ZMF Caldera Closed

[zach915m]

Yeah this high end unique stuff is always very polarizing. And as was the case, which was the same with Bokeh and par for the course with show environments and the dizzying amount of sources etc etc we got feedback that was all over the place at Canjam but was generally very positive.

The good news is that when I get feedback that's generally in one direction, but with a few outliers I usually know were in a pretty good spot because of the malleability of our tuning system.

But, you guys know how selfish I am, making this collection of headphones for my self.

 

[JackarlTwo]

Out of all the ZMF cups this takes the cake for me. I just love the angles. Can't wait to hear one!

 

[iamoneagain]

I think I can go either way on a closed design. Owned the closed AT L3000 for about 12 years and loved its sound, especially the bass and mids. It wasn’t until a heard a Grado again that I craved an open headphone. So for the Caldera open has reminded me the most of the L3000. The bass is probably the closest when using thick pads but then I lose out on the exciting mids. So I’d be interested if the Caldera Closed can match the L3000 bass while keeping the same mids as the Caldera open with stock pads. I have no need for both headphones, so if I end up preferring the closed, I end up selling the open.

 

[erics75]

Ha - well if nobody wants the burnt angular lines with the stock ash wood we definitely don't have to do it.

Happy to accommodate

Part of my inspiration for the cup was how much I liked how the Atrium Closed felt in the hand with the angular ridge in the back. So I added in a concave angular ridge on the back, regardless of how anyone feels about the aesthetic, I think you'll love how they feel in the hand.

Personally I obviously very biasedly love how they look too, I can't wait to try some resin with these.

I love the burnt angular lines! Very unique look, there's nothing else like it. Would love to see an aged cherry version. I adore how my aged cherry AO came out, especially with the aged metal grill.

 

[betula]

I love the burnt angular lines! Very unique look, there's nothing else like it. Would love to see an aged cherry version. I adore how my aged cherry AO came out, especially with the aged metal grill.

I love the look too! Dare to be different! Nothing worse than a boring looking multi thousand dollar headphone.

 

[Monsterzero]

I'm residing in the "I don't care how it looks" camp. Speaking only for myself, it's all about the sound. I'm not staring into a mirror while I listen, so who the hell cares what a headphone looks like?!? I mean, it's not like we are wearing these at The Paris Fashion Week!

Just remember, it's the music we are all here for and everything else should be seconda......

I can't wait to try some resin with these.

 

[Huntersknoll]

If you told me that if I strapped two toasters to my head that I would get the greatest sounding closed back headphone ever, I'd do it.

I told myself I'd stick with the Atrium Closed and be a one headphone guy... but I might be bending my rule on this. One Dynamic Driver and One Planar driver headphone. Seems reasonable to me

 

[LXMc]

If you told me that if I strapped two toasters to my head...

RAAL thread's thataway

 

[idairyou]

I like the look.

Cocobolo would look awesome.

Zach, Cocobolo LTD at launch?

 

[kumar402]

If you told me that if I strapped two toasters to my head that I would get the greatest sounding closed back headphone ever, I'd do it.

I told myself I'd stick with the Atrium Closed and be a one headphone guy... but I might be bending my rule on this. One Dynamic Driver and One Planar driver headphone. Seems reasonable to me

And add one open Dynamic and open Planar as well but don’t forget one SS and one tube and one DS and R2R DAC
Also IEMs are getting better so one TOTL IEM. Now you are reasonable

 

[spittis]

Going by the original photos shown I didn't like the angular design with the burnt lines either, but it does look really nice in the second and third photo posted by @kumar402 and I'm sure there will be some stunning limited editions where the angular shape elevates it.

 

[zach915m]

I love the burnt angular lines! Very unique look, there's nothing else like it. Would love to see an aged cherry version. I adore how my aged cherry AO came out, especially with the aged metal grill.

I will add that - there's a certain seller on Ali Express that has been both copying our headphone cups, and providing very similar designs to DIY'ers and one man businesses. While I have nothing against a small headphone business ofcourse, it's not fun for stuff I spent years working on to be copied. I've bought the copied cups and while the cups aren't anywhere near the quality that we can do in our own machine shop, from a picture online it can be hard to tell that.

So anyways - I'm trying my best to make it hard to copy us as well haha with unique designs that I like.

I like the look.

Cocobolo would look awesome.

Zach, Cocobolo LTD at launch?

Hmm I have been Cocobolo collecting a lot lately.

Likely though it will be Shedua or Queensland maple that I bought just for this, but yes you'll definitely see all the cool stuff and eventually the custom shop will make some of that more attainable.

 

[CaptainFantastic]

I'm residing in the "I don't care how it looks" camp. Speaking only for myself, it's all about the sound. I'm not staring into a mirror while I listen, so who the hell cares what a headphone looks like?!? I mean, it's not like we are wearing these at The Paris Fashion Week!

Just remember, it's the music we are all here for and everything else should be seconda......

I think few would buy a headphone based on aesthetics (although when I see the weights on some of the stabilized sets, I do scratch my head). But aesthetics do matter to a degree, just like having a nice, ergonomic cable does. And I believe you mention the aesthetics as well in some of your ZMF reviews, like the Atrium Open. Not saying you said they matter to you, but they do matter.

Having said that, probably what matters for ZMF is not having three closed backs that look almost identical.

 

[idairyou]

Likely though it will be Shedua or Queensland maple that I bought just for this, but yes you'll definitely see all the cool stuff and eventually the custom shop will make some of that more attainable.

Oooohhhh......Queensland Maple.

You just helped me make up my mind on which one I'm getting.

 

[ECKHUAAA]

I love the burnt angular lines! Very unique look, there's nothing else like it. Would love to see an aged cherry version. I adore how my aged cherry AO came out, especially with the aged metal grill.

I love all the ZMF designs they are very unique works of collectible Art. And Sound Very good also. Keep it up Zach