[zach915m]

Very unfortunate that this happened, but is there anything I can do to make this look or be better? I don’t even know how it happened, it was like this when I looked at it today.

Likely the wood shrunk around the grille, be very careful during the colder or fluctuation months with exotic hardwoods, keep them in the case with the invluded boveda packet (or a new 49% packet).

Under warranty we will repair this or if we have another cup replace it within the first 90 days, but long term especially if you have an exotic non stock wood I would urge owners who don't live in Florida or California (humid places) to keep the headphone in case with the boveda packet. This stuff happens from extended drying. We keep our shop controlled at 40 percent humidity, so anything below that will be drying the wood, the 20's and below is danger zone.

Send me an email and we will take care of it!

 

[Alenotta]

Very unfortunate that this happened, but is there anything I can do to make this look or be better? I don’t even know how it happened, it was like this when I looked at it today.

Oh no! Zach will probably have a better solution, but worst case you could do a color matched wood filler. Or a different filler and embrace a cool wabi sabi aesthetic. One time my standing desk ripped a headphone in half while it was rising.

EDIT: He replied as I wrote that lol. I don't think I have on of those packets. Maybe that is just for the LTD.

 

[Since1991]

Likely the wood shrunk around the grille, be very careful during the colder or fluctuation months with exotic hardwoods, keep them in the case with the invluded boveda packet (or a new 49% packet).

Under warranty we will repair this or if we have another cup replace it within the first 90 days, but long term especially if you have an exotic non stock wood I would urge owners who don't live in Florida or California (humid places) to keep the headphone in case with the boveda packet. This stuff happens from extended drying. We keep our shop controlled at 40 percent humidity, so anything below that will be drying the wood, the 20's and below is danger zone.

Send me an email and we will take care of it!

I didn’t know something like this would be covered under warranty as well. I’ll definitely send an email, thanks for responding so fast.

 

[sp33ls]

Likely the wood shrunk around the grille, be very careful during the colder or fluctuation months with exotic hardwoods, keep them in the case with the included boveda packet (or a new 49% packet).

This stuff happens from extended drying. We keep our shop controlled at 40 percent humidity, so anything below that will be drying the wood, the 20's and below is danger zone.

What about folks in a slightly more humid climate? I'm curious if I need to be careful with my Blackwood in the PNW winters.

 

[zach915m]

I didn’t know something like this would be covered under warranty as well. I’ll definitely send an email, thanks for responding so fast.

It's not officially part of the warranty but I'll cover a wood split from environment within the first 90 days in some way, repair/replacement etc. Dings from use etc wouldn't be covered.

What about folks in a slightly more humid climate? I'm curious if I need to worry about my Blackwood in the PNW winters.

Humid is nothing to worry about!

 

[rsbrsvp]

Utopia is hyper-HONEST. I like to say Utopia is a plane of crystal clear glass transmitting the bits directly into your brain - "Here's your music, this is what it is." Caldera puts a slight filter on it, giving it just a little space to breathe and kicking up the glamour (re: bass) just enough to make it *pop*

I have heard and owned two ZMF headphones; the Atrium and Caldera. Both seem to have built in filters. I would describe the Atrium filter as a "tube" filter. It honestly sounds like it has a built in tube amplifier. The Caldera filter is essentially a "bass shelf" filter. The Caldera to my ears is the first headphone that sounds like a hybrid planner/dynamic headphone. Really an incredible invention. ZMF is NOT about ultimate transparency. These filters "color" the sound- IMHO just beautifully.

 

[Monsterzero]

boveda packet (or a new 49% packet).

How often do these need to be replaced?

 

[zach915m]

How often do these need to be replaced?

The larger size of the Boveda packets I would put in once per year and keep sealed in the case in October. If you live in a climate with "winter" just keep the headphone in case from OCT through March.

I should also reference - I rarely do this and it's only happened to me once with Wenge in my house, and I own a LOT of ZMF's lol. It really mostly these exotic hardwoods that can have this issue.

It also looks like other companies have copied them: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...ddario-humidipak-maintain-replacement-12-pack

 

[asdafaasda]

Is dryness a concern for stabilized wood (I think I recall reading that stabilization helps to prevent these issues)? They also come with the humidity packets.

 

[zach915m]

Is dryness a concern for stabilized wood (I think I recall reading that stabilization helps to prevent these issues)? They also come with the humidity packets.

Nope! It's got absolutely zero humidity left in the wood!

 

[Toonartist]

It's not officially part of the warranty but I'll cover a wood split from environment within the first 90 days in some way, repair/replacement etc. Dings from use etc wouldn't be covered.

Humid is nothing to worry about!

You had me worried until then... No chance of dropping to anywhere near 20% in NE UK. I was going to say we rarely drop below 50 but given the amount it rains, maybe I should say 90%

 

[XVampireX]

If resolution is the goal, than you'd want to use an amp like the the GSX MK ii, or even better for my preferences the sparkos aries.

But I agree, my goal in tuning is never to prioritize one element to the extent that it hurts another to keep the headphone from being an enjoyable musical package.

Holo Audio Bliss KTE should be great for resolution, I've gotta compare it to the Utopia when I get the Caldera, but yeah, while Utopia has a wow factor for detail and sweetness the soundstage is a bit too narrow on some tracks, and because of all the Chaos, the separation is not helping especially the voices.

 

[zach915m]

Holo Audio Bliss KTE should be great for resolution, I've gotta compare it to the Utopia when I get the Caldera, but yeah, while Utopia has a wow factor for detail and sweetness the soundstage is a bit too narrow on some tracks, and because of all the Chaos, the separation is not helping especially the voices.

I've heard great things about the Bliss! Looking forward to hearing one soon.

 

[Kbeau]

Very unfortunate that this happened, but is there anything I can do to make this look or be better? I don’t even know how it happened, it was like this when I looked at it today.

ZMF has a great warranty and crew

 

[Zachik]

Humid is nothing to worry about!

So I assume I am safe?