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super_smoothie OP t1_iy95q9l wrote

Reply to comment by hamipe26 in Focal Clear are melting my ears and not in a good way (review) by super_smoothie

Which ones should I look into? trying to keep it around $1200 or lower and don't know a whole lot about them.

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Gromu t1_iy9iqs1 wrote

You can look for a second hand Auteur OG.

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1arghavan t1_iy9lqjf wrote

Aeolus. Not the best resolution, but excellent timbre and they're just so enjoyable to listen to.

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raindownthunda t1_iyb5jpp wrote

Agree. I demoed the Clear for a few weeks, had the same impressions as you, and ending up buying an Aeolus. They are a sleeper as they actually have pretty good technicalities with a much kinder presentation. More like a super-HD650. There are so many ZMF models now and the Aeolus has been out long enough that user can be had for a great price well under $1200.

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hamipe26 t1_iy9zbmv wrote

If you dont like “shout” that may tell me you wont enjoy harman-ish tunings so I wouldn’t tell you to buy an Auteur (buy it tho) which is my favorite headphone they make and I see it as the upgrade to get if you enjoyed the HD650 or 6XX but it leans towards the harman target a bit which has the upper midrange emphasis (i dont think it was intended, they were just looking to make a more “neutral” headphone while still retaining the ZMF essence and that was the result.) I would recommend to buy used since you can find them at amazing prices; the Atticus and Aeolus are very separated from that type of sound signature, the upper midrange is more relaxed so you wont find any “shout” even if you tried, even the Eikon which is basically the closed back auteur doesn’t have too much emphasis in that area as the auteur but that one is a bit too bright for me.

But… big but im still going to say to try and get an auteur (preferably the new model the auteur classic since it has an improved driver) because the realism of the midrange timbre is just excellent, you wont find any hints of metallic timbre anywhere on any ZMF headphone and that was a big factor for me becoming a fanboy of ZMF headphones. Realistic Timbre every day and twice on Sunday.

Now, one advantage (and disadvantage in a good way) these headphone have is that you can change the pads and those pads can change the sound of the headphone to your liking. Its a double edged sword because you’re going to spend money on pads just so you can have peace of mind that a certain pad is the one you like but Zach and the community are there to help you choose which pads will suit your sound preferences.

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super_smoothie OP t1_iya4w9p wrote

Thanks for this detailed writeup! Did all the legwork for me! I'll definitely be picking up a pair to try myself in the near future, even if I do end up with an Arya as well.

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Thuraash t1_iyan494 wrote

My turn to preach (and make your wallet sad).

I read your impressions and likes/dislikes post. From what I understood, you wanted natural timbre, good resolution, precision in soundstage, neutral or recessed mids, and no sibilance. The Auteur will do all of that, less the slam and bass presence (that's just not what the headphone is going for). While the Auteur is an EXCELLENT headphone, I don't think it's the best one in ZMF's lineup for your preferences.

When you get a chance, if you can find one at an event or HiFi store to try, you should try the Verite. Its beryllium-coated bio cellulose drivers slam like planars, but sing like dynamics. Everything is audible and discernible, yet nothing oppresses the ears. They are magnificent.

The only "downside" is that they achieve this comfortably listenable sound signature by "sucking out" the mids. It takes maybe fifteen minutes or half an hour to adjust to the effect, during which time it feels like you're working to listen for the mids you can hear are there, mixed in with everything else. But that's the key: they're still there. They're just not shouting over everything else. Once your ears adjust, the mids settle into place and you'll hear and enjoy them just fine.

And if you want more mids than the Verite offers and are willing to sacrifice some precision and slam to get it, look at the Atrium.

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hamipe26 t1_iya891e wrote

My pleasure, you wont be disappointed.

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HeavyCn t1_iyalhpb wrote

I would second the suggestion of the Auteur. That is where most people including Zach (owner of ZMF) says you should start if you want get into their sound. You cant go wrong with anything in their lineup tho.

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Commantesse t1_iydfeot wrote

> You cant go wrong with anything in their lineup tho.

As an owner of Auteur OG and former owner of Aeolus, Atticus, Eikon and Ori, you can definitely go wrong with ZMF headphones.

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HeavyCn t1_iydlppr wrote

What didn't you like about them?

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Commantesse t1_iyf3f4k wrote

I thought Aeolus, Atticus and Eikon severely lacked clarity/resolution/detail, were very blanketed in the bass and midrange, were very veiled in the treble, had very muffled and unnatural timbre, and had a tiny soundstage with very smeared/muddled/messy imaging and instrument separation. I also thought that Aeolus had bad dynamics/punch/potency/tactility across the whole range, while Atticus and Eikon had great dynamics in the bass, but were bad in the midrange and treble.

I had Atticus and Aeolus for a year before I conceded that I was never going to like them. Eikon I put up for sale quickly when I realized it was just more of the same. It's not that I don't like warm or dark headphones -- I adore HD650, CAL!, NTH-100 and a certain planar starting with V that shall not be named. I also liked LCD-2C.

In addition to the stock pads, I used Eikon suede, Universe suede and Universe perforated suede on Aeolus. On Atticus and Eikon, I used Eikon suede and Universe suede in addition to the stock pads.

As for Ori, it's a long time ago since I used it and I no longer remember what I specifically disliked about it.

Auteur is my favorite headphone. Usually, I find that headphones fall either on the bright side or the dark side of the spectrum, but Auteur is the first pair of headphones where I can't place it on either side, as if it's right in the middle, completely neutral. The upper midrange is perfect to me as well -- not shouty / too hot, nor sucked out / distant. The lower midrange and upper bass have a slight bloom that gives Auteur slightly more body and a hint of warmth. The sub-bass is a little rolled off, but I don't really care as I don't find the bass quality/technicalities to be up to snuff anyway, especially when EQ'd, so I switch to TH900 PW when I want fast, taut, snappy, punchy bass.

The timbre is the most natural I've heard in a pair of headphones or earphones. Usually, I find timbre more or less dry, bright, lush, tinny, muffled, metallic, glassy, shouty, etc., but with Auteur, it's... uncharacteristic. It has maybe a hint of sweetness, likely due to the slight bloom in the lower midrange and upper bass. Acoustic guitar and the violin, which are two of my favorite instruments and the instruments I have the most real-life experience with, sound life-like.

The dynamics are good across the whole range, making everything sound punchy or lively, and acoustic guitar plucks especially sound tactile.

The resolution is very clear and it digs into details like throatiness, raspiness, spittiness, the breath between notes.

The imaging is cohesive and instrument separation is well-delineated. The width of the soundstage is very wide (not quite wide as HD800). The depth of the soundstage is shallow/intimate, presenting me close to the mouth of the singer, which I prefer as Auteur is my midrange and timbre specialist pair of headphones.

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