ZMF Verite Open

[chrisnyc75]

Thanks. So it comes down to durability and weight.
I’ve been looking at the ironwood, if I understand the ZMF chart it’s the heaviest wood. After the LCDs I’m really trying to avoid another heavy headphones.
The thought of “this heavy thing on my head” is always there when listening. If that makes any sense

I emailed Zach before I ordered and he weighed the VO desert ironwood with brass & magnesium at 588 grams. Honestly, I don't find it uncomfortable in the least, the suspension system is great. That said, I wear them for a few hours a day at most, if you were to wear them all day every day your experience might be different. Fwiw, I find it just as comfortable as a Focal.

 

[Marutks]

I’ve been looking at the ironwood,

I had ironwood VC but they were too heavy for me. No weight issues with monkeypod VC.

 

[PointyFox]

My silkwood VO starts to get uncomfortable after wearing it about 7 hours
I wear headphones for about 8 hours a day.

 

[Kiont]

My silkwood VO starts to get uncomfortable after wearing it about 7 hours
I wear headphones for about 8 hours a day.

Going for magnesium and silkwood may be a better idea, which apparently is the lightest wood.

I know we are just talking about ~100g difference between options.

 

[Sean_MR]

This is probably going to be a pretty weird post, but I just joined the ZMF family! ...kind of haha. I just placed an order for the VO Ironwood, but once I receive it I don't plan on actually using it for 6-12 months, it'll just be sitting in my closet.

Long-story short I've been building funds back up to buy another high-end setup after covid hit, and I already have the entire chain planned out (the Verite being the headphone). I was originally going to purchase everything all at once (stock silkwood or whatever current LTD is) in about a year or so when I have sufficient funds and get my own place again, but I saw the Ironwood LTD and found the wood so exquisite and unique (both aesthetically and sonically), I knew I couldn't pass up the opportunity given it might not be available again for a long time. So I got one!

Technically I do currently have a dac/amp that could power it, but I want to wait until I have my entire chain setup so that the first time I hear it will be at its best, but more importantly I currently live in a temporary residence that's in an extremely dusty area and I don't want to damage the open drivers. So for both these reasons I'll have a brand new VO just sitting in my closet waiting for the day when I can use it. It's going to be a very tempting year haha.

 

[PointyFox]

This is probably going to be a pretty weird post, but I just joined the ZMF family! ...kind of haha. I just placed an order for the VO Ironwood, but once I receive it I don't plan on actually using it for 6-12 months, it'll just be sitting in my closet.

Long-story short I've been building funds back up to buy another high-end setup after covid hit, and I already have the entire chain planned out (the Verite being the headphone). I was originally going to purchase everything all at once (stock silkwood or whatever current LTD is) in about a year or so when I have sufficient funds and get my own place again, but I saw the Ironwood LTD and found the wood so exquisite and unique (both aesthetically and sonically), I knew I couldn't pass up the opportunity given it might not be available again for a long time. So I got one!

Technically I do currently have a dac/amp that could power it, but I want to wait until I have my entire chain setup so that the first time I hear it will be at its best, but more importantly I currently live in a temporary residence that's in an extremely dusty area and I don't want to damage the open drivers. So for both these reasons I'll have a brand new VO just sitting in my closet waiting for the day when I can use it. It's going to be a very tempting year haha.

... and then he died.

 

[Kiont]

This is probably going to be a pretty weird post, but I just joined the ZMF family! ...kind of haha. I just placed an order for the VO Ironwood, but once I receive it I don't plan on actually using it for 6-12 months, it'll just be sitting in my closet.

Long-story short I've been building funds back up to buy another high-end setup after covid hit, and I already have the entire chain planned out (the Verite being the headphone). I was originally going to purchase everything all at once (stock silkwood or whatever current LTD is) in about a year or so when I have sufficient funds and get my own place again, but I saw the Ironwood LTD and found the wood so exquisite and unique (both aesthetically and sonically), I knew I couldn't pass up the opportunity given it might not be available again for a long time. So I got one!

Technically I do currently have a dac/amp that could power it, but I want to wait until I have my entire chain setup so that the first time I hear it will be at its best, but more importantly I currently live in a temporary residence that's in an extremely dusty area and I don't want to damage the open drivers. So for both these reasons I'll have a brand new VO just sitting in my closet waiting for the day when I can use it. It's going to be a very tempting year haha.

And here I am thinking the shipping wait is too long!

 

[chrisnyc75]

This is probably going to be a pretty weird post, but I just joined the ZMF family! ...kind of haha. I just placed an order for the VO Ironwood, but once I receive it I don't plan on actually using it for 6-12 months, it'll just be sitting in my closet.

Long-story short I've been building funds back up to buy another high-end setup after covid hit, and I already have the entire chain planned out (the Verite being the headphone). I was originally going to purchase everything all at once (stock silkwood or whatever current LTD is) in about a year or so when I have sufficient funds and get my own place again, but I saw the Ironwood LTD and found the wood so exquisite and unique (both aesthetically and sonically), I knew I couldn't pass up the opportunity given it might not be available again for a long time. So I got one!

Technically I do currently have a dac/amp that could power it, but I want to wait until I have my entire chain setup so that the first time I hear it will be at its best, but more importantly I currently live in a temporary residence that's in an extremely dusty area and I don't want to damage the open drivers. So for both these reasons I'll have a brand new VO just sitting in my closet waiting for the day when I can use it. It's going to be a very tempting year haha.

I feel the same way about the desert ironwood, it's just the most beautiful headphone I've ever seen. It's practically a sculpture on display in my living room. lol I had no reason to buy another headphone already, but there was no way I was letting this beauty get away.

That said, rather than sticking it in a closet, why not get an entry level tube amp to use with it while you save towards something bigger and better? I'm using mine on a very reasonably priced Schiit Valhalla 2 as we speak and it sounds fantastic. I'm sure it will sound even better on an endgame tube amp next year(ish), but life is too short to put off joy until tomorrow. Just my 2 cents.

Either way, tell us about the chain you have planned. Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Sean_MR]

I feel the same way about the desert ironwood, it's just the most beautiful headphone I've ever seen. It's practically a sculpture on display in my living room. lol I had no reason to buy another headphone already, but there was no way I was letting this beauty get away.

That said, rather than sticking it in a closet, why not get an entry level tube amp to use with it while you save towards something bigger and better? I'm using mine on a very reasonably priced Schiit Valhalla 2 as we speak and it sounds fantastic. I'm sure it will sound even better on an endgame tube amp next year(ish), but life is too short to put off joy until tomorrow. Just my 2 cents.

Either way, tell us about the chain you have planned. Inquiring minds want to know.

I actually currently have a JDS Labs Element II, which Zach recommended as a fine dac/amp combo. Aside from my OCD with wanting to hear the Verite at its best the first time, I wasn't exaggerating when I say my area is really dusty haha. A visible layer of dust and particles builds up in my room on an almost daily timescale. I honestly would probably get over my OCD and succumb to using the VO when I get it, if I weren't genuinely worried about the amount of dust damaging the drivers. I strictly only use closed back headphones now because of the level of dust haha. Plus, seeing the VO just sitting in my closet mocking me will just encourage me even more to work my butt off and get my own place again ASAP

And my planned chain is the VO with a GSX Mini, and Denafrips Pontus II. A long time ago I learned the hard way that I have a tendency to get very stuck deep down in mid-fi hell buying new thing after new thing, so I'm planning this time to just go straight to the top (for me), to force myself to stop buying new gear because I couldn't afford it even if I wanted to!

 

[Kiont]

A visible layer of dust and particles builds up in my room on an almost daily timescale. I honestly would probably get over my OCD and succumb to using the VO when I get it, if I weren't genuinely worried about the amount of dust damaging the drivers. I strictly only use closed back headphones now because of the level of dust haha.

I’m not sure if I would be more worried about the drivers or my lungs but wth is going on at your place?

 

[chrisnyc75]

And my planned chain is the VO with a GSX Mini, and Denafrips Pontus II. A long time ago I learned the hard way that I have a tendency to get very stuck deep down in mid-fi hell buying new thing after new thing, so I'm planning this time to just go straight to the top (for me), to force myself to stop buying new gear because I couldn't afford it even if I wanted to!

Very nice. I've been eyeing the GSX Mini too, though I think I'm resolved to upgrade my tubes before my solid state. And I totally agree with you about skipping straight to endgame - getting stuck in MidFi hell sounds hella expensive to me when you're just going to end up in the same place eventually anyway.

 

[jinxy245]

I actually currently have a JDS Labs Element II, which Zach recommended as a fine dac/amp combo. Aside from my OCD with wanting to hear the Verite at its best the first time, I wasn't exaggerating when I say my area is really dusty haha. A visible layer of dust and particles builds up in my room on an almost daily timescale. I honestly would probably get over my OCD and succumb to using the VO when I get it, if I weren't genuinely worried about the amount of dust damaging the drivers. I strictly only use closed back headphones now because of the level of dust haha. Plus, seeing the VO just sitting in my closet mocking me will just encourage me even more to work my butt off and get my own place again ASAP

And my planned chain is the VO with a GSX Mini, and Denafrips Pontus II. A long time ago I learned the hard way that I have a tendency to get very stuck deep down in mid-fi hell buying new thing after new thing, so I'm planning this time to just go straight to the top (for me), to force myself to stop buying new gear because I couldn't afford it even if I wanted to!

I totally understand your thought process. The upside is you could have them burned in and ready to go at least. FWIW they'll sound phenomenal IMO even on a modest system. You could always listen & pack them away in whichever case you wind up getting when not in use, but in the end of course it's your decision. If nothing elsse I admire your willpower!!

 

[Sean_MR]

I’m not sure if I would be more worried about the drivers or my lungs but wth is going on at your place?

I honestly have no idea. What’s weird is that I don’t live in a desert, I live in the LA area. But for whatever reason my very specific zip code is like an isolated pocket of super dusty conditions. I originally thought it was just the constant California fires, but the dust seems to stay all the time.

I try to always keep the windows closed as much as possible, and I also have a large Honeywell purifier in my room as well.

 

[Sean_MR]

Very nice. I've been eyeing the GSX Mini too, though I think I'm resolved to upgrade my tubes before my solid state. And I totally agree with you about skipping straight to endgame - getting stuck in MidFi hell sounds hella expensive to me when you're just going to end up in the same place eventually anyway.

I actually would really love to try tubes and believe they sound perfect for my sonic preferences, but I just use solid state for the convenience/set it and forget it factor, plus the heat generation. Plus I’ve read the GSX mini is supposed to be very smooth and pleasant especially for a SS, so I’m kind of getting a tiny bit of that tube goodness. But again it’s mainly for the ease of use.

And @jinxy245 I've thought about burning them in while I wait, but that would likely involve leaving them out and on for a while and to be honest I'm just really scared of the dust thing haha.

 

[PointyFox]

I can't imagine dust hurting them in any way. They're not electrostatic.