ZMF BOKEH - Closed Back (Semi-Portable)

[erics75]

It's a Bokeh day today, and it's refreshing to hear the thunder again after days of less bassy headphones. Makes rock/metal so dam fun and engaging. Speaking of metal and engaging, found these guys while browsing random Tidal playlists.

Down is a side project of some uber talented metal musicians. Oddly it's leaning more towards rock than metal, very Sabbath like. Why it's odd is the other bands these guys belong to are metal monsters like Pantera, etc. So you'd expect this to be a blistering metal project band, but not so much. Doesn't matter how you categorize them though, it's really good. And to hear Anselmo's vocals outside Pantera is a treat. He's spot on with slower tempo rock/metal, just as he is with the blistering thrash of Pantera. Very versatile vocalist. And Windstein's Slash-like wailing in the background brings back some serious GNR flashbacks. The Bokeh was made for music like this. Epic power!

 

[ch1525i]

It's a Bokeh day today, and it's refreshing to hear the thunder again after days of less bassy headphones. Makes rock/metal so dam fun and engaging. Speaking of metal and engaging, found these guys while browsing random Tidal playlists.



Down is a side project of some uber talented metal musicians. Oddly it's leaning more towards rock than metal, very Sabbath like. Why it's odd is the other bands these guys belong to are metal monsters like Pantera, etc. So you'd expect this to be a blistering metal project band, but not so much. Doesn't matter how you categorize them though, it's really good. And to hear Anselmo's vocals outside Pantera is a treat. He's spot on with slower tempo rock/metal, just as he is with the blistering thrash of Pantera. Very versatile vocalist. And Windstein's Slash-like wailing in the background brings back some serious GNR flashbacks. The Bokeh as made for music like this. Epic power!

Excellent tip on the music! It seems like I end every listening session with 5 songs on the Bokeh just to reset my brain. They are so good.

 

[Duartisimo]

I am close to pulling the trigger on these.

With portability in mind, what are the options recommended for max acoustic seal? ZMF lists a bunch of options (pads, mesh), so wan to know what options, besides the case, should I go with.

 

[erics75]

I am close to pulling the trigger on these.

With portability in mind, what are the options recommended for max acoustic seal? ZMF lists a bunch of options (pads, mesh), so wan to know what options, besides the case, should I go with.

I'd stick with the stock mesh at least until your unit is burned in and you're familiar with the sound. Then if you feel the need for more adjustment (beyond what pads can do) you can look at meshes.

For pads and specifically for seal/isolation I'd recommend the Caldera Protein Thin TP first (TP = top perforation only, the sidewalls are solid). The protein material is the most malleable material in the lineup, and conforms to the subtle undulations of your face without gaps. Lambskin is also great, but protein is best, for pure seal. Next up would be the Caldera Lamb Thick TP pads. These pads do not come in protein material, but are much thicker pads, which will increase seal via added clamp pressure. I'm not sure how these sound on the Bokeh, unfortunately. I have my B here at work with me and no spare pads. I normally use the Caldera Protein Thin TP pads, they're my favorite sonically. Very dynamic and bassy. Suede material doesn't seal as well as protein or lambskin, so i'd avoid those unless you just love the sonics, and isolation with them is adequate.

Another tip: Bend the headband. It's a spring steel strap and is made to be bent for each user's preferences. Some like the fit loose, others clampy, etc. It's made to be manipulated extensively, and is very durable. Zach has headband bending videos on his site if you need help. I like to do 3 bends to mine, as I want a tight seal for max bass. I bend them right in the middle to increase overall clamp. I also bend each side near the gimbals inward, so the cups when not on the head have a strong open angle, with the bottom of the pads touching hard, and an open V as you head out towards the top of the pad. This gives me a tighter lower pad clamp, where my head naturally tends to break seal with some headphones. How I do that is I put my hand around the side of the headband i'm bending, with my outer hand along the pinky being right at the center of the headband, with the meat of my hand going toward the side i'm going to bend. Then with the palm of my other hand i put it against the metal rod holder which is where the headband ends. I use that hand/palm to push the metal rod holder up towards the center of the headband. Not too too much, i dont want it to bend sideways. But i give it a pretty strong bend up, and the result is the bottom of that cup's ear pad will now be higher than the unbent other side, with a wider angle overall between the two pads. I do the same to the other side to even the sides out. i might do that 3-4 times until it's giving me enough of a clamp below the ear so that i'm confident i'm not losing any seal. it sounds odd to read, but when you have your set in hand it will make much more sense. Just make sure to pull the rods all the way up and dont push on the rods themselves, just the metal bracket that holds the rods (and it attached to the end of the headband). it's easy, trust me. those 3 bends give me a powerful seal all around. No bottom of ear breaks i get with most beyers and audio technicas. Those models never seal on my fat head, causing the bass to sound thin and sucked out.

 

[idairyou]

I am close to pulling the trigger on these.

With portability in mind, what are the options recommended for max acoustic seal? ZMF lists a bunch of options (pads, mesh), so wan to know what options, besides the case, should I go with.

I took the mesh off of mine.

As for pads I am using the Caldera Suede TPO pads, nice isolation.

When I travel on a plane or waiting at the airport no one has asked me to turn it down.

 

[Duartisimo]

I took the mesh off of mine.

As for pads I am using the Caldera Suede TPO pads, nice isolation.

When I travel on a plane or waiting at the airport no one has asked me to turn it down.

That's sort of what I want. The Bokeh seems like a nice compliment to my UERR's with my Walkman.

 

[Duartisimo]

BTW how does the Bokeh compare to Audeze’s LCD-2 Closed?

Has anyone here heard the 2 and is able to explain the difference? Both seem easy to drive and are of similar price range. I know the LCD-2 is bulkier, but that’s the main difference I can tell, at least on paper.

 

[erics75]

BTW how does the Bokeh compare to Audeze’s LCD-2 Closed?

Has anyone here heard the 2 and is able to explain the difference? Both seem easy to drive and are of similar price range. I know the LCD-2 is bulkier, but that’s the main difference I can tell, at least on paper.

The Bokeh is warmer, more bassy, bigger soundstage, slower speed, similar resolution, though the brighter LCD2C comes across more detailed due to more extended treble, more natural/organic sounding, and for my tastes just an all around better sounding headphone (especially on tubes). I never use my LCD2C anymore, all of my ZMFs are more engaging to me than it. It's brighter, thinner sounding, and fatiguing for me. I'd only recommend the LCD2C if you know for sure you're a planar lover and generally dislike dynamic driver headphones. Then you'd probably prefer the Audeze.

 

[Deleeh]

The Bokeh is warmer, more bassy, bigger soundstage, slower speed, similar resolution, though the brighter LCD2C comes across more detailed due to more extended treble, more natural/organic sounding, and for my tastes just an all around better sounding headphone (especially on tubes). I never use my LCD2C anymore, all of my ZMFs are more engaging to me than it. It's brighter, thinner sounding, and fatiguing for me. I'd only recommend the LCD2C if you know for sure you're a planar lover and generally dislike dynamic driver headphones. Then you'd probably prefer the Audeze.

I had the same thing with the Auteur Og back then, before that I had the LCD 2 and thought nothing would come close to it until the Auteur arrived and then the rest was history.
Not that the LCD2 is bad for a beginner planar, but if you have been spoilt with Zmf headphones, the demand for both planar and dynamic drivers as headphones increases.

 

[Duartisimo]

Never hear the LCD-2 Closed, but am a big fan of the LCD-3 for sheer musicality.

But wanting the polar opposite for my UERR and be easy to drive for my DAP the winner seems to be the Bokeh.

Not familiar with the ZMF house sound, but all comments point to a very pleasing sounding set.

 

[JackLeville]

The Bokeh is warmer, more bassy, bigger soundstage, slower speed, similar resolution, though the brighter LCD2C comes across more detailed due to more extended treble, more natural/organic sounding, and for my tastes just an all around better sounding headphone (especially on tubes).

Just to point out: even you describe the soundstage of the Bokeh as bigger than that of the LCD2 - which is what Duartisimo asked -, to me it says more about the LCD2, than about the Bokeh. I would still only describe the soundstage of the Bokeh as 'sufficient'. OK, it is far from the soundstage offered by the DCA Aeon2 Noire Closed, but that does mean little.

 

[AnamCeoil]

Ok, so really liked the Bokeh until now, but found it a bit under "exciting" in the upper mids and treble to my ears if that makes any sense. I just took off the mesh, and using the stock pads- really loving the sound that gives with an added forwardness and bite to go with the rich, deep bass. Haven't tried too many other tweaks, but really liking what this has to offer so far.

Pads weren't that bad for changing either, surprisingly - though I definitely made sure to keep them wrapped in a towel to avoid any unwanted clangs or dents (hard won experience after my first pad rolling experience with my Atticus).

 

[Duartisimo]

Tried going all out before, twice (Woo Wa8, Mojo2/Poly), and they simply wont outclass a home rig IMO. Now I keep my expectations in check when it comes to portable HiFi.
As long as they are closed, easy to drive, detail retrieval is there and sound signature is to my liking, I'm happy.

 

[AnamCeoil]

Tried going all out before, twice (Woo Wa8, Mojo2/Poly), and they simply wont outclass a home rig IMO. Now I keep my expectations in check when it comes to portable HiFi.
As long as they are closed, easy to drive, detail retrieval is there and sound signature is to my liking, I'm happy.

Bokeh with the RU7 is a fantastic pairing for OTG FWIW. I think you will be happy with theses cans, and the options for tweaking the sound is great. Good luck with your purchase!

 

[ch1525i]

Bokeh with the RU7 is a fantastic pairing for OTG FWIW. I think you will be happy with theses cans, and the options for tweaking the sound is great. Good luck with your purchase!

Just listening to my Bokehs with RU7 and my iPhone now. You are spot on, it is an excellent pairing