[LXMc]

Has anyone compared the Bokeh directly to the Atrium Closed? I’m trying to decide which to go with. I did some research but I’m pretty lost on what to do. I want something “fun” sounding to compliment my Auteur Classic. Portability isn’t a factor, just really care about what I’d prefer the sound of.

I didn't have both for particularly long, after I got the AC I sold the Bokeh within a month or so, but I think both go well with the Auteur Classic and probably comes down mostly to how much money you want to spend and how important the technical side is to you.

I think @erics75 makes a good comparison between the two above but personally I would choose the AC as my pick for a complimentary set to the Auteur Classic, primarily down to the tuning differences being more pronounced to me and the AC bringing a step up in resolution and technicalities despite sharing that bio-cellulose quality. I think the Classic is the ultimate all-rounder headphone and the Bokeh was close behind that, being fairly even in tuning still, but with bigger bass (especially mid-bass). I found there was a bit more overlap with the Bokeh than with the AC.

 

[delfin150]

Hi guys, specific question here. As for now, I know three pairs of different headphones: warm audeze lcd2c, neutral ibasso sr-3 and rather brighter Arya organic. Can someone briefly locate Bokeh between these three in the context of tonality (on the stock pads)?

 

[Twizzleshnizzle]

Hi guys, specific question here. As for now, I know three pairs of different headphones: warm audeze lcd2c, neutral ibasso sr-3 and rather brighter Arya organic. Can someone briefly locate Bokeh between these three in the context of tonality (on the stock pads)?

I haven't heard the others, but I can say it's a good bit warmer than the Arya Organic. Definitely warmer than neutral.

 

[daggah]

Well, my resin flake Bokehs came in today and I'm giving them their first listening session now. "Lively" is a great way to describe them. They sound pretty open for a closed-back. I don't get any claustrophobic feeling like I get with most other closed-backs I've heard (my wife's Airpod Maxes are damn near un-listenable to me)

 

[daggah]

Also for anyone who's curious, my resin flake pair comes in at around 560g of weight.

 

[HiddenSquid]

I will do this comparison once I get my Bokeh's, but I'm probably a few weeks out still since I ordered quite late.

Have you compared them yet?

 

[Pharmaboy]

Well, my resin flake Bokehs came in today and I'm giving them their first listening session now. "Lively" is a great way to describe them. They sound pretty open for a closed-back. I don't get any claustrophobic feeling like I get with most other closed-backs I've heard (my wife's Airpod Maxes are damn near un-listenable to me)

Those headphones are crazy beautiful! I had a loaner Bokeh Closed here last year & liked that sound a lot. I couldn't devote the time it deserved because I also had the Aegis amp & Caldera Closed here for review. But I liked that sound right away.

BTW, burn-in is a contentious topic, but I've always found that dynamic driver headphones in particular benefit from burn-in. I routinely burn in all headphones and electronics for 150 hrs, but you would probably hear positive changes in 1/2-2/3s that time.

 

[erics75]

Hi guys, specific question here. As for now, I know three pairs of different headphones: warm audeze lcd2c, neutral ibasso sr-3 and rather brighter Arya organic. Can someone briefly locate Bokeh between these three in the context of tonality (on the stock pads)?

I only have the Bokeh and lcd2c, and find the Bokeh noticeably warmer. There’s more weight and impact to notes, and a longer decay. The lcd2c sounds thin in comparison, to me.

 

[spittis]

Have you compared them yet?

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/zmf-bokeh-closed-back-semi-portable.969961/post-18049164

 

[delfin150]

@erics75 seems like bokeh might be not for me. Lcd2c is a solid piece of stuff, however the highs are too rolled off and it sounds a bit muffled, like from behind the cotton wool.

 

[Twizzleshnizzle]

@erics75 seems like bokeh might be not for me. Lcd2c is a solid piece of stuff, however the highs are too rolled off and it sounds a bit muffled, like from behind the cotton wool.

I don't personally find the highs to be rolled off. They're present, just not as prominent as Hifiman headphones (which are generally too prominent for me).

The Bokeh is a really nice tuning balance, it has warmth and full body that tends to go hand in hand with closed backs, but doesn't feel lacking elsewhere.

Absolutely no muffled behind cotton wool going on.

 

[betula]

Hi guys, specific question here. As for now, I know three pairs of different headphones: warm audeze lcd2c, neutral ibasso sr-3 and rather brighter Arya organic. Can someone briefly locate Bokeh between these three in the context of tonality (on the stock pads)?

Bokeh is definitely on the warm side with LCD2C, but with a more open and natural sounding treble. Bokeh also sounds thicker/fuller.

 

[yrstruly]

My Bokeh arrived recently. Surprisingly have found them a bit fatiguing so far - mids seem quite forward and something to the physical design and sound pressure is accentuating my tinnitus. However, I am hoping and expecting brain burn in to do its thing so will see how things play out over the coming week and not rushing to any conclusions just yet.

With my annoying tinnitus issues to one side, I can definitely see why these have passionate fans. Very engaging tuning (esp. with the protein pads) and quite cinematic staging compared to most closed backs. From a build and looks perspective they're also clearly top class.

 

[jinxy245]

I've found that the 'muffled sound' usually has to do with how a headphone is damped and tuned, especially the bass to midrange transition. The Bokeh has really clear mids IMO and definitely doesn't sound muffled to my ears. The treble may be one of the most prominent ZMF has in their closed back lineup.
Obviously IMHO, YMMV and all that. I also believe that the pads and the rest of the chain will make a difference as well.

Obviously a demo would be the most informative, but buying a set and flipping them if you don't like them is a viable option. It may be a buyer's market right now, but ZMFs hold their value very well.

Good luck!

 

[yrstruly]

I've found that the 'muffled sound' usually has to do with how a headphone is damped and tuned, especially the bass to midrange transition. The Bokeh has really clear mids IMO and definitely doesn't sound muffled to my ears. The treble may be one of the most prominent ZMF has in their closed back lineup.
Obviously IMHO, YMMV and all that. I also believe that the pads and the rest of the chain will make a difference as well.

Obviously a demo would be the most informative, but buying a set and flipping them if you don't like them is a viable option. It may be a buyer's market right now, but ZMFs hold their value very well.

Good luck!

Absolutely and well put.

Fwiw it was less that mids were muffled - they were almost on the shouty side which I know will sound odd given the impressions here. Could very well be a particular sensitivity I have in some frequencies. Also was more prominent on my desktop amp rather than through portable devices.

From memory I may have had a similar issue with my VC when I first got it years back and it eventually settled, so fingers crossed the same happens here.