This is a review, listening tests, EQ and detailed measurements of the ZMF Bokeh closed back headphone. It is was sent to me by the company and costs US $1,100.
Typical of other ZMF headphones, it has a gorgeous wood construction. They are chunky for lack of a better descriptor but were comfortable for me to wear.
Typical of many headphones in this category, there are a number of options for pads and with or without mesh. The configuration I tested is (per owner), " Caldera Thin Hybrid Pads, top perf only." This review was initiated after testing of the ZMF Caldera review where company proposed testing this headphone as being closer to "Harman" target.
I was surprised and pleased to see frequency response measurements for three different configurations in the box.
If you are not familiar with my measurements, please watch this video:
ZMF Bokeh Headphone Measurements
Company shows a video where it shows that measurements are variable due to rotational angle of the pads. To test for that, I rotated the headphone on my GRAS 45CA to four different configurations:
As expected, there are differences in higher frequencies but below that, it is negligible. So I ran with one seating:
I ran the measurements by Zach (company owner) and he sees differences between this and what they have. There are however differences in measurement settings with mine being higher resolution and as such, showing more variations than he sees. In my view, correlation is pretty good with his test in the context of variability of headphone testing.
Going with what we have, it is nice to see bass that is close to what we (I) like to see instead of flat response. There is shortfall in treble though and a narrow notch. Zach says that the removal of mesh could help with the former but it was not an easy thing to do so I didn't try.
Relative difference is rather complex for designing EQ by eye but I will try as you see in the follow up section:
Distortion at 94 dBSPL is non issue but does rise above that in mid frequencies which I like to not see:
Group delay is clean showing lack of internal reflections:
Impedance is medium to low meaning it is mostly sensitive to amount of current from the amp rather than voltage:
Sensitivity is quite good which means this should be an easy to drive headphone:
ZMF Bokeh Headphone Listening Tests and Equalization
First listen impression was non offensive sound which is good in my book. I started by adding EQ to high frequencies first:
That quickly showed that without it, the sound was quite dull with essentially no spatial effects. There was just enough bass but I felt it could have more so put that shelf in there. And added a dip for the extra energy in upper bass. Now the bass was impressive. Note that I deviated from measurements in setting the 6 KHz lower as to avoid extra brightness.
I then sat back and listened. The sound was excellent now on every reference track I have. Bass was thunderous and clean as was the rest of the response. Spatial qualities were improved good bit and I really, really enjoyed the sound. So much so that I am listening to it while typing this.
Conclusions
First, let's acknowledge the great response from the company to send me a headphone to test after the contentious discussions we had on the Caldera. The Bokeh with the included pad does remedy bass response (for the most part). The treble response however is recessed which stands out even more given the extra bass. I rather have that than the other way around, with exaggerated highs which can be annoying. With equalization, performance becomes excellent and when combined with the nice, premium look of the headphone, makes for an excellent package.
I am going to recommend the ZMF Bokeh as tested with equalization.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
Typical of other ZMF headphones, it has a gorgeous wood construction. They are chunky for lack of a better descriptor but were comfortable for me to wear.
Typical of many headphones in this category, there are a number of options for pads and with or without mesh. The configuration I tested is (per owner), " Caldera Thin Hybrid Pads, top perf only." This review was initiated after testing of the ZMF Caldera review where company proposed testing this headphone as being closer to "Harman" target.
I was surprised and pleased to see frequency response measurements for three different configurations in the box.
If you are not familiar with my measurements, please watch this video:
ZMF Bokeh Headphone Measurements
Company shows a video where it shows that measurements are variable due to rotational angle of the pads. To test for that, I rotated the headphone on my GRAS 45CA to four different configurations:
As expected, there are differences in higher frequencies but below that, it is negligible. So I ran with one seating:
I ran the measurements by Zach (company owner) and he sees differences between this and what they have. There are however differences in measurement settings with mine being higher resolution and as such, showing more variations than he sees. In my view, correlation is pretty good with his test in the context of variability of headphone testing.
Going with what we have, it is nice to see bass that is close to what we (I) like to see instead of flat response. There is shortfall in treble though and a narrow notch. Zach says that the removal of mesh could help with the former but it was not an easy thing to do so I didn't try.
Relative difference is rather complex for designing EQ by eye but I will try as you see in the follow up section:
Distortion at 94 dBSPL is non issue but does rise above that in mid frequencies which I like to not see:
Group delay is clean showing lack of internal reflections:
Impedance is medium to low meaning it is mostly sensitive to amount of current from the amp rather than voltage:
Sensitivity is quite good which means this should be an easy to drive headphone:
ZMF Bokeh Headphone Listening Tests and Equalization
First listen impression was non offensive sound which is good in my book. I started by adding EQ to high frequencies first:
That quickly showed that without it, the sound was quite dull with essentially no spatial effects. There was just enough bass but I felt it could have more so put that shelf in there. And added a dip for the extra energy in upper bass. Now the bass was impressive. Note that I deviated from measurements in setting the 6 KHz lower as to avoid extra brightness.
I then sat back and listened. The sound was excellent now on every reference track I have. Bass was thunderous and clean as was the rest of the response. Spatial qualities were improved good bit and I really, really enjoyed the sound. So much so that I am listening to it while typing this.
Conclusions
First, let's acknowledge the great response from the company to send me a headphone to test after the contentious discussions we had on the Caldera. The Bokeh with the included pad does remedy bass response (for the most part). The treble response however is recessed which stands out even more given the extra bass. I rather have that than the other way around, with exaggerated highs which can be annoying. With equalization, performance becomes excellent and when combined with the nice, premium look of the headphone, makes for an excellent package.
I am going to recommend the ZMF Bokeh as tested with equalization.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
