[betula]

CALDERA PAD REVIEW (Mini Edition)​

All pads are hybrids (using the same material) with a perforated exterior and solid inside the ear cavity. No EQ was used while evaluating these pads.

GEAR CHAIN: TIDAL&FLACs>Singxer SU-1>Schiit Yggdrasil A1>DNA Stratus/OG Cavalli Liquid Gold/L0RDGYWN AEGIS>Caldera w/Verite Silver Cable


Caldera STOCK

Since the majority of Caldera owners will have a pair of these, I won’t go into too much detail on these. Unless noted, all comparisons will be referring to these pads.

• Well balanced
• Good dynamics and bass response
• Great staging
• Comfortable

Thoughts: There's a reason why these are the stock pads. The most well rounded pads that help put the Caldera up there with the rest of the TOTL planars. Probably the pads which the majority of listeners will end up daily driving.


Caldera THIN

• Tighter bass response, slight increase in quality
• Small decrease in bass quantity
• Slightly more intimate staging
• Faster attack/decay transients
• Mids pushed forward, vocals a tad more prominent
• Upper mids are a tad subdued
• Comfortable

Thoughts: These bring out the Caldera’s technical side a bit more than the Stock pads. In a way these remind me of the Be2 pads on the Verite Open. I did quite enjoy vocals with these pads as they were pushed a little more forward. Overall not a huge change in sound from the Stock pads. If you want to squeeze as much as possible from the Caldera’s drivers, while still maintaining a similar tuning of the stock pads, these might be the pads for you.


Caldera THICC

Unfortunately I’ve not had the chance to check out these pads yet. I hope to hear them soon and will post my thoughts on them.

Zach said these are very chill, spacious and laid back sounding. Measurements show them as being very similar to the stock pads, but with a slightly reduced overall midrange and a small boost in the presence range.


Caldera COWHIDE

• Narrower staging, but with more vertical height
• More 3D sounding
• Great dynamics, added weight and texture to bass
• Visceral, but in a good way
• Darker upper mids and lower treble
• Least comfortable pads, very thin with harder covering and foam

Thoughts: Definitely the wild card of the current pad options. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from these, but I was pleasantly surprised. These are fun and addicting to listen to, while sacrificing a little of the Caldera's technical ability. The substantially different presentation and tactile bass response really drew me into these pads. The Cowhide pads aren’t going to be for everyone, but I think quite a few owners will LOVE these. While these are the least comfortable option out of all the pads, I wasn't that bothered wearing them. You might have to make small adjustments to headband and/or positioning to get them to seat well. Also despite being quite thin, my ears didn't touch the drivers.


Caldera SUEDE

• Improved clarity (presence region bump)
• A little more airy and energetic (small upper treble lift)
• Very slight decrease in sub bass and bass impact
• Female vocals shine
• Very comfortable

Thoughts: These pads were another big surprise for me. I’ve had a love/hate relationship with ZMF suede pads in the past. These pads however aren’t your ordinary suede pads. The Caldera Suede pads are covered in a Alcantara-like material that feels very premium. The foam used is also slightly more stiff than previous ZMF suede pads. As far as how they sound, you get all the blissful benefits of the suede “sound” with very little trade-off. That’s pretty impressive. These pads will no doubt make a lot of owners happy. On top of that, they’re easily the most comfortable set out of all the pads.


So What’s The Word, Bird?

*Wanted to mention that instrument separation and imaging between the pads were very similar. No doubt a testament to the Caldera’s CAMS drivers and integrated ADS.

So which set of pads was my favorite for the Caldera? Easy, whichever one was on my head. I know, I know. That sounds like a cop out answer, but I honestly thought all four pads that I tested were exceptional.

-The Thin pads have the least deviation from the stock pads, but I could see listeners preferring them to squeeze the most out of the Caldera’s technical prowess.

-The Cowhide pads are easily the most different sounding pads, and they will also be the most divisive. While they’re the least technical pads, they really bring the BEAST out of the Caldera. They certainly put a smile on my face more than any of the other pads.

-On the other hand, when I would go back to the Stock pads I would realize how dialed in they were. The staging, sound and technical abilities were all perfectly balanced. After all, these are the pads Zach used to tune the Caldera with.

-Then there’s the Suede pads, which I also think are super special. They manage to retain most of the traits of the Stock pads, but add that extra little magic and euphonic goodness suede pads are known for. Plus they feel amazing.


Final, Final Thoughts

You can really go wrong with any of the pad options for the Caldera (although I can’t personally verify how the Thick pads sound). In addition to the stock pads, my advice would be to get both the Cowhide and Suede pads if you can. Those will give the full spectrum of what the Caldera pads have to offer. Then later you can always pick up the Thin or Thick pads if you want to further refine the Stock pad sound.

Great comparison.

I always thought having this many pad options with ZMF cans is a bit of a two-edged sword. On the one hand of course, it is great to have several fine-tuning options, on the other hand it is slightly frustrating. I don't think many customers will buy all the pad options but if you don't try all of them the question will always linger at the back of your mind: would I like this or that pad more?

 

[NutritiousNoodles]

Great comparison.

I always thought having this many pad options with ZMF cans is a bit of a two-edged sword. On the one hand of course, it is great to have several fine-tuning options, on the other hand it is slightly frustrating. I don't think many customers will buy all the pad options but if you don't try all of them the question will always linger at the back of your mind: would I like this or that pad more?

I share your thoughts, but I think just based on impressions posted and measurements that will be made available, you should be able to cut your choices down to 2-3 pairs.
For me, I think I'll get the suede and thick pads as I think they'll suit my taste the most. Then probably throw in a cowhide for a change of pace. Even though I don't necessarily think adding more energy to an already punchy headphone is my preference, but who knows?

 

[betula]

I share your thoughts, but I think just based on impressions posted and measurements that will be made available, you should be able to cut your choices down to 2-3 pairs.
For me, I think I'll get the suede and thick pads as I think they'll suit my taste the most. Then probably throw in a cowhide for a change of pace. Even though I don't necessarily think adding more energy to an already punchy headphone is my preference, but who knows?

What you write is true to some extent, but if there is one thing I have learnt throughout the years is that we all hear things differently. I don't trust anyone else's ears these days just my own.

 

[NutritiousNoodles]

What you write is true to some extent, but if there is one thing I have learnt throughout the years is that we all hear things differently. I don't trust anyone else's ears these days just my own.

Yeah that's why I agree with you in the first place. Buying the caldera on the first day without trying it first is the same deal. It's a bit of a leap of faith backed by some other people's ears.

 

[dfiled]

I’m having a hard time understanding how the cowhide pads are more visceral and punchy than the stock. I had been under the impression that, generally speaking, thinner pads lend themselves to a brighter, more linear presentation whereas the deeper pads added resonance and impact. Do I have it totally wrong?

 

[Deceneu808]

I’m having a hard time understanding how the cowhide pads are more visceral and punchy than the stock. I had been under the impression that, generally speaking, thinner pads lend themselves to a brighter, more linear presentation whereas the deeper pads added resonance and impact. Do I have it totally wrong?

It might have something to do with the cow leather vs lamb and different density foam.

 

[heliosphann]

It might have something to do with the cow leather vs lamb and different density foam.

This. I was just commenting elsewhere how as recommended pads for a ZMF dynamic, I can't recall a pad that shifts the feel of a headphone as much as the Cowhide pads for the Caldera.

What you write is true to some extent, but if there is one thing I have learnt throughout the years is that we all hear things differently. I don't trust anyone else's ears these days just my own.

Very much this. I usually write something to the effect when posting my pad reviews, but I forgot to add it this time. Always demo yourself if possible. At least with pads its a lot more feasible than buying multiple 2K+ headphones to try out. Pads can also easily be sold or traded on the secondary market with little hassle.

 

[goldwerger]

Pads can also easily be sold or traded on the secondary market with little hassle.

very much so! I've traded new pads with other head-fiers easily, we all have those tried once like-new to swap around.. super easy and practical solution

 

[dfiled]

Has anyone seen the description of the caldera pads that was supposed to go up today?

 

[wkesquire]

I've waffled back and forth about whether to buy or wait. Eager to see whatever videos @zach915m drops today with additional footage of the kingwood Caldera sets, but the video from the other day settled it for me. The kingwood sets in the video that went up 3 days ago are straight . I had seen all the kingwood Caldera pics posted in this thread, but something about the look of the sets (both the sets in the sanding room and the listening room) in the video made the design aesthetic click for me. The sets with sap and those without sap are equally beautiful to me. At first, I thought I'd have preferred black hardware or rose gold or a black mag chassis, rather than charcoal. But, no, I think they are perfect as is. Fingers crossed I can snag a pair tomorrow at 10:30 ET!

 

[ColSaulTigh]

I've waffled back and forth about whether to buy or wait. Eager to see whatever videos @zach915m drops today with additional footage of the kingwood Caldera sets, but the video from the other day settled it for me. The kingwood sets in the video that went up 3 days ago are straight . I had seen all the kingwood Caldera pics posted in this thread, but something about the look of the sets (both the sets in the sanding room and the listening room) in the video made the design aesthetic click for me. The sets with sap and those without sap are equally beautiful to me. At first, I thought I'd have preferred black hardware or rose gold or a black mag chassis, rather than charcoal. But, no, I think they are perfect as is. Fingers crossed I can snag a pair tomorrow at 10:30 ET!

Be prepared!

 

[Monsterzero]

I'm very close to naming my new favorite headphone....very, very close.
After reviewing the Caldera, the Aegis and the Cayin IHA 6, I've been able to remove my reviewers hat and get back to listening for fun, and I've reached for the same headphone three nights in a row.

The clarity+dynamics+speed+mids+layering+detail+staging= A new King.

 

[joshua1122]

I've seen multiple mentions of the Kingwood's weight on this thread – because as much as I love the Kingwood aesthetic, I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the weight. I think Zach said 600g +/- 20g? The LCD-X 2021 is my closest pair, at a supposed 612g. I don't particularly love the way that one feels, possibly because of the clamp force it has to distribute weight better. I think my neck is mostly fine with ~600g, because I spent the past 2 days on the LCD-X in anticipation of the possibly heavier Kingwood. But the way it distributes weight greatly affects how I perceive the weight.

I do love the way the Atrium sits on my head, but I remember someone in this thread talking about the weight distribution being different than other ZMFs. So to temper my expectations (and possibly decide on Oak vs Kingwood), does anyone that has a Kingwood demo unit have any opinions on how it compares to similarly heavy set like the LCD-X, as far as perceived weight distribution goes?

 

[SlothRock]

I've seen multiple mentions of the Kingwood's weight on this thread – because as much as I love the Kingwood aesthetic, I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the weight. I think Zach said 600g +/- 20g? The LCD-X 2021 is my closest pair, at a supposed 612g. I don't particularly love the way that one feels, possibly because of the clamp force it has to distribute weight better. I think my neck is mostly fine with ~600g, because I spent the past 2 days on the LCD-X in anticipation of the possibly heavier Kingwood. But the way it distributes weight greatly affects how I perceive the weight.

I do love the way the Atrium sits on my head, but I remember someone in this thread talking about the weight distribution being different than other ZMFs. So to temper my expectations (and possibly decide on Oak vs Kingwood), does anyone that has a Kingwood demo unit have any opinions on how it compares to similarly heavy set like the LCD-X, as far as perceived weight distribution goes?

Just wear this with your headphones and the weight will be a thing of the past

 

[dfiled]

Just wear this with your headphones and the weight will be a thing of the past

Whoever can photoshop a pair of the Kingswoods on this has my hearty endorsement.