ZMF Caldera - New Planar Magnetic from ZMF!

[heliosphann]

The anatomy of our inner ear is different, so we do not hear things the exact same way. There is not one perfect earpad or mantle mesh combination for everyone, the perfect choice will differ from person to person. It is good to have so many options. I would say the sound with all the earpads, and mantle mesh is highly customisable, not just a subtle fine tuning.

Most definitely true.

Even our head and outer ear shape will effect how we hear. The Universe and Auteur pads, which have completely different dimensions, are a great example of this. When the Atrium Open was released, it was interesting to find out how many users preferred one or the other. Even more fascinating was how different some owners perceived certain aspects from each pad.

 

[Roasty]

I remember using hybrid pads on the VO. leather pads, with suede where it contacts the face. @zach915m, any chance this will happen for Caldera? or, a thick suede pads variant?

@iamoneagain thanks for that tip on spinning the pads! hadn't occurred to me to try that, as I always put the seam aligned with the plugs. Will give that a go in the next few days.

The bass amount is definitely more with the stock/thick, but I like the uptick in bass details and texture I get with the suede pads. also that feeling of suede on the face is a lot more pleasant than leather for me. do you guys use some sort of conditioner/softener on zmf leather? would like to see if it is possible to get it to feel like the Utopia pads.

 

[TheAbyss2022]

I compared the Caldera to the LCD 4 at Canjam and I can say that the Caldera were better for punk rock music like Nirvana.

The Caldera just sounded more "grungy" which suited that style of music and the LCD 4 sounded great but a lot more "clean".

 

[Ciggavelli]

I'm loving these headphones. I can't stop listening to them. I should have bought a pair earlier. Between these Calderas and my recently added Atrium Closed, ZMF is making me a very happy person.

I had the VCs three different times in the past (still have the 3rd pair), and I just thought the ZMF sound was not for me. I thought it was too veiled. However, with the ACs and Calderas, I feel different. There is really no veil on the Calderas, and while there is a veil on the ACs, it actually doesn't matter because it falls in line with the fun aspect of the ACs.

 

[iamoneagain]

I remember using hybrid pads on the VO. leather pads, with suede where it contacts the face. @zach915m, any chance this will happen for Caldera? or, a thick suede pads variant?

@iamoneagain thanks for that tip on spinning the pads! hadn't occurred to me to try that, as I always put the seam aligned with the plugs. Will give that a go in the next few days.

The bass amount is definitely more with the stock/thick, but I like the uptick in bass details and texture I get with the suede pads. also that feeling of suede on the face is a lot more pleasant than leather for me. do you guys use some sort of conditioner/softener on zmf leather? would like to see if it is possible to get it to feel like the Utopia pads.

So I turn them about 1/2” backwards from the plugs. If you align them with the plugs, the mids sound dull. You can basically dial in the mids. It’s still a wide sound but if you give it some time, especially with the pads turned, it’s quite nice sounding. The thick has more bass than the stock but it’s not overpowering. It’s got a very nice texture to it. The thick pads are closest I’ve come to L3000 I used to own but with more open sound.

As far as the pads, I believe Zach said you can use the Mohawk Penthouse Polish on the pads too. Not sure if this only makes them shiny or softens them too.

 

[goldwerger]

I compared the Caldera to the LCD 4 at Canjam and I can say that the Caldera were better for punk rock music like Nirvana.

The Caldera just sounded more "grungy" which suited that style of music and the LCD 4 sounded great but a lot more "clean".

I have both of these headphones and tend to agree. The Caldera are definitely more energetic and “crisper” sounding, while the LCD-4 are more of a smooth and darker presentation. The Caldera sound great off most amps, while the LCD-4 requires a brighter and more airy amp for synergy (Aegis in my case). Overall, the Caldera has better resolution, and a notably more natural timbre in the mids. But I do enjoy both quite a bit!

 

[SunRa Fan]

Redwood burl in the wild. Fed Ex has zero credibility with me after what they did with this delivery.

 

[llcook51]

Interesting that you referenced the Beatles, as their song "Golden Slumbers" was what I was listening to when the water flowed.

Cannot over rated their influence on music during the past 50 years!

 

[LXMc]

Redwood burl in the wild. Fed Ex has zero credibility with me after what they did with this delivery.

lovely set, congrats (they look like they lean more of a pale red but maybe its just the photo/light) - I'm almost afraid to ask what happened with the delivery...

 

[llcook51]

I have both of these headphones and tend to agree. The Caldera are definitely more energetic and “crisper” sounding, while the LCD-4 are more of a smooth and darker presentation. The Caldera sound great off most amps, while the LCD-4 requires a brighter and more airy amp for synergy (Aegis in my case). Overall, the Caldera has better resolution, and a notably more natural timbre in the mids. But I do enjoy both quite a bit!

Same here. I have oth the Caldera and LCD-4. Both are great, but the Caldera is more "alive."

 

[SunRa Fan]

lovely set, congrats (they look like they lean more of a pale red but maybe its just the photo/light) - I'm almost afraid to ask what happened with the delivery...

Purely out of fear that they would be delivered to the wrong address(an issue here), I had them held at a drug store instead. So I pick up the box, get it home and find...coffee. It's full of coffee. Fedex had stuck my tracking info on someone else's box. I was crestfallen. Luckily ZMF went to bat for me with Fedex and the real McCoy showed up an hour ago.

 

[Monsterzero]

Cannot over rated their influence on music during the past 50 years!

I admittedly was not a fan for most of my adult life, but the more I am exposed to their later stuff the more of a fan I have become.

Perhaps consuming mass quantities of hallucinegenics and having a personal spiritual advisor has some merit?!?

 

[goldwerger]

Redwood burl in the wild. Fed Ex has zero credibility with me after what they did with this delivery.

these are just beautiful!

 

[Nicolas Yance]

Purely out of fear that they would be delivered to the wrong address(an issue here), I had them held at a drug store instead. So I pick up the box, get it home and find...coffee. It's full of coffee. Fedex had stuck my tracking info on someone else's box. I was crestfallen. Luckily ZMF went to bat for me with Fedex and the real McCoy showed up an hour ago.

I'm having a similar issue with fedex/customs and the never ending quest for the perfect invoice reflecting the content of my package. ZMF customer service has been great and very supportive in every request I had.

 

[SunRa Fan]

ZMF says 200 hours for break-in. What would you guys say is the minimum number of hours before the finer qualities of the Caldera become evident? At not even 12 hours, female vocals and vocals in general are really standing out. It's already exceeding my MG Clears in a few ways.