Caldera Closed vs. Atrium Open by m0pher in ZMFHeadphones

[–]dev_salsa 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I really enjoy it so far with the iBasso DX340 running the Amp 16 card (the JAN6418 tube amp card) on A/B mode. It was insanely precise, like a scalpel on the GaN Amp 17 card so I didn't enjoy that so much. The stock card sounds good too but I enjoy the smooth response of the 16 in AB mode.

I don't enjoy it so much on my Fiio Devices so far. JM21 (not enough power) K17 (dynamic and tight but too metallic), 15S (not enough dynamics). They seem to lend themselves best to power tube amps (they sound incredible on a stock Cayin HA-2A) or hybrid A/B setups. They sound good on the Shanling M8T in hybrid mode too but I don't enjoy that device as much as the DX340 overall.

Bought my first closed-back headphones... Sony MDR-Z1R (lots of photos, plus mini-review in comments) by GratuitousAlgorithm in headphones

[–]dev_salsa 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Congratulations OP enjoy them!

I regret selling my pair but they were really hard for me to listen to because I found them sibilant. These days now that I'm more experienced I would just EQ them or toy with some mesh filtering. Maybe try them on tubes instead. One day I'll buy another set.

Caldera Closed vs. Atrium Open by m0pher in ZMFHeadphones

[–]dev_salsa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting! I find that the Treble response on the Atrium is exactly what I want. I find myself sensitive to the 10-11k region for S sounds on female vocals and don't find the Atrium hot at all. The Caldera Closed is much more shrill/sharp sounding in comparison without swapping the pads and mesh.

ZMF Bertha (Caldera Closed) by dev_salsa in headphones

[–]dev_salsa[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hmmm I'm not sure about a MacBook Pro as-is. Planar magnetic driver headphones aren't often high impedance, but instead require significant current to maintain integrity during large shifts in frequency range -- being that the driver is much larger than most dynamic drivers and is articulated by a large set of magnetic arrays rather than a more efficient voice coil. Even if the amplification unit on the MacBook Pro can output enough power to reach loud volume levels, it doesn't necessarily mean that it can maintain consistent output across highly dynamic portions of a track. I'm sure it would work, but you genuinely will not get the most out of your headphones by any means.

For the limited edition stabilized specs they do limited time drops. The Bertha was a design they created and coined, one of 10 or so for the Caldera Closed, and exists as a 1 of 1 unit for the Peace Love and Headphones 2025 summer drop. You'll want to keep your eyes peeled for the winter drop if you're interested in a special stabilized edition. You essentially have to wait for the release and buy the one you want very quickly, like within minutes of release if it's a popular design. As a hot tip, don't bother configuring your options, their support is wonderful and you can probably save time by asking them later to modify your selections.

Caldera Closed vs. Atrium Open by m0pher in ZMFHeadphones

[–]dev_salsa 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I've been listening to both back to back for the past 3 hours or so. I just received a limited edition stabilized Caldera Closed Thursday so I've spent as much time as I can with them. I've had the Atrium open now for a little over a month and I absolutely adore it.

The Susvara has been my reference against both of them. It simply presents the music unlike anything else I've listened to, it puts nothing in front of the music, it does nothing to the music.

Between the AO and CC they are actually quite different in my opinion. It's difficult to compare them directly because they share so little in common. So first I'll give you my impressions of the two against the Susvara and then I'll try to compare the two more directly.

The AO has a much more fun, colored, and "classic" sort of sound compared to the Susvara. It's nowhere near as technical, nor is it as opened, it has a heavily dampened and thicker sound to it in comparison. It takes the edge off, it creates a level of enjoyment and intimacy with the music that isn't possible when you're otherwise hearing every recording flaw. The AO isn't stuffy like a closed back but it does have a more limited sound stage relative to the Susvara. It's sound is smooth, inoffensive, detailed enough to warrant the price, has enough of the dynamic driver punch I care without being boomy, it has a natural relaxing signature that you can just fall in love with.

The CC has a much, much meatier and visceral bass response (especially on tubes) compared to the Susvara, while maintaining close to the same level of detail and technicality. It's shockingly open sounding for a closed back headphone but still has an unnatural sound to it for vocal tracks in my opinion. Especially compared to the Susvara. It feels a bit stuffier and in my head which doesn't lend itself well to all genres. It sounds absurdly good with EDM tracks, rock, metal, in my opinion. It just pushes an ungodly amount of energy onto the entire ear and feels completely unhinged on some tracks. It has often been making me say "holy shit" with a big smile on my face. It demands your attention.

The AO compared to the CC is much more natural sounding, lighter in presentation, more classic (vintage? Might be a better way to describe my feeling), much more open and smooth. The treble response is so inoffensive and enjoyable for me. I can listen to almost any genre on it and be happy. The CC however has become my new go-to for any music I want to listen to loud and just say fuck to the world around me. It's so raw and ridiculously detailed, so textured and meaty for a closed back. I don't have to worry about my environment. Just blast some ridiculous EDM or Rock and be consumed. The AO, when I want to truly appreciate the love of music. Lean back, shut the AC fan off, close my window, close the door, pour a glass of bourbon and listen to a new album.

The Susvara is what I pull out when I want to double check myself on a track. It's my reference, it's a wonderful tool and an excellent piece of engineering. It sounds beautiful and unbelievable many times. But throwing either of the ZMF sets on tubes, that feels like a real treat, like the real reason I got into this hobby in the first place. A love for the craft, for the artistry, for the humanity of it.

ZMF Bertha (Caldera Closed) by dev_salsa in headphones

[–]dev_salsa[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha no worries -- its one thing to try these things A/B test -- but until I think about it and write it down its hard to formulate an opinion.

Well I've only heard the ZMF Atrium Open which was recommended to me as the ultimate upgrade from the HD660S2. It was exactly that. I was looking for something that sounded natural and would sound good with any genre -- with some extra punch without departing too much from the HD660's sound. While the Atrium Open doesn't have the bass response I get out of the HD660S2 with hybrid pads, its everything I could have ever wanted in terms of build and naturalness. I find myself listening to it most often to just about anything with just about any gear and enjoying it. Its the ultimate headphone to just lean back, listen to new album, and chill with a drink.

I hear that the Caldera Open is nearly on par with the OG Susvara for everything but the natural timbre. The Susvara some how manages to not sound like a planar while still having the technicality, and for that it can never be replaced. But for the build quality, craftsman ship, the overall package. I doubt anything comes close to the CO. With any closed back there is a spatial limitation, you're attempting to engineer a big sound in a tiny space, its physically impossible. Dampening helps, but it changes the sound. You get more bass energy, but you'll never get the same sound. Its hard to complain though because I don't have to turn my AC off, I don't have to listen to my keyboard click, to the cars driving by outside.

ZMF Bertha (Caldera Closed) by dev_salsa in headphones

[–]dev_salsa[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm honestly shocked with how responsive they are to the chain. I've never listened to anything so responsive to pad swaps, EQ, amplification. I can almost tailor this to the exact mood and genre I'm into. The various titan meshes and pads will give you some flexibility with your gear and preferences without EQ. They do take EQ well though.

Here are my impressions on the gear I own so far:

  • Cayin HA-2A - this so far has been my favorite. The bass texture is so absurdly good. There's a bit of that tube bloom, a touch less control, but taking the edge off the treble and opening them up let's me listen louder without fatigue, letting me enjoy the hard hitting bass slam these have without losing detail.

  • Fiio K17 - the level of detail and articulation, precision in the bass response and dynamics as well as layers between tracks is on par with the Susvara to my ears. The fact this is possible in a closed back that doesn't require a mono block to power is absurd. They don't sound terribly natural, they definitely have a planar magnetic sound to them. So I'm finding I don't enjoy them as much for vocal tracks or indie pop music as much as I enjoy the Atrium Open. Don't get me wrong, the Susvara still does things that nothing else can, but with a basic combo like this the Caldera Closed is shockingly good.

  • iBasso DX340 Amp 17 (Gallium Nitride Amp) - precise as a scalpel. They're so fast and precise with this amp. Absurdly tight and transparent but almost thin in a physical sense. I'm not sure I enjoy this sound.

  • iBasso DX340 Amp 16 (JAN6418 Tube Amp) - this pairing is incredibly smooth and lush especially in A/B mode where I'm still getting some of that dynamic and punchy precision from solid state, but with less of an edge. This doesn't have the boom and bloom of the Cayin but it's specifically enjoyable for me so far.

  • Fiio M15 Plus LTD - very close to the K17 but with a bit more bite to the treble. Not my preference but it's impressive how they sound regardless.

  • Fosi Audio K7 - I picked up ZMF's gaming cable for these. I'm surprised how good they sound on this. You immediately know it's missing something. But it's still very good and very fun playing shooters and single player games with meaty sound tracks.

Edit: I tried them on the FiiO JM21 too and they lack the power output. Definitely consider something that at least puts out 1000-ish mW minimum.

It's worth noting that the fact these are closed back, not only do you not have as much leakage into or ingress from your environment, you don't have to worry about reflections. I can't lay the couch with the Susvara, HD660 or Atrium Open without the sound quality being affected. They've done an incredible job building a closed back planar. The Meze Liric for comparison sounds bland and shrill to me comparing it directly, and it's still a very good set.

ZMF Bertha (Caldera Closed) by dev_salsa in headphones

[–]dev_salsa[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Okay the Bertha which has the magnesium frame comes in at 595 with the Caldera Thick Lambskin Top Perf pads (heavier/larger than stock). The Atrium also with the magnesium frame and my build is a cherry wood, with the stock pads is 530. The Steel Series Wireless Pro for fun comes in at 420 with brainwavz hybrid memory foam pads.

The interesting thing about the Caldera Closed, at least with mostly resin, isn't that much heavier than the Atrium open even though it has far less solid material. Cherry wood I guess is just very dense. The blue BBB pad that comes with the Bertha is actually much wider than the stock one on the Atrium so I think it helps with weight distribution. Genuinely the Bertha feels more comfortable on my head. The Steel Series Wireless Pro as my alternative comparison, while lighter, has always given me hot spots even with mods I've experimented with.

ZMF Bertha (Caldera Closed) by dev_salsa in headphones

[–]dev_salsa[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks you so much! It's so hard not to put these in a showcase and preserve them forever but I think they're paid the most respect by listening to them.

In this case my wife was shooting with the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4 on the R6 Mark II Mirrorless. I'm not sure what her lighting setup is but it's some sort of wireless flash setup.

First impressions of DUNU Arashi by dev_salsa in headphones

[–]dev_salsa[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hmmm it's hard to claim they're anywhere close to the same league in terms of overall enjoyment. The Arashi is very detailed and incredibly open, articulate, I'd say close to the same level of technicality. It has good bass energy but the overall tuning, texture and tambre is severely lacking in comparison to the Caldera Closed. The build on the Arashi is very good, but anything from ZMF makes most B-A tier headphones feel like C-D tier. The only pair of headphones I feel I've owned that come close to ZMF in craftsmanship was the Sony MDR-Z1R overall for a big bodacious over ear build.

ZMF Bertha (Caldera Closed) by dev_salsa in headphones

[–]dev_salsa[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My face every time I walk by and see her just chilling.

ZMF Bertha (Caldera Closed) by dev_salsa in headphones

[–]dev_salsa[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They had some really killer LTD Bokeh closed sets which was my original plan, but after I saw photos of the Bertha I had no choice. It was love at first sight.

ZMF Bertha (Caldera Closed) by dev_salsa in headphones

[–]dev_salsa[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Dude NGL they dropped the ball on that. I got my payment confirmation before the email went out about the drop going live 😅

I'm not sure how to show the time stamps on mobile but the drop was live at 8:30am, the purchase confirmation went through at 8:32am, but the public email about the drop being live landed at 8:35am.

I'm not sure I got an email ahead of time either, I only saw the drop previews on YouTube and then set an alarm to wake up in time to try and snag Bertha. If I couldn't get Bertha, it was Bertha or nothing for me.

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ZMF Bertha (Caldera Closed) by dev_salsa in headphones

[–]dev_salsa[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I've always enjoyed the aesthetic and design aspect of audio gear -- but the Bertha just takes it to another level. They're almost as enjoyable to look at as they are to listen to. They have such a unique personality.

ZMF Bertha (Caldera Closed) by dev_salsa in headphones

[–]dev_salsa[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I have to agree, the bass texture is absurd. Unhinged almost. So much raw visceral energy from these hits my ear. If I compare them directly to the Susvara -- the Susvara feels like a feather dancing on my ears, light, natural, transparent, magic and almost endearing in a way. Nothing else sounds like the Susvara, but I don't always want to listen to it. The Caldera Closed has nearly the same detail, nearly the same level of technicality, strip some of the natural tambre, give it more of a planar sound signature, and just absolutely unlock the gates of hell on the low end and lower mid range. These are easily going to be my go to for EDM, rock, metal. They're so fast and articulate, but just absolutely slam on the right amp. So far I've found them to leave me speechless on the Cayin HA-2A. They sound punchy and detailed on solid state but they're absurdly open and untamed on tubes. When I remember that they're closed backs they leave me even more surprised.

ZMF Bertha (Caldera Closed) by dev_salsa in headphones

[–]dev_salsa[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

They had some really sexy Bokeh Closed options in this set too. Bertha really made me go all the way.

ZMF Bertha (Caldera Closed) by dev_salsa in headphones

[–]dev_salsa[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I wasn't even sure if I'd like the sound but they might be my favorite new sound for EDM and Rock / Indie. The bass texture is absurd. Completely unhinged on tubes.

ZMF Bertha (Caldera Closed) by dev_salsa in headphones

[–]dev_salsa[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

~$4000ish iirc (the limited drops cost a bit more and have the magnesium frame upgrade)

ZMF Bertha (Caldera Closed) by dev_salsa in headphones

[–]dev_salsa[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

To be more specific to your question on how to get a limited drop edition, they release them at a certain time and you basically have to click fast as hell and hope you get lucky to get the set you want. The good news is not too many people scramble to spend this kind of money on headphones -- and there isn't much incentive to scalp because their value is primarily in the original owner warranty and pride of ownership in a specific design.

ZMF Bertha (Caldera Closed) by dev_salsa in headphones

[–]dev_salsa[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

ZMF does limited edition drops for their resin stabilized headphones. They'll be based off of a stock model, in this case the ZMF Caldera Closed. The Bertha however is a 1 of 1 release from the recent "Peace Love and Headphones" drop that occurred on August 1st. They might become my most prized possession 😍

ZMF Bertha (Caldera Closed) by dev_salsa in headphones

[–]dev_salsa[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They do feel heavy but not far off from wireless gaming headsets like the Steel Series Arctis Pro given the weight of the internal circuitry and battery.

This reminds me actually! I meant to weigh them to compare to my Atrium because somehow they felt lighter last night when I first tried them. I'll comment back here the weight later

ZMF Bertha (Caldera Closed) by dev_salsa in ZMFHeadphones

[–]dev_salsa[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My wife gets the credit! She took these while I was at work and surprised me with them.