[SlothRock]

Are the stabilized sets always heavier than the non-stabilized sets? Any stabilized sets that actually made the headphones lighter?

 

[sp33ls]

Are the stabilized sets always heavier than the non-stabilized sets? Any stabilized sets that actually made the headphones lighter?

It's based on the wood's density. I believe stabilized is maple, which is about average.

 

[TheMiddleSky]

Are the stabilized sets always heavier than the non-stabilized sets? Any stabilized sets that actually made the headphones lighter?

Not always, for example the African Blackwood is heavier than Stabilize.

 

[sp33ls]

Not always, for example the African Blackwood is heavier than Stabilize.

To be fair, Blackwood is probably THE heaviest variant out there.

 

[bpiotrow13]

To be fair, Blackwood is probably THE heaviest variant out there.

The lightest Verite so far are probably silkwood. I considered special versions but decided to go for silkwood specifically due to their significantly lower weight.

 

[TheMiddleSky]

To be fair, Blackwood is probably THE heaviest variant out there.

haha very true, the closed back version a bit surprise for the weight.

 

[skhan007]

I'm a current Auteur owner and was thinking about the Verite vs. Focal Utopia (apologies if this is already answered on this thread- still using the search function to read up).

Can you guys tell me if this description from headphones. com is accurate:

"The ZMF Vérité fall very close to the Utopia in terms of overall performance while delivering what is probably a more broadly agreeable tonality. Utopia can be a bit lean in the bass and are occasionally excitable in the treble vs. the more even response of the ZMF can. While Utopia remain the most overall technically-capable and resolving dynamic headphone I’ve heard, and just bests the ZMF cans in terms of micro-dynamics, raw detail retrieval and ultimate speed, Zach’s cans are within a point or two of matching them … while retaining a deliciously organic and rich signature and a notably more spacious, dimensional and vivid stage."

 

[Galapac]

I'm a current Auteur owner and was thinking about the Verite vs. Focal Utopia (apologies if this is already answered on this thread- still using the search function to read up).

Can you guys tell me if this description from headphones. com is accurate:

"The ZMF Vérité fall very close to the Utopia in terms of overall performance while delivering what is probably a more broadly agreeable tonality. Utopia can be a bit lean in the bass and are occasionally excitable in the treble vs. the more even response of the ZMF can. While Utopia remain the most overall technically-capable and resolving dynamic headphone I’ve heard, and just bests the ZMF cans in terms of micro-dynamics, raw detail retrieval and ultimate speed, Zach’s cans are within a point or two of matching them … while retaining a deliciously organic and rich signature and a notably more spacious, dimensional and vivid stage."

I would say that's a fair description as I own both but you get different tonalities on different amps and tube combinations if using tube amps so it canvary wildly depending on your setup. For example my Utopias sound best in my Euforia amp as it pairs very well with that amp but in my Elekit TU-8200 I favor my Verite Open more.
Both are in my rotation and I love switching them up from time to time for variety.

 

[skhan007]

I would say that's a fair description as I own both but you get different tonalities on different amps and tube combinations if using tube amps so it canvary wildly depending on your setup. For example my Utopias sound best in my Euforia amp as it pairs very well with that amp but in my Elekit TU-8200 I favor my Verite Open more.
Both are in my rotation and I love switching them up from time to time for variety.

OK, this sounds good, thank you. Good to know you have both and can compare. I have a Bottlehead Crack, which I've heard does not pair well with the Utopia, but is glorious with my Auteur. If I got the Utopia, I'd either use the SS amp built into my RME ADI2 DAC or eventually get an amp that pairs well with the Utopia. On the other hand, the Verite sound like they'd be close to the Utopia and much more cost effective. Hmmmm. Tough decision.

 

[heliosphann]

I'm a current Auteur owner and was thinking about the Verite vs. Focal Utopia (apologies if this is already answered on this thread- still using the search function to read up).

Can you guys tell me if this description from headphones. com is accurate:

"The ZMF Vérité fall very close to the Utopia in terms of overall performance while delivering what is probably a more broadly agreeable tonality. Utopia can be a bit lean in the bass and are occasionally excitable in the treble vs. the more even response of the ZMF can. While Utopia remain the most overall technically-capable and resolving dynamic headphone I’ve heard, and just bests the ZMF cans in terms of micro-dynamics, raw detail retrieval and ultimate speed, Zach’s cans are within a point or two of matching them … while retaining a deliciously organic and rich signature and a notably more spacious, dimensional and vivid stage."

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/zmf-verite.890270/post-14641432

 

[TheMiddleSky]

I'm a current Auteur owner and was thinking about the Verite vs. Focal Utopia (apologies if this is already answered on this thread- still using the search function to read up).

Can you guys tell me if this description from headphones. com is accurate:

"The ZMF Vérité fall very close to the Utopia in terms of overall performance while delivering what is probably a more broadly agreeable tonality. Utopia can be a bit lean in the bass and are occasionally excitable in the treble vs. the more even response of the ZMF can. While Utopia remain the most overall technically-capable and resolving dynamic headphone I’ve heard, and just bests the ZMF cans in terms of micro-dynamics, raw detail retrieval and ultimate speed, Zach’s cans are within a point or two of matching them … while retaining a deliciously organic and rich signature and a notably more spacious, dimensional and vivid stage."

I agree with that statement. However improtant to remember, real life satisfaction of listening experience is not only about micro detail and speed. There are things that I like in Verite more, such as more organic tonality, more forgiving through various types of recording quality, bigger soundstage image, fuller body for Vocal and ultimately, bigger grin on my face rather when I had Utopia.

 

[bpiotrow13]

However improtant to remember, real life satisfaction of listening experience is not only about micro detail and speed. There are things that I like in Verite more, such as more organic tonality, more forgiving through various types of recording quality, bigger soundstage image, fuller body for Vocal and ultimately, bigger grin on my face rather when I had Utopia.

Could not agree more. Music experience is hard to measure at the end. All technicalities should serve musicality, not the other way round. This is not always obvious, i personally realised that not that long ago

 

[skhan007]

I agree with that statement. However improtant to remember, real life satisfaction of listening experience is not only about micro detail and speed. There are things that I like in Verite more, such as more organic tonality, more forgiving through various types of recording quality, bigger soundstage image, fuller body for Vocal and ultimately, bigger grin on my face rather when I had Utopia.

Could not agree more. Music experience is hard to measure at the end. All technicalities should serve musicality, not the other way round. This is not always obvious, i personally realised that not that long ago

Thank you- I wish I could have both in front of me to A/B with my set up. I do recall liking the soundstage quite a bit on my old HD800, but those did not have the fuller body and warmth that my current Auteur had, so if I were after HD800-like soundstage (I know in reality nothing really does that, but I'm hoping for that ballpark) would the Verite fit this bill? I'm also concluding that my Auteur won't be redundant of the Verite, as I believe they are similar DNA, but different animals overall?

 

[kumar402]

To be fair, Blackwood is probably THE heaviest variant out there.

Ironwood may be heaviest. I can’t imagine something heavier then Ironwood

 

[robo24]

T

Thank you- I wish I could have both in front of me to A/B with my set up. I do recall liking the soundstage quite a bit on my old HD800, but those did not have the fuller body and warmth that my current Auteur had, so if I were after HD800-like soundstage (I know in reality nothing really does that, but I'm hoping for that ballpark) would the Verite fit this bill? I'm also concluding that my Auteur won't be redundant of the Verite, as I believe they are similar DNA, but different animals overall?

The Verite has a large soundstage but not really HD800 sized, but that's probably the only measure by which it has something over the Verite. I don't think the Verite & Auteur are redundant at all, but they do both have the ZMF house sound. I've never found myself wanting the Verite soundstage to be wider and less cohesive like the HD800, so I'd say it's in the ballpark without seeming unrealistic.