ZMF Ori (Omni) - Upcoming Semi Open Flagship
Jul 13, 2015 at 12:35 PM Post #211 of 2,544
The Cherry prototype went out.  This one:
 

 
ZMFheadphones ZMF headphones hand-crafts wood headphones in Chicago, USA with special attention to exceptional sound and craftsmanship. Stay updated on ZMFheadphones at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/ZMFheadphones https://twitter.com/ZMFheadphones https://www.instagram.com/zmfheadphones/?hl=en http://www.zmfheadphones.com/zmf-originals/ contactzmf@gmail.com
Jul 14, 2015 at 12:05 AM Post #213 of 2,544
Omni arrived!

Very early impressions:
Build ▪ Though it looks hand made, the cups are cleanly cut and smoothly sanded. The pads outsize the cups a bit. I wouldn't mind the cups being slightly larger in diameter if I could make an aesthetic quibble but I'm fine how it is. The pads have to be the most angled I have ever used. They seem premium for sure even more so than alpha pads, though I will admit the alpha pads are slighlty more attractive(my opinion).

Comfort ▪ Every and any negative above is but a pebble sized hurdle in front of the purpose for the design of the pads. FINALLY some pads with distance from the driver, and openings no one should complain about being too small. Best leather pads I have used. PERFECT foam...not too hard ...not to soft. Def less heavy than my Blackwoods (first pair).

Sound ▪ Way too early to judge and one of my monitors crapped so only a lazy memory of experiences can help here. There are some definites on a first listen though:
- Not bass shy . .. actually some songs exhibit a strong sub bass presence. It seems stronger than the midbass. I suspect that much bass boosting will sound a bit too ominous and pushed with this headphone... but I haven't tried it yet because it doesn't leave me wanting more bass. The LCD X May have a more solid punch and similar qty (could be wrong...though so don't quote me cause I don't know how to hold back impressions BIG MOUTH).
- Very cohesive and I can't catch any holes in its balance right away. It sounds more balanced and bloomed in the mids than the Blackwood but I will offer a real comparison when I A/B them...I def don't mind correcting myself.
- Top notch SQ for a closed back
- Present yet inoffensive highs
- Open midrange
- Spacious sound....what jumped at me first was the head stage. Very impressive as instruments had easily discernable positions in space. This aspect has pulled away even further from the Vibro but def has its genes elsewhere like mids etc.

Well...back to enjoying them ...I mean my music.
 
Jul 14, 2015 at 1:56 AM Post #214 of 2,544
Omni arrived!

Very early impressions:
Build ▪ Though it looks hand made, the cups are cleanly cut and smoothly sanded. The pads outsize the cups a bit. I wouldn't mind the cups being slightly larger in diameter if I could make an aesthetic quibble but I'm fine how it is. The pads have to be the most angled I have ever used. They seem premium for sure even more so than alpha pads, though I will admit the alpha pads are slighlty more attractive(my opinion).

Comfort ▪ Every and any negative above is but a pebble sized hurdle in front of the purpose for the design of the pads. FINALLY some pads with distance from the driver, and openings no one should complain about being too small. Best leather pads I have used. PERFECT foam...not too hard ...not to soft. Def less heavy than my Blackwoods (first pair).

Sound ▪ Way too early to judge and one of my monitors crapped so only a lazy memory of experiences can help here. There are some definites on a first listen though:
- Not bass shy . .. actually some songs exhibit a strong sub bass presence. It seems stronger than the midbass. I suspect that much bass boosting will sound a bit too ominous and pushed with this headphone... but I haven't tried it yet because it doesn't leave me wanting more bass. The LCD X May have a more solid punch and similar qty (could be wrong...though so don't quote me cause I don't know how to hold back impressions BIG MOUTH).
- Very cohesive and I can't catch any holes in its balance right away. It sounds more balanced and bloomed in the mids than the Blackwood but I will offer a real comparison when I A/B them...I def don't mind correcting myself.
- Top notch SQ for a closed back
- Present yet inoffensive highs
- Open midrange
- Spacious sound....what jumped at me first was the head stage. Very impressive as instruments had easily discernable positions in space. This aspect has pulled away even further from the Vibro but def has its genes elsewhere like mids etc.

Well...back to enjoying them ...I mean my music.

Nice summery, now how about some.....
Pics!!!!
 
Jul 14, 2015 at 2:28 AM Post #215 of 2,544
Omni arrived!

Very early impressions:
Build ▪ Though it looks hand made, the cups are cleanly cut and smoothly sanded. The pads outsize the cups a bit. I wouldn't mind the cups being slightly larger in diameter if I could make an aesthetic quibble but I'm fine how it is. The pads have to be the most angled I have ever used. They seem premium for sure even more so than alpha pads, though I will admit the alpha pads are slighlty more attractive(my opinion).

Comfort ▪ Every and any negative above is but a pebble sized hurdle in front of the purpose for the design of the pads. FINALLY some pads with distance from the driver, and openings no one should complain about being too small. Best leather pads I have used. PERFECT foam...not too hard ...not to soft. Def less heavy than my Blackwoods (first pair).

Sound ▪ Way too early to judge and one of my monitors crapped so only a lazy memory of experiences can help here. There are some definites on a first listen though:
- Not bass shy . .. actually some songs exhibit a strong sub bass presence. It seems stronger than the midbass. I suspect that much bass boosting will sound a bit too ominous and pushed with this headphone... but I haven't tried it yet because it doesn't leave me wanting more bass. The LCD X May have a more solid punch and similar qty (could be wrong...though so don't quote me cause I don't know how to hold back impressions BIG MOUTH).
- Very cohesive and I can't catch any holes in its balance right away. It sounds more balanced and bloomed in the mids than the Blackwood but I will offer a real comparison when I A/B them...I def don't mind correcting myself.
- Top notch SQ for a closed back
- Present yet inoffensive highs
- Open midrange
- Spacious sound....what jumped at me first was the head stage. Very impressive as instruments had easily discernable positions in space. This aspect has pulled away even further from the Vibro but def has its genes elsewhere like mids etc.

Well...back to enjoying them ...I mean my music.

 
 
uh oh....definitely not good for me if this is the case hope my cherry OMNI are less bass than you describe
 
Jul 14, 2015 at 10:58 AM Post #217 of 2,544
grizzlybeast,
 
Appreciate your initial impression of the Omni, thanks!  Just curious how you would compare the fullness (low end to midrange spectrum) to the LCD2.2?  Which one has more of the holographic rendering of the vocal images? And which one offers better impact and sub bass response?
 
Jul 14, 2015 at 11:21 AM Post #218 of 2,544
Thanks Grizzly!  I know it's early in your impressions but do you have your Blackwood for comparison?  Also would be interested in your comments on isolation / leakage considering it's unique design.
 
Jul 14, 2015 at 11:25 AM Post #219 of 2,544
  grizzlybeast,
 
Appreciate your initial impression of the Omni, thanks!  Just curious how you would compare the fullness (low end to midrange spectrum) to the LCD2.2?  Which one has more of the holographic rendering of the vocal images? And which one offers better impact and sub bass response?

Not sure. Haven't heard the lcd2 in a while and also need to listen more to the Omni.

 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
Jul 14, 2015 at 12:26 PM Post #222 of 2,544
Those are some seriously thick pads. Dangg looks so plush


Oh, I forgot to mention, and I'll be going over all of this in the email that I'll be sending any day now to the tour peeps, but there's a set of each of the earpads in the case, but the ones on the headphone are cowhide pre-production, the only difference is the attachment ring is sturdier on the production model.  Also, presentation will be slightly better on the production cups than these, as the coins were inlaid into a hand cut channel (I don't have my guitar inlay tools here!), the production cups will have CNC cut channels for the coin inlay, so they will be laser clean as opposed to that dirty looking inlay lol.
 
Weirdly, I've actually been really enjoying the protein pads since they've arrived.  They have a dry matte feel to them that I love, and they've worked out great on my he-500 so far (as well as the ZMF's ofcourse.)  Anyways...!
 
ZMFheadphones ZMF headphones hand-crafts wood headphones in Chicago, USA with special attention to exceptional sound and craftsmanship. Stay updated on ZMFheadphones at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/ZMFheadphones https://twitter.com/ZMFheadphones https://www.instagram.com/zmfheadphones/?hl=en http://www.zmfheadphones.com/zmf-originals/ contactzmf@gmail.com
Jul 14, 2015 at 1:22 PM Post #223 of 2,544
Thanks for the clarification on the inlay. I didn't try the pads but unfortunately I kinda don't want to. The pads on it are very comfortable...Expect to get asked for them to be sold separately for other hps.. Easily my fav leather pads to date. Any chance on Suede pads like Audeze?
 
Jul 14, 2015 at 1:26 PM Post #224 of 2,544
Thanks for the clarification on the inlay. I didn't try the pads but unfortunately I kinda don't want to. The pads on it are very comfortable...Expect to get asked for them to be sold separately for other hps.. Easily my fav leather pads to date. Any chance on Suede pads like Audeze?


Was thinking about an alcantara/suede type pad, but went with the Protein because it matches the Pilot Pad.  Maybe a suede pilot pad and headphone pad would make sense?  I dunno...too many choices!  Going to stick with what I have now for the time being.
 
ZMFheadphones ZMF headphones hand-crafts wood headphones in Chicago, USA with special attention to exceptional sound and craftsmanship. Stay updated on ZMFheadphones at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/ZMFheadphones https://twitter.com/ZMFheadphones https://www.instagram.com/zmfheadphones/?hl=en http://www.zmfheadphones.com/zmf-originals/ contactzmf@gmail.com

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