[MRHiFiReviews]

Question for those that own or have heard both the Verite and the Aeolus. I'm super tempted on the Verite just because I adore the looks and craftsmanship, but I briefly owned the Aeolus and didn't like them at all due to the (to my ears) weird muffled tone in the midrange (stock & verite pads). Are the Verite anything like the Aeolus there? Since I can't audition them I'm just trying to figure out if it's even worth a shot or if I should just forget it since I can't really spend that much for looks alone and have them sit at a shelf as eye candy.

You found the midrange muffled on the Aeolus?? What part of the mid-range exactly did you find muffled? To my ears, the midrange of the Aeolus is one of the best parts.

 

[spittis]

You found the midrange muffled on the Aeolus?? What part of the mid-range exactly did you find muffled? To my ears, the midrange of the Aeolus is one of the best parts.

Frankly, all of it. It's like throwing a blanket over the sound. I suppose what many people refer to as "warm" and "intimate" I hear as muddy and muffled. For reference, I much preferred the HD-650 which sounds airy and clear by comparison (I pretty much only listen to metal). YMMV and all that, but it's how it is for me. That's why I asked the question, I should perhaps not be looking at their headphones at all, but like I said I love the looks and craftsmanship and would like to own a pair lol.

 

[Pharmaboy]

Sometimes here, more often on "the other headphone website"--you'll find people who really don't care for ZMF dynamics, especially the Aeolus or Verite. Sometimes (particularly on the other website) their objections are centered on real or maybe just theoretical deviations from the ideal on frequency response graphs. Sometimes these are peeps who haven't heard the HP in question--just reacting to published graphs; other times, they made their own frequency charts using the headphone itself.

So I've read about the Aeolus being muffled (similar comments about the Atticus before it); Verite having a "recessed midrange" and "vocal congestion," and so on. I don't hear any of that, but some really do--which makes recommending headphones to complete strangers a bit dicey.

It's not just ZMF dynamics that get this "I hear (insert paradoxical observation) and it sucks" treatment. The Fidelio X2, still a favorite of mine & renowned for its somewhat warm, diffuse, ear-friendly sound--is periodically criticized as being bright, edgy, v-shaped (I sure don't hear that). All I can figure is these posters have amps/dacs that are wild mismatch for these HPs? Maybe are listening on a crappy phone output?

• I also speculate at least some of these comments arise when people who LOVE bright, airy, accurate, neutral HP sound hear headphones that deviate from their preference. That makes sense, since I, exposed to bright, airy, accurate, neutral HPs (I'm talking to you, Focal) run screaming in the other direction.

Whatever it is, people hear things differently, and that sometimes comes up here & in other ZMF threads.

 

[Hifiearspeakers]

Frankly, all of it. It's like throwing a blanket over the sound. I suppose what many people refer to as "warm" and "intimate" I hear as muddy and muffled. For reference, I much preferred the HD-650 which sounds airy and clear by comparison (I pretty much only listen to metal). YMMV and all that, but it's how it is for me. That's why I asked the question, I should perhaps not be looking at their headphones at all, but like I said I love the looks and craftsmanship and would like to own a pair lol.

The Verite is the most detailed and resolving ZMF by far. But many say the Auteur is more like the hd 650 on steroids. So if you prefer the midrange presentation of the 650, you may want to look at the Auteur.

 

[spittis]

Whatever it is, people hear things differently, and that sometimes comes up here & in other ZMF threads.

Indeed. And going by other peoples impressions is dicey too for this reason. If anything the Aeolus experience taught me a lot about my own tastes. I'm not that much of a treble fanatic either though, e.g. couldn't stand the DT-990, and auditioned the Focal Clears but wasn't convinced. Probably the best I've heard so far is the Empyrean, but I'm not sure they are worth the price.

The Verite is the most detailed and resolving ZMF by far. But many say the Auteur is more like the hd 650 on steroids. So if you prefer the midrange presentation of the 650, you may want to look at the Auteur.

Yeah heard that before too, and I actually have considered the Auteur for a long time already. Kinda just trying to weigh in the Verite too. Really wish auditioning was possible. Climbing the Hifiman ladder from my current Anandas would probably be the more reasonable and safe route sound-wise, but I can't say I like their designs and build.

 

[dncnexus]

Just got the Verite in, loving them so far. Will do a comparison to the Auteur in the future.

 

[Pharmaboy]

Just got the Verite in, loving them so far. Will do a comparison to the Auteur in the future.

Wow, that's pretty! It's purple(ish) but doesn't look like purpleheart. What wood is that?

 

[dncnexus]

Wow, that's pretty! It's purple(ish) but doesn't look like purpleheart. What wood is that?

It is Camphor Burl stained purple

 

[Zachik]

I briefly owned the Aeolus and didn't like them at all due to the (to my ears) weird muffled tone in the midrange (stock & verite pads).

Any chance your Aeolus was not burned-in?
My Aeolus and Verite Open both opened up and were "un-muffled" in a big way after 100-150 hours of burn-in... sounds like what you're describing could have been a fresh pair pre-burn-in?

 

[zach915m]

Question for those that own or have heard both the Verite and the Aeolus. I'm super tempted on the Verite just because I adore the looks and craftsmanship, but I briefly owned the Aeolus and didn't like them at all due to the (to my ears) weird muffled tone in the midrange (stock & verite pads). Are the Verite anything like the Aeolus there? Since I can't audition them I'm just trying to figure out if it's even worth a shot or if I should just forget it since I can't really spend that much for looks alone and have them sit at a shelf as eye candy.

Did you write a reddit post all about this about a year ago - I think I remember offering some suggestions which would still stand now.

Try a higher impedance amp that doesn't over-damp the headphones and the suede universe pads. Same would hold true for Verite if you found it muffled in any way. (and yes please burn them in)

Also make sure to check out the pad chart on our website:https://www.zmfheadphones.com/zmfpads

The vast majority of users don't find our headphones subjectively "muffled," but there certainly are combinations that will sound that way to many users when used with certain pads and gear. It all comes down to whether the extra effort of finding the gear you like most WITH the pads that suit you best is worth the effort to you or not.

Totally understand if it's not, it is one of the challenges of our brand, but most find it rewarding in the journey!

Edit: If I remember correctly you're in the EU - we have added a lot of EU dealers, and whenever pandemic permits you might be able to give our headphones a listen in a shop: https://www.zmfheadphones.com/dealersnew

 

[zach915m]

Just got the Verite in, loving them so far. Will do a comparison to the Auteur in the future.

One of our last "custom" units before we stopped doing that to keep up with orders. I promise we will offer more fun stuff like this in the future.

Great amp!

Also that set never got burned in by the previous owner, it will sound better and better with use.

 

[dncnexus]

One of our last "custom" units before we stopped doing that to keep up with orders. I promise we will offer more fun stuff like this in the future.

Great amp!

Also that set never got burned in by the previous owner, it will sound better and better with use.

You could have fooled me! I have been super impressed the whole time using these, if they just get better from here, I can't wait.

Yes I am a big fan of the Starlett, very happy I ended up getting one! Pairs beautifully with your headphones

 

[JLoud]

Anyone try the Verite with a Woo WA33? That is the amp I have and I'm thinking of picking up another ZMF. Had the Aeolus and sold it to fund other gear. Now looking to replace it.

 

[robo24]

It is Camphor Burl stained purple

I have the same for my Atticus. Yours looks amazing with the rose gold hardware! I hope rose gold remains an option.

 

[NickT23]

The Verite is the most detailed and resolving ZMF by far. But many say the Auteur is more like the hd 650 on steroids. So if you prefer the midrange presentation of the 650, you may want to look at the Auteur.

Correction, I thought Auteur is HD600 on steroids !!!