC though, so it's not as dark sounding. The VC is different, it has much more present highs, a slight dip in the midrange, and fairly linear bass. The mids aren't recessed sounding overall, but in comparison will sound farther back. Having metal coated drivers, the VC's highs do impart a bit more hardness, which may be fatiguing to you depending on preference. I do find the highs a bit intense, though they're mostly tolerable to me. The VC is faster than the Bokeh. Transients hit and decay faster, and has a bit more separation. It's the more technically adept headphone for sure. But the Bokeh isn't bad on the technical side, just not up to the VC's standards. All in all it comes down to your preference. If you want a more euphonic and romantic/warm sound signature, the Bokeh IMO is the better set. If you want more speed and resolution, and especially if you love how planars sound, the VC is the better choice. The Bokeh is easier to drive at 80ohm vs 300 for the VC. Both love tube amps. IMO the VC can be shouty on solid state, for my preferences at least. The Bokeh on solid state is more forgiving. I'm a tube guy so grain of salt there. The VC is more spacious sounding.

 

[JackLeville]

I removed the mesh, and it changed the sound so dramatically! I can hardly believe the difference. The sound became almost too bright but much more pleasant for me. There's no longer an "echo" in the bass. I listened to headphones for six hours straight yesterday and again this morning for a couple hours. This has completely ruined the Elegia for me; now, they sound thin and weird. I guess my brain has adjusted to the new sound. ...

Still waiting on my Bokeh, so I cannot compare. But the Elegia misses sub-bass, based on my experience; even with the Dekoni Stellia pads on them. And sound-stage wise they are not very wide.

 

[Twizzleshnizzle]

I have both. They're very different sounding. The Bokeh is often referred to as a baby Atrium Closed and I totally agree. It has a very warm, bassy signature with linear mids and tremendous bass punch/slam. The highs are more forward than the AC though, so it's not as dark sounding. The VC is different, it has much more present highs, a slight dip in the midrange, and fairly linear bass. The mids aren't recessed sounding overall, but in comparison will sound farther back. Having metal coated drivers, the VC's highs do impart a bit more hardness, which may be fatiguing to you depending on preference. I do find the highs a bit intense, though they're mostly tolerable to me. The VC is faster than the Bokeh. Transients hit and decay faster, and has a bit more separation. It's the more technically adept headphone for sure. But the Bokeh isn't bad on the technical side, just not up to the VC's standards. All in all it comes down to your preference. If you want a more euphonic and romantic/warm sound signature, the Bokeh IMO is the better set. If you want more speed and resolution, and especially if you love how planars sound, the VC is the better choice. The Bokeh is easier to drive at 80ohm vs 300 for the VC. Both love tube amps. IMO the VC can be shouty on solid state, for my preferences at least. The Bokeh on solid state is more forgiving. I'm a tube guy so grain of salt there. The VC is more spacious sounding.

Thanks for that, very comprehensive comparison. I used to own an olive wood VC, and I think you've described it perfectly. One of the best headphones I've ever heard, but can have that element of fatigu. I've been looking for a more euphonic warmer sound to go with my planars. Sounds like the Bokeh is an excellent option.

 

[erics75]

Thanks for that, very comprehensive comparison. I used to own an olive wood VC, and I think you've described it perfectly. One of the best headphones I've ever heard, but can have that element of fatigu. I've been looking for a more euphonic warmer sound to go with my planars. Sounds like the Bokeh is an excellent option.

Fatigue is the one issue I've always had with the VC. I generally love it's overall sound, but the highs at times set my tinnitus off bad. It's more genre related though, with poor studio quality metal music (my preferred genre) it can really fatigue me. But on well recorded tracks it's not fatiguing at all. I've mitigated the fatigue a lot with tube amps and pads, but it still creeps in at times. The Bokeh for me is fatigue free. And it's just plain fun to listen to IMO. There isn't a genre yet that I haven't loved the Bokeh with.

 

[Twizzleshnizzle]

Fatigue is the one issue I've always had with the VC. I generally love it's overall sound, but the highs at times set my tinnitus off bad. It's more genre related though, with poor studio quality metal music (my preferred genre) it can really fatigue me. But on well recorded tracks it's not fatiguing at all. I've mitigated the fatigue a lot with tube amps and pads, but it still creeps in at times. The Bokeh for me is fatigue free. And it's just plain fun to listen to IMO. There isn't a genre yet that I haven't loved the Bokeh with.

Ordered one, should be here in a couple of days. Thanks again for the recommendation.

 

[Bob454]

You might try removing the mesh for more treble and swapping pads before returning them. Hybrid pads and no mesh will probably give you the best definition through the upper mids and treble. Something like the Auteur or Aeolus may be closer to what you like about the Focals (but more warm and organic, less harsh--at least to my ears).

I recently purchased these also. I too was not real happy at the beginning. I learned again that headphone break-in is a real thing. If I remember correctly about 150 hours is recommended. The sound dramatically improved at around 90 hours. I got the hours in by connecting them to a pink noise generator video playing on youtube while I was sleeping or away.

I also experimented with the ear cups. I found that I like the hybrid best. I have not experimented with the meshes yet or tried removing it. Based on comments here, I may try that as well. However, I am now very happy with them after they have had enough break-in time.

 

[ttys0]

Swapped to the suede pads on my Bokeh Closed, and yaaaaaassssss! These sound so much like the spunky younger sibling of my Atrium Closed right now. Definitely similar, but with a different personality. I had the protein pads on, and while I liked them a lot initially, over time things kept getting a little spicy until I realized I was avoiding the Bokeh all together. I'm still fascinated at how well the whole ZMF system works for making slight adjustments at basically any point in time.

 

[MacMan31]

I think I like the default hybrid pads the most. I didn't care much for the other two. I want to try much thicker pads. I also removed the mesh for a while but have since put it back on. Also I think one of the mesh is the wrong size.

 

[PopZeus]

I switched over to the hybrid pads from the protein and EQ’d the upper mids down a bit to get just the right balance (for me) with the bass and treble.

 

[KaiFi]

I think I like the default hybrid pads the most. I didn't care much for the other two. I want to try much thicker pads. I also removed the mesh for a while but have since put it back on. Also I think one of the mesh is the wrong size.

Unfortunately yes, I've noticed a couple of the meshes don't fit quite perfectly. And the suede pads are smaller than the other two and harder to put on.

Otherwise, yeah, hybrid + burst mesh is the best combo. Bokeh are on the warmer side, and that's what I prefer. They remind me of my Audioquest NightOwl, which is what I wanted.

 

[MacMan31]

Unfortunately yes, I've noticed a couple of the meshes don't fit quite perfectly. And the suede pads are smaller than the other two and harder to put on.

Otherwise, yeah, hybrid + burst mesh is the best combo. Bokeh are on the warmer side, and that's what I prefer. They remind me of my Audioquest NightOwl, which is what I wanted.

I'm still looking to try other headphones though. Something from Hifiman or Focal or another ZMF.

 

[Twizzleshnizzle]

Unfortunately yes, I've noticed a couple of the meshes don't fit quite perfectly. And the suede pads are smaller than the other two and harder to put on.

Otherwise, yeah, hybrid + burst mesh is the best combo. Bokeh are on the warmer side, and that's what I prefer. They remind me of my Audioquest NightOwl, which is what I wanted.

That's promising to hear, I have a soft spot for my NightOwl, but want something a step up.

 

[JackLeville]

The Bokeh is in the house! That Ruby Stained is definitely an atypical color. It reminds me of cherry wood cabinets and violins, but with something metallic to it.

Three things I noticed, even though it still has to burn in:

• It's almost as smooth as an Elegia with Dekoni Stellia pads, a little less voice-forward (and perhaps a tad less energetic, but I haven't EQ'd it yet), but wider sounding and with the sub-bass the Elegia lacks.
• It may pair really well with my HiBY FD5.
• While the Bokeh already sounds like a step up from my "previous" headphone (which I still have), the difference is not huge. We're almost moving into the marginal gains territory. Especially considering the price, the modded Cobalt is a kick-ass and (really) wide-sounding closed back.