[zach915m]

slam

The other non listening factor is how we define terms like this.

While the head-fi glossary is a great resource, even with that we could define it differently. It seems like what I'm reading in this thread is that some people define it more as amplitude and some as impulse/transient character. I don't know that either is right or wrong.

 

[LXMc]

The other non listening factor is how we define terms like this.

While the head-fi glossary is a great resource, even with that we could define it differently. It seems like what I'm reading in this thread is that some people define it more as amplitude and some as impulse/transient character. I don't know that either is right or wrong.

My personal bass interpretations go roughly like this:

Punch = Bass!
Impact = BASS
Slam = BAAAAAAAAASSSS

 

[zach915m]

My personal bass interpretations go roughly like this:

Punch = Bass!
Impact = BASS
Slam = BAAAAAAAAASSSS

Last night after the aliens heard I was talking about them they abducted me and informed that this is true.

 

[erics75]

Last night after the aliens heard I was talking about them they abducted me and informed that this is true.

They didn't use probes, did they?

 

[Superunknown2]

The other non listening factor is how we define terms like this.

While the head-fi glossary is a great resource, even with that we could define it differently. It seems like what I'm reading in this thread is that some people define it more as amplitude and some as impulse/transient character. I don't know that either is right or wrong.

The definition of slam is, as Potter Stewart famously said, I know it when I see it.

 

[OnlySoMany]

The other non listening factor is how we define terms like this.

While the head-fi glossary is a great resource, even with that we could define it differently. It seems like what I'm reading in this thread is that some people define it more as amplitude and some as impulse/transient character. I don't know that either is right or wrong.

I would define "slam" as tightly controlled, impactful bass, with detailed definition. That is the impression of bass that Caldera provides imo.

I find that lesser headphones can leave bass sounding muddy, over emphasized, and artificial. Abyss products sound like this to me. They claim that they are the "highest resolving" etc but it doesn't sound natural. True they throw out bass, but it doesn't sound real. It sounds forced.

Caldera was the first headphone I've ever had that just made everything sound "right".

 

[heliosphann]

Last night after the aliens heard I was talking about them they abducted me and informed that this is true.

Now we really know how Zach tunes his headphones, extraterrestrial assistance.

 

[G8torbyte]

Last night after the aliens heard I was talking about them they abducted me and informed that this is true.

You may have met the same ones Goldie Hawn did here: in her story.
Apparently all you have to do is ask! Anyway, I think any life form will agree ZMFs are a good example of ingenuity.

 

[Monsterzero]

Slightly off topic, but we have a thread here on Head-fi where we can all put on our tin foil hats without fear of ridicule.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ufos-are-real-now-what.957941/page-6

 

[AnyDave]

Now we really know how Zach tunes his headphones, extraterrestrial assistance.

 

[zach915m]

I checked the zmf site and saw the palladium cable page, and was wondering, will the palladium silver have its own page, or can you select it on the grand palladium page?

Sorry I missed this!

The Grand Silver Palladium is on the same page - selected at the top here:

You'll get that text when you hover over the cable.

I'm adding the "add on" options for Grand Palladium at a discounted price for headphone bundles right now as well and will have them up for the Eu Ash release in the AM.

 

[joshua1122]

I received my VC "Rhodes" today. It's quite the looker IMO:

Incredibly well done, Zach! It's absolutely beautiful, and I love the way it looks.

Too excited to wait for burn-in, I immediately tried out how they sound. I'm not entirely sure my ears are the right shape for a VC (at least the Auteur/Universe pads I got). At least out of the box, the tuning has a lot of dips. On the Universe, I have -8 to -12dB cup resonance/attenuation in the 4 to 4.8kHz region that changes with pad rotation and ear distance (I pull it away from my ear by 1/4" or so, and I suddenly hear +5-10dB more). Auteur pads are somewhat better: only about -3 to -6dB attenuation (depending on pad rotation) around a narrower 4.2-4.6kHz range, but adds other smaller (3-5dB) resonance-related attenuation in the 6-7kHz region. EQ does fix it a good amount for my ears, but I'm guessing I'll need more burn-in time first before I can draw real conclusions. I noticed my ears touch the drivers a lot more than my Atrium/Caldera, so that may also play a factor.

@zach915m are there any pads you would recommend for someone that has these types of problems?

Sine sweeps aside, I'm pretty happy with the way music sounds after EQ already. Compared to my only other real closed back (DCA Aeon 2 Noire, which also has a lot of dips and sounds unnatural for my ears), it's not even close. VC just has the ZMF sound, and is much more enjoyable – not to mention comfortable! While not really open like the Atrium, I also don't feel claustrophobic like I do with the Aeon, so I'm very happy with it. It does sound rather holographic, and it images well so I can pin-point what's going on where in games. I still love my Caldera the best out of everything I own for music, but being able to listen to good audio over the loud noise of fans while gaming is something only closed backs do best.

All in all, I feel very happy with the beautiful work of art, that also sounds pretty good! Thanks Zach and Team ZMF for the great ZMF November deal!

 

[zach915m]

@zach915m are there any pads you would recommend

It mostly sounds like you want more linearity and are using EQ. I'd probably recommend the suede auteur pads based on what you're describing and if you want your ears to be a little further from the driver for you to put 4mm paracord under the foam of the pads and above the acoustically transparent mesh that's built into the pads to give the pads a touch more depth.

As far as sound though - you're giving impressions literally the moment you've gotten them, the ZMF dynamic drivers use pretty heavy surrounds with adhesives and very stiff Be coated membranes. Whether you believe in burn in or not, please just run them for a couple hundred hours with medium/loud music, it will likely affect how you are EQ'ing the headphone later as well.

PS - I usually don't recommend it, but Eikon suede or Hybrid pads keep the ears far, and closes up the ear side cavity a little bit which will also fill in the upper mids a little. But, verite, open or closed, is the most laid back in the upper mid headphone in the 3 - 4.5 KHZ area.

 

[joshua1122]

As far as sound though - you're giving impressions literally the moment you've gotten them, the ZMF dynamic drivers use pretty heavy surrounds with adhesives and very stiff Be coated membranes. Whether you believe in burn in or not, please just run them for a couple hundred hours with medium/loud music, it will likely affect how you are EQ'ing the headphone later as well.

Oh my, I didn't realize that the Verite drivers needed burn-ins. I read in another thread where you mentioned Atrium drivers needing them, and I've burned in both my Atriums for 100+ hours before I really listened to them. Lesson learned – I will go burn them in on my burn-in DAP over the next few weeks, then.

Maybe when next month comes around, I'll order the Suede Auteur pads along with whatever other goodies you might be putting out 11/24!

 

[zach915m]

Oh my, I didn't realize that the Verite drivers needed burn-ins. I read in another thread where you mentioned Atrium drivers needing them, and I've burned in both my Atriums for 100+ hours before I really listened to them. Lesson learned – I will go burn them in on my burn-in DAP over the next few weeks, then.

Maybe when next month comes around, I'll order the Suede Auteur pads along with whatever other goodies you might be putting out 11/24!

General rule - but not one to live by - dynamic ZMF's burn in helps quite a bit IMHO - Planar ZMF's, burn in helps maybe a touch, but not drastic.