ZMF Caldera Headphone Review

[Hoegaardener70]

Did you like the VC? How long did you have it?

I owned it for a couple of months and compared it extensively with the Focal Stellia, which was the one I kept in the end. Reasons were partly based on practical considerations, since the Focal worked better with my DAP, which was my preferred usage scenario for a closed headphone. The VC definitely needs better amplification. But even with my amp, the ifi pro iCan, I still prefered the Stellia overall, it was much livelier and dynamic in the upper registers. I also preferred the Stellia’d polished, industrial design, but that’s very subjective- some friends loved the VC design. As a glasses wearer, the Stellia was more comfortable for me.

 

[archerious]

This one as well as the Auteur (1.5k$) and Verite Closed (2.5k$) do not seem to be poor sounding (not Harman target in the bass)

These headphones are about the wood and craftsmanship and their 'tuning' and are not intended for the general public but people with disposable income that appreciate it for what it is.
EQ can get them where you want them if needed.
You will end up with a gorgeous looking and sounding (with EQ) conversation piece.

Did amir review the Verite closed? I'm curious how it measured and sounded. Love the wood and their cans are priced well on the used market ($1600-$1900).

Quite tempted to try them. I didn't like the ZMF Atticus or ZMF Eiken when I tried them in the past though.

 

[solderdude]

https://crinacle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Verite-Closed-Auteur-lambskin-1600x725.jpg

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?attachments/upload_2019-10-4_20-34-17-png.18125/

Lacking clarity a bit so a very 'relaxed' sound.

There won't be a lot of ASR members interested in ZMF headphones as they usually do not measure anywhere near Harman are a bit on the heavy side and usually rather expensive.

Expensive is fine but should measure close to the Harman target and have low distortion in that case.

One buys ZMF because of the wood (looks) and because it has a certain 'sound' one might be looking for while not using EQ.

 

[NDRQ]

Tried it today and it sounds just like the graphs, anemic bass with harsh, uneven sounding highs, it was shockingly bad.
I cannot comprehend why would anyone pay for that price these....its a joke. I would not even pay 100 bucks for these..

 

[Jimster480]

Tried it today and it sounds just like the graphs, anemic bass with harsh, uneven sounding highs, it was shockingly bad.
I cannot comprehend why would anyone pay for that price these....its a joke. I would not even pay 100 bucks for these..

I felt the same way about it when I listened to it years ago.

 

[Benesyed]

Tried it today and it sounds just like the graphs, anemic bass with harsh, uneven sounding highs, it was shockingly bad.
I cannot comprehend why would anyone pay for that price these....its a joke. I would not even pay 100 bucks for these..

Not sure, I have these and the expanse and prefer these. Must just be really strong bias

 

[solderdude]

But then the question pops up who has the really strong bias.

And everyone has bias, human nature. And then there is taste.
People may like it, others may hate it or find it 'meh'.

All opinions are correct ... because they are opinions. Others may not agree with some opinions but that is because they have a different opinion or weigh it against facts (and how they interpret those facts).
Correctly done measurements are not opinions but data points.
It's the interpreting of the data that is potentially biased.
Even when that would be done by Ai and no human was involved simply because of the training of that Ai and which and how the questions are formulated.

When you love it ... listen to it and enjoy it and disregard negative talk.
When you hate it (because of whatever reason) sell it or don't buy it and go for something you like.

 

[NDRQ]

Not sure, I have these and the expanse and prefer these. Must just be really strong bias

Maybe you like the heavily colored sound of the Caldera, maybe it works for your music, i dont know. But it was terrible for me, since i prefer the neutralish sound, that doesnt color/change the source material.

 

[Benesyed]

Maybe you like the heavily colored sound of the Caldera, maybe it works for your music, i dont know. But it was terrible for me, since i prefer the neutralish sound, that doesnt color/change the source material.

I think so tbh I also felt like the expanse did not truly feel open. Still great and I use them first time I listen to a new song