What pads/mesh did you end up going with?The Bokeh Open has been getting lots of love recently and rightly so, however I switched back to the Bokeh Closed yesterday for the first time in weeks, and this headphone is just as magical in it's own unique way.
The Bokeh Closed and Aegis pairing is flat out incredible. The midrange with it's euphonic texture, and the excellent note decay and reverb, really makes acoustic instruments sound lifelike. The staging is also amazing, and I actually forgot I was listening to a closedbacks several times while listening.
Happy Listening!
ZMF BOKEH - Closed Back (Semi-Portable)
- Thread starter heliosphann
- Start date
The stock Hybrid pads, and Burst mesh.
Hot damn! The Bokeh Closed are in the house and look fantastic (as I knew they would). Just finished work and I'm playing them on my Schiit Folkvangr. I wasn't sure how this amp would drive a low impedance headphone like BC but, wow, it's surprisingly good. Haven't really needed to use the amp's impedance multiplier either. Even at this extremely early stage it sounds really good. Listening to Random Access Memories by Daft Punk. The sound just grabs you and doesn't let go. Well done, Zach & company--I can't wait to see what these become after burn-in and Mjolnir 3 arrives later this month. I'll test it on several of my amps after dinner.
I'm already thinking what ZMF to buy next.
Is this what ZMF cans do to you? And do many of you Bokeh Closed folks also have the Open?
I can already tell I will lose some sleep tonight listening to these!
I'm already thinking what ZMF to buy next.
Is this what ZMF cans do to you? And do many of you Bokeh Closed folks also have the Open?I can already tell I will lose some sleep tonight listening to these!
erics75
Headphoneus Supremus
I have both the closed and opened, and love it! The open is a nice compliment to the closed, it's brighter, more forward mids, and slightly less bass resonance. It's tighter and faster sounding. Overall it's different enough that I can justify keeping both. But then again, is it really hard to justify having more ZMFs? noooooooooo........Hot damn! The Bokeh Closed are in the house and look fantastic (as I knew they would). Just finished work and I'm playing them on my Schiit Folkvangr. I wasn't sure how this amp would drive a low impedance headphone like BC but, wow, it's surprisingly good. Haven't really needed to use the amp's impedance multiplier either. Even at this extremely early stage it sounds really good. Listening to Random Access Memories by Daft Punk. The sound just grabs you and doesn't let go. Well done, Zach & company--I can't wait to see what these become after burn-in and Mjolnir 3 arrives later this month. I'll test it on several of my amps after dinner.
I'm already thinking what ZMF to buy next.
I can already tell I will lose some sleep tonight listening to these!
LOL! Nice that they pair well together. I've always preferred open back headphones, but needed a closed back. I'm honestly surprised at how wide the soundstage is on these. I'm all-too-quickly learning that the ZMF sound is truly addictive.
Yes, the Open and Closed compliment each other very well, and both have their place in my system.
Happy Listening, and welcome to the club!
searchingtom
100+ Head-Fier
Received a beautiful used set of these today. With the stock pads it felt just a tad bloomy to me so I switched to the Caldera suede and they fit my sound profile very well. A beautiful looking and sounding headdphone at a good price.
Now - about those pads.... Ugh, they are hard to put on. I've owned several Atriums and Verites and they were no where near this hard. It was very frustrating. Note to ZMF - I would gladly pay $100-200 more for the headphones if they had a magnetic pad system,
tom
Now - about those pads.... Ugh, they are hard to put on. I've owned several Atriums and Verites and they were no where near this hard. It was very frustrating. Note to ZMF - I would gladly pay $100-200 more for the headphones if they had a magnetic pad system,
tom
I own an he1kse, and felt there would be too much overlap between it and a Bokeh open, so I ended up with a BC. I’m really content with the BC. So much so, I think I will be a returning customer with ZMF.
andrewchoppa
1000+ Head-Fier
OMG they are stunning!!!!!!!!! Probably my favourite looking ZMFs ever!!!!!! What a colour combination!! Nice one mate!!!!Received a beautiful used set of these today. With the stock pads it felt just a tad bloomy to me so I switched to the Caldera suede and they fit my sound profile very well. A beautiful looking and sounding headdphone at a good price.
Now - about those pads.... Ugh, they are hard to put on. I've owned several Atriums and Verites and they were no where near this hard. It was very frustrating. Note to ZMF - I would gladly pay $100-200 more for the headphones if they had a magnetic pad system,
tom
klardotsh
100+ Head-Fier
FWIW, I have BC, BO, and once upon a time had HEKSE. The latter two have little in common to my ears. The HE1000SE I had was borderline incapable of producing a note below 200Hz with any sort of authority, and for that matter sounded far too subdued and timid throughout the near-entire frequency spectrum. Great if you almost exclusively listen to choral and acoustic music, maybe, but for an alt rock and house/IDM/hip-hop guy, they were some of the most boring cans I've ever owned. Both Bokehs are well to the opposite end of that spectrum, and the Open especially exudes "you WILL listen to me" authority and energy (the closed is a bit more laid back, ironically). Less resonance, more punch and presence.
Even if I hadn't been on a closed-back kick lately (and so I'm inclined to keep my BC anyway), I'd still say it's reasonable to own both Bokehs, because the presentation is far more different than I was expecting it to be. In a good way, but in a way that I almost wish I could get the BO tuning in a closed-back alongside the BC's style... sigh.
Really appreciate all the input here on the Bokeh Open vs closed, Atrium etc. I'm new to this hobby (currently have the 6xx and EditionXS) and upgrading my setup to a ZMF is very very temping despite such the high jump in price. Bokeh closed is on my shortlist but really wish I could try a pair beforehand. Been thinking about making it to a CanJam event later this year (SoCal). Does anyone know of a place in the Bay Area to check these out in person? Looks like no local dealers where I live have them but curious if there are local meetups.
If you keep an eye out here https://www.head-fi.org/forums/local-regional-head-fi-meets-parties-get-togethers.24/
That's where info is posted on local meetups.
Oh nice, thanks!
weebyreviewer
New Head-Fier
Can anyone here help me out on comparing the bokehs to the Hifiman Arya Organics?
@zach915m Loving my Bokeh Closed set--my first ZMFs and they won't be my last--and while they are still breaking in and it's early days, they are already very good. I listened until late in the night last night (couldn't stop listening). Very addictive sound. I'm still rocking the stock pads and mesh until the headphone is well and truly broken in, but I'm very curious to see how'll they'll change with different pads and meshes.
I just wanted to say I love what ZMF is doing and I appreciate both the extraordinary craftsmanship and the care and attention that has been taken to make ZMFs so customizable. Very well done.
Earlier in the thread, I came across your R.L. Burnside 1st Recordings recommendation and am listening to it now via Qobuz. Wow! It's a terrific listen on these BCs.
Now the question becomes what's a good next complement to the Bokeh Closed? Decisions, decision.
I just wanted to say I love what ZMF is doing and I appreciate both the extraordinary craftsmanship and the care and attention that has been taken to make ZMFs so customizable. Very well done.
Earlier in the thread, I came across your R.L. Burnside 1st Recordings recommendation and am listening to it now via Qobuz. Wow! It's a terrific listen on these BCs.
Now the question becomes what's a good next complement to the Bokeh Closed? Decisions, decision.
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