[GarlicBiscuit]

If you own a particularly strong solid-state or tube hybrid amplifier and matching DAC with a detail-rich sound signature, the Z1R are great performers with a very large stage and excellent imaging. However, I think that you cannot buy blindly either of them without first hand experience, no matter how much informative third-party reviews can be. Personally, I've auditioned the Z1R headphones twice and had very different impressions due to their volatile synergy with different audio units (mainly amplifiers).

From the few months I have used the Z1Rs on an Element III, my brain has come to a fascinating conclusion with them. Without EQ, they are very bassy, thick, and dark, with recessed upper mids and some slight treble sparkle. Although this makes them occasionally muddy, they're fairly forgiving on loudly mastered music and are good for relaxing. I particularly love how they handle trance, progressive metal, and other genres relying on deep subbass. With EQ, they become considerably more neutral and better separated. Both generally maintain the bass qualities, large stage, and good imaging.

Assuming there won't be a CanJam Chicago in 2024, I probably won't have the opportunity to try the Bokeh in advance. If they share any similarities to the open Atrium or Caldera, which I did audition, then I imagine it would be a really solid pair for pure enjoyment.

 

[ctaxxxx]

I totally did not buy a Padauk headphone stand just for my Bokeh. But they're so beautiful together!

(They're more similar in color - a deep red - but I couldn't get that to show properly in the iphone picture)

 

[donpablo]

It's definitely wider on the Auteur and all of their open headphones but the Auteur isn't especially wide. The Bokeh's soundstage isn't tiny but isn't huge either. It's about what you might expect for the difference between open and closed. If you're looking for unusually wide and expansive for closed back that's the Atrium Closed. If you already know you enjoy the Auteur maybe go for that?

Im asking because ZMF Auteur are darn expensive for me. In my country distributors sell Auteur Classic (this I auditioned) for $2285, in ZMF shop its about $1500.
They already announced that ZMF Bokeh will cost about $1500 (on ZMF USA store its about $900). Its all because of taxes from USA to Europe.
Another reason Im thinking of closed back is because I have new family member in home (my little daughter) and I suppose it will be better to listen in closed back when she's sleeping (I work at home and she is very demanding/sensitive for noises currently).
I just love decent soundstage, lush mids and good subbas (without crazy midbass bump).

 

[George Chronis]

Im asking because ZMF Auteur are darn expensive for me. In my country distributors sell Auteur Classic (this I auditioned) for $2285, in ZMF shop its about $1500.
They already announced that ZMF Bokeh will cost about $1500 (on ZMF USA store its about $900). Its all because of taxes from USA to Europe.
Another reason Im thinking of closed back is because I have new family member in home (my little daughter) and I suppose it will be better to listen in closed back when she's sleeping (I work at home and she is very demanding/sensitive for noises currently).
I just love decent soundstage, lush mids and good subbas (without crazy midbass bump).

You will also need closed back when she's awake... talking from experience...

 

[LXMc]

Im asking because ZMF Auteur are darn expensive for me. In my country distributors sell Auteur Classic (this I auditioned) for $2285, in ZMF shop its about $1500.
They already announced that ZMF Bokeh will cost about $1500 (on ZMF USA store its about $900). Its all because of taxes from USA to Europe.
Another reason Im thinking of closed back is because I have new family member in home (my little daughter) and I suppose it will be better to listen in closed back when she's sleeping (I work at home and she is very demanding/sensitive for noises currently).
I just love decent soundstage, lush mids and good subbas (without crazy midbass bump).

I haven't done a ton of A/B between the two yet but generally what I've found in my listening between the two: If you enjoy what you heard with the Auteur Classic, I think the Bokeh with Suede pads (I personally use the Caldera Suedes, I expect the Bokeh Suedes share some similarities but won't be exactly the same) can give you a lot of what you liked but in a closed back.

With the Caldera Suedes, the mid-bass is brought down which gives the sub-bass a bit more presence (I don't know that it necessarily increases the sub-bass but I found it was more noticeable in the mix). Mids are still wonderful and it's a smoother listen than with the stock protein pads. It remains warmer than the Classic but not hugely so and the bass is still bigger than with the Classic at the expense of a slightly smaller stage.

 

[donpablo]

@LXMc Thank you for that. Especially for bass, since when I was comparing Auteur Classic with my currently beloved Quad-Era-1, I noticed that Auteur had significant quieter lower bass regions. Overally they sounded so pleasing that I could forgive that, but still..

 

[Metron]

From the few months I have used the Z1Rs on an Element III, my brain has come to a fascinating conclusion with them. Without EQ, they are very bassy, thick, and dark, with recessed upper mids and some slight treble sparkle. Although this makes them occasionally muddy, they're fairly forgiving on loudly mastered music and are good for relaxing. I particularly love how they handle trance, progressive metal, and other genres relying on deep subbass. With EQ, they become considerably more neutral and better separated. Both generally maintain the bass qualities, large stage, and good imaging.

Assuming there won't be a CanJam Chicago in 2024, I probably won't have the opportunity to try the Bokeh in advance. If they share any similarities to the open Atrium or Caldera, which I did audition, then I imagine it would be a really solid pair for pure enjoyment.

George Chronis will be able to advise on that when he receives them. Ask him.

 

[andrewchoppa]

I totally did not buy a Padauk headphone stand just for my Bokeh. But they're so beautiful together!

(They're more similar in color - a deep red - but I couldn't get to that show properly in the iphone picture)

Awesome stand-would you mind linking it please?

 

[MacMan31]

So I bit the bullet and bought the Bokeh. Now the waiting game begins. But unless I'm not understanding the discount of the tuning kit it seems like I was charged for it. Also a note about shipping. I wish ZMF would use USPS because when ordering from Canada the package gets handed off to Canada Post from USPS. I much prefer them over DHL, UPS or FedEx. Those ones are generally horrible for apartment deliveries. With Canada Post we have a secure package locker by the mailbox wall. If the package is placed in one of the lockers the key is put in my mailbox so I can retrieve the package.

 

[ctaxxxx]

Awesome stand-would you mind linking it please?

Here you go:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1615223173/

I have 3 for my headphones and they're all beautiful, especially the Burl woods.

 

[andrewchoppa]

Here you go:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1615223173/

I have 3 for my headphones and they're all beautiful, especially the Burl woods.

Just checked them out - they are Magnificent!!!!!!!!

https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/154...sum=caa61110&ref=shop_home_feat_2&pro=1&sts=1

LOVE this one too - I have a Gesheli J2S in purpleheart!!

 

[StokeNewingtonJohn]

Happy New Year Zach and ZMF Team.

When you have a moment, could you give a rough indication of when other woods might be available, please?

 

[StokeNewingtonJohn]

Happy New Year Zach and ZMF Team.

When you have a moment, could you give a rough indication of when other woods might be available, please?

These cherry wood demos earlier shown earlier in the thread are especially tempting... !

 

[jsmiller58]

Here you go:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1615223173/

I have 3 for my headphones and they're all beautiful, especially the Burl woods.

The ad says customization is required before placing the order… I don’t see in the page linked any options to select from. Would you mind sharing what you did?

 

[haasaaroni]

The ad says customization is required before placing the order… I don’t see in the page linked any options to select from. Would you mind sharing what you did?

It looks to me like he just wants a phone number and email address with the order, since he ships with DHL from Ukraine. Yurii, the seller/creator, is also a SUPER nice guy. You could just write him a question directly about the order process.