ZMF Bokeh - Open Back Headphones

[erics75]

LOL maybe we should not use BO to refer to the Bokeh Open

But it's so much fun

 

[theveterans]

LOL maybe we should not use BO to refer to the Bokeh Open

Those rings are more to help pad swap on the Bokeh platform, especially as fitting them can be less than trivial. I have a previous version of them which came in very handy in my Bokeh Closed review. These newer rings are not as oval as those, so I might actually still prefer the older ones depending on how it goes.

Bokeh Open has no body odor

 

[robo24]

Day three with the Open, and the bass has really come into it's own now, and actually slams with incredible punch and texture. These headphones just don't have a single weakness, and there is some magic in the tuning allowing for an exciting listen no doubt.

So, for those curious how the Open compares to the Closed, here are my first impressions.

First off, the Open is more open sounding, with better separation and air between the notes. Things breathe and decay more naturally with the Open. You can hear the notes longer with the Open, and with the closed the decay is a bit quicker. As for the bass, it's more middbass focused on the Closed, and with the Open you get better balance down into the subbass, and as a result a slightly fuller albeit less punchy sounding bass. They both punch quite hard, but the Closed punches a tad harder in the middbass, and the bass just sounds more balanced on the Open. As for the mids, things are a bit smoother and just a tad less lively on the Closed, and same goes for the highs. The staging is also not quite as airy and open on the Closed vs. Open. The staging sounds more intimate, like you are in a smaller concert hall on Closed, and sounds like you are in a larger cathedral with the Open. Don't get me wrong, the staging is excellent with the Closed, it's just a bit better with the Open. As for detail retrieval, I feel due to the better separation and air, it's easier to hear more with the Open, but the Closed is no slouch either. Lastly, the timbre is a bit more lifelike on the Open. That's just a quick comparison, but should give you some idea how they compare.

This comparison is right in line with how Zach usually tunes his Closed vs.Open headphones, with the Closed being a bit more warmer/smoother and less lively, but still incredible in their own right. I love both headphones and they each have their place. That being said, I actually think it's worth owning both of them for sure.

Thanks so much for that. I remember when I had the demo Bokeh Closed that it really opened up after 50 hours or so and became much more to my liking so if they're already more open sounding from the get go that's a great sign!

 

[Pharmaboy]

Does the packaging of the Bokeh Open explain how the rings are to be used? And does it explain the sonic expectations with each of the different meshes?

 

[erics75]

Does the packaging of the Bokeh Open explain how the rings are to be used? And does it explain the sonic expectations with each of the different meshes?

I'm hoping the BO packaging does have it, but my insert was for the BC, which does not mention it. I think in the chaos of the Nov orders and demo units going out, I got the wrong insert.

This is what Zach told me when I asked him about the rings (I had a feeling they were for the pads but wasn't 100% sure, so i asked him):

They go in the pads, under the foam from the top but in front of/before the driver mesh to help keep the pad shape to make them easier to put the pads on.

I noticed no sonic changes when putting them in.

 

[Luckyleo]

I'm hoping the BO packaging does have it, but my insert was for the BC, which does not mention it. I think in the chaos of the Nov orders and demo units going out, I got the wrong insert.

This is what Zach told me when I asked him about the rings (I had a feeling they were for the pads but wasn't 100% sure, so i asked him):

They go in the pads, under the foam from the top but in front of/before the driver mesh to help keep the pad shape to make them easier to put the pads on.

I noticed no sonic changes when putting them in.

If I remember correctly the ZMF 6xx pads have a similar type ring. Could be wrong.

 

[erics75]

If I remember correctly the ZMF 6xx pads have a similar type ring. Could be wrong.

Those do, but for the 6xx it's the retention ring that snaps the pads into place and holds them onto the frame. These are more for keeping the oval headphone from stretching out the round pad, and to keep them from slipping off.

 

[Luckyleo]

Those do, but for the 6xx it's the retention ring that snaps the pads into place and holds them onto the frame. These are more for keeping the oval headphone from stretching out the round pad, and to keep them from slipping off.

Appreciate the clarification!

 

[Burgerbassist]

Is anyone able to confirm if the BC and BO tuning kits include the same pads and meshes? I'm wondering if I can get away with having one tuning kit for both, or if it makes sense to have a tuning kit for each set.

 

[vsg28]

Is anyone able to confirm if the BC and BO tuning kits include the same pads and meshes? I'm wondering if I can get away with having one tuning kit for both, or if it makes sense to have a tuning kit for each set.

The pad perforations are different, the Bokeh Open pads have side fenestration also on the outside. I haven't looked much closer than this yet, nor at the meshes although they seem similar based on memory.

 

[erics75]

Is anyone able to confirm if the BC and BO tuning kits include the same pads and meshes? I'm wondering if I can get away with having one tuning kit for both, or if it makes sense to have a tuning kit for each set.

@zach915m @AnyDave Can you confirm? The BO and BC pads look the same to me, but I don't want to misspeak.

EDIT vsg28 nailed it, the open model comes with inner side perforations, the closed does not. The meshes look different as well. There is the standard solid mesh we all know and love. But the radial mesh from the BC is cut in different shapes on the BO.

 

[erics75]

The pad perforations are different, the Bokeh Open pads have side fenestration also on the outside. I haven't looked much closer than this yet, nor at the meshes although they seem similar based on memory.

Ah correct, i missed the side perforations! I'm a dummy hahaha

 

[Burgerbassist]

Ah correct, i missed the side perforations! I'm a dummy hahaha

The pad perforations are different, the Bokeh Open pads have side fenestration also on the outside. I haven't looked much closer than this yet, nor at the meshes although they seem similar based on memory.

Thanks for the clarification!

 

[Ozonegod]

Hello all, very new to high end headphones - my audeze maxwell went to guaranty and I'm looking for new open back - I was thinking about hifiman arya organic+ hifiman serenade combo, but then some reviews of bokeh closed popped up and now I'm here - could someone provide easy to newbie comparision (even guess it) to the arya's? I'm holding the decision based on longevity of the headphone due to maxwell experience

 

[Pharmaboy]

@zach915m @AnyDave Can you confirm? The BO and BC pads look the same to me, but I don't want to misspeak.

EDIT vsg28 nailed it, the open model comes with inner side perforations, the closed does not. The meshes look different as well. There is the standard solid mesh we all know and love. But the radial mesh from the BC is cut in different shapes on the BO.

And what are the known sonic differences between these meshes?

I'm only asking because if a certain mesh (that's not already on the headphone) is described as being more aligned with my sonic tastes that the mesh that comes stock--I'm more inclined to mess around with changing mesh for the first time ever (something I don't look forward to).