Aeolus is the latest stroke of genius from the Chicago-based ZMF manufacture. This TPE driver is big surprise, and the Atticus may be quite underrated in this area. 233 S Wacker Dr #4400, Chicago, IL 60606 ... Production Assistant ZMF Headphones. Imagine a yardstick which is 36 inches. With the Eikon the instruments/frequencies are spread out more (stretched). I also ended up getting a one off Pheasantwood Auteur for long sessions on my main rig. LTD. New 2020/2021 woods available now. You can decide what takes center stage. Although I have only had correspondence with him via email, he comes across as incredibly … Honestly, this is the first biocellulose tuning I've ever heard that leaned neutral and not completely weird in some way (like the TH900's...everything but bass, or the Nighthawks weird "we don't want to fatigue you...but you don't get to hear anything else either.) I actually had to borrow someone's HD600 to confirm that it was in fact similar to the HD6x0 series (and indeed it is.). Is one headphone overall better than the other? Bass raised over the treble and mids. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The lower mids of the Eikon are a pretty special thing. ZMF Headphones creates exceptional wooden headphones that have gained world-wide acclaim. I liked the new chassis the Cocobolo Atticus came with so I ordered the newer chassis for the Eikon and installed it myself. ZMF. I like that you can tell it was done by hand and not a machine punching it out. The Atticus could be a long-term relationship but you need to be willing to put up with the emotional ups. JavaScript is disabled. It is more of an intellectual experience. And when it does make itself known, it has a distortion free and well-texture quality to it. https://www.stereophile.com/content...amp-palmer-power-station-battery-power-supply, https://www.head-fi.org/members/bunnynamedcraig.401250/, https://www.head-fi.org/threads/2359glenn-studio.600110/. The new chassis can be purchased for $150. BUT, each one has added color and added life. One genre of music that itâs superb with - Rock. I thought I would compare the Eikon and Atticus and decide which one I prefer and keep that one. One was during super long sessions on my main rig. The best things I can say about the treble is that it is well extended, incredibly clear, smooth, and has a bit of energy. ZMF Headphones is a small headphone company based out of Chicago Illinois. I purchased the Eikon used (Cherry Wood) in order to get my feet wet. Because of that, the Eikon is hard to describe in detail other than "what is there is excellent.". Really. One genre of music that its superb with- Jazz. It may not display this or other websites correctly. The ZMF Atticus is all original and built to last a lifetime in the USA. Also, as a fun note, I'm keeping all Atticus vs. Eikon stuff for the end. I love how it responds to tubes⦠Tubes can really manipulate how this headphone sounds. It is the same paragraph, as they use the same kind of frame to build off of.]. You can at any moment decide which instrument to focus on and make that what you are listening to. But if you are still reading this you understand. Separation is below the Vérité and above the Aeolus. 2.1K likes. The Eikon, on the other hand, is smoother and leans more towards the neutral side, giving you the music as it should be while adding only a drop of color into it. Hold the Auteur in your hands and you'll know something's up, this is no mass produced by robots "product." ZMF Headphones is a small headphone company based out of Chicago Illinois. The Eikon is more analytical. Smoothness to it that I didnât get from the other two. I've heard that Focal can be a bitch to deal with from time to time. However, the more neutral and linear sound of the Eikon, especially in the treble, allows it to exceed in making the microdetail more apparent. It can either make it punchy and bassy as hell or dial that way back and make it a more causal listen. ZMF Headphones. Vocals also stand out as particularly natural sounding. I have been in contact with Zach and his wife Bevin via email. We sipped brandy and discussed a two-year internship I would start under his tutelage. The seemless transition from the mid-bass into the lower mids adds quite a bit clarity to the bass notes, which helps establish the non-intrusive (but powerful) bass of the Eikon. It is subtly prominent. Let's just jump straight into the nitty gritty. However, as time went on, the differences between the two became less obvious over time. Most mid bass quantity of all three. I will now try and give you an analogy that in my mind gives the best comparison between the two headphones. The Cherry Eikon came with the original chassis. We are currently seeking a new team member to join our production crew! Also, I want to understand the sound of the headphone and IEM without knowing what a frequency graph tells me how it should sound. Treble to die for.Hyper detail with realism. Originally, ZMF made elaborate modifications with wooden cups to headphones like the … This section is for those who fell down the tube rabbit hole just like me! My preferences lean just slightly warmer than neutral. My reference chain of gear consists of: Arcam CD Player -> Yggdrasil A2 -> ZDS -> Auteur / Atticus / HD800S / HD6x0 family. You are using an out of date browser. ZMF Headphones - Chicago, IL - American made Headphones. There are slight variances which make each product unique. By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies. Now that is odd. It had to go for personal sanity reasons. Really. There is a bit of subbass over midbass emphasis. The background is blacker. Yes, there are more exciting dreams to have. In fact, the air of this headphone shattered my expectations of a closed headphone. He said, "Herb, see if you like these." Very useful information. ZMF Headphones is a small headphone company based out of Chicago Illinois. The difference lies in how far they go with it. Other areas of hyper focus over the years have been Fountain Pens, watches, roasting and perfecting trying to pull the best shot possible, tennis racquets (I also obsessed on playing tennis and basketball), duck hunting jackets (I do not hunt), languages, and in general how things work and function. However, it doesn't try to stand out. Much like the HE-6, in fact. Almost a year ago, a headphone pal loaned me the Zach Mehrbach designed ZMF Auteur LTD headphones. ZMF Headphones is a small headphone company based out of Chicago Illinois. No instrument takes center stage. With Verité and Auteur, he rounds off the open portfolio downwards (mind you, only in terms of price). The Atticus reminds me of the Rhapsodio Solar. Review: ZMF Aeolus - Ultimate Chill Headphones - Headphonesty Usually about some odd thing I was requesting like a longer screw or something odd thought would work better for the swivel movement of the headphone. The Eikon is about detail and clarity. I did have a dream that I showed up at Zach Mehrbachâs home (owner of ZMF) and knocked on the door. It just is. I especially enjoyed the description of ZMF's company setup. Each one is a unique piece of art. Here I am today writing about it in depth in order to help others have a better understanding of the differences. In the audio world such a problem poses comes to light a little too often. ZMF headphones are widely regarded I personally love to support smaller enterprises run by passionate individuals. If your wallet permits have both. If you cannot have both then chose based on the genre of music you listen to most. It is not for those that want instruments to jump out at them. It may not display this or other websites correctly. That would be the sub bass. The resolve is a weird one. The only thing I noticed, casually, was how relaxed and unbelievably transparent they were. Sparkle where there needs to be, without being sharp. Because, as everything else in this hobby, everything comes down to what you want to hear, not what others want you to. I will copy my blurb about ZMF Headphones from my Verite review, as nothing has changed on that front. It doesn't have weird tuning choices! The goose bumps they provide at times when it all comes together is very addicting. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Not really but there are the differences. That said, the detail and imagery alone make up for this difference. However, the Eikon is a step up above all three of those in build quality. I switched to Qobuz for a bit but they do not have a family plan yet and my family was drawing up papers to disown me if I did not switch back to Tidal family plan. I do not look at graphs nor do I EQ. Back to my measuring stick analogy. Zach makes each one by hand. This was my first time hearing any of his headphones and I have to say I quite liked both Atticus and Eikon. Everyone is in agreement with it and both headphones can be perched by your bedside ready for listening sessions depending on your mood! The other headphones were less responsive by comparatives sake. It is deep, powerful, and detailed. If you want a relationship that is high on the fun scale then Atticus is your choice. Wonderful review Craig ! Unlike other dynamics, it also has a speed to it that is normally not matched by other headphones. Starting with updating my two-channel system, then getting into closed back headphones, then open back headphones, then IEMs (still hyper psychotically focused), then back to open and closed headphones. Very informative and balanced review. It is now, however, anywhere near a headphone like the T1 or even the HE560. They are stunning and beautiful! But the Eikon is 36 inches in length and the Atticus is 36 cm which translates into 14.2 inches i.e. With the Atticus the 36 inch frequency graph was pushed in to make 36 cm (14.2 inches). Enjoyed reading that, especially the comparisons. In hopes most likely of me going away. It is not the HP for those that want color. ZMF headphones are hand assembled out of premium materials at the ZMF workshop just outside of Chicago, USA. Due to this clarity, the imaging is quite spectacular. The comfort of headphones during extended sessions was missed. Unlike most of Zach's other headphones, the rest of the mid-range is not thick at all. With tubes I am trying to do a ânaturalâ EQ of sorts to try and pull them forward a bit for my own tastes. I would throw in more of description, but, like the bass, it is just well-integrated. I took them home and right away thought, Wow, these headphones really disappear! At age 9 one of my areas of focus was coin collecting. The ’phones, which can be customized, are made to order. Tone seems to be warm and slightly dark to my ears. I am enamored by sub bass. Our headphones do not come off an assembly line. The Atticus does have spikes along the way such as mid bass but nothing is recessed. Because there is only a touch of warmth, the Eikon doesn't become over-bloated from a warm OTL amp either. I did have a Schiit Loki for a few weeks. ZMF uses a variety of wood finishes that are chosen to bring out the natural color and wood-grain from each billet. ZMF Headphones are heirloom quality wood headphones crafted in the USA. Your Stax comparison would been different, If you would have used a much better amplifier like KGSSHV. Maintaining the integrity of a small custom shop, and the tech of a high end audio boutique, ZMF makes headphones to satisfy all sensibilities. They are comfortable (perhaps a bit heavy, but not overly so) look great, and sound even better. Atticus [AT∙i∙kuhs] is ZMF's most "fun" headphone with a punchy mid bass, smooth forward mids and present but non-obtrusive treble. Transparency is very similar, offering liquid silky smooth. The owner of ZMF headphones, Zach Mehrbach, is…a really nice guy. Also, during the night reaching in a drawer to pull out an IEM and setting it all up became cumbersome. Impressive mix of âfunâ and âanalyticalâ sound. Loving two things that are the same but different and having to choose which one to keep can be a heart wrenching problem. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The Atticus is warmer but seems to have better detail than Eikon. As far as looks go I don't think anything other than Fostex TH900 cups can compare to the beauty of ZMF headphones but thats even more subjective than the sound. I then read everything I could about ZMF and purchased an Atticus headphone, number 30 of 30 special edition Cocobolo wood. Heirloom quality wood headphones crafted in the USA. Based in Chicago and headed by Zach Mehrbach, each headphone is made to order and meticulously crafted to … Prices and a plethora of information can be found at zmfheadphones.com. Nothing about their sound attracted my attention. The woodwork is of the highest quality. I find the mids the be the most similar of anything. I have a bias toward the Eikon just because I listen to more music that suits the Eikon better. Or for a different size gasket since they did not match perfectly. I purchased both Headphones. Nothing was pushed below the measuring stick. This could be a rare moment in life when it is allowed to have two relationships at the same time. The Atticus does have proper treble, mids, and bass. Today we are talking about another great pair of headphones from ZMF, the Eikon. They are actualized individually by our skilled technicians in Chicago, Illinois with unmatched attention to precision and detail. The Eikon is more ârealâ vs. the Atticus being more âexciting.â. The upper mid-range, much like the rest of the headphone, is an incredibly smooth transition. I prefer long sessions of each headphone for reviews but I also do a some direct A/B comparisons to confirm what I find during long sessions. There's nothing really much to this headphone: It is just fantastic. ZMF has a lifetime driver warranty and both Zach and his wife Bevin are wonderful to communicate with. Many thanks for putting the time in this. That was some great writing in your review. The bass of the Eikon is best described (and I'm stealing this from a friend) as "integrated." Mainly because that would be one more thing I would obsess on. They are, however, incredibly fast and shine with complex pieces of music. Very capable in both areas. The width of the stage is narrow by comparisons sake to the other two. If you are a fan of his work, you will like the Auteur. Surprisingly, their tonality actually follow the same lines: a bass emphasis, into linear but amazing mids, followed by smooth treble. The new one is lighter, has better ergonomics, looks better (I think), and has a better weight balance. The Abyss headphones are a joke. The small team is expertly trained to make unique, heirloom wood headphones but this counts for nothing if the sound isn't there. The owner of ZMF headphones, Zach Mehrbach, is…a really nice guy. Fatigue with these headphones is nonexistent. This beauty is made with a biocellulose dynamic driver covered by Cherry wood housing. Linear, clear, spatial, real, with an added special sub bass. Overall, this headphone is a smooth, powerful, detailed, quick, revealing black-backgrounded son of a bitch. Although I have only had correspondence with him via email, he comes across as incredibly … It is even keeled across the board with one caveat which I will get to in a bit. If I didnât like it then I would turn around and sell it at a loss of shipping cost and PayPal fees. That long term relationship with a special added perk. I spent three months intensely listening to the two of them and taking notes as I listened. Combine that with the speed of the driver, the Eikon gains an incredibly sense of attack to the end of each note. Honestly, they're both just as good as the other. I could not stop fiddling with it due to my OCD tendencies. I know a lot of people who are thinking the opposite, however. ZMF Headphones is a small headphone company based out of Chicago Illinois. The instruments come to you rather than with the Eikon you need to go to the instruments. The main difference comes down to this: what is your perference? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you want a long-term relationship without ups and downs then the Eikon is your choice. Imagine the length of the measuring stick to be the Eikon frequency graph. Personally, I'm getting a Paduak Atticus, as I'd rather have a colored sound with almost all the technicalities of the Eikon. You talk about technicalities - but I noticed you never mentioned micro or macro dynamics? Audio has always been part of my life. Our headphones are built by hand in small batches with extreme attention to detail and an absolute requisite for precision. The hyper focus started about four years ago. You're correct about some portables jinxy, this review was written using the iDSD. The instruments are the focus more than the music. To top it off, the transients of this headphone are among the fastest I've ever heard out of any headphone out there. We chatted in his back yard around a fire he had built. Since this headphone is entirely designed by ZMF, it no longer uses the stock Fostex head-band. ZMF Headphones is a small headphone company based out of Chicago Illinois. There is one little beautiful blip of color added to the Eikon. Those that know me wonder if I am on some alternate scale of high functioning Autism. By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.