ZMF Verite Open

[Paladin79]

The first choice is about as good as it gets for me but I still want to hear the VO on one of my amps. On four I built for 6sn7 tube comparison by my local audio group, we are using the HD 800 because several folks had them and buying four Utopias gets pricey.

 

[PsilocybinCube]

The first choice is about as good as it gets for me but I still want to hear the VO on one of my amps. On four I built for 6sn7 tube comparison by my local audio group, we are using the HD 800 because several folks had them and buying four Utopias gets pricey.

4 Utopias is equal to a used car in good condition. Yeah, they are pricey.

The VO isn't exactly cheap either. Though, the demand for ZMF paired with the wait times seems to really buoy their price on the used market.

 

[chrisnyc75]

I‘m quite happy with my VO and HD800‘s driven by Feliks Euforia. As a third HP to complement these two I am thinking about the Utopia or Empyrean. What would you recommend. One of these or something else? My musical taste ranges from operas, classical to Jazz, Folk, 60‘s and 70‘s rock and pop. Thanks for your thoughts.

100% Arya. You will love the flavor difference Arya brings vs HD800S to jazz & classical, as well as being definitively better at electronic music. I have a VO on the way - I'm pretty convinced HD800S/Arya/VO is the trifecta.

 

[eee1111]

Hanging out with the boys.

Wow

can I come over lol

 

[eee1111]

how well does the Verite open get along with the GSX MK2

 

[cridner93]

Hanging out with the boys.

Jeez. That is amazing. How would you compare the Susvara with the VO? Or is that a he1000se? I'm not the best with hifiman stuff.

 

[JLoud]

That looks like a Susvara.

 

[Tarttett]

Jeez. That is amazing. How would you compare the Susvara with the VO? Or is that a he1000se? I'm not the best with hifiman stuff.

Those would be the Susvaras.

You should be able to expand that picture, to be able to see the name written on the side of the headband.

 

[cridner93]

Those would be the Susvaras.

You should be able to expand that picture, to be able to see the name written on the side of the headband.

Thanks for the tip! Wonderful setup. One can dream

 

[Roasty]

Jeez. That is amazing. How would you compare the Susvara with the VO? Or is that a he1000se? I'm not the best with hifiman stuff.

They're quite different, with the Susvara excelling in transparency, separation, air, clarity, nice low end textures and a very lovely natural timbre and mid range. It has a very clean presentation and just this ease of delivery.

The VO delivery is less precise, less technical, but manages to present music in such a way that when listening with the VO, I find myself not analysing the music as much, or scrutinising the individual elements, but rather just kicking back, letting it flow and enjoying it as a whole. The VO sounds a lot thicker with music filling in all the gaps. Its bass is full on all the time with no lack of punch, and the top end is more rounded off than the Susvara.

 

[bfreedma]

how well does the Verite open get along with the GSX MK2

Quite well for me.

 

[Tarttett]

They're quite different, with the Susvara excelling in transparency, separation, air, clarity, nice low end textures and a very lovely natural timbre and mid range. It has a very clean presentation and just this ease of delivery.

The VO delivery is less precise, less technical, but manages to present music in such a way that when listening with the VO, I find myself not analysing the music as much, or scrutinising the individual elements, but rather just kicking back, letting it flow and enjoying it as a whole. The VO sounds a lot thicker with music filling in all the gaps. Its bass is full on all the time with no lack of punch, and the top end is more rounded off than the Susvara.

Would you consider the sound for the Utopias to be in between the sound for the Susvaras, and the sound for the Vérité Opens?

 

[TheMiddleSky]

Would you consider the sound for the Utopias to be in between the sound for the Susvaras, and the sound for the Vérité Opens?

Sorry to jump in, but the answer is no. Utopia has the most "dry" sounding from them all. Not to mention, the most forward treble presentation too (not a bad thing, depend on your preference).

 

[PsilocybinCube]

Sorry to jump in, but the answer is no. Utopia has the most "dry" sounding from them all. Not to mention, the most forward treble presentation too (not a bad thing, depend on your preference).

Let the debates begin!

I don't own the Susvara (maybe I need one), but I do have the Utopia and VO. The VO is certainly more mid-centric and the Utopia is more treble-focused (or you could refer to this as detailed). However, I find that the Utopia has better bass response than the VO. Maybe it's that the bass is just a lot tighter, but it seems to slam harder, too.

Listening to the Utopia and VO back-to-back makes me feel like Utopia is slightly v-shaped and the VO is has a little mound in the mids but is more neutral overall. This isn't the usual take on this headphone (referring to a v-shaped Utopia), but it's my impression.

The VO is absolutely much smoooother. It sounds more like live music with the cups reverberating a bit in the way the edges of a room might bounce sound back. The Utopia sounds more like being in a studio. The pad swaps on the VO do make a difference, though. Listening to it today with the BE2 instead of the Universe pads (Universe come stock) has made it significantly more neutral. I wanted that neutrality when I bought the pads...and now I think I might go back to the Universe for its warmth. The VO does absolutely have so much potential to create synergy with the combo of amp, tubes, and pads. And since the journey never seems to end in audiophilia, it's fun to have something to tinker with.

Just my two cents!

 

[Roasty]

Let the debates begin!

I don't own the Susvara (maybe I need one), but I do have the Utopia and VO. The VO is certainly more mid-centric and the Utopia is more treble-focused (or you could refer to this as detailed). However, I find that the Utopia has better bass response than the VO. Maybe it's that the bass is just a lot tighter, but it seems to slam harder, too.

Listening to the Utopia and VO back-to-back makes me feel like Utopia is slightly v-shaped and the VO is has a little mound in the mids but is more neutral overall. This isn't the usual take on this headphone (referring to a v-shaped Utopia), but it's my impression.

The VO is absolutely much smoooother. It sounds more like live music with the cups reverberating a bit in the way the edges of a room might bounce sound back. The Utopia sounds more like being in a studio. The pad swaps on the VO do make a difference, though. Listening to it today with the BE2 instead of the Universe pads (Universe come stock) has made it significantly more neutral. I wanted that neutrality when I bought the pads...and now I think I might go back to the Universe for its warmth. The VO does absolutely have so much potential to create synergy with the combo of amp, tubes, and pads. And since the journey never seems to end in audiophilia, it's fun to have something to tinker with.

Just my two cents!

This is a really good comparison. Nicely written and I agree on all points. Just wanna add that, of all my headphones, I find the Utopia has the best pinpoint imaging/placement and sensation of layering, and this really accentuates the 3d feel.

And yes, you need a Susvara