So you don’t have data/evidence?
ZMF Caldera - New Planar Magnetic from ZMF!
- Thread starter ScornDefeat
- Start date
I have seen those numbers a while ago but can't remember them exactly. The numbers are available, if you are curious.
Even if I had their numbers, I wouldn’t know if they were “pretty tight” unless I compared them to several other manufacturers.
Sounds like you might have to do some research then.
No, I just wondered how you came to the conclusion that the tolerances were “pretty tight”. I think I have my answer. Nuff said.Sounds like you might have to do some research then.
I had a chat about this with Zach himself at some point. No need to be this confrontative.
Lyssky
100+ Head-Fier
Not exactly the answer to unit variation but I guess lifetime driver warranty might say something about their quality control approach?
I got like every Caldera pad with this redheart which has been a fun experience.
That said, I want to make sure I’m not mixing them up (or they weren’t mixed up).
What is the difference between the stock pads and the Lambskin thin pads. Are the Lambskin thin pads the stock pads? If not is there a way to differentiate? I think possibly one got mixed up with a stock pad in shipping or it’s just a variation between pads. The thick’s and the cowhides are easy to tell apart - but the thins look just like the stock pads to me.
Is there some obvious thing, like additional perf, I’m not seeing?
Edit: Interestingly, I’m back to the stock pads and mantle mesh on the redheart, but the thick pads on the Canarywood. This gives me the closest tonality between the two variations, giving some of the warmth of the softer wood, but the staging differs between the two pads obviously. This mantle/stock might be my favorite, because it’s such a good all rounder for every genre.
That said, I want to make sure I’m not mixing them up (or they weren’t mixed up).
What is the difference between the stock pads and the Lambskin thin pads. Are the Lambskin thin pads the stock pads? If not is there a way to differentiate? I think possibly one got mixed up with a stock pad in shipping or it’s just a variation between pads. The thick’s and the cowhides are easy to tell apart - but the thins look just like the stock pads to me.
Is there some obvious thing, like additional perf, I’m not seeing?
Edit: Interestingly, I’m back to the stock pads and mantle mesh on the redheart, but the thick pads on the Canarywood. This gives me the closest tonality between the two variations, giving some of the warmth of the softer wood, but the staging differs between the two pads obviously. This mantle/stock might be my favorite, because it’s such a good all rounder for every genre.
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With the right complement of tubes the Caldera sounds amazing on the Aegis. Before I found the right tube roll (Ei KT90s) I preferred the V281.
That said I recently got a Decware CSP3. For the heck of it I preamp-ed it into the V281. Right now I'm torn as to which I would prefer with the Caldera. The Aegis or the CSP3 + V281.
The CSP3 adds that tube warmth and a bit more body to the V281 while retaining all the things the V281 is amazing at. I'm really enjoying this combo.
I have been preamp-ing the V281 into the Aegis and that sounds very good as well. So much so that its the only way I listen to the Aegis now. Next I will be experimenting with using the CSP3 preamp-ed into the Aegis
Is CSP3 into the V281 into the Aegis too much?
OK, I ran this chain: Geshelli J3 Pro DAC (w/Sparkos SS2590 discrete op amps) > Decware CSP3 > ZMF/JDS Labs Homage to Caldera Open.
This is a very fun and enjoyable combination as I like how the CSP3 as a preamp to the Homage can dial in the settings with tactile control. The CSP3's input and output tube level adjustments in addition to the main volume are handy. The CSP3 adds a tubey euphoric fullness and I can understand why Decware amps are regarded favorably as preamps in the speaker realm. Using the Homage's gain and impedance switches and watching the VU meter helped optimize the output from the CSP3. The Caldera is responding so nicely as well as the ZMF dynamics.
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Dang. I’ll need to give that a try. My homage is currently in the office. Looks like I’ll need to bring it home over the weekend
For the Caldera I set the Homage gain switch to mid-level (all the way down) and the impedance to low and it seems to be optimal. Same with Bokeh and some other lower impedance HPs which I'm enjoying now. Nothing beats running the 300 Ohm dynamic ZMFs directly from the CSP3. That impedance matching is magicalDang. I’ll need to give that a try. My homage is currently in the office. Looks like I’ll need to bring it home over the weekend
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Sword of Damocles
100+ Head-Fier
I have an interesting example for you. One of the two Calderas I have measured was quite different around 4 kHz (the red line). This was a demo unit, whereas my current Caldera (the blue line) better matches other measurements. The demo unit definitely sounded a bit more neutral.
Some might claim that I have measured the headphones differently, but open back planars measure so consistently that positioning gives you almost no change. Otherwise, you can see that differences between two models are very small.
Some might claim that I have measured the headphones differently, but open back planars measure so consistently that positioning gives you almost no change. Otherwise, you can see that differences between two models are very small.
Worn pads on the demo unit?I have an interesting example for you. One of the two Calderas I have measured was quite different around 4 kHz (the red line). This was a demo unit, whereas my current Caldera (the blue line) better matches other measurements. The demo unit definitely sounded a bit more neutral.
Some might claim that I have measured the headphones differently, but open back planars measure so consistently that positioning gives you almost no change. Otherwise, you can see that differences between two models are very small.
Coincidentally, I've been using your measurements as a baseline for EQ experimentation since the KB501x pinna is closer to my ear shape than the 4128 or 5128 ears. Your thick pad measurements are pretty close to how I hear the Calderas in stock form, and I'm always testing my own profiles to see what I like best. It helps that the COs respond to EQ very well.I have an interesting example for you. One of the two Calderas I have measured was quite different around 4 kHz (the red line). This was a demo unit, whereas my current Caldera (the blue line) better matches other measurements. The demo unit definitely sounded a bit more neutral.
Some might claim that I have measured the headphones differently, but open back planars measure so consistently that positioning gives you almost no change. Otherwise, you can see that differences between two models are very small.
lostumpire
100+ Head-Fier
Hello. I have a large head and I wonder if I can get extension rods from the ZMF?
Is the headband bending enough to fit a large head?
Is the headband bending enough to fit a large head?
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