ZMF Verite Open

[zach915m]

Could you do a video of a cleaning? And the specific alcohol used? Like % (70%, 90% etc) and type (isopropyl or ethanol)? Touching the drivers is pretty scary, but seeing someone do it in action would help alleviate the fear IMO.

Yeah thats a great idea. I've almost got my new video room up and ready to go, it had to wait for ZMF holiday season stuff to slow a little but I'm ready to start making video's like that again! When this one comes in I'll try to make sure I take the liberty of doing repairs on it LIVE on camera.

 

[SSJ3TM]

I would love to see this too!

 

[XIST_]

Having a great listening session with the VO tonight. As much as I love my other headphones, VO stands above the rest as my absolute favorite.

 

[Pharmaboy]

Having a great listening session with the VO tonight. As much as I love my other headphones, VO stands above the rest as my absolute favorite.

Same here, though I love the sound of the Caldera Open (my best dynamic & planar, respectively).

But if it was a desert island scenario ("You only get to take one headphone"), it would have to be the VO. That headphone simply makes music come alive, every single time I use it (regardless of amp used, though it clearly scales with better amping).

 

[ch1525i]

Same here, though I love the sound of the Caldera Open (my best dynamic & planar, respectively).

But if it was a desert island scenario ("You only get to take one headphone"), it would have to be the VO. That headphone simply makes music come alive, every single time I use it (regardless of amp used, though it clearly scales with better amping).

My Nov 2024 Rarity will ship this coming week. I asked ZMF to hold it while I was traveling so it is ready to go and I can't wait to join the club! Today I'm listening to my Auteur Classic which is also amazing

EDIT 2/10/25: Got my shipping notice today - just days away now!

 

[XIST_]

My Nov 2024 Rarity will ship this coming week. I asked ZMF to hold it while I was traveling so it is ready to go and I can't wait to join the club! Today I'm listening to my Auteur Classic which is also amazing

EDIT 2/10/25: Got my shipping notice today - just days away now!

Looking forward to seeing some pics and hearing your first impressions! Make sure to get lots of pads so you can change the sound up. I've been using the universe lamb recently and they are an excellent pairing on VO.

 

[Garpov]

What's everyone's experience with the resale value of these headphones? I've bought and sold many of the top end headphones over the years, Utopia, Meze Empyrean, Meze Elite, LCD4, HE 1000 SE etc. but I've never struggled to get 50% of RRP on any of them.

I've had my African Blackwood with new drivers listed at £1400 for months (£2700 RRP), finally dropped it to £1200 and still no interest?

It's crazy because this headphone is amazing! £1200 for a headphone of this quality is an absolute steal. What's everyone else's experience with resale on these? Why are they a hard sell?

 

[yrstruly]

What's everyone's experience with the resale value of these headphones? I've bought and sold many of the top end headphones over the years, Utopia, Meze Empyrean, Meze Elite, LCD4, HE 1000 SE etc. but I've never struggled to get 50% of RRP on any of them.

I've had my African Blackwood with new drivers listed at £1400 for months (£2700 RRP), finally dropped it to £1200 and still no interest?

It's crazy because this headphone is amazing! £1200 for a headphone of this quality is an absolute steal. What's everyone else's experience with resale on these? Why are they a hard sell?

I think the VO got less hype/coverage than VC (whether warranted or not). VC units tend to shift easily in the 2nd hand market and VC gets talked about a bit more I think because it came out at a time when closed backs were making strides in terms of technical capability (around the time the Stellia came out), and people found that a more unique/compelling proposition perhaps. You’re also in the U.K. it seems where there’s possibly slightly less awareness of the ZMF lineup.

 

[Tchoupitoulas]

What's everyone else's experience with resale on these? Why are they a hard sell?

There are several factors at play here, I suspect. I'm sorry to say it but I fear the most significant is the fact that you have no feedback as a seller whatsoever. There have been lots of scams online recently, often with people hacking old dormant accounts to post fraudulent FS listings, which is why head-fi introduced the two-factor login recently for selling gear. Do you have seller feedback from eBay or other places? I'd also recommend adding more photos and proofs of ownership. Also, a new seller's first listing being a high-end, pricey item can also raise concerns to potential buyers. Please don't think I'm calling the legitimacy of your listing into question; I realize you've been a head-fier for a long time.

Another factor, sadly, is that the Vérité has lost its shine as an exciting new product, given the subsequent releases of the Atrium and Caldera, not to mention headphones from other brands. I personally think the Vérité remains a lovely and compelling headphone these days, and it does something different from the others in the ZMF lineup, so it still clearly has its place.

The used prices of Vérités have indeed declined in the past year or two, not least because the market has become a lot softer with inflation and perceived potential economic risks in the future. Your £1200 asking price is excellent, especially for a limited version - and a beautiful Blackwood one at that - but that's $1500 USD and other Vérités have gone for not much more than that (or in some cases, for less):

https://www.head-fi.org/classifieds/zmf-verite-open.78861/
https://www.head-fi.org/classifieds/pd-zmf-verite-ambrosia-maple-b-stock.78294/
https://www.head-fi.org/classifieds/zmf-verite-open.77720/
https://www.head-fi.org/classifieds/zmf-verite-open-with-magnesium-chassis.76919/

With that said, I still think your listing is a great value. I sold my pair for $1750, inc. fees and shipping, some 18 months ago; that's roughly $250 more than you're asking, by way of comparison.

Out of curiosity, do yours have a glossy finish? It's hard to tell from the pics. Or do they have more of a satin finish?

 

[Monsterzero]

I suspect. I'm sorry to say it but I fear the most significant is the fact that you have no feedback as a seller whatsoever.

I will not buy or sell to a new member, unfairly or not. Once you've been scammed it's an experience one doesn't hope to repeat.

 

[LE9000]

VO FTW. Love them. Was foolish enough to sell my first VO. Had to buy a new pair after three weeks.

 

[haasaaroni]

VO FTW. Love them. Was foolish enough to sell my first VO. Had to buy a new pair after three weeks.

Ohhh those amps are mighty fine too! And very matching. Which do you prefer to listen to the VO with?

 

[Rollnrock]

VO FTW. Love them. Was foolish enough to sell my first VO. Had to buy a new pair after three weeks.

VO + Tubes = Audio bliss

 

[LE9000]

Ohhh those amps are mighty fine too! And very matching. Which do you prefer to listen to the VO with?

I much prefer the ZMFs on the Envy. They really do scale tremendously well.
I’ve never really appreciated them on the Taboo though.

But ZMF VO has been such a joy on a wide range of gear. From solid state and various tube amps. The one piece of gear that I would never part with.
(If there is a ‘never’ in this hobby)

 

[ch1525i]

My Nov 2024 Rarity will ship this coming week. I asked ZMF to hold it while I was traveling so it is ready to go and I can't wait to join the club! Today I'm listening to my Auteur Classic which is also amazing

EDIT 2/10/25: Got my shipping notice today - just days away now!

I missed FedEx yesterday but they arrived today! I let them warm up in the box a few hours as they spent all night in the truck. I know it needs 300 hours burn-in but I couldn't wait. I'm doing a quick listen on my HiBy R4. Let's just say if it gets even better with 300 hours and better gear, I'm in for a huge treat. Amazing right out of the box