ZMF Caldera Closed

[erics75]

Shame on you! Never regret using your AC!

I know, blasphemy! But today i'm in a mood, a CC mood. I get random sonic cravings, and they drive me nuts.

 

[GarlicBiscuit]

I haven't demoed the CC since Axpona last year, but they do pique my curiosity every once in a while. For anyone here with Audezes like the LCD-X/MX4/4/4z, how would you say the CC's bass compares? I remember it being tight and well-articulated, but I'm curious about the sense of rumble/texture and punchiness/impact given the bass shelf. Audezes are some of my favorites for those qualities.

 

[rsbrsvp]

Both are Calderas, but the CC sounds a bit softer/darker/warmer, more rounded. CO sounds snappier, quicker, more dynamic. Here you can read in more details, if interested.

This is an excellent summary. I might add on the CC- more romantic.

By the way- I've searched this thread on the issue of hardwood vs softer wood effecting the sound and there have been several posts claiming that on the AC it makes a noticeable difference. But I have not seen anyone speak up specifically on the CC. Is there anyone who can comment specifically on the sound signature effect of harder wood vs softer wood on the CC. Or at least softer wood vs. Stabilized as I understand there are very few hard wood models out there to compare.

 

[Deleeh]

Hello,
At the weekend I listened to the CC for the first time together with the CO.
My heart definitely beats for the CC.
Even if the source was suboptimal, it left a lasting impression on me.
But it was hard for me to tell the two apart, I had heard the CO before on a good source and it was also good.
However, I found that the CC had a bit more substance in all areas and was also fuller.
But as I said, it was difficult because of the source.

I would also be interested to know whether the wood can be decisive for the CC.

 

[AudioDuck]

I would also be interested to know whether the wood can be decisive for the CC.

At CanJam SoCal last fall I tried the Redheart CC back-to-back with the Bocote CC on the same gear with the same music, and I preferred the Bocote. Of course, tastes vary, but to me there was an audible difference.

 

[jonathan c]

.... finally, Caldera Closed & Aegis together:

. "This is not a closed-back .... this is heavenly" .

 

[rafalc]

.... finally, Caldera Closed & Aegis together: . "This is not a closed-back .... this is heavenly" .

How does it compare to MK 433?

 

[jonathan c]

How does it compare to MK 433?

To me, Aegis is certainly 'better' than MK-433: force, heft, palpability, thereness. Not a surprise, in my mind. That MK-433 is really close behind is why I enjoy MK-433 when Aegis and my other tube h/p/a are "on break".

 

[s2kphile]

I firmly believe this is ZMFs best Closed headphone it in its line-up; moreso, than the Atrium or Bokeh.

 

[Exekuhtor]

I firmly believe this is ZMFs the best Closed headphone

Fixed it for you!

 

[robo24]

I firmly believe this is ZMFs best Closed headphone

I firmly believe this is ZMFs the best Closed headphone

Fixed it for you!

I firmly believe this is ZMFs the best Closed headphone!
Fixed it for both of you!

 

[AudioDuck]

I firmly believe this is ZMFs best Closed headphone it in its line-up; moreso, than the Atrium or Bokeh.

Wow- that Amboyna Burl is amazing.

 

[Exekuhtor]

I firmly believe this is ZMFs the best Closed headphone!
Fixed it for both of you!

Ehh, there are objectively better Open-Backs. There just are. Both Susvaras, both new Raals, etc...
I can't think of any Closed-Back that has both better technicalities (maybe sth like a Stealth / HE-R 10P) and a better tuned sound without any flaws (because the Stealth sounds dead, like basically every DCA, or the Closed-Back Hifimen are awfully tuned), as it is the case with the CC. For me it's not only by far the best Closed-Back planar, it's the best Closed-Back headphone. I don't hear any drawback.

 

[Wes S]

I firmly believe this is ZMFs the best Closed headphone!
Fixed it for both of you!

Amen!
Me too.

 

[walterboss]

I currently have 1266 and Valkyria and I badly need something well balanced with a nice warmth to it.

Is Caldera Closed a good shout? It will be for my Red October (until I get my XL)

I tried a CO before and it was great, if a little peaky in treble for my tastes. It just never fitted into my headphone stable at the time and still wouldn't.

I'm considering it or maybe Atrium Closed. I had Atrium Open and found it a little shouty at times (though that may well be impatience with not pad rolling much beyond 2-3 types). There was just something a little irritating in the mid to treble region I could never pinpoint. Puts me off AC but it was generally quite gorgeous in many ways.

I'm not bothered about incredible resolution or soundstage. It's about the tonality for me and warm mids are crucial. Valk has astonishing mids of course, but it's a VERY esoteric headphone with limited genre appeal.

I want to be able to listen to Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, alt rock stuff, as well as classical and enjoy lovely warm textures. Worried that AC bass might be overwhelming.

WANTS:
+ Beautiful lush mids
+ Dense, meaty sound. No Susvara et al.
+ A fairly balanced overall FR. Not Harman exactly, just something that doesn't have HUGE gaps like 1266 and Valk
+ Plays well with a SET amp like Red October/RO XL which has a ton of impedence jacks
+ Quite like the idea of another dynamic rather than planar but open minded

CONTENDERS:
Caldera Closed
Atrium Closed
Verite Closed
TELL ME ANYTHING I'M MISSING!

Isolation isn't important to me, tbh. It's a coincidence that I'm tending to consider ZMF closed backs.