ZMF Atticus Measurements and Review

Discussion in 'Headphone Measurements' started by purr1n, Mar 14, 2017.

  1. Ryanr1987

    Ryanr1987 Facebook Friend

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    Judging by impressions it seems that these headphones are a side grade from the HD650? Being in the UK buying these would be a risk but I absolutely love the design of these. How do these compare vocal wise to the HD650? I've still struggled to find a headphone that can make the hairs stand up like the 650 can.
     
  2. Rthomas

    Rthomas Friend

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    My guess is Instant £500 loss if you get these shipped to the UK and need to sell them.

    I'd be very dissapointed if they're just a side grade at 4 times the price. I couldn't care less about the wood or the looks although they do look nice but a bit bulky. The focals have a much better silhouette to my eyes.
     
  3. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    Neither my Eikon or Atticus sounded anything like my HD650. The thought that they would be considered a side-grade is laughable to me as I think both of them put the 650 to shame in so many different ways.
     
  4. Ryanr1987

    Ryanr1987 Facebook Friend

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    Yeah that's my worry I would lose a lot. Plus I have to factor in import duty :/

    Headphones are just getting silly expensive these days.
     
  5. Ryanr1987

    Ryanr1987 Facebook Friend

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    What are you driving them with?
     
  6. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    Bifrost MB + Wells Milo
    Jotunheim at work.
     
  7. Ryanr1987

    Ryanr1987 Facebook Friend

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    Cool what did you feel the ZMF's did better? Measurements seem to suggest a more jagged response than the 650 and not as cohesive, these are all things that mean a lot to me in headphones but I care about tone and vocal emotion more than pretty much anything else.
     
  8. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    I'm at work, so it's hard to write a detailed response.

    VS the Eikon, vocals pop right out at you, yet are natural, and are just distinct. The overall tone has more body to it - more substance. It's not artificial sounding though, which is pretty amazing compared to the HD650. For my preferences, it's the best headphone I've ever owned, period, end of story. So, given I'm such a huge fan of it... grain of salt and all that, I guess.

    As far as the FR goes, it shocked me that the ZMF dynamics appeared so similar to the 650, I just don't hear as many similarities as the graph indicates it should have. Definitely a case of how a FR doesn't tell the whole story.
     
  9. LauSing2

    LauSing2 Facebook Friend

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    @Marvey How does the Atticus' bass compare with the TH900?
     
  10. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    TH900 bass emphasis is 60Hz and below. Atticus is mid-bass around 100Hz. TH900 bass is much cleaner.

    Been asking the Massdrop guys for a TH-X00 with the TH900 strength motor for this reason.
     
  11. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Few things to add. TH900 bass is like thunderous earthquake. Atticus bass is punchy and explosive. Both headphones have bass emphasis in very narrow bands. For recordings without much energy in these specific bands, the bass doesn't intrude much at all.
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2017
  12. MattRG

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    Oh yeah! Call it the TH-X00 Super or Deluxe or something. I'd bite. Still, the price would have to be right (as in, well below what Fostex asks for a new TH900).
     
  13. brencho

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    so, i had the Atticus on loan last week and i really like them. like i said on another thread, they kinda blow the dick off the Z1R, took it out back and got it pregnant. they each represent a different take on a warmer, darker tonal balance with the Atticus sounding noticeably faster and more engaging and aggressive, which i prefer.

    first of all, not to beat a dead horse, but the Atticus has balls. and the Torpedo 3 grabbed those balls by the very top of the scrotum, between its thumb and index finger, and pulled down hard. lots of slam. i don't know if it has more mid-bass than the hd650, or about the same but more bass volume. but regardless, they sound bassier than the hd650. also a bit darker overall to me. the Atticus slams hard, maybe harder than the 650, but different. the 650 slams on drum hits on graceland but also has the bite or leading edge more clearly defined, whereas the Atticus is more of a slam with a bit more of a bounce or less bite/ traction than the hd650 to me.

    the other thing that struck me was the spaciousness of the Atticus. didn't feel congested, which is a feat. the other headphone that does this really well are the Slants, which have an almost exaggerated sense of space. the Atticus felt more stadium-like in its space, whereas the Slants felt more expansive/infinite-space. or how to put it, like the Atticus wood was providing a reverb or stadium-like echo to the notes and the slam. it's definitely an enjoyable feeling. i could see these being complementary pair of cans to something more tonally accurate and neutral for example. or i guess if you like darker warmer phones then these could get you there and back again.

    probably there's more to say but i'll stop while i'm ahead, meaning that those were the things that stuck out at me most immediately, that i feel confident identifying. my guess is that the Atticus is more comparable to the THX00 in its general tonality, whereas the Eikon might be more like the Slants, with more subbass impact as opposed to midbass impact. but the Slants are also dark like the Atticus whereas my guess for the EIkon is that it won't be quite as dark. but you know what they say about speculation...

    atticus3.jpg
     
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2017
  14. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    Your colorful metaphors make my dangly bits ache.

    :)
     
  15. brencho

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    yeah bro you're telling me... i'm a scientist by day and an author of erotic fiction by night :p
     
    Last edited: Apr 5, 2017
  16. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    Steamy audiophile romance novels. Epic!

    Well, you see Johnny, when a headphone and tube amp love each other... Never mind, I'll tell you when you're older.
     
  17. TheIceman93

    TheIceman93 El pato-zorro

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    I received the Atticus from @brencho the other day and holy shit balls, this headphone is amazing. I decided to get my own pair after about 20 min of listening. I'm going to post more detailed impressions but Zach has really outdone himself with these.

    By the way, in case you haven't heard, If you are a SoCal local, there will be a $200 price reduction for Atticus and Eikon if you order one in person at Can Jam this weekend.
     
  18. Huhnkopf

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    I would instantly buy it. TH-900 is one my alltime favorites, it just needs better balance (less spikes).
     
  19. perkele

    perkele Acquaintance

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    @Marvey in your op there's a Laconic amp in the picture but no reference to it in your review. What are your thoughts about Atticus & Laconic pairing? I'm in my search for teh ultimate closed cans to pair my Russian magic box. Thanks!
     
  20. Brian Frimpter

    Brian Frimpter New

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    I am very content with my Atticus paired with Decware Taboo MK IV
     

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