ZMF BOKEH - Closed Back (Semi-Portable)

[JackLeville]

Looks like I will be joining the Bokeh crowd with a Ruby Stained version with hybrid pads.

 

[olegkin]

I got a pair of Bokeh headphones a few days ago. They look amazing, but I didn’t like how they sounded from the start. Maybe it’s just my hearing or personal preference, but voices sounded muffled and unclear. The bass was hard to describe - it is fine on some music, and feels like it produces echo or something on others. After a few days, either the sound improved a bit, or I just got used to it, but I still wasn’t impressed.

After some research, I found EQ recommendations. I installed EQ software, adjusted the settings, and it made a big difference. With the EQ adjustments, the Bokeh headphones sound good. But my expectation would be to make good sound great with EQ, not to take it from "meh" to just "good."

For reference, my journey includes Ultrasone Pro 2900 (ok sound, did not fit well), HD6xx (great every day headphones with good sound), DCA Aeon Flow Closed (which didn’t fit well and had a fragile headband), and the Focal Elegia (great sound with a fine print, broken headband). Despite the Elegia’s flaws, I loved their sound from the start, even without EQ. They gave me clear voices and often made me genuinely emotional about music I was listening. The Bokeh, unfortunately, didn’t do that. Currently, I listen mostly via MacOS (Tidal, Spotify, Audirvana) -> SoundSource app -> Topping d70 pro sabre dac -> Topping a70 pro amp.

It seems like my experience is very different from most reviewers, and I am not even critical or experienced listener. I will probably return Bokeh, if I can, but what to do next???

 

[drbusner]

I got a pair of Bokeh headphones a few days ago. They look amazing, but I didn’t like how they sounded from the start. Maybe it’s just my hearing or personal preference, but voices sounded muffled and unclear. The bass was hard to describe - it is fine on some music, and feels like it produces echo or something on others. After a few days, either the sound improved a bit, or I just got used to it, but I still wasn’t impressed.

After some research, I found EQ recommendations. I installed EQ software, adjusted the settings, and it made a big difference. With the EQ adjustments, the Bokeh headphones sound good. But my expectation would be to make good sound great with EQ, not to take it from "meh" to just "good."

For reference, my journey includes Ultrasone Pro 2900 (ok sound, did not fit well), HD6xx (great every day headphones with good sound), DCA Aeon Flow Closed (which didn’t fit well and had a fragile headband), and the Focal Elegia (great sound with a fine print, broken headband). Despite the Elegia’s flaws, I loved their sound from the start, even without EQ. They gave me clear voices and often made me genuinely emotional about music I was listening. The Bokeh, unfortunately, didn’t do that. Currently, I listen mostly via MacOS (Tidal, Spotify, Audirvana) -> SoundSource app -> Topping d70 pro sabre dac -> Topping a70 pro amp.

It seems like my experience is very different from most reviewers, and I am not even critical or experienced listener. I will probably return Bokeh, if I can, but what to do next???

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).

 

[idairyou]

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).

You can also try a different output, if you're using 4.4 try the XLR and SE.

The slight change in output impedance between the 3 can change things drasticly on the Bokeh. On the Aegis the 4.4 and the Bokeh take a bad turn and music sounds veiled and muffled, but on SE and XLR it sounds fantastic. I don't think there should be such a massive shift on SS, but give it a try.

It could also come down too synergy with your chain. I've never been a fan of the Topping/ZMF combo. Of course that means changing your entire setup for one set of cans, slightly impractical for most.

Then of course the ZMF house sound may not be for you.

 

[andrewchoppa]

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).

Absolutely second this. I'm old and need more treble (I can't hear above 13khz) and removing the mesh and changing pads made these COME ALIVE. My favourite all rounder closeds!!!

 

[andrewchoppa]

I got a pair of Bokeh headphones a few days ago. They look amazing, but I didn’t like how they sounded from the start. Maybe it’s just my hearing or personal preference, but voices sounded muffled and unclear. The bass was hard to describe - it is fine on some music, and feels like it produces echo or something on others. After a few days, either the sound improved a bit, or I just got used to it, but I still wasn’t impressed.

After some research, I found EQ recommendations. I installed EQ software, adjusted the settings, and it made a big difference. With the EQ adjustments, the Bokeh headphones sound good. But my expectation would be to make good sound great with EQ, not to take it from "meh" to just "good."

For reference, my journey includes Ultrasone Pro 2900 (ok sound, did not fit well), HD6xx (great every day headphones with good sound), DCA Aeon Flow Closed (which didn’t fit well and had a fragile headband), and the Focal Elegia (great sound with a fine print, broken headband). Despite the Elegia’s flaws, I loved their sound from the start, even without EQ. They gave me clear voices and often made me genuinely emotional about music I was listening. The Bokeh, unfortunately, didn’t do that. Currently, I listen mostly via MacOS (Tidal, Spotify, Audirvana) -> SoundSource app -> Topping d70 pro sabre dac -> Topping a70 pro amp.

It seems like my experience is very different from most reviewers, and I am not even critical or experienced listener. I will probably return Bokeh, if I can, but what to do next???

Yes, we all hear very differently. I bought the Elegias recently for $300 AUD new and I did my research pro\ior. I didn't like them at all out of the box. Vocals to me were way too forward to the point of being unlistenable for me. But i EQ'd down the 2khz and a bit of 750 hz and added some bass and they are fantastic for me now. That's why this hobby is so much fun!!!!!

 

[Burgerbassist]

I got a pair of Bokeh headphones a few days ago. They look amazing, but I didn’t like how they sounded from the start. Maybe it’s just my hearing or personal preference, but voices sounded muffled and unclear. The bass was hard to describe - it is fine on some music, and feels like it produces echo or something on others. After a few days, either the sound improved a bit, or I just got used to it, but I still wasn’t impressed.

After some research, I found EQ recommendations. I installed EQ software, adjusted the settings, and it made a big difference. With the EQ adjustments, the Bokeh headphones sound good. But my expectation would be to make good sound great with EQ, not to take it from "meh" to just "good."

For reference, my journey includes Ultrasone Pro 2900 (ok sound, did not fit well), HD6xx (great every day headphones with good sound), DCA Aeon Flow Closed (which didn’t fit well and had a fragile headband), and the Focal Elegia (great sound with a fine print, broken headband). Despite the Elegia’s flaws, I loved their sound from the start, even without EQ. They gave me clear voices and often made me genuinely emotional about music I was listening. The Bokeh, unfortunately, didn’t do that. Currently, I listen mostly via MacOS (Tidal, Spotify, Audirvana) -> SoundSource app -> Topping d70 pro sabre dac -> Topping a70 pro amp.

It seems like my experience is very different from most reviewers, and I am not even critical or experienced listener. I will probably return Bokeh, if I can, but what to do next???

What EQ settings are you using?

 

[olegkin]

What EQ settings are you using?

I followed a post on Audio Science Review for EQ settings and tweaked them a bit for noticeably better results. While I still don’t hear voices as clearly as with the Elegia, the sound is no longer muted, and the bass is much better. I spent half the day today listening to all kinds of music, and I feel a bit better about the Bokeh. I tried listening through different sources (NAD C368 + BluOS module) and on a different computer without EQ. Unfortunately, the Bokeh is unpleasant to listen to on those.

My understanding of ZMF's rules is that I can't modify the headphones in any way if I want to be able to return them, so I can try a different set of pads but probably can't remove the mesh.

 

[jsmiller58]

I followed a post on Audio Science Review for EQ settings and tweaked them a bit for noticeably better results. While I still don’t hear voices as clearly as with the Elegia, the sound is no longer muted, and the bass is much better. I spent half the day today listening to all kinds of music, and I feel a bit better about the Bokeh. I tried listening through different sources (NAD C368 + BluOS module) and on a different computer without EQ. Unfortunately, the Bokeh is unpleasant to listen to on those.

My understanding of ZMF's rules is that I can't modify the headphones in any way if I want to be able to return them, so I can try a different set of pads but probably can't remove the mesh.

The mesh is intended to be removable / swappable. You should be able to find posts here and videos on YouTube, including from Zach (the founder of ZMF).

 

[Wes S]

Took the Bokeh Closed with me to CanJam Dallas this weekend, just to see how it sounded on as many different amps as I could. These headphones sounded incredible with everything I plugged them into, and I actually enjoyed these headphones more than any other headphone at the show regardless of price.

This headphone is special.

 

[santsant]

I got a pair of Bokeh headphones a few days ago. They look amazing, but I didn’t like how they sounded from the start. Maybe it’s just my hearing or personal preference, but voices sounded muffled and unclear. The bass was hard to describe - it is fine on some music, and feels like it produces echo or something on others. After a few days, either the sound improved a bit, or I just got used to it, but I still wasn’t impressed.

After some research, I found EQ recommendations. I installed EQ software, adjusted the settings, and it made a big difference. With the EQ adjustments, the Bokeh headphones sound good. But my expectation would be to make good sound great with EQ, not to take it from "meh" to just "good."

For reference, my journey includes Ultrasone Pro 2900 (ok sound, did not fit well), HD6xx (great every day headphones with good sound), DCA Aeon Flow Closed (which didn’t fit well and had a fragile headband), and the Focal Elegia (great sound with a fine print, broken headband). Despite the Elegia’s flaws, I loved their sound from the start, even without EQ. They gave me clear voices and often made me genuinely emotional about music I was listening. The Bokeh, unfortunately, didn’t do that. Currently, I listen mostly via MacOS (Tidal, Spotify, Audirvana) -> SoundSource app -> Topping d70 pro sabre dac -> Topping a70 pro amp.

It seems like my experience is very different from most reviewers, and I am not even critical or experienced listener. I will probably return Bokeh, if I can, but what to do next???

If you are looking for clear, extended treble response, ZMF is not the answer, except Caldera. Go different route, like DCA or Abyss for that.

 

[Twizzleshnizzle]

Anyone have any opinion on VC vs Bokeh?

 

[betula]

I got a pair of Bokeh headphones a few days ago. They look amazing, but I didn’t like how they sounded from the start. Maybe it’s just my hearing or personal preference, but voices sounded muffled and unclear. The bass was hard to describe - it is fine on some music, and feels like it produces echo or something on others. After a few days, either the sound improved a bit, or I just got used to it, but I still wasn’t impressed.

After some research, I found EQ recommendations. I installed EQ software, adjusted the settings, and it made a big difference. With the EQ adjustments, the Bokeh headphones sound good. But my expectation would be to make good sound great with EQ, not to take it from "meh" to just "good."

For reference, my journey includes Ultrasone Pro 2900 (ok sound, did not fit well), HD6xx (great every day headphones with good sound), DCA Aeon Flow Closed (which didn’t fit well and had a fragile headband), and the Focal Elegia (great sound with a fine print, broken headband). Despite the Elegia’s flaws, I loved their sound from the start, even without EQ. They gave me clear voices and often made me genuinely emotional about music I was listening. The Bokeh, unfortunately, didn’t do that. Currently, I listen mostly via MacOS (Tidal, Spotify, Audirvana) -> SoundSource app -> Topping d70 pro sabre dac -> Topping a70 pro amp.

It seems like my experience is very different from most reviewers, and I am not even critical or experienced listener. I will probably return Bokeh, if I can, but what to do next???

Bokeh has a warm and thick sound. Very different to Ultrasone and Focal which are usually bright(er) and thin(er) sounding headphones. You might like the Focal Clear more than the Bokeh.

 

[olegkin]

The mesh is intended to be removable / swappable. You should be able to find posts here and videos on YouTube, including from Zach (the founder of ZMF).

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. I just replaced the pads with Caldera Thin Protein ones, just as an experiment since I already had them. It made the sound just a bit less bright. I have to listen more to this configuration, but it seems this is the best combination for me at the moment.

 

[olegkin]

Bokeh has a warm and thick sound. Very different to Ultrasone and Focal which are usually bright(er) and thin(er) sounding headphones. You might like the Focal Clear more than the Bokeh.

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