ZMF Caldera Closed

[robo24]

I honestly think you can't go wrong with any of the four recommended pads. They have trade offs in their own ways and it's down to preference.

I just got my hands on the Suede TWPs. To me they do something nice to the top end and trade off bass quality for quantity. Was bit intense with the black mesh so I swapped back in the red one.

Anybody have experience with the Green mesh and think it'd be worth getting?

I only use the Suede TWPs and I have tried the Green mesh just briefly. The meshes aren't supposed to impact bass much though I still thought maybe there was hair more on black vs. red. The green had more treble than I'd like, while the black brought it to a sweet spot for me. I also would have been happy if the stock red had been the only option. For kicks I tried with no mesh too, and while it was my least preferred it actually wasn't bad. That said I'm in my 50s with mild hearing loss above 4k and nothing above 13k.

 

[ckhirnigs113]

I’ve got a loaner CC on the way to me now. I can’t wait to hear these and compare them to my AC, OG Auteur, and Elite. If the Aegis/CC combo is even half as good as @Wes S has claimed, then I should be in for a treat!

 

[Wes S]

I’ve got a loaner CC on the way to me now. I can’t wait to hear these and compare them to my AC, OG Auteur, and Elite. If the Aegis/CC combo is even half as good as @Wes S has claimed, then I should be in for a treat!

Heck yeah man! I am excited for you, and can't wait to hear your thoughts. Fun times ahead no doubt, and especially with that tube combo you currently have in your Aegis.

 

[ttys0]

Finally got around to moving my Caldera Thick top perf pads off of the Atrium Closed, and onto the Caldera Closed. I suspect I'm gonna need to order another set of these pads, 'cause the Caldera Closed seems to finally be right where I want them.

The CC has been the hardest of all my ZMFs to get dialed in. There was a period of time that I even considered selling them as I thought maybe they just weren't for me. It seemed strange, since I liked the Caldera Open, and both the Atriums (open & closed) a lot. Apparently the two things I was missing with the CC were the combination of time (Burn in effect? Maybe?) and the thick top perf pads.

I'm also back to the red mesh. I had the green on for a good while, since I felt like the high end was a bit too much. But the green mesh went too far, and seemed to put a weird veil on everything. Not really muted, but tracks seemed a bit muddied. I never had any desire to try the black mesh, as too much treble energy is the thing that I kept trying to solve. At least that's what I think I was trying to solve.

My guess is the thick top perf pads add just enough extra low end to have things rounded out exactly right for me. Since I've had the CCs, this is the first time I haven't noticed a little army of annoyances creeping in from all the corners ("...wait a second, headphones don't have corners." "Hush down, you know what I mean."). Maybe it's just more weird brain nonsense. In any event, I'm very glad I held onto the CCs.

It probably doesn't help that I insta-loved the Atrium sound (both open & closed). The Caldera Open also took a bit for me to "grow into", but the closed variant has taken a lot longer than I would have ever guessed. I suppose the moral of the story is, if you're new to ZMFs be sure to give them some time, and take some mindful care with all the little adjustments that different pads and meshes can provide.

 

[Exekuhtor]

The CC has been the hardest of all my ZMFs to get dialed in.

Hmm, for me the CC was amazing from the very first minute. Stock pads. Stock mesh. But i also use it on an Envy and swapped some tubes out, so that also counts as tinkering with its sound to get it where i wanted it...

 

[Spawn300Z]

I’ve been getting used to the CC with the protein pads. So today I started to compare them to the HE-R10P Stealths.

As far as looks it’s hard for any headphone to compete with ZMF in this department. Each headphone has its own special unique look to them and built great. The Caldera Closed is heavier and you can feel the difference, but the weight is distributed evenly and still feels comfortable. But the HE-R10P Stealth is more comfortable and you can forget they are there.

Both of these headphones are great in their own rights. It will boil down to your sound preference. But I will say they are the pinnacle of closed backs currently on the market. But I still have to try additional pads on the CC.

I’ve been listening to them on 3 setups.

Main Setup: Power connected to PS Audio Power Plant P20 AC Regenerator w/ DH Labs Red Wave Power Cable -> 2013 27” iMac -> Final Touch Audio Sinope USB Cable -> Playback designs MPD-8 with Final Touch Audio Elara Power Cable-> Double Helix Cables Chimera RCA Interconnect Cables -> Riviera AIC-10 with Telefunken G73-R Black Coated NOS Tubes & DH Labs Red Wave Power Cable -> Danacable Lazuli Nirvana Adapter with Spades -> Danacable Lazuli Nirvana or Double Helix Cables Chimera Adapter with Spades -> Double Helix Cables Chimera

Bedroom Setup: PLiXiR Statement BDC Dual Linear Power Supply 15V/6A/DC 2.5 with ifi SupaNova Power Cable -> iPad Pro M4 11” -> AudioQuest Carbon USB Type C Cable -> Chord M-Scaler -> Wave High Fidelity Storm Reference Oyaide Dual BNC Cables -> Chord Hugo TT2 -> Danacable: Lazuli Rhapsody

Transportable Setup: iPad Pro M4, Chord Hugo 2, PW Audio 4.4 mm Bal Adapter, DHC Mini Chimera 4.4 mm interconnect, Cayin C9II, DHC Mini Chimera

For right now I can say that the Caldera Closed are easy to listen to with a warmer presentation, more intimate sound and a little harder to drive. The HE-R10P Stealth has a wider sound stage closer to an open backs. The decay from instrument notes do tend to last longer and sub bass extends further. They both scale with better equipment and amplification but feel you can get away with lower power gear with the HE-R10P Stealth more. Since I always had to increase the volume when using the CC to get the same level of volume no matter which setup I was using. But thats not a major issue.

As some you know I had 3 closed backs were I rated as follows:
1. HE-R10P Stealths
2. DCA Stealth
3. Focal Stellia

I can say at this time the Caldera Closed will end up being in one of the top two Closed Back spots for me. I will need to do some more listening.

I do think they both have a place in your collection. But on that note the HE-R10P Stealths will be the one I take on a trip with me. It has the widest sound stage and allows me to getaway with only bringing one headphone with me when on work trip or vacation. Plus who would want to risk damage to this beautiful piece of art out on the road.

 

[idairyou]

I’ve got a loaner CC on the way to me now. I can’t wait to hear these and compare them to my AC, OG Auteur, and Elite. If the Aegis/CC combo is even half as good as @Wes S has claimed, then I should be in for a treat!

You will not be disappointed. Fantastic set of cans.

 

[ckhirnigs113]

Just wrapped up my week with the loaner CC. I definitely enjoyed my time with Zach’s new creation!

The loaner came with red mesh installed, and there were 3 types of pads to try (Hybrid, Thick Lambskin, and Thin Protein). I tried all the pads but pretty quickly decided I preferred the stock Hybrids. They seemed like the most-balanced option.

I used the CC with my normal setup, iFi Zen Stream (USB)>Yggy A2 (SE out)>Aegis. I decided to stick with one tube-roll for the duration of the demo to avoid introducing too many variables. I did briefly swap recitifiers, but that’s it, I promise!

I was really excited to compare the CC to my Meze Elite and Atrium Closed, a duo of headphones I’m extremely satisfied with. I spent the first two days listening to the CC exclusively so I could get a good handle on them without confusing my brain with any A/B comparisons.

The ZMF house-sound I’m so fond of was immediately apparent. They were mellow and slightly warm while also remarkably resolving at the same time. It made for a very relaxing/captivating listen! Like my Atrium Closed, they don’t sound closed-in at all once you turn on the music. They couldn’t quite match the wide-open airiness of my Elite, but I didn’t need or expect them to.

They were completely adept at handling any type of music I threw at them. I felt the same way about the CC as I previously did about the CO when I got to demo it. These are fully-realized headphones that have no obvious short-comings to speak of. I can safely say that I could be perfectly content with either Caldera as my sole pair of headphones. That’s the ulitmate seal of approval in my book.

Fortunately for me, I also feel that way about my Meze Elite. All three are such complete headphones that I don’t think I could justify owning even two of them. It would seem a little redundant for my needs. I prefer to have a few different types of headphones in my stable to switch between, depending on my mood. I have my open-back planar in the Elite, closed-back dynamic in the AC, and an open-back dynamic in my OG Auteur. I suppose you could argue a closed-back planar is missing from the collection, but I’m going to keep telling myself, “I’m content!”

Zach and the team at ZMF have done it again with the Caldera Closed. It’s a superb pair of headphones that should be on anyone’s short list if they’re in the market for a TOTL closed-back. I’m glad I got to spend some time with them!

 

[mattiastomas]

I decided to stick with one tube-roll for the duration of the demo to avoid introducing too many variables.

Am curious. What tube roll did you use?

 

[ckhirnigs113]

Am curious. What tube roll did you use?

Input: Sylvania 6SL7GT/VT-229
Output: Mullard EL50 (mesh plates)
Rectifier: RCA JAN CRC 5R4GY w/DD-getters

 

[Spawn300Z]

Is it just me? I just tried the CC Hybrid TP pads. I’m hearing better and increased sound stage over the Protein TP pads.n

 

[ckhirnigs113]

Is it just me? I just tried the CC Hybrid TP pads. I’m hearing better and increased sound stage over the Protein TP pads.n

I definitely found that to be the case. I wasn’t a fan of the thin Protein pads when I had the loaner CC. I think in general shallower pads are almost always going to have a smaller soundstage than thicker pads.

 

[number1sixerfan]

I'm sure the CC vs. CO has been debated ad nauseam, apologies. I'll do my digging in this thread. But if anyone may, how would you describe the difference between the two in just one, succinct sentence if you had to?

 

[Aetherhole]

I'm sure the CC vs. CO has been debated ad nauseam, apologies. I'll do my digging in this thread. But if anyone may, how would you describe the difference between the two in just one, succinct sentence if you had to?

I think the CO is a bit more peaky in the treble. I don’t think I am the only one who found it that way. That’s one of the biggest difference. I didn’t particularly like the CO, personally, probably because of that.

 

[goldwerger]

I'm sure the CC vs. CO has been debated ad nauseam, apologies. I'll do my digging in this thread. But if anyone may, how would you describe the difference between the two in just one, succinct sentence if you had to?

CO is more incisive and fast, whereas the CC has more decay and comparatively lush. CC extends in both treble and bass, and is a bit darker comparatively. Both are well resolving across the FR and have beautiful mids.

CO is best matched with a great tube amp (I love it off the Decware Taboo). CC is more forgiving but scales beautiful - it's a fantastic match up with your AIC.