ZMF Caldera - New Planar Magnetic from ZMF!

[Lyssky]

Two years with my beloved Caldera. I'm grateful for the music, for new discoveries and especially for the awareness to know the worth of what I'm experiencing which connected me to others who do too.

 

[dguitarnut]

This is an amazing headphone…….and so far for MY ears haven’t found one better yet even amongst their own line and this includes the CC

 

[lostumpire]

Does Caldera Open outperforms Tungsten?

 

[up late]

^ in what respect?

 

[betula]

This is an amazing headphone…….and so far for MY ears haven’t found one better yet even amongst their own line and this includes the CC

Both are fantastic, but CO it is for me. Openness, airiness, transient speed, snappiness, dynamics, energy versus a thicker, smoother, more intimate presentation. Of course, they are not far away from each other, but beside the similarities like excellent timbre these differences are detectable as well. CC would be my choice from all closed backs. CO is my current choice from all headphones.

Does Caldera Open outperforms Tungsten?

'Outperforms' is probably a too strong expression to use as most headphones in this category come down to personal preference and synergy. While Caldera scales well too, finding the correct amping for the Tungsten can be a real challenge (if you want to bring the most out of them).
The Tungsten sounds fantastic and it is great value, but to my ears Caldera has the technical and tonal edge. (But the Tungsten is already very good!) Tungsten sounds a bit larger with bigger stage, and it is a bit smoother. Caldera has the edge when it comes to resolution, speed and definition and (bass) control.
If you ask the same question in the Tungsten thread, some people will prefer those to the Caldera. It is also worth noting that current lead time on Tungsten orders is around a year. Plus to my knowledge Caldera is the only planar that comes with lifetime driver warranty (to original owner).

 

[lostumpire]

Does ZMF accept any custom orders right now? They said no at last year but I'm wondering this year...

 

[AnyDave]

Does ZMF accept any custom orders right now? They said no at last year but I'm wondering this year...

Not quite yet, but we are going to be launching a custom shop. It’s looking like it’ll probably be ready in late 2025 or 2026.

 

[G8torbyte]

Not quite yet, but we are going to be launching a custom shop. It’s looking like it’ll probably be ready in late 2025 or 2026.

 

[lostumpire]

Hi would you get Diana DZ or Caldera Open if I can get only one?

 

[JerseyD]

Hi would you get Diana DZ or Caldera Open if I can get only one?

Let’s see…. And I do not mean to be disrespectful, but asking here in the Caldera thread…doubtful anyone will say Diana. (And if you also asked in the Diana thread, I’m sure no one over there said Caldera.)

 

[dguitarnut]

Would you get a chocolate ice cream cone or vanilla ……pretty much what you are asking.
No substitute for auditioning one….or do like many of the folks here and snatch a used one ……if you don’t like then sell it maybe at no loss at all.
I went thru 4 headphones before I found the CO which to my tastes did it best. But it never ends……..and best is to not visit audio forums afterwards……I’m auditioning a 5th HP even tho I’m still leaning toward my CO. I may keep both since both signatures are far apart.

 

[LXMc]

Hi would you get Diana DZ or Caldera Open if I can get only one?

Both this thread and I'm sure the Diana thread have loads of impressions and descriptions about how these headphones sound, along with other aspects like their build, comfort, customer service experiences, etc etc, which could be read (or searched) through and used to inform your decision, based on what you're looking for. For headphones at this level, to me, this would seem like a worthwhile amount of effort to put into your research process. Especially if you can't audition them yourself.

 

[G8torbyte]

Hi would you get Diana DZ or Caldera Open if I can get only one?

I'd suggest trying the Abyss JOAL. I had some time with it at NYC CanJam and had good impressions with it where it reminded me of the Caldera Open. In a previous CanJam I tried the Diana but was not wowed mainly due to the fit/comfort. The JOAL has improved on that and it is built for durability. The CO is my top headphone for home use and I'm probably going to get a JOAL in the future for portability.

 

[lostumpire]

Just ordered Caldera Closed back version. Excited to have one!

 

[betula]

Had another little pad-swap session between the stock, thick, ultra-perforated leather and Bokeh open suede.

The Bokeh open suede is not officially compatible with the Caldera, as the suede pads of the Bokeh open have a higher foam density and tighter fenestration versus the suede pads for the Caldera. Still, I was curious to try. (I find the normal suede pads nice, natural, but transients are overly softened for my taste.)
I can hear why the Bokeh open suedes are not recommended with other ZMF headphones: bass-light and somewhat uneven. This was an easy no-go on the Caldera.

The ultra-perforated pads are not bad, I would say they offer an alternative to folks who normally prefer the stock pads. A little brighter, airier sound versus the stock. Bass gets a tiny bit lighter which I do not like.
Stock pads are probably still the best balanced; bass, mids and treble are equally present. Stock pads have a tiny bit more bass definition versus the ultra-perforated pads and a more focused mid/treble soundscape. Not as open, pleasantly bright and precise as the ultra-perforated pads, but still kind of along those lines.
My personal favourites are still the thick pads. There are two main reasons why I love these: 1, I enjoy the subtle bass elevation these bring versus any other pads, 2, these take away the 'zing' in the upper-mid/treble area which can be present on the other pads. This 'zing' to me only becomes slightly bothering after 1-2 hours of listening. Thick pads are the best remedy, and combined with the bass fun these just make my Caldera the most enjoyable to me. (Plus, I also enjoy the enhanced space of the thick pads.)